TO CATCH A WOLF By Susan Krinard

The full weight of Niall’s threats pushed Athena deep into the chair, paralyzing her will as the accident had stilled her legs. She could see no way out. If she defied Niall, she would lose everything—all she had worked for, the funding for her charities, the ball, her place in Denver… and Morgan’s life as well.

“You think you would be happy with Holt,” Niall said. “You must decide whether you’ll be happier with him, living as a vagabond and an animal, or among civilized people in your family home, surrounded by your friends and equals and able to help the less fortunate to your heart’s content.”

He was silent after that. Athena could hear the ticking of a clock somewhere in the house, the creak of footfalls upstairs, whispered voices in the hall, but Morgan’s voice was not among them.

She let out a shuddering breath. “I need time… time to think about what you have said,” she whispered. “Niall, if you would only listen—”

“I’ve done enough of that. You lied to me, Athena, when you promised to remain in Denver if the circus came to the ranch. I can’t trust you again. If you expect to keep anything of the life you made in Denver—if you have your friends’ welfare at heart—you will have to submit yourself to me and do exactly as I tell you. Any deviation—” He shrugged. “I can impose punishment at any time.”

Which meant that she would live with an impediment more sure than the one that had immobilized her legs for so many years. He could command her life completely, and she had no means of stopping him. Even if she found the courage to Change again, it would be at too great a cost.

“Now you can play the martyr with true sincerity,” he said, driving the nails deeper. “Your wicked half brother will keep you prisoner in the dark castle. But you will still have everything you always did, Athena—and you’ll be safe.”

She had enough determination left to sit up straight and look him in the eye. “Let me be sure that we understand one another. In exchange for my… cooperation… you will allow the circus to remain for the winter, unmolested, only to depart when the passes clear in spring. You will not interfere, in any way, with my charities, and will continue to provide the funds I require to properly maintain them. You will leave Morgan alone.”

“If you never contact him, and he stays away.”

Why was it that Niall’s betrayal struck most piercingly in that personal case, instead of in the matter of the charities and the circus quarters? Was she truly as selfish as he implied, to consider her happiness… this fragile new happiness she had hardly dared to imagine… over the welfare of others?

But she had presumed too much without consulting Morgan. Perhaps he would not regard this as a sacrifice at all. She had decided, in a moment of passion, that she loved Morgan Holt. But he, and his deepest desires, remained a mystery.

Niall assumed she wanted a life with Morgan. A life. What did that mean? What would Morgan say if she were to propose such a thing, out of the blue, without a single sensible plan? Would the future she envisioned have anything to do with the one he saw for himself?

Would you ever be brave enough to ask him? Would he ever ask you?

“I agree,” she said, letting the words tear out of her in a rush before she could consider the damage they did. “I accept your conditions.”

“I knew you had not lost all your sense, Athena, or your pride.” Niall hesitated. “Did Holt… did he—”

“He did not ruin me, Niall. But it wouldn’t matter if he did, because I will not be saving myself for anyone else, will I?”

He had no answer for her bitterness. Now that he had won, he almost seemed ashamed. But the moment passed. He got up from the desk.

“I’ll have one of the maids see to your things. You will sleep in my room tonight, and I’ll stay in the parlor. We will return to Denver as soon as possible.” He left the room for a moment, doubtless to make sure the way was clear, and returned to lift her up again. She lay passively in his arms while he carried her back upstairs and left her on the plain, masculine bed in his room, locking the door behind him.

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