Page 62 of Father of the Wolf

“Then why have you come?” Sandulfr’s tone inquired rather than challenged.

“I was sent to convince you to help us form a treaty with Bequlf’s faction.” Perhaps there was still a chance.

“Why would I do that?”

Good question. If Sgrios was to have his way, the vermin would be hunted down and killed. “The Keeper wishes us to attempt a truce.” Sgrios said.

“I see. And how will we do this?”

“The Keeper plans to call in Bequlf and his men. I do not know more. I only came to ask you to return to her home with me. Will you?”

Chapter Twenty

Possibilities and Preparations

Possessive Tendencies

Steve flinched when the woman turned her intense gaze on him and let a slow, sensual smile form on her lips. She was exotic, with full lips and eyes, which were such a rich brown as to look black. He could almost feel her thick curls, imagining them flowing through his fingers or over his chest.

He could have sworn the temperature went up in the room. It was now too hot for comfort.

“Hello,” she purred, moving toward him.

“Allaidh, leave him be,” Reultan said. “He is not one of us.” He stopped her with a firm grip on her arm.

With a flashing look and a soft snarl, she pulled free. “I only want to say hello.”

“You never ‘only’ say hello.” Reultan turned to Steve. “You need to be careful of this one. She doesn’t understand limits and she does bite.” With that warning, Reultan left them to get his own dinner.

Steve thought he saw Allaidh stiffen at Reultan’s remarks, and her eyes dropped to the floor, her expression tight in what looked like pain.

Then she sighed and the look was gone, only to be replaced with hard, designed sensuality. She stepped closer and purred in a very feline growl, “So you’re a human. I can smell the difference on you. I’ve never had a human before.” She trailed one sharpened fingernail down his jaw. “Will you feel different? Will you taste different?”

She stood so close the last of her words drifted against his ear, followed by the tiniest of licks to his earlobe. Air rushed into his lungs as he remembered to breathe. The rest of his body jerked in reaction as her warm breath blew across his neck.

She made him sweat. She made him shiver. She also made him very nervous.

Suddenly, Acair stepped close and made it obvious why he was leader of their family. He firmly pulled Allaidh away from Steve. “That is enough, Allie.” He glared at her in disapproval. “He is a guest, not a toy.” She started to pull away, and he gave her a fierce shake. “Leave it be.”

She met his glare with defiance. Despite his imposing build, she stood eye to eye with him, not backing down, daring him to stop her. “Perhaps you should keep me distracted.”

The sparks flew between them, and Steve stepped back. Although Acair had seemed calm and controlled earlier, he was now on the verge of violence. Steve wanted no part of that.

“Maybe when you grow up,” Acair growled. Then he deserted them to return to his seat at the head of the table.

Díon brushed past Steve and pulled Allaidh into a hard brotherly hug for a semi-private whisper. “Don’t worry, girl. He’ll understand someday.” Steve watched as she covertly wiped away tears. He had to wonder which was the act: the boldness, or her vulnerability?

* * *

Hope relaxed in the passenger seat of the bug as she waited for Athair to settle into the driver’s seat.

“You forgot something,” he said, handing her the tattered remains of her panties.

“I didn’t forget them. I couldn’t find them.” She sighed and let her eyes drift closed.

“Either way, I like the idea of you not wearing them.” His hand stroked over her denim clad thigh.

Her eyes shot open as his hand moved upward. “I think this car is too small for any more of that.”

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