Page 33 of Shadow Spirit

“Don’t you want to mark me?” asked Adriana, hurt evident in her voice.

Greg swatted her backside. “Don’t be stupid. It doesn’t become you.” He turned to Decker. “I know it isn’t that, but why not?”

Decker took her face in his hands and brought his mouth down on hers in a fiercely passionate kiss, that made her moan and sink into his strength. “Does that answer your question?”

“Greg was right. It was a stupid question, and I apologize. Apparently, I’m not smart enough to play in the big leagues, so could you explain it to me?”

“For the record, sweetheart, I don’t know what he’s talking about, either.”

Decker smiled and wondered how he’d ever thought he might exist without both of them. “From a purely practical standpoint, the existing tether between Adriana and O’Shea gives him a link to her thoughts, feelings, and most importantly, her whereabouts. What we haven’t been taking into consideration is that the same can be said of her link to him.”

“Oh my god, I could be using that link to spy on him,” said Adriana.

“Exactly. And from a tactical standpoint, being on the offensive is always better than playing defense…”

“You aren’t suggesting we send her out there as bait for O’Shea, are you?”

Decker slapped Greg upside the head. “Don’t be stupid. Of course not. And I don’t think we should send her out alone. Well, actually I kind of am, but here’s the thing. If I mark her, it will eradicate O’Shea’s link to her forever, but if you mark her…”

“O’Shea will still have the link we can use, but we’ll have one of our own.”

“But will it be as strong as O’Shea’s? No offense,” Adriana added.

“None taken. I had the same thought,” said Greg.

“I thought a lot about that while I was on patrol. Normally, an alpha’s mark would be stronger, but O’Shea isn’t her fated mate, and he forced the bond. I can’t believe that it will be any stronger than one Adriana wanted from one of her fated mates. Added to that, I do have a bond that’s getting stronger each day, even without a mark.”

“So, we’re agreed that I will mark Adriana…”

“I want to talk this all the way through. Babe, Greg and I think the way to rid you of your link to O’Shea is for me to mark you. The bite will be deeper and more savage than O’Shea’s. When I mark you—and I will—it would also eradicate Greg’s mark. So, he would need to bite you a second time.”

Adriana was still for a moment before she nodded. “I can handle that. There have been so many others who risked and lost their lives or lost a great deal more than I will, and what you’re saying makes sense. And hey, I can go down as the most marked she-wolf in history.”

“I wish I could think of another way. I’ve been trying to puzzle it out all morning…”

“And I love that you care enough for me to try and come up with another way…”

“Love. Erin pointed out to me that I love you,” said Decker. “And she’s right, but I also love Greg like a brother and I’m willing to bet he feels the same about both you and I.”

“Anyone betting against that would be a fool,” admitted Greg. “By the way, Adriana, Decker and I are finding there is a link being forged between us. My guess is that it funnels through you, but it’s there nonetheless.”

CHAPTER 16

ADRIANA

“Why don’t you two go up to our room? I need to file my shift report, make up a new patrol schedule, and check in with Colby. I have a niggling suspicion that things are about to heat up, and I want us as ready as we can be.”

“You don’t have to feel excluded,” said Greg.

“He’s right. We’re a triad. I think our sum total is greater than all our parts,” Adriana added, touching his arm.

“I appreciate that, but I really feel things are going to start heating up. I want to take myself and a couple of my best warriors off the patrol roster so we’re ready to move when the time comes. I also need to get Colby up-to-speed.” He kissed Adriana’s temple and looked at Greg. “Take care of our mate.”

Greg nodded solemnly. “I will.”

She thought about reminding them that she wasn’t some fine porcelain doll and could not only take care of herself, but them as well, but thought better of it. It had to be more difficult for Decker than it was for the rest of them. Greg took her by the hand and led her up to their room.

Adriana reminded herself that while Greg’s bite—his first bite—would most likely be painful, it shouldn’t be as bad or as deep as Eoghan’s. Not only that, but this was the mark of a wolf who was her fated mate.

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