Winter Wolf

Chapter 34

Tristan approached the house late in the night. Their scouts had returned, and his grandfather arrived late that afternoon to discuss their possible attack plan. Their meeting had gone a lot longer than he realized.

There was a lot to discuss...

Tristan had never been so damn eager to go to war as he was now. His inner beast had never craved a male's blood as much as Cecil's. It was almost startling to realize his wolf wanted him dead even more than when they'd gone after the Vargas.

... and they were yet another issue.

His grandfather's scouts had spotted them. More in Rafe's territory than theirs. From what they could tell, it seemed there truly were only a handful left, but Tristan wasn't going to make the same mistakes over again. He wasn't going to underestimate anything.

His grandfather sent out enforcers to hunt them down and finish it for good, but they hadn't had any luck so far, so they sent some of their own. It was just another thing to add his growing list of worries.

Tristan pushed through the door with his thoughts occupied. He didn't expect them to still be awake, so he didn't notice her until he was halfway across the room.

Tristan paused and glanced over at her standing beside the fire. Everything shifted focus when he saw the worry on her face.

"What's wrong?" Tristan asked quickly.

"Um... do you know if anyone has seen Sil?" Lo asked. Tristan glanced to the stairs. He realized he heard no one else there.

"No one has mentioned anything." Tristan said as he studied her expression.

"She just... didn't come home, and I haven't seen her since last night." Lo said. Tristan studied her worried face for a moment. That female didn't seem the type to need rescuing. She was far wilder than any he'd ever met, and if she did decide to leave territory, he imagined she'd likely survive better in the wilderness than most of their males.

"I can send some enforcers out in search." Tristan offered anyway. Lo fidgeted with her hands for a moment as she glanced to the window. She seemed to hesitate.

"...no, it's okay. She's probably fine." Lo said. Tristan still studied her.

How long had she been there alone?

"I'm going to have some caretakers assigned here tomorrow. I know your friend prefers not to but the house does need to be maintained a bit more now that it's occupied." Tristan said carefully, he didn't want to seem pushy, so he decided to go with that rather than tell her he didn't want her there alone since her friend was apparently unreliable. It irritated him. Lo just nodded. She didn't argue.

"Are you not tired?" He asked. Tristan didn't expect a repeat of last night... even though he couldn't help but hope that she'd be asleep in his room when he got home... He actively tried not to let himself entertain it too much.

He only had so much control. The frustration of it all ran too deep.

And he didn't want to hurt her.

"I was just worried." Lo said a bit nervously. Tristan studied her soft features for a moment. She truly was a gentle soul, in every way...

Before he could speak again, she spoke quickly.

"Can I stay with you tonight?" Lo asked almost nervously, like she wasn't sure of his answer. Tristan felt stunned for a moment, before he couldn't help but grin.

"Consider it yours as much as mine, you needn't ask." He said as he offered his hand. Lo seemed still a bit shy. The slight flush that came to her skin had him aching to touch her, especially as she slid her soft hand into his.