Page 144 of Moon Craving

"A second boar?"

She nodded and pointed to the bloody carcass. "Over there."

Talorc stared at her for several tense seconds but said nothing.

She had spent years in silence, but this one felt more than a little uncomfortable. "I

must rethink my view on wolves. Niall told me the gray wolf I met at the hot springs would

never hurt me. You will probably think me mad, but I believe it was that wolf that helped

you save me today."

"It was."

"You know this wolf, too? Is he a mascot for the clan then?"

"A mascot? No."

"But he is a friend to the clan."

"That is one way to put it."

Wishing her husband did not look so very stern, she nodded. "What caused the

boar to charge, do you think?"

"It is their mating season. Our presence may well have been the only cause."

"Oh."

He turned and headed for his horse. She followed, not sure what was going on

between them. They had been so happy before the wild boars attacked. It had been

upsetting to be sure, but Talorc acted angry. Though not overtly. It was like fury simmered

under the surface and she did not understand why.

Was it because he believed he had not protected her enough? If the gray wolf had

not shown up, the boar might well have gotten her. Talorc was the sort of man that would

find reliance on another, even a wild beast, a trial. He often acted as if he believed he and

he alone was responsible for the safety and well-being of his people.

He pushed himself and his warriors harder than any English baron she had ever

seen or heard of.

Their ride back to the fortress was a silent one. Despite riding pressed one to the

other, Talorc held himself apart from her behind an invisible but undeniable wall of

hostility. Abigail made no attempt to speak, not knowing what to say. She only wished she

understood what had upset Talorc.