Finally. Simon heaved a sigh. Everyone else made it sound as if he'd made the wrong decision, but Lieutenant Schofield seemed to understand.
"In that case, would you like to stay here with us? We have plenty of room."
That Simon doubted, but the offer was generous. He shook his head. "I don't want to be too far from my wife."
"I understand."
"You say your first wife didn't have the fortitude?"
The lieutenant rubbed his chin. "Leo's mother. When she discovered what I was, she threw herself from the attic. She died on impact. He was just an infant. I'm fortunate my second wife's will was a bit stronger."
The matter-of-fact way Lieutenant Schofield could discuss such a thing made chills race up Simon's spine. An image of Lily's lifeless body flashed in his mind. Surely she wouldn't throw herself from the top floor of Westfield Hall upon learning the truth.
His resolve to keep her distant from this aspect of his life seemed the correct decision. In their vows, he'd promised to protect her, and he appeared to be on the right course.
After finishing his tea, Simon thanked the lieutenant for his generosity and then started back for Hampshire.
Forty-Five
Lily bolted upright in bed, the plaintive call of a wild animal rousing her from her sleep. She ran to the window and searched the darkness. There, limned by the light of the full moon, sat the wild beast that called to her. High on a hill, the lone wolf raised his head and howled.
The sound tore through her like the slice of a sharp blade. She doubled over, seeking relief from the blinding pain. Black danced around the edges of her vision, but she fought it back.
"Simon," she whispered, when she could finally stand again. She pressed her fingertips against the cold, wet glass, using her index finger to trace the wolf's form. The beast raised his head and called again. This call reached past the pain it caused in her body and touched her heart.
"I'm coming," Lily whispered. She turned, ran on her bare feet across the floor, and flung open her door with so much force that it hit the wall and bounced back closed. The sound reverberated through the room. But the call of the one she loved was the only noise she heard. She opened the door again and slipped through.
Lily dashed down the hallway, her frantic pace disguised by the soft carpet beneath her feet. When she reached the lower level of the manor, she turned toward the doorway that led to the garden. As she rounded the corner, her hip collided with the edge of a hallway table. A heavy vase crashed against the hardwood floor.
Lily stopped only briefly to press the heel of her hand to the pain in her hip. She had to reach Simon. She had to get to him. Nothing would stand in her way.
"Lily," a voice called. She barely heard it, her heartbeats loud in her ear, almost as loud as the breaths that rushed in and out of her lungs.
"Lily!" The word finally caught her attention.
Lily turned slowly to find Alice in her nightrail and wrapper, leaning against the doorjamb of the library. She had a glass of amber liquid in her hand, which she raised casually to her lips. A smile played at the corners of her mouth. Lily had no time for the woman. She had to reach Simon. Lily turned back toward the door.
"Are you fully aware of what you're doing?" Alice asked. Her question drew Lily's gaze.#p#分页标题#e#
Lily shook her head. She had no idea what she was doing. She simply knew she had to heed the call of the wolf.
Her wolf.
Simon.
"Do not let him hide from you," Alice surprised her by saying. "Do not let him shut you out. Don't accept anything less than everything."
Lily nodded.
Alice walked toward her. She cupped Lily's face in her hands and forced Lily to look at her.
"If he hurts you, know that it's not intentional."
"He wouldn't hurt me."
"He won't intend to."
Lily nodded.
"If you weren't his intended mate, you wouldn't feel the call."
"I understand. I must go."
Alice stepped back and nodded. "Go. Be well. Love him."
"As though I have a choice." Lily was unable to repress the small smile that erupted before she turned on her heel and ran for the garden door.
***
Simon sat atop the hill, his need for Lily painful in its intensity. He wanted nothing more than to shift back to human form and go to her. He needed to be with her. He needed to be inside her. He needed her.
Simon arched his neck and called to her. He knew she would not hear, but he needed to make the sound. He needed to scream to the heavens. He needed to cry.
Dear God, he needed.