Wulfe Untamed (Feral Warriors #8)(20)

“Wow. You’re okay, Wulfe?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Not cool that the Mage found you, Nat,” Xavier said. “But cool that you’re back. I’ve missed you.”

Natalie laughed, the sound watery. “Oh, Xavier, how I’ve missed you, too.”

“How’s Mom?”

She grimaced, unsure how to answer that. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt her brother. But sometimes, only the truth would do.

“She’s grieving.”

His face fell. “She thinks I’m dead.”

Natalie met Wulfe’s gaze, holding on to the soft understanding she saw there. “Mom clings to the hope that you’re alive, but the cops . . .” She shook her head. “I’m afraid no one else thinks you survived.”

“I guess it’s better that way. No one’s looking for me.”

“Everyone’s looking for you. They’ve scoured the Harpers Ferry area over and over again. But they’re past the point of believing they’ll find you alive.”

“This has to be killing Mom.”

Natalie gripped his hand. “It’s been hard on her. You know how much she loves you. But she’s tough, Xavier. She’ll be okay.”

Sorrow cast a sheen in his eyes, and he squeezed her hand in return. “As long as you don’t disappear, too.”

The truth of his words cut deep. “I won’t.” Her gaze found Wulfe’s again. “I have to believe I’ll get home again.”

Wulfe nodded. “I’ll make it happen.”

And she believed he would if the power lay in his hands.

Wulfe clasped Xavier’s shoulder. “Lyon’s waiting for us in his office, X. You two can talk more later.”

Natalie hugged her brother again, drinking in the feel of his wiry body, and the sheer miracle of his survival before forcing herself to pull away. “I’ll see you later.”

“I’m glad you’re here, Nat, for however long you stay. You have to meet Pink. She’s half-flamingo, but she can’t shift like the others can, she’s stuck that way. But she’s awesome.” Xavier frowned. “You’ll like it here, Nat. But do whatever they say. They’re the good guys, just do whatever they say.”

“I will.” But the gravity of his words sent a chill down her spine. They’re the good guys, but . . . She wasn’t safe here. Not entirely.

She squeezed Xavier’s hand, then turned back to Wulfe, surprised by the softness in his eyes as he watched her.

“Ready?” he asked.

“Yes.”

His fingers curled lightly around her upper arm as he led her through the dining room and into the hall. His touch, his presence, steadied her. Strengthened her. Despite Xavier’s warning, she felt safe with Wulfe as she had from the moment she’d met him in his animal form, though she probably shouldn’t. In so many ways, he was a total stranger. And yet . . . he wasn’t. In his eyes, she recognized the same spirit, the same sweet yet fierce soul who’d pressed his wolf’s head against her thigh, then taken knife wound after knife wound to defend her. The man’s face was still new to her—the scars disturbing, mostly because they spoke of great suffering. But beneath those scars was a strong face, a handsome one. And his body, which she’d seen more of than she had any right to, was nothing short of breathtaking. His scent invaded her air, a warm, masculine aroma that wove a spell over her, easing the tension from her muscles even as it quickened her pulse.

Everything about him called to her on the most primitive level, leaving her feeling secure but not calm. No, not calm. His half-naked closeness excited every molecule in her body.

As he ushered her down the hallway, his thumb began to rub her upper arm gently. “You’re still shaking,” he said quietly.

She laughed, a single burst of air. “I’m still reeling from all that’s happened, but I’m fine, Wulfe. More than fine.” She turned and met his gaze, the joy barreling up and out of her in a grin that split her face. “My brother’s alive.” Tears pooled in her eyes all over again, but she blinked them back, watching as an answering smile lit Wulfe’s eyes, igniting a sparkle within those dark depths that set up a warm, lively dance in her chest. His scarred mouth twitched, then widened, his crooked smile nothing short of stunning. Her pulse took off in a crazy flight.

“That went down just as I had hoped it would,” he murmured.

“What do you mean?”

If possible, his eyes softened even further. “You’ve been sad. Seeing X made you happy.”

As gratitude and affection surged up inside of her, Natalie rose up and placed a quick kiss on his cheek. “Very. Thank you.”

To her dismay, Wulfe jerked back, the light dying from his eyes. “You’re welcome.” But his tone turned flat, and he released her arm and turned away, continuing down the hall.

Natalie hurried to keep pace with him, wondering, unhappily, if she’d breached some kind of werewolf . . . shifter . . . etiquette. The last thing she wanted to do was displease the man who’d been nothing but wonderful to her. Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself for the meeting ahead and whatever followed, because it was obvious she didn’t understand this world. Or, for that matter, the people in it.