Page 65 of The Wolf in My Tavern

Goddess willing, whelps would have arrived along the way, little girls or boys in the image of Ada, with straight dark hair and pretty hazel eyes. I’d held a distant hope that we might one day leave Bleakness’ cursed environs, maybe travel with my pa to Hydornia and the land he hailed from. Maybe this business with the Blighten would have been over by then, and Bleakness would once more be known as Port Arden.

As I glare down the shifter, feeling the woman I love tremble against me, that dream slips away.

No, it does not simply slip away. It has been ripped from my bleeding hands by the actions of the shifter who stands facing me.

My lips tremble with frustration. I toss my sword to the floor with a snarl of defeat.

Gray leaps, shifting in the air. He slams into me and snatches Ada from my grasp in a single fluid move.

I taste blood. My head rings. Through blurred eyes, I see my woman in his arms before a face swims into view—the pirate bastard. I feel a blow to the back of my head, and all the lights go out.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Gray

The ship on which we sail does not belong to me, my pack, or even the shifters. It belongs to a Hydornian king whose empire stretches across the lands on the other side of the Lumen Sea.

Alliances have begun forming between the humans, the shifters, and the fairy kingdoms beyond the portal. Others are in the mix, including the centaur herds and the scattered barbarian clans who occupy the lands east of Hydornia.

For many years, we each fought our own wars against the Blighten, the green skin bastards who invade our lands and snatch our peoples to facilitate their endless wars. The human kingdoms began forming alliances first, sharing intelligence and even resources to push back battlelines from the east and west.

Shifters and some of the more congenial centaur herds initially combined forces with human settlers and shifters against a nefarious bear shifter horde. Having worked together to deal with one problem, it was only natural for that to extend to the greater threat represented by the Blighten.

There are advantages to the alliance beyond our common enemy or enemies—the loan of a ship being one.

As befits a proud galleon, the captain’s quarters are spacious and well-appointed. And as befits my position as a pack leader’s son, they are given over to me… Which is for the best given I will need space and privacy for what I have in mind.

Opposite the door is a wide, curving casement of tiny, framed windows offering a distorted view of dark, billowing clouds. Beneath the window is a sturdy table made of oak with a single lantern set upon it, shining its light on a platter of cold meat and fruit, a pewter jug, and goblets. A grand chair, its dark leather worn and aged, along with several smaller chairs, are set around it.

To the right, faded red swag curtains are tied back to reveal a large bedding nook.

Another lantern hangs from the ceiling above the center of the room, swaying under the passage of the ship and casting a gleam over the polished wood of the walls and the floor. A series of cabinets rest against the room’s walls, some with closed doors and others open, with all manner of curiosities on display… an old skull, a large peacock feather, a sand timer, small chests, and brightly colored pouches. To the right of the bedding nook is a large leather chest with a lock upon the front—all captains must have their secrets.

“Let me go!”

“Quieten down, wench.” With her wrist shackled in my hand, I direct Ada deeper into the room. We are closely followed by three deckhands who strain under the weight of Callum’s unconscious body. He’s a big bastard, and we probably didn’t think through how we might get him in here when we knocked him out.

Maybe I should’ve put him in the hold, where he belongs. Still, he has brought my wolf close to the surface, and there is no going back. Callum needs to be part of this. He needs to see what happens next. Perhaps it is cruel of me, but my wolf will have it no other way.

Before I am done, both Callum and Ada will understand that I am the alpha here.

We are a week’s journey from our destination, even if the winds remain favorable. There is no need for me to rush. The lass is flagging even as she flails at me. I doubt she slept much last night after what happened between us and the fight.

“Where do ye want ‘im, Master Gray?” the deckhand asks.

I nod to the left, where a handy metal ring is embedded in the wall. I can only imagine that Callum is not the first prisoner to be held here. Another hook is fixed in the ceiling—we shall get to that later. “Bind him there. Make sure that he is secure… A gag might be in order.”

The deckhands grin as they chain Callum to the wall. He groans, starting to rouse, and their grins disappear as they hasten to complete the task.

Their reactions stir an unexpected feeling of pride. I like that his impressive build and fearless bearing inspire healthy respect. I have seen the lad fight and know what he is capable of—their caution is not misplaced. I anticipate he will be fearsome when he embraces his inner beast.

“Do ye want us t’ stay?” one deckhand asks.

I shake my head. “No, I’ll be fine.”

They take their leave.

I am alone with my prey—my soon-to-be mate—safe on a ship, and free from interference.

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