Page 34 of Savage Trap

My lips part, wanting to know more, but Arben growls, “We’re here. Can you get us in unseen, luani i vogël.”

He’s clearly talking to Nate – the little lion – and he nods. “Of course. We’ll use the service elevator.”

While he takes his phone from the trash bag and texts someone, the driver takes us around to the delivery entrance. We pile out, and as Nate swipes us into the building, Cam pulls me in for a hug. I’m certain I can feel Arben’s disapproving gaze burning into the back of my head, but I ignore it, soaking up Cam’s comforting scent. We only break apart when the service elevator arrives, and he holds my hand until Nate steps out a floor below ours. “Are you going to be alright?” Cam asks, still in medic mode.

“I’ve booked a room for the night, or what’s left of it.” His soft gray eyes linger on me for a moment before clinging to Arben. “Më vjen keq për telashet që kam shkaktuar.”

“You don’t need to apologize, Nate,” I reply, ignoring Arben’s grunt. “We’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Yes.” He clears his throat awkwardly. “I’m sure we’ll have meetings.”

“And don’t forget the pack run,” I remind him. “Sleep well, Nate.”

He blushes, but I’m impressed at his ability to meet everyone’s gaze, even Arben’s, and then he gives a small wave and walks off. The smile slides off my face as the doors close, and I’m the first one out of the elevator as I stalk to our suite.

Kelly pulls it open as if he’s been waiting for us, and I suddenly get all the cuddles I could want. He hugs me so tight, I feel a sob bubble up. I manage to swallow it down, but it comes out as a soft moan when he sweeps me off my feet. I bury my face in his hair, breathing in deep, but he hasn’t taken more than a couple of steps when Arben growls, “Put her down, princi.”

Kelly’s hands clutch tighter, but then he slowly releases me. I slide down his body, peering up into his face. There are tear tracks on his cheeks and black circles under his eyes. The guilt hits me in a wave and I reach up, running my fingers over his downturned lips. It’s only when I see the blood crusted under my nails that I snatch them back.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I didn’t want you to worry.”

His eyes go wide, his face even paler, but he bites back whatever he was going to say and gives a shake of his head. Somehow, his silence makes me feel even worse, but I just kick off my shoes and head to the bathroom. Link is sitting motionless in front of his laptop, but I bite my lip. If I can’t find the words to apologize to Kelly, I have no hope with Link. Better we just all get some sleep and sort it out in the morning.

Or, at least, that’s the plan while I lean against the vanity and scrub my hands with some of the hotel’s fancy soap. I really need a shower, but I don’t even get to turn the water on before I feel the hairs on the back of my neck prickle.

Arben fills the doorway, even barefoot and stripped of his jacket. I raise a brow at his stern face, wondering if he’s finally going to talk to me, but he just crooks a finger and stalks away. Blowing out a sigh, I contemplate ignoring him and taking a long, hot shower. But getting dragged out naked and soapy would probably not be the fun time I’d like it to be.

Instead, I follow him back into the main room, stopping short when I see him sitting in one of the armchairs. Every other member of our pack is sitting on the couches facing him, like he’s about to deliver some kind of speech.

No doubt the long, angry lecturing kind, but I push my annoyance down and walk towards him. Being upset about the close call we had makes sense – I’m already kicking myself over half a dozen things that went wrong at the club – but I’m not going to let him scold me like a child. If Arben wants to have more control over our missions, then he needs to be here to help us plan them.

Feeling vindicated, I fold my arms and decide to get in the first word. “I know you’re angry, but you don’t get to boss me around if you’re not here, Arben.”

He raises a thick black brow, but otherwise remains motionless. “But you get to put yourself in danger when I’m not here to stop you?”

I narrow my eyes, my anger feeding off the adrenaline in my system. “Stop me? That’s not how this works. We’re a pack of equals, in case you’ve forgotten.”

“It’s exactly how it works, princeshë. And if we’re equals, as you claim, did you give Lincoln time to survey the building before you rushed in there?”

“No, but -.”

“Did you inform your father? Arrange back-up? Ask Leon to liaise with the Alpha Kings on his son’s behalf? Did you do one of a hundred things that would have improved the safety of your mission?”

“No,” I admit, feeling slightly chastised by his rapid-fire questions.

“Then come here and take your punishment, Elvana. Ten smacks on your reckless behind.”

I blink at him, but he’s pointing to the ground in front of him. “You must be joking.”

“I never joke about your ass, princeshë.” I’m tempted to roll my eyes at him, but Arben leans forward on the chair. It groans under his weight, not a hint of softness in his dark eyes as his thick forearms settle on his knees. “If you’re going to act like a reckless wolfling, I’m going to discipline you like one. Now come here and pull up your dress.”

Oh my god. He really is planning to spank my ass like I’m a disobedient child! “Forget it. You’re not my dad, Arben.”

“No, but I can go and get him.” He half-rises from his seat. “You think Lucas will stop me when he finds out the danger you put yourself in?”

I swallow hard. Dragging my dad in here is like one of those naked-at-school nightmares. And to see him disappointed in me would almost be worse. “Alright,” I mutter, stomping over to the chair and stopping just out of reach. I lower my voice and give a subtle gesture towards the couch. “But can you send them away? You don’t need to make this a public flogging.”

I’m trying to break the soup-thick tension a little, but his glower just deepens. “That’s exactly what this needs to be. Everyone in this room needs to know that reckless behavior won’t be tolerated.”

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