Taming my hair into two long pigtails, I wind them around my head in a crown and head downstairs. Freshly showered the men hold the clean scent that makes my mouth water. I admire them as I enter the room and take in their fit forms.
“How’s your head?” Cadoc asks gruffly.
“Much better. Thanks, Kirk.”
He nods.
“Did you see anyone?” Kirk asks.
“They were wily and fast. Besides I wanted to lead them away not confront them. I didn’t recognize their scents.”
“You think they were non-pack members?” I whisper.
“Maybe. If you were doing dirty, hiring someone would be a good way to keep your hands clean. They had to get on our land undetected which means powerful magic or inside help.”
“Or they were brought on the land for one thing and snuck out to do something else,” Bo suggests.
“Either way I want all of us to watch out for ourselves and each other.” Cadoc looks at me. “I don’t want you alone.”
“I’m not a child—”
“No, but you have a target painted on your back, so we’re going to look out for you.”
“It sounds like a prison sentence.” My core temperature spikes.
Cadoc fixes me with his intense blue stare. I swallow a yelp. “You’ve been free to run wild for the past four years among humans. That’s done.”
“We’ll see.”
“Do you want to see what happens when I exert control?”
His voice drops an octave. I lick my dry lips.
“Should I let you bully me?”
“I’m informing you of how we’re going to handle this situation until we know more.”
“For how long?”
“As long as it takes.”
“Not acceptable.”
Cadoc’s eyes widen and an intimidating light enters them. He’s losing a bit of his control, and his façade slips. I enjoy seeing beyond his cool calm demeanor in the face of life-altering information. His ability to remain stoic and clear thinking grated at my skin.
“I will keep you safe, even if I have to lock you in your room.”
“I’d like to see you try.” I glare.
He gives a dark chuckle. “Little Brat wants to play?”
I jab a thumb at my chest. “This woman who wants to have control over her own life.”
“You have to be alive to do that.”
“What’s living if you’re strangled by protection and rules?”
“I’m done with this.” He stands and stalks over to me.
He kneels in front of me, clutching the chair on either side of me. My heart leaps in my throat.
“These people are not humans. Wolves who want you dead will rip you limb from
limb and feast on your heart.”
Stomach churning, I hold his steady gaze.
“There are no police to call. We are the first and last line of defense. It’s time to think like the wolf you are. Otherwise, we’re not going to survive the task we’ve been issued because you’ll get us all killed.”
He’s giving me a dire warning.
“I would never—”
“If we’re too busy chasing you to focus on our enemies or tackle the tasks set for us, what do you think is going to happen?” Cadoc tilts his head.
Protests die in my throat as I consider his words. It’s not just me anymore.
“I think she gets it,” Kirk says.
