Page 55 of Crimson Heart

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“Let’s go for a little walk,” Danielle said. “I need some fresh air.”

Charlotte stifled a yawn. Byron had been right: she hadn’t gotten much sleep, because they’d made love and talked half the night. In his arms, she’d felt understood and cherished. She knew he was the right man for her.

“I think I do too,” Charlotte replied and followed her sister-in-law outside.

The air was still crisp, but her Lycan genes prevented her from feeling the cold, even though she only wore a thin jacket over her T-shirt. Danielle was equally dressed. She’d liked her from the moment she and Jude had visited them in Montana shortly after their mating. Danielle was straightforward, caring, and clearly deeply in love with Jude. She was happy for them, because now that she’d met Eve, who had been the woman the Werewolf Alliance had initially chosen for Jude, she realized that Eve would never have been the kind of mate her brother needed.

“I’m glad you came to stay with us,” Danielle started. “We haven’t had much time to get to know each other yet.”

“I’m relieved you don’t mind that I showed up unannounced.”

“You’re family. You don’t need an invitation to visit us.” Danielle paused for a moment. “I wanted to ask you something…”

“Sure.”

“It’s about Byron and you.”

Charlotte stopped walking. “Oh. So Jude recruited you to tell me that Byron isn’t a good man.”

Danielle put her hand on Charlotte’s forearm. “No, that’s not it. Please. I’ve known Byron for over six years now. He’s not an easy guy to get along with. That’s why I’m so surprised that you and he are in love. That’s what you are, aren’t you? In love with Byron?”

Charlotte sighed. “I am, and he’s in love with me.”

“I can see it in your eyes.”

Danielle motioned for them to continue their walk across the backyard.

“Byron has always been quick to lash out,” Danielle continued. “It’s not easy for a second-born son to carve out a territory for himself.”

“But that’s different now. Cameron is gone.”

She’d heard about it from Jude when he and Danielle had visited. And last night, Byron had opened up to her and told her more about his relationship with his older brother and his father.

“Yes, and ever since Cameron was killed and William was exiled, Byron has been angry. He blames Jude for everything that doesn’t pan out in his life.”

Charlotte shook her head. “He doesn’t blame Jude.”

“But I’m sure you know about when they fought in wolf form…”

They had reached the gravel path in front of the garage and took it toward the driveway and the front entrance of the mansion.

“Yes. Byron regrets it. He isn’t really mad at Jude. He’s mad at Cameron and his father. But they’re not here. He can’t take his anger out on them. So Jude became the scapegoat.”

“Are you serious? He told you that?”

“He did. But since you’ve known him for over six years, you must know that he’s not very good at apologizing, even though he wants to. But his pride won’t let him.”

“Yeah, apologizing has never been his strong suit. He is…”

They had just turned the corner, from where they could see the entrance door. Two people with small travel bags entered the house through the front door. She recognized them immediately.

“Fuck!” Charlotte hissed as quietly as she could.

Danielle stopped too and looked up at the entrance. “Uh-oh.”

The two people now disappearing into the house were none other than Charlotte’s parents. They’d found her, and there was nowhere to hide. She hadn’t expected them to show up here. At least not so soon. She’d hoped that by the time they came, either her brothers or Byron had found sufficient dirt on Steve Leon that she could present to them so they would renege on their deal with the Leon pack.