38. I Would Love You
“ W hat did you call me?”
“Lady Rose,” Lord Aldric replied easily.
“No. You called me . . .” The burn was fading and with it came doubt. Martinet let out a loud whinny as he cantered around the gelding he shared the paddock with. He shook his head as he pranced, trying to nip as he played.
“You know,” Lord Aldric said, his accent light with the emotion past, “you could always remain here. Instead of returning to the palace where you are looked down upon and seen as less than you are, you could stay with us.” And more quietly, “With me. I would protect you, help you grow and nurture your magic, help you discover your depths.”
Rose flushed as the wind shifted, bringing with it the scent of wild boar and deer roasting in the open pits on the lawn. It washed the woodsy scent of Lord Aldric over her too. As distraction from it, and him, she watched the pack piling wood for the bonfire.
“You know I cannot stay, Lord Aldric. ”
“I know you certainly could. I would love you.”
“You don’t even know me.”
He took her hand, and she lied to herself that her pulse did not jump.
“I know who you are more than you do, milady.” He kissed the back of her hand, skimming light fingers over the scars on her forearm. “I would have never let this happen to you.” His gaze jumped up to hers. “That arrogant prick of a Prince takes you for granted. He doesn’t deserve you. He will never treat you as he should, never see you for who you truly are. He will never let you reach your full potential. I tell you now, he will break your heart. And I think you know.” He ran gentle fingers up her arm again, stepping closer, the blue of his eyes deepening as he lifted a hand to sweep back her hair dancing across her face. “It would be different here. You would be pack. You would be family. We would have your back. Always. We would not hold you down or stifle you. You would be my partner in all things.”
Good heavens, he was so close. How did he get so close? Rose set a hand to his bare chest and tried to push him back. He didn’t move.
“I-I am flattered by your offer,” she stuttered as his hand covered hers on his warm skin, holding her to him, not allowing her to back away. Her flush deepened at the feel of his heart beating, at the low rumble of a deep and quiet growl as he enjoyed her touch.
She had the impulse to run her fingers over the slight scarring on one of his shoulders. It made her feel connected to him, those scars. They were like hers, and she wanted to ask what had caused them.
He would tell her, she knew. He would always be honest.
It would be so easy, letting herself love him. She could see it clearly—falling fast, being his partner, taking a place in this family . Theirs would be a relationship built on mutual respect and trust. His pack would support her, and she would be encouraged to be her true self, the person she was trying to become. She was sure if she wanted, he would even help her search these south lands for records of herself and try to uncover her origins.
But that would mean leaving Adrian. It would mean turning her back on the potential of what she felt they could be—and they could be so much more than what they were.
Rose cleared her throat and stepped back, pulling her hand from him. “I am flattered, but I belong with Prince Adrian.”
Lord Aldric cocked his head. Rose turned away from the searching look, running her fingers through Ciel’s mane.
After a moment, she asked, “How are you not wed?”
“I have not found my mate.”
“Mate? You think I am your mate?”
“Nay.” He took her arm, placed it in his, and walked with her back through the barnyard and around the side of the Keep where the lawn was busy with those dinner preparations. “Werewolves believe in the Moon Goddess’s plan, in the destiny of finding our fated, our one true partner. The connection is instant and the bond unbreakable once formed. Most never find it, rare as it is. My third, Cedric, is one of the few that can boast a true mate bond.”
“Then why—”
“Tempt you?” Lord Aldric gave her a cocky smile as they walked down the shaded front lane bordered by the stately and majestic oak trees. “The chances of finding my mate, or even having one, dwindle with each passing year. But you, you are right in front of me. You are strong, resilient, and completely beautiful. Rare; a true treasure to be cherished.” He paused. “What I feel for you I have never felt for another, and I fear I won’t again.”
Though Rose’s heart stuttered, and she was more tempted than she would admit, she said, “I cannot give up on him, Lord Aldric.” And then, “You deserve so much more than—”
So fast it made her dizzy, he spun her to face him and placed a finger to her lips to silence her. “Don’t speak it.” They stared for a moment that felt frozen in time, as the possibilities spun out inside Rose.
And then, slowly, she lowered Lord Aldric’s hand. “Do not wait on me. And don’t give up on your mate.” She tugged him to walk again. “I have a feeling she is out there.”
“Do you now?” he asked with amusement. “And why is that?”
Rose shrugged. “Just a feeling. You don’t deserve to be alone. You deserve the one that would complete you. That is not me, Lord Aldric.”
“Please drop the formality. I’ve pretty much asked you to be my wife. We’re past pretense.” He pulled her to one of the oaks, where he tugged her down to sit near the thick trunk. Ciel stretched out on the other side of her, still watching with his canny eyes, his tail slowly curling and uncurling. Rose petted him, enjoying his low and deep purring.
“You know, Aldric , you never did answer my question.”
“And what’s that?”
“What you know of the elves.”
“Hmm. Well, I have books.”
“Do you?” Her face lit up hopefully.
“I will have them brought out. It is a beautiful evening for reading together. Don’t you agree?”
“Quite.” The sun was heading toward setting. Bright fingers of sunlight shot between the dark tree trunks of the forest, lighting them and the canopy in shades of gold. “That still does not answer my question, however. Books don’t tell me what you know.”
Aldric leaned back against the oak, raising a knee and setting an arm there. “The elves are a proud race, proud of who they are and their beliefs. They are good and kind, yet fierce when they need to be .
“As I said, my father knew the King and Queen. He was a friend and appreciated that they always had their subjects’ best interests at heart. That was one of the first things he taught me; to do everything for the good of the pack. He liked the elves for always honoring that code.”
“I remember lessons with my parents, talks on respecting differences while always looking out for the greater good. My father explained it as a balancing act—compromise and negotiating to try to benefit all. He would get headaches after Senate meetings and all the arguing. He said that was the worst part of his position—all the politics, debating, and legalities to trudge through to see his ideas reach fruition. Mother always said that was what she loved about him most—his tenacity and wherewithal.” She looked down at her hands in her lap, suddenly sad. “I wish I could remember who they were—are—” She sighed, closing her eyes. “There is so much I can recall but . . . so much still alludes me.”
“Give it time.”
Rose sniffled and swiped a stray tear. “I apologize. I miss them dearly.”
Aldric took her hand, squeezing in comfort, and she smiled gratefully. As she looked up, her smile widened at Declan arriving with a tall stack of books. Letting go of Aldric, she reached for them, setting them in the grass beside her, and took the first even as she thanked Declan.
“Wait . . .” Looking from the book she held to Declan and then to Aldric, her thoughts jumbled. “How did you . . .”
“Our pack bond allows us to share a telepathic link. That close-knit family feeling you mentioned allows me to speak with any bonded member of my pack with thought alone.”
“And us with each other,” Declan added.
“That is . . . amazing.” And explained so much.
“Alpha.” Declan waited for Aldric to acknowledge him. “A message arrived from Alpha Benji. ”
Aldric nodded and stood. “I will see you at dinner, Rose.”
She nodded, wondering who Alpha Benji was as the males walked away.