Claimed by the Wolf by Saranna DeWylde Read Free Book Online Page B

what do you see?” he asked evenly.
    “Nothing. Just you. Although, your irises have a gold ring around them now. I suspect that’s from your new status and not me. If it was from me, it would be blue.”
    Relief coursed through her. While she would’ve loved for them to be the same, it wasn’t what he wanted.
    “And you. Are you still who you were? Did my blood change you?”
    “No.” Was that what he’d hoped?
    “Good. When I said you were perfect, I meant it.” He kissed her again. “Should we test the river water? It’ll be cold, but there’s nothing else like it.”
    “I think I’ll pass.”
    “No, you won’t. You wanted to see how I grew up. We didn’t have running water except for what nature provided. And now she has provided and we will partake.” He scooped her up and carried her toward the water. “Come on, city girl.”
    She flailed in his arms and shrieked when the frigid water splashed over her. Beth clung to his neck, teeth chattering, but oddly refreshed.
    “Out now,” she said.
    “You’re nowhere near clean.” He dunked her.
    She shrieked and tried to drag him down with her, but found herself kissing him again. Even though this felt like heaven, she knew it couldn’t last. It seemed the world was against them and darkness still brewed on the horizon.
    Beth didn’t need to be a Gypsy to know the biggest tests were yet to come.

Chapter Seven
    They fell into a comfortable routine in Germany over the next weeks, and Stefan could even admit to being happy.
    He’d been in touch with his men and now they were hunting Aeternali instead of werewolves, investigating shadow subgroups and agendas. Beth used her analytical skills to research the members they suspected and gather information.
    In the evenings, she’d run the dark forest in her beast form and sometimes, Stefan would run with her. The first time he’d used his magic to change his skin had been terrifying but exhilarating. The experience wasn’t something he’d ever wanted, but Beth made it okay. Beth made everything right. She even made it okay when he found out his sister had been turned, that she’d mated with the Alpha of Alphas—Luka Stanislav. Black, acidic fury had risen inside him like a tide of flame from hell, but Beth’s small hand on his and her soft smile doused it like it was nothing more than the fluttering of a match.
    He’d never thought that happiness was in the cards for him. Stefan accepted that his life was to be one of service, and that he should take joy in serving, rather than his own desires.
    That was why he hadn’t told her that he loved her.
    Before, when he’d been working her for information, the words had tumbled off his tongue with ease. Though he realized now that he meant them.
    Even so, Stefan was sure if he gave voice to the depth of what he felt for her it would be taken from him.
    It was a strange feeling, this happiness. The force of it burned him, but for all of its heat, Stefan knew it was as delicate as a glass witch ball balanced on the edge of a rocky crag. He sensed something big coming their way, and it was apocalyptic.
    “I’ve heard from Konstantin!” Beth cried, interrupting his thoughts, as he approached the vardo.
    “Oh?”
    “He’s fine. Daphne is fine.” Her lashes brushed against her cheek as she looked away. “She’s been turned.” She flashed her electric-blue gaze back to his face. “But they’ve found a cure for the virus, and Ian Gevaudan is dead.”
    Stefan knew he should feel some rush of pleasure, but he didn’t. Instead of any relief, the magic in his blood screamed that they’d only cranked the heat on the pressure cooker. Something big was still brewing.
    “You don’t look pleased. I know you wanted to kill Gevaudan yourself, but—”
    “No mistake, I wanted to kill him.” Stefan nodded enthusiastically. “But Ian Gevaudan didn’t orchestrate all of this on his own. He had to have funding from someone with a lot of pull in the