51

Lachlan and his men, including Cherum, had to hold some meeting on Nilo’s return to the castle, so Cedric eagerly volunteered to go for an after-dinner walk with me. Maurice and Thomas followed at a distance to keep me safe.

Lachlan tried to refuse Cedric on my behalf, thinking I was still tired, but I reassured him that I was fine, feeling better after eating. I wanted to talk with Cedric alone. I had so many questions about my father.

“You and the Alpha seemed to be on much friendlier terms,” Cedric tells me, sounding almost amused as we walked alongside one another along the docks.

I huffed out a laugh in the back of my throat, not sure how to respond. I’m not sure if we are on friendlier terms or if the bond and my lycan are just that much of an influence on me now.

I’m scared. I’m scared because I clung to hope for so long in my first life that things could be better if I could just get a moment alone with Lachlan to tell him we were mates. I think keeping my heart open and ho