"Let's deal with them before we try to figure anything out. There's someone you still haven't met, and you can't meet her until they're gone," I mumble.
He nods, knowing who I'm referring to. Even though our voices are hushed and cautious, I'm not taking any chances of them listening in. I've underestimated wolves before, but now I know better than to make that mistake again.
"I think he could have taken Zee or Deke down without a problem. I also think he's stronger than a lycan," I murmur softly as the wolves follow Dice through the front door.
"I know. I wasn't prepared for his strength. Things evolve, but I usually keep up with the times. He didn't have the girl he loves depending on him though. That gave me the edge I needed."
I smile like a fool, and Kane's arm snakes around my waist. His battered appearance should leave him looking wretched and unappealing, but instead, he looks sexy and rugged. It's amazing what an absolute hormonal fool I am—it’s pathetic really.
"I love you," I mutter while leaning against him.
Despite his miserable beating, he doesn't seem tired or weary. His strength is as refreshing as his unexhausted posture. He kisses the top of my head, allowing his breath to heat me through my hair.
"I love you. Don't worry. I've dealt with dredgers before. I won't let him view anything I don't want him to see. They won't know what the bitch spirit said to you."
That's curious.
"You can keep them from seeing too much?" I whisper, barely keeping my voice in an audible register.
"Baby, I can do more than you ever thought possible. Don't worry," he says with his sexy, smug tone that makes me fight the urge to spark up that kiss again.
"I trust you."
He smiles as we head in, and his fingers entwine with mine. "I know. And it feels good to know that."
"I need to head out. I have to go check on a tip about Castine," Zee whispers while walking up close to us.
Kane's jaw clenches and he nods. "Call me as soon as you have something."
Zee quickly leaves us, driving too fast down the winding dirt path through the forest. Immortals—always in a hurry.
Reese is congregated with his pack when we walk in. They've all shifted back to their human forms, and they don't bother to cover up anything on their bare bodies. I haven't seen such a blatant lack of modesty since my time with Thad.
"I'll fetch them some robes," Dice chuckles out when he gauges my heated cheeks. "They sort of ruined their clothes."
The men all just whisper amongst themselves, as if this is a boy's locker-room or something. This is absurd, and frankly, it's scarring.
Kane snickers under his breath at my unease. I'm sure he's rather used to nudity since Amy and Sierra have wild blood in them. I doubt very seriously Amy does much to shield her naked sight from his eyes when she's in between shifts.
"My life was once so simple, and I thought it was too complicated then," I grumble, allowing his chest to become a burial ground for my burning eyes.
He laughs a little louder, and then he kisses the top of my head.
"You boys are in luck," Dice chirps as he enters the room. "Drackus has quite a few shifter friends, so he tends to keep such things on hand. Otherwise, you'd be risking an arrest for public indecency."
"Every form of shifter usually carries a change of clothes in his or her bag," Kane interjects, inserting his insulting tone without hesitance. "It's sort of rule number one."
I turn as the boys finish shrugging on their decent wraps, and Reese leans against the table—being the only one who didn't shred his black ensemble to pieces.
"We bunked out at a friend's house on our way here last night in an effort to avoid the red moon's fate. The boys didn't get their clothes off in time, and we didn't bring another set of spares. This was supposed to be a friendly conversation."
Kane narrows his eyes. "You're the one who pushed it into the physical by demanding to dredge a girl who is still mortal. She's mine. I've already claimed her; therefore, I have the right to fight for her."
He's claimed me? What does that mean?
"It's funny you say that. Gage told me the same thing. So who is it exactly that owns the girl?" Reese spouts, poking the night stalker more than he should.
"Nobody owns me," I growl, tired of being talked about but not talked to. "I happen to be standing right here. In case either of you have forgotten."