“What?”
“He plans to evoke the Edict of Segner 1590 that orders the immediate execution of wolf-segens. He just told Steele he’ll offer a reward of forest territory to whoever bags you.”
Her gut twisted not out of only fear but also disgust on what their kind had done to hers. “I’m pretty much dead meat.”
Cricket pressed a finger to her lips. “Shh. Listen.”
Gaby leaned in to listen to Steele.
“Brother, she’s an innocent woman.” Steele sighed and spoke as calm as possible. “Let her stay with Rylee. I’ll mate Kiara and leave Team Greywolf. And Kiara will quit her position as overseer.”
Steele negotiated to save her life. But at such a cost. Yet, was there part of him that loved Kiara, or at least lusted for the attractive she-wolf? He might hate the idea in the beginning, but maybe over time, after they had a litter of pups, he’d lose any affection for her. She’d remain a distant memory of when he was Kane.
Cricket blurted. “Don’t do it.”
He narrowed his eyes at Cricket and she bowed her head.
Steele shot Gaby a look of despair and listened for a long time. “Tell her I agree to that as well.” His hands clawed and he crushed the phone.
Afraid to ask, Gaby finally broke the silence. “What did you agree to?”
Steele growled and turned his back to her. “To never see you, talk about you, or even think about you.”
No. Gaby stepped closer. “What will become of me?”
Steele slowly turned and faced her. “The king wants you banished from all lycan territory.”
Cricket frowned. “What? She’s taken the vow. He can’t do that.”
“If she doesn’t leave, he’ll call for her execution on the grounds she’s a wolf charmer.”
Slade walked in and held Cricket. “He’s not paying us a royal visit is he?”
“No. He is on his way to Wildwood Island to see Myra. He didn’t say when he’d be back, but knowing him, he’ll order his soldiers to make sure she leaves.”
Gaby straightened her back. “I’ll go.”
Steele nodded. “Rylee will arrange a place outside our territory. You took the vow and we trust you won’t point out any lycans.”
“What about Tomlin?” Cricket asked. “He still wants her back at Project Sabertooth.”
Steele pressed his forehead. “My hope is you and the team will put an end to Project Sabertooth.”
Tomlin had lost men and the Keep appeared to have gone back into their hole. Gaby braved a reluctant smile. “Besides, locating me will be like finding a needle in the haystack.”
“We’ll find a safe house,” said Cricket.
Slade turned to Steele. “We can arrange for you to hide.”
Steele stared out the window as dark clouds rolled in. “And if caught, we would all be executed or given a werewolf lobotomy.”
Gaby could no longer hold back her tears. She stormed out to the guest room and slammed the door.
The hardest moment in his life was watching Gaby dash out of the room in tears. Every instinct begged him to go after her. Tell her he could never live without her. That he loved her more than life itself. Protect her. Yet, what good was it, if even a moment longer with Gaby meant her death?
Slade interrupted his torment. “Steele, my pilot says there is a storm coming. He recommends waiting until the morning.”