Bound by Forever (True Immortality 3)

She grinned. “I like you enough as it is. If I like you any more, I’m likely to succumb to the affliction.”

He shook with laughter, understanding completely.

But his amusement died instantly when he saw five wolves pushing through the crowds toward them.

“What the hell?” Niamh tensed. “What now?”

Kiyo tightened his hold on her as they found themselves encircled by the werewolves. Passengers gave them a wide berth and the station guards turned their backs, recognizing the high-ranking members of Pack Iryoku. Kiyo glared into the familiar light brown gaze of Kobe.

He sneered at Kiyo and asked in Japanese, “Going somewhere?”

“What’s it to you?” Kiyo answered in English.

“Arufua-san commanded your presence in the city,” Kobe returned in English, his eyes bouncing between Kiyo and Niamh. “Neither you nor the mahoutsukai can leave without permission. We thought this was made clear to you.”

“No. I have a deal with Sakura that I’ll fight for her tomorrow night. That’s where our deal starts and ends. You can’t tell me where I can and cannot go.”

“You come with us. Sort this out with Arufua-san.”

“We have somewhere to be.”

“Yes, you do.” The wolves moved in closer.

Kiyo, let’s just go with them, Niamh spoke in his mind. Let them think we’re doing what we’re told. I can get us on that train afterward.

He squeezed her waist in acknowledgment but kept his eyes on Kobe. “Fine. We’ll go back to our hotel.”

“No. You come with us.”

He tensed, ready to fight.

No, my darling. Let’s just go with them. If we can get out of this peacefully, we must try.

Realizing she was right, Kiyo reluctantly allowed Kobe and his men to escort them out of the train station.

Bloody déjà vu, Niamh muttered in irritation in his head.* * *This time when they strode into the pack’s hotel, Kobe led them to an office on the thirtieth floor. To Kiyo’s surprise, Daiki awaited them. He pushed out of a leather chair situated behind an impressive walnut desk. His bruises and injuries from their fight were long gone.

After he gestured to the two seats in front of his desk, Kiyo stared impassively at him. “I think we’ll stand.”

The door to the office closed, the other wolves outside. Kobe stood guard at the door.

“Where’s Sakura?” Kiyo sighed. “I was so sure she was behind this power play.”

“She is.” Daiki sat on the edge of the desk, looking far more relaxed than when they last saw him. “Apparently, she does not like your mahoutsukai.”

“So you’re doing her dirty work for her.”

Daiki shrugged. “It is part of the job of being her mate.”

“You seem awfully chipper for a bloke who got his arse kicked,” Niamh observed, her eyes narrowed suspiciously.

“What does this chipper mean?” Daiki sneered at her.

Kiyo tried not to chuckle. “Niamh merely means that you seem in a surprisingly good mood.”

“Oh. Well, I was not at first when Sakura said you had turned up at Tokyo Station and we needed to stop you from leaving. Then she reminded me of all the money we will make when you win that fight tomorrow, and I felt my mood change.” He crossed his arms over his chest and sighed dramatically again. “But still I was not happy that I would have to see you and be the one to offer a warning that if you try to leave the city before the big fight, we will find you and cut you into little pieces and make your mahoutsukai watch us. Then we will allow the boys to have her for as long as they want. When they are done with her, they will kill her too.”

Kiyo lunged at him.

But Niamh was fast and strong, holding him back, murmuring reassuring words in his ear. Slowly, he calmed. But he wanted to claw that smug look off Daiki’s face.

“And that”—he gestured to the two of them—“is why I am in such a good mood. As soon as you walked in the room, do you know what I scented?”

He and Niamh tensed.

Daiki grinned. “Your scents are one. Kiyo. Of all the poor bastards in the world it could happen to, it would be you. How many supes actually discover the true-mate bond? One or two percent? And it happened to you.” He chuckled madly.

“Why is he laughing?” Niamh stared at the alpha like he’d lost his mind.

Kiyo wasn’t sure he hadn’t.

Daiki eventually stopped, wiping tears of amusement from his eyes as he straightened up on the desk.

“What’s so funny about it?” Kiyo asked.

“Oh, you can give me that cool tone like nothing affects you, but it is too late. I know what she”—he indicated Niamh—“means to you now. And so will Sakura. And that is why I laugh. Finally, she can let you go knowing you are forever out of her reach. It is a good day, Kiyo.”

“Can we go, then?” Niamh asked.