He had waited too long, should've made a run for Ruelle's last night. If Mam kept him from her tonight . . . Much longer, and he'd grow crazed. A hallucination danced at the edges of his vision, the dark closing in. He shifted his weight from one leg to the other; both felt like they'd snap at any second.
She tilted her head. "You go to meet a lass, no doubt. Thirteen is too young, son. Your da will tell you the same."
"I know, Mam. I'm sorry." Ah, gods, my bones.
She cupped his clammy face, her eyes going wide. "Ach, my Uilleam, you're burning up!"
"I have to go!" He could almost scent Ruelle's perfumes. Could almost taste the rouge with which she adorned her skin.
He could all but feel her milk-white arms wrapping around him. "Can you no' trust me, Mam?"
"You're sick, no' thinking clearly. You canna be out in the snow; you need to be abed."
"Please, just go back inside and doona worry over this. I'll return anon."
She snatched his arm and yelled over her shoulder, "Dugh! Come out here! Now."
Will heard two sets of footsteps stomping down the stairs into the main hall. Da and Munro.
Desperation boiled up inside him. "I've got to go!" He flung his arm free, shoving against his mother.
Mam tripped, falling down into the hard-packed snow. She gaped up at him, her eyes watering. "Will?"
He was horrified. He would rather die than harm her. "I'm so sorry! Have I hurt you? The babe?"
Her hands went to her belly as if to protect the wee girl. Protect Isla from me?
But then Mam's tears dried. Her inner beast began to rise, her eyes turning ice blue. Never, never, a good sign. Shite!
"You've no' hurt me, boy," she growled, her fangs lengthening. "Best worry for your own hide."
Just as Da and Munro made the doorway, she snapped to Will, "Hie your arse inside. Now!"
Da helped Mam to her feet, glancing from her to his son with his jaw slackened. "Have you lost your bluidy mind, Will?"
Aye! Will glanced over his shoulder toward the Woods of Murk, imagining the relief, the end of this pain. He whimpered-
Da's massive hand clamped Will's neck. "In you go!" He squired Will to a seat before Conall's great hearth fire. After getting a better look at his son's face, he added another log to the flames.
With his tall form outlined by the flickering light, Da looked even more intimidating than usual. Will swallowed, darting a glance at his twin.
Munro's slow nod and steady gaze seemed to say, We'll get through this. Keep your head. It helped.
Their mother crossed to sit close by her mate. Mam and Da were always near each other, as if their beasts were tethered with an invisible leash.
Her ire was clearly fading as she stared at Will's sweating face. "Dugh, we need to send for a physic."
"I fear I know what's wrong with him." Da turned to him. "Where were you going, son?" He seemed to hold his breath.
Will couldn't lie to his face. And more, he had to trust what he knew of his father's character-and Lykae law-over Ruelle's overwrought predictions. No Lykae will harm another's mate. "I was going to see my female, a woman who lives in the Woods."
Silence reigned. His words seemed to hang in the air.
When Da exhaled a stunned breath and Mam looked stricken, a marked unease stole over Will.
Ruelle had predicted that they wouldn't understand; she'd never mentioned that they'd be disgusted.
Turning to Da, Mam muttered, "Too young, ah gods, he's too young." She rose unsteadily to gather a blanket. Wrapping it around Will's shoulders, she said, "Warm yourself, lad. You've a long night ahead of you." He noticed with dread that her eyes watered once more.