I groaned through gritted teeth as the orgasm hit, making my hips strain up as my cock fired long ropes of cum onto my belly. It left me weak and shaking, but as I lay there in the dark, I still felt restless and too hot. I didn’t feel any better or more relaxed. Unease churned in my gut, forcing me to get up and walk on shaky legs to the laundry basket so I could clean the fluid off my stomach with a shirt.
I pulled on my old shorts and went outside, walking round to the back of the cottage. When I saw the wolf waiting for me, my mouth lifted into a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes.
“I’m glad you’re here,” I told him as I sat down at his side, leaning into him when he nuzzled at my neck. “I had a really nice day and then a terrible evening.”
We sat in silence for a while, the wolf panting softly as he leaned heavily against me, enjoying the absentminded scratches I was giving his neck.
My body still tingled in the aftermath of that furious, gut-churning orgasm. Every time I blinked, I saw Lonan’s black eyes staring at me, his face twisting between anger and utter disdain. My skin heated again. God knew how he’d react if he found out what I’d just done while thinking about him. I didn’t want to think about the cruel sneer that would no doubt contort his perfect features.
I snorted without humour.
“I can’t believe I just made myself come thinking about him,” I told the wolf, even though it wasn’t like he could answer if hedidunderstand me.
I had no one else to talk to—no one I could speak freely with, without worrying about how my words could be twisted and used against me. Not even Caom. I remembered the way his eyes had gleamed as he’d stared into my bag of coins. How long he’d taken to pick out his correct payment. I wasn’t sure I trusted him either.
“Why does the thought of him being just like the rest of them make me sad?” I said, trailing my fingertips round the wolf’s ear. “It wasn’t like I had any reason to think he wasn’t. Just because he gave me some advice. He’s probably back there with his family laughing at how pathetic and clueless I am.”
I leaned my head against the wall of the cottage, tilting it to look down at the wolf. He gazed back up at me with his head on my thigh, eyes big and black and mournful.
“Do you think I’m half fae?” I murmured, rubbing my thumb at the bridge of his snout, between his eyes. They closed with pleasure from the touch. “Why can’tyoutell me? I’d actually trust you if you could.”
The wolf stared up at me, then lifted his head and turned it towards the forest. I shifted my eyes to follow his gaze—and froze.
In the weak moonlight, I could just about make out something pale and square against the trunk of a tree.
I slowly turned to stare back at the wolf.
“Are… areyouleaving me the notes?” I asked, feeling stupid for even considering it.
I could have sworn the wolf’s head jerked to the side, like he was telling me no. My legs unsteady, I got up and walked over to the tree, my feet freezing and wet in the low mist that swirled over the grass.
The note had been pinned with another long thorn, which I let drop to the ground as I carried the paper back over to the wolf and sat down.
Ash,
Don’t trust them. Any of them. Not the wolf, not the cat, not the gancanagh. Especially not the prince.
Ignore their words, promise them nothing, keep them all at arm’s length.
Stay in the cottage. Shed your mortal skin. Come into the forest. We will be waiting.
N
I was breathing hard by the time I finished reading, and I slowly lifted my gaze to the wolf. He stared back at me.
Could he read this? He’d alerted me to the note, but the note said not to trust him. Again. Even though he’d done nothing but be my companion for weeks—just like the cat. They hadn’t tried to get me to do anything. They wouldn’t even takewaterfrom me. And they’d somehow given me things—chickens and rabbits.
My head started to throb.
If this was Nua, nowhewas telling me to shed my mortal skin. He was saying Iwouldbe able to go into the forest if I did. So had Lonan been being truthful? Not trying to trick me? But why did his mother want me to be able to escape?
Was this all a game? One long con to give me hope that I could escape, and the moment I did they’d hunt me down in the forest for sport? I pictured a pack of those little grey puca clambering over the forest floor to get me. The death fae and his giant hound crashing through the trees, fangs snapping at my heels. The barking laughter of those fox fae from the party ringing in my ears as their sharp teeth and clawing fingers ripped at my skin.
I believed with my whole being that it would be something the Folk would do. Play with a mortal life so callously, for no reason other than their own entertainment.
I was a pawn in something, and I had no idea what. The thought was terrifying and infuriating, making my blood burn hotter again.
I stared down at the note as I clutched the wolf’s thick fur, not knowing who or what I was meant to believe.