“I wouldn’t do that to Gaby.” He sighed. “We must part.” After he said goodbye to Gaby, he’d pay Kiara a visit. The bitch needed a lecture about entering his private den without permission. He’d tell Kiara he would choose another mate and she shouldn’t blame Gaby for their fake marriage. Convince her not to shame him in front of the council.
“Before I met Cricket, nothing but duty mattered. Then I lost my pack. She saved me from morphogenesis.”
The condition where a werewolf refused to shift. Prince Maxwell’s current affliction. “I was such a dick for being closed-min
ded.”
“You’ve come around.” He stuck out his hand for a shake. “No hard feelings.”
“Good to know.”
Slade raised his bottle of beer. “Cricket and I support your relationship with Gaby.”
“My only goal is making sure Gaby is safe from Kiara.”
“Unless you accept her as a mate, it’s none of her business who you keep as a pet.”
“She found out Gaby and I got married in Las Vegas.”
“How the hell did she hear that?”
“She invaded my den and found our only wedding picture and my ring.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“I wish I was.” He sighed. “I’m hoping your pilot can drop me off at Kiara’s estate. After I explain things to Gaby.”
“Of course, he can take you anywhere, but why the fuck to Kiara’s?”
“She needs to know I don’t intend to have her as a mate before she challenges Gaby to a fight.”
“Would she resort to that archaic law?”
“Why not? She’s told the whole damn world I’m her intended.”
“Kiara wants greater royal prestige. And you buddy, are it, even if you’re just a spare heir.”
“She’ll need to look elsewhere.” The sound of horses gladdened Steele’s heart. “They’re back.”
Slade stood and looked over the railing. “Shit.”
“What?”
“No riders.”
Steele’s adrenaline spiked. “Kiara found her!”
Slade growled, shifted and took off toward the trail. Hot on their scent.
Steele shifted and joined him at a dead run. Please, let there be a better reason their horses returned without them.
Gaby fretted. Cricket fell into a deep sleep. She peeked beneath the bandana covering Cricket’s wound. The bleeding had stopped. Although her injury could be internal. The wolf pack guarding her and Cricket turned their attention toward the forest. They growled, but slowly backed up. Kiara must have returned with more men. Gaby’s pulse quickened. She gently patted her cheek. “Cricket, wake up.”
Cricket opened her eyes. “Was I asleep?”
“Yeah.”
“Sorry, what’s up?”