CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
“Get up, Princess. We have company coming.”
The words and the gentle touch on my face shock me to full consciousness. The sweet actions don’t fit the man.
“Who?” My voice is raspy.
“Don’t know.” Bo rolls from the bed, sprinting across the room and down the stairs.
“Who knew the laid-back asshole was so nimble?”
I giggle at Fell’s gravelly voice.
They’d all crawled into the massive monstrosity I called a bed after leaving Calista’s lair. Her words and my cleansing have us jumping at shadows and sleeping in the same bed. The boys have been taking shifts to make sure someone is always on alert.
“It’s like you read my mind.” Amused, I exit the bed on clumsy limbs and pull on my clothes I’m slipping on my sneakers when the door opens.
“Alpha’s people are five minutes away.” Bo’s words blur together.
“Shit.” I rush to the bathroom and emerge after freshening up and brushing my teeth. A few moments later, I emerge alert and presentable.
“Ready.” I swallow. “The timing?—.”
“Yeah. They didn’t even let the spell grow cold.”
“Are we taking it as an admission of guilt then?” I toy with the drawstring of my hood
Cadoc exhales deeply. “We have to consider it.”
I nod. We can’t leave the others down there alone. United, we’re always stronger.
I toy with the ends of my ponytail. “Not how I wanted to start my day.”
“Yeah.” Fell runs a hand over his face. “Me either. Come on.”
I follow him downstairs.
“We can’t afford to be caught unaware, Brat.” Cadoc’s waits for us at the bottom.
“We need to be on our guard.” Kirk paces.
Their clothing is deceptively casual allowing them to move freely. My clan is ready to battle.
“Relax, Brat. We’re not alone out here. I’m sure they’ve smelled our men by now. They won’t act impulsively.”
“He won’t make a move that can be easily traced back to him.” Kirk sounds sure. The haunted look on his face freezes my blood.
“When he strikes, it’ll be sneaky, underhanded, and unexpected. His hands can never be dirty.”
There’s an ocean of pain and secrets in his voice.
“Kirk?” Bo’s angry voice bounces off the walls of the room. I stare at him, unsure what to say. This is more than possession, it’s caring, and concern. An emotion I wasn’t sure he was capable of until right now.
“I won’t say more. It would only put us all in more danger.” Kirk refuses to meet his stare. “Never underestimate what he’s capable of, and always watch your back.”
“What can we do to mitigate damage?” Cadoc asks.
“We play the long game. And stay a step ahead.” Kirk’s eyes narrow and his voice takes on a determined note.