Big Bad Wolfie novel Chapter 70

"Where are we going?" I laughed.

"Just trust me."

"We've spent weeks in the woods. I wasn't expecting you to be so eager to come back," I shook my head as we maneuvered around the trees.

Honestly though, I'm just glad he's stopped offering to carry me.

I'm not that hurt anymore.

"We're almost there, and trust me," he turned around to face me. "This is way better than anything in those woods."

The smile that grew on his face was contagious.

"You're not going to kill me and hide my body out here, are you?" I raised an eyebrow at his back as he led the way. "Because that would be a very anticlimactic way for me to go out."

His laughter filled the forest around us and my smile grew wider at the sound.

His laugh is so beautiful.

"Nah, I'm done with the scary alpha sh*t," he confessed. "It was exhausting."

"I know right. I don't know how bad guys do it." I shook my head. "Being angry all the time," I clarified to his back, but I knew he was listening. I think I'm doing him a favor not making him look me in the eye during this conversation. One will come where he will, but it doesn't have to be today.

"Yeah, I don't think Abaddon has ever smiled at anything or laughed at a joke. At least not unless the joke was someone else's misery," he agreed.

I paused to observe him. His back muscles are flexed deliciously, but I know that's an indicator of how troubled he is.

This situation is troubling, but I want today to be a break from that.

But I need to know something first.

"See, you know what kind of man Abaddon is. So why did you ever agree to do business with him?" I asked gently.

Was it your wolf that convinced you?

"I didn't know when he first approached me. I was just instated as alpha. I hadn't heard the rumors yet —"

"They're not rumors," I cut him off.

"Well, I know that now," he sighed. "It wasn't until everything was signed that he showed his true colors, then it was too late."

I frowned at his back in pity as he hung his head.

Does he need a hug or space? I can never tell.

"Not to mention his ginormous house and arsenal," he shook his head.

"You have a decent sized pack," I assured him.

"Sure, but—"

"And with my help, we'll be able to put him back in his place," I nodded with determination.

He peaked back at me.

"I signed over some crazy stuff that I didn't even realize until after the fact," he ran his hand over his face in distress and I'd imagine some embarrassment.

No wonder he kept his bullsh*t up for this long, the man has no optimism.

"Relax, he targets new leaders because they're inexperienced, and I have lawyers I can lend you so yours and mine can work together," I tried to sooth him.

"Well, his tactics only work on idiots who don't know what they're doing," he shook his head, and by this time I've made my way next to him.

I snorted quietly to myself.

He frowned and looked at me, "What?"

I tried to hide my small smile, but I didn't do a very good job. "It worked on my dad."

I saw the information start to process in in his head, and once it clicked, his eyes bugged out. "Oh! Oh my. . . Uh, I-I didn't mean. . . I mean, I'm sure he wasn't—"

I snorted loudly, "It's okay, Wolfie. Moral of the story, everyone makes mistakes," I smiled at him. "Even my invencible parents."

After he took a second to slow down his heart rate, he chuckled. ". . . Thanks, Maria."

"No problem, Wolfie."

"Are we there yet?" I whined practically immediately after.

He laughed loudly and my heart swelled knowing I was the reason.

"How can you manage to be so wise and so childish at the same time?" He shook his head in amusement.

"It's part of my charm," I flipped a purple strand of hair over my shoulder, "get used to it, bud," I joked.

He chuckled loosely, "It most certainly is, love."

My breath caught in my throat at the nickname.

Oddly enough, his did too.

Aw, Wolfie's flustered at his own comment.

I opened my mouth to say something witty, anything, but he beat me to it.

"We're here," he blurted and I couldn't hold back the giggle.

Then I actually took in where we are.

There's a rock wall piled high with boulders and greenery covering it. Looks like it hasn't been touched in years. If I was strolling around here, I'd pass it right by.

But with the sly grin Wolfie is shooting my way, I can tell there's more to the story.