Lydia Dare Wolf Bundle

by Lydia Dare

“You never should have married her,” the boy suddenly said.

  Finally, they were getting somewhere.

  Simon narrowed his eyes at him. “I know you don’t think I’m good enough for her. But I care about her, and I promise to be kind to her.”

  “But you’ll claim her with the next moon. And hurt her,” Oliver whispered, horrified.

  Simon sighed. He really hadn’t thought he would be forced to discuss his sexual relationship with a twelve-year-old. But apparently there wasn’t another way to make Oliver understand. “That’s where you’re wrong,” he admitted.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Every Lycan has the choice of whether or not to take a mate. I know you’ve read about it and you know what occurs.” He raised one eyebrow to prompt a response from the boy. Oliver nodded.

  “But what the books don’t say is that a Lycan is not forced to claim his Lycan mate, even if he takes her as a wife.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  Neither did Simon. “I took Lily to be my wife. She’s mine. In every way.” He prompted the boy to nod again and only continued once he did. “But I’ll never take her as a Lycan mate.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because she doesn’t know what I am. And I prefer to keep it that way. I want her to have a normal marriage. And I want to share my life with her.”

  “What about when the moon calls?”

  “When the moon calls, I’ll do what I do now. I’ll travel to Westfield Hall where I can seek the solitude of the forest. Alone. Then, when the moon begins to wane, I’ll come back to her.”

  “You won’t bite her neck? And hurt her? Like the book said. Like my father did to my mother?”

  “How do you know about that?” Simon asked.

  “I remember she was afraid of him and tried to keep me from him. I was too young to wonder about why. She just did. And she always made sure her neck was covered, but I saw it once.” Oliver frowned, looking at his own hands. “I didn’t know he had done that to her until I read about the claiming in the book.”

  Damn Will to hell. Daniel, too, for that matter. No wonder the boy was so fearful. Simon’s heart ached for the pain he saw reflected in Oliver’s eyes. “Your father and I are very different.” When the lad started to speak, Simon held up a hand. “Wait, Oliver, because you need to listen first.”

  Oliver nodded, his jaw twitching as he ground his teeth.

  “Your father didn’t have anyone to teach him to be a man. Or a Lycan. His own father died when he was a boy, and though my father tried to help him, it wasn’t enough.”

  “And that’s why he hurt Mama?” the boy’s voice broke on the last few words.

  “Yes, he did,” Simon said, refusing to show any emotion, though it rolled through him in waves. The boy needed strength, and he could show him that. “But your father loved her.”

  “Then he shouldn’t have hurt her!” he growled at Simon.

  He was quite glad the pup still had his milk teeth, because he would be a formidable foe when he was fully grown.

  “You’re correct. But he didn’t know any better. Daniel loved Emma so much. He wanted to share every part of himself with her. He did tell her about himself. And she chose to be with him, in his Lycan form, when the moon was full. She accepted that risk and trusted Daniel, but he couldn’t control the beast.”

  Simon stood and began to pace across the room. “Not until it was too late. He realized what he’d done after it was nearly over. But by then, he’d hurt her, shattered her trust, and she withdrew. It nearly killed him. And her. Because she’d wanted so badly to be that person for him. It wasn’t his failure. And it wasn’t hers.”

  Simon knelt in front of Oliver where he still sat on the edge of the bed. “Are you afraid that will happen to you? And to someone you love? And to Lily?”

  Oliver simply nodded.

  “It won’t. Because I won’t let it,” Simon snarled, suddenly even more sure that his decision to keep his Lycan ways a secret from Lily was a good one.

  “You will promise?” Oliver asked.

  “I will promise to guide you and teach you what you need to know, just as a Lycan father should. I’ll never try to replace Daniel, but I’ll try to teach you as he would. As someone should have taught him.”

  Oliver stood alongside him and was nearly able to look him in the eye. He almost knocked Simon to the ground when he threw his arms around him and hugged him fiercely. All Simon could do was plant his feet, tighten his arms around Oliver, and accept the only bit of affection the boy had ever offered him.

  Lily paced back and forth across the foyer, biting her fingernails and mumbling to herself. It had been hours since Simon left. As soon as he’d turned the corner of the house, the skies had opened and rain had fallen from the heavens.

  While she waited, she and Findley had searched the entire residence. Not even the smallest wardrobe was left unsearched. Oliver was nowhere to be found.

  Now she didn’t know what to do to keep busy. Where else would he have gone? Was he hurt somewhere? Had something happened to him? She’d never forgive herself if he came to harm.

  And then there was Simon. Shouldn’t he have returned by now? Not that she was worried about his safety. Simon was indestructible, or at least he seemed that way to her. Hard. Solid. Strong. She so wished he was there. His presence would calm her. She wouldn’t feel quite so alone.

  Lily returned to her old chambers. It felt odd being here again, like a glance into the recent past. So much had changed since she’d left Maberley Hall. Her journey certainly had turned into something she had never envisioned.

  She ran her hand over her old comfortable counterpane, while looking out the window at the drenched grounds beneath her. Thank heavens, it had stopped raining. Hopefully, that meant Simon would return soon, and together they could decide where to go from here. She would go mad if she had to figure this out alone.

  Movement caught her eye off in the distance, and Lily pressed her fingers against the cool pane of glass. She strained her eyes. It looked like two riders, but from where she stood, she couldn’t be certain. Glued to her spot, she watched as the figures came nearer. As soon as she noticed Simon’s distinctive build, she raced from the room, through the corridor, and down the grand staircase.

  Overjoyed, she didn’t stop. Lily tore from the house, leaving a gaping Findley in her wake. She ran down the stone path toward the stables, reaching it right as Simon and Oliver rode up.

  Tears spilled down her cheeks, and relief engulfed her at the sight of her nephew. Lily closed her eyes and silently thanked God for keeping him safe. “Oliver,” she cried as he dismounted.

  He hung his head and shuffled his feet. “Sorry, Aunt Lily. I didn’t mean to worry you.”

  She threw her arms around his neck. The last of her composure fell away. Holding him, her heart overflowed. It wasn’t her imagination. He was before her and safe and… Lily owed Simon everything for finding him.

  Her eyes flashed to her husband’s. Drenched and scruffy, Simon was a complete mess, but she’d never seen a more handsome man. He barely inclined his head in greeting before he dismounted his chestnut stallion.

  She pulled back from Oliver, shaking her head at him. “Don’t you ever do something that foolish again. It nearly killed me.”

  He nodded, his brown eyes drooping like those of a scolded puppy. “I know, Aunt Lily. I’m sorry.”

  She hugged him again. “I’m so glad you’re safe.” She felt a large, familiar hand on her shoulder.

  “I’m sure Maberley has learned his lesson, love.”

  Lily drew back from Oliver and threw her arms around Simon’s neck. He was sodden from head to foot, and the wetness seeped into her clothes and against her skin. Lily didn’t care. “Oh, thank you, Simon, for finding him.”

  He chuckled against her neck. “Lily, you’ll catch the ague if you don’t let go of me.”

  She leapt away from him as if he was on fire. “Oh! You’ll be sick.
Let’s get you out of those clothes.”

  “That’s the best idea I’ve heard today.” His husky voice rumbled over her, causing her cheeks to burn.

  Honestly, did the man only ever think about one thing?

  Thirty-Three

  SIMON DECIDED HE ENJOYED MARRIED LIFE QUITE A BIT. He’d always been so solitary; he hadn’t thought he’d like a woman fussing over him.

  But he did.

  Lily clasped his hand and towed him up the stony path. “You look like you fell in a lake, Simon. I wonder if I shouldn’t send for Doctor Sanders.”

  He held his smile in check. “There’s no need for a doctor, Lily. I’m fine.”

  “But you were gone so long, and there was so much rain. Now I feel guilty. I was thinking while you were away that there was no reason to worry about you as you seem so indestructible, but now…”

  “Now?” he prompted, trying to keep the merriment from his voice.

  “Seeing you in such a state, I… Well, I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you.”

  Simon stopped on the path, pulling Lily back to him. “Nothing is going to happen to me.”

  She was so adorable when she worried about him. Her nose scrunched up a bit, and her brow creased with concern, with love. It warmed his heart.

  “Simon,” she began softly, blinking her pretty hazel eyes at him. “Aside from Oliver, I’ve lost everyone I have ever cared about. I don’t intend to lose you, too. Now get inside the house, and take off these clothes.” She tugged on his greatcoat for emphasis.

  Once they entered the manor house, she asked Findley to ready Maberley’s largest chamber for him and ordered a hot bath to be sent up as well.

  “Yes, Your Grace,” the butler replied evenly. “I took the liberty of preparing the late earl’s chamber for the duke and the countess’ chamber for you.”

  Lily shook her head at that. “Findley, that isn’t necessary. I can stay in my old room for a night.”

  It was necessary, however, in Simon’s mind. The earl and countess’ chambers connected, and he had no intention of being separated from his bride. He cleared his throat. “Love, Findley had the right of it.”

  “Are we only staying one night?” Oliver asked from behind them.

  Simon nodded. “Indeed. Take the opportunity to get whatever you’d like to have with you at Westfield Hall, anything you might have left behind.”

  “Of course, Your Grace,” the boy said with more respect than he’d shown thus far. Then he bounded up the staircase.

  The tone caught Lily’s notice, and she glanced up at Simon. “What was that about?”

  He feigned ignorance and shrugged. After all, he couldn’t give her any details.

  Lily’s eyes narrowed on him.

  “Aren’t you going to show me to my chambers, love?” he asked, offering her his arm.

  She took it but frowned slightly. “Simon Westfield, what exactly are you trying to hide from me?” Lily asked as she led him up the stairs. “And why are you drenched and Oliver dry as a bone? Where was he? What happened with the two of you? And why—”

  Simon couldn’t help but laugh. “Lily, have you ever heard the term ‘Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth’?”

  She stopped at the top of the stairs. “Of course I have, but I don’t see how that is fitting in this situation.”

  He prodded her along. “You wanted Oliver found. I did so. You wanted me to take an interest in the boy, and I’ve done so. You wanted Oliver to accept our marriage, and now he has. Simply smile and say, ‘Thank you, Simon.’”

  Lily directed him toward the master’s chambers. “I am happy, Simon. Thank you, but—”

  “It’s this door, isn’t it?” Simon asked, hoping to distract her.

  She nodded, “Simon—”

  He silenced her by pulling her against him and wrapping his cold, wet arms around her. “I don’t have my valet, Lily. Can I beg you to help me out of these clothes?”

  She blushed, smiling up at him. Finally, he had her attention where he wanted it.

  “Simon, I’m certain you can manage that all on your own.”

  “Yes, but it would be much more enjoyable with your assistance,” he whispered, as he opened the door to the suite of rooms.

  Then someone coughed delicately behind them. Simon looked over his shoulder to find Findley’s eyes on Lily. “Your Grace,” the butler said to her. “We weren’t expecting you, and Cook needs to begin preparing dinner. Could you please come see her about the menu?”

  Lily slid from Simon’s arms. “Yes, of course, Findley.” She threw a glance back at Simon as she followed the butler down the corridor.

  Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth! Lily frowned. Something was wrong. Something had happened, and Simon was trying to keep it from her. What was it?

  Lily went through the tedious task of choosing cucumber soup, roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, fresh vegetables, and lemon tarts for dessert. She then assured Findley that there wouldn’t be any changes to the household after her and Oliver’s departure.

  That thought brought her back to her conundrum. What had happened between Oliver and Simon that had rendered such an obvious truce? Before the storm, she’d had the feeling Oliver wouldn’t have poured a bucket of water on Simon even if he’d been on fire. Now she felt like their feelings had changed.

  Oliver had needed the influence of a father for quite some time. She’d often thought about marrying, simply so he could have a male presence in his life. But the situation never presented itself, and she never went in search of a husband. She was much more content to lead a rather solitary existence.

  Lily twisted the wedding band on her finger. Until now, that is. Now all she could think about was how to get back upstairs to Simon. She flushed as she imagined him shrugging out of his sodden clothes. Then he would sink his lean body into a warm bath.

  Lily called for Findley. The man appeared as if by magic. How did they do that? She shook her head. No matter.

  “Findley, would you have Cook send lunch up to His Grace’s room, please?” The man simply inclined his head. Lily turned to run up the stairs. Findley’s voice stopped her.

  “For two, Your Grace?”

  Lily couldn’t avoid the blush that she knew must stain her cheeks. “That would be lovely,” she replied with quiet dignity.

  She raced up the steps in very unladylike fashion. Thank goodness, no one was watching. Or they would think she was in a hurry to get to her husband. Then they would assume to know why.

  And they would be completely right. She wanted him to enfold her in his strong arms and hold her tightly. But even more than that, she wanted answers about Oliver.

  Lily didn’t even knock before stepping into Simon’s room. He was her husband, after all. She couldn’t suppress a shiver. The door clicked closed behind her, and she walked farther into the room.

  “Simon?”

  “Yes, love?” She would never get over the thrill that came with that term of endearment.

  “May I talk to you?” she called.

  “Not very effectively if you stay that far away,” he called back.

  “Are you decent?”

  He chuckled. “I have never been called decent in my whole life. Why should I begin now?”

  “Simon,” she scolded him.

  “I think you enjoy the fact that I’m not quite decent most of the time. Don’t you?”

  Thirty-Four

  SIMON COULDN’T HELP BUT TENSE UP TO PREPARE himself for her answer. She’d alluded to the fact that she liked his beastly behavior in the coach. It would be beyond his wildest dreams to know that she accepted him just as he was.

  Of course, he would never be able to fully reveal himself to her, but it would be nice to know that he didn’t have to pretend every minute of every day.

  When she didn’t answer, he called, “Lily?”

  “Yes, Simon.” She stepped from behind the bathing screen and immediately turned her head to look the other wa
y, her face coloring prettily. “I’m so sorry,” she started.

  “Lily love.” Simon allowed his gaze to travel down her body. “I have been inside you. I don’t think it will hurt for you to see me in the bath.”

  Her hands fluttered nervously. If he wasn’t in the bath, he would have gone to her in an attempt to calm her. Unlike any woman he’d ever been with, she was a novice to all of this. He usually chose women who were as jaded as he.

  “You shouldn’t say things like that out loud, Simon,” she gasped.

  “Say what?” He couldn’t keep himself from teasing her.

  “That you have been… there.”

  “I’m planning to go there again when I get out of the bath.”

  “Oh, my,” she said, as her hand fluttered to land on her chest. “You’re incorrigible.” The corners of her mouth finally tilted into a grin.

  “There’s that smile I love.” He did love to see her happy.

  “You like to embarrass me.”

  He did. He liked to see her out of sorts. He liked to surprise her. He liked that all this was fresh and new for her. But would she feel the same way about him if she knew the truth? Would she still laugh at him? Or would she be disgusted? Would she turn and run from him? He wasn’t willing to take that chance.

  Lily watched the play of emotions on his face. “What is it, Simon?” She took a step closer to the tub. “What are you not telling me?”

  “I don’t know what you mean,” he said, avoiding her gaze.

  “I think there’s something you’re keeping from me.” Lily closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I know you didn’t want to marry. Or to be a father.”

  “Who implied that?” he suddenly barked.

  “You do want to be a father?” she asked.

  “I think I have made that perfectly clear,” he said as he stood up and took a towel from a nearby chair. Water sluiced down his naked body and puddled on the floor when he stepped from the tub. “I came all the way here on our wedding night to search for Oliver. Then I went out in the pouring rain to find him. Then I actually made peace with the little pup. If that’s not acting the role of father, I’m not sure what is.”

  Lily turned to face away from him. He crossed the floor in three quick strides. Lily gasped as he took her shoulder and turned her around, then pulled her close to his naked, wet body.