Rising Covenant (Living Covenant Trilogy Book 1) by Amanda M. Lee Page B

things I know right now.”
    Paris opened her mouth to press him further, but I shook my head to still her. She wisely snapped her mouth shut and nodded. “I’ll go to bed.”
    “Great,” Aric muttered.
    I slipped my hand into Aric’s and led him toward our bedroom, casting a rueful look in Paris’ direction. “We’ll talk again in the morning.”
    Paris nodded, morose and mute.
    “If you try to leave this house while we’re sleeping, I will hunt you down and kill you,” Aric warned. “Don’t you dare think of betraying us again. You won’t like what happens if you do.”

7
    Seven
    I left Aric with his thoughts for the rest of the night. I could see his mind busily working on the problem, but I didn’t want to push him when he wasn’t ready to talk. I’d lived with him long enough to know when he needed quiet time. I’m not a quiet person by nature, but poking him when he’s uneasy is a horrible idea. It would lead to a fight, and that was the last thing I wanted.
    We took a subdued shower together, one that didn’t lead to wandering hands for a change, and then we went to bed. I drifted off quickly, the knowledge that Aric would never let anyone get close enough to us in our sleep making me feel safe enough to nod off. I thought Aric did the same, but I was wrong.
    I woke long after midnight, Aric’s cool spot in the bed making my heart thud as I rolled over. He stood at the window, his back to me, intent on whatever was transpiring outside. I crawled out of bed and joined him, letting him wrap his arm around my shoulders as he watched his father’s men work.
    “What are you thinking?” I asked.
    “I’m thinking that I did a really crummy job of keeping you safe yesterday.”
    “Aric … .”
    “It’s the truth,” Aric said, cutting me off. “If I hadn’t felt you calling for me, what would have happened?”
    “Probably the exact same thing,” I replied, unruffled. “I would’ve fried the werewolves and then waited for you to come back and clean up the mess. You know I hate housework. There’s no way I could’ve handled that alone.”
    Aric chuckled, the sound light despite the pall in our bedroom. “I keep worrying that I won’t be able to keep you safe, yet you’re the one who keeps coming through and saving my life. There’s a little bit of irony in there.”
    “Do you feel emasculated?”
    Aric shifted his eyes to mine. “Should I?”
    “Well, you were saved by a lowly girl,” I said, poking him in the side to let him know I was kidding. “I would think in wolf circles that would make you quite the mongrel.”
    “Oh, I love it when you use dog words to talk about my heritage,” Aric deadpanned, although his eyes twinkled. “Why are you up? You usually sleep so deep I have to tickle you awake.”
    “I missed you.”
    “How could you miss me? You were asleep.”
    I shrugged. “I felt your absence,” I said. “When I woke up your side of the bed was cool. You run hot. I’m used to that. I just … felt … you weren’t there.”
    “I’m sorry,” Aric said, rubbing my neck. “I heard movement out here and I wanted to watch them clean up. I guess I lost track of time.”
    “What about the two wolves who were still alive?” I was almost afraid to ask the question.
    “They’re gone now, Zoe,” Aric replied. “You know we couldn’t let them live in case they got a message back to anyone looking for this book. It’s better this way. Ten wolves disappearing will give the people who want the book reason to pause. That will give us time to figure out a plan of attack.”
    “You’re including Paris is that ‘us,’ right?”
    Aric scowled.
    “She’s still my friend,” I said. “She made a mistake. She was lonely. Part of this is my fault.”
    “Don’t even go there, Zoe,” Aric snapped. “Paris did this on her own.”
    “She could have left the book with them and then where would we be?”
    Aric didn’t answer, instead keeping his eyes fixed on the