The waiting began. I tried to hide it but I was sick with worry. The grimness in Ragnvald’s mood didn’t lessen. He stayed close to me, unspeaking, hovering like a bodyguard. At times I caught him grimacing as if he was in pain. He hid it from me, and didn’t otherwise seem sick, so I didn’t mention the matter.
Ragnvald and I f****d every night, with quiet, desperate movements. Afterwards, I draped my body over his long one, and we lay entwined like that for long sleepless hours.
At last word came. With Maddox in their custody, Brenna’s Alphas agreed to set the Gathering a week hence.
Ragnvald wouldn’t allow me out of his sight, so I accompanied him on all pack business. I grew used to wearing the collar and chain, but before long, Ragnvald dispensed with the walk to the standing stones,
