Page 25 of Crescent Warrior

The gradual softening of her expression was a relief. Her eyes dropped to his lips and she gave a little smirk. Reaching up, she cupped his chin, brushing the side of his mouth. Shocked, he stood stock-still. Her touch was like fireworks under his skin.

“You always have this little pout when you’re upset.” Seeming to snap herself out of a trance, she cleared her throat, dropping her hand. Her voice lost all the previous softness. “Now, I’m going to go in there with Brandon and a few other guys and I need you to not go he-man on me, alright?”

He nodded, reaching out to take her hand in his, linking their fingers like they had done so many times before. “I know I don’t mean anything to you anymore, Lyta, but you’re a wolf too. You know my wolf is going crazy trying to claim you. That’s the only reason—”

“Yes,” she whispered, her eyes going cold. “Your wolf is the only reason you would get angry over me being with another man. I get it. You don’t have to explain.”

He felt his jaw drop as she yanked her hand away from him, walking off toward the door on the other side of the room.

Is that what she thinks?

At the same time, Brandon and four other men went the same way. His hackles rose, his wolf growling his fury that she was alone with them. Knowing that following her would make her more upset and even jeopardize the connections she needed, he stayed where he was.

“Cole,” Ambrosia said behind him, grabbing his arm. “Don’t worry about it, alright? I’m telling you, she’s not with anyone. Especially none of these guys.”

He nodded, not trusting himself to speak.

“You can always call or text me. Anytime,” Hippolyta was saying as Brandon and his friends nodded.

“You know we’ll always reach out if we find anything that looks like Bloodthirsty, but will anyone be here? The Lykourgos have kept us protected for so long I’m worried we could have an infestation while you’re gone.”

Pondering that, she nodded thoughtfully. “I’ll leave two of our warriors behind. I’m sure the king won’t have a problem with that.”

Brandon nodded gratefully. “Even just two of you guys is more than enough. There haven’t been any sightings recently.”

“We’re going to try to exterminate the last ones in Europe and then we’ll be back. We won’t even be gone a few months.”

“We’ve got your back. Tell Damen.”

The police in their small rural town in Minnesota assisted them, ever since they moved to the United States. Brandon’s great-grandfather was the first Sheriff they met after saving the small town from the Bloodthirsty when they were almost overrun.

Keeping the Werewolves’ secret was the small price they paid for the protection of their people. Damen was the one who met with them at first, handling everything by himself, but with his new mate’s influence, he was finally handing over responsibilities that probably weighed on him for years.

“He’ll be happy to hear that. We’re leaving tomorrow, but I’ll give you the number of whoever’s staying behind.”

“Maybe Rosi?” Henry shrugged innocently behind Brandon. They all rolled their eyes at him, but Hippolyta grinned.

“That’s actually a great idea. Her nose is more sensitive than any other Werewolf I know. She’ll be able to tell if there’s trouble long before anyone else.”

Henry’s eyes brightened and he nodded enthusiastically. Smothering a laugh, she shook all their hands before heading back to the main room. She immediately spotted Cole standing exactly where she left him, staring at her.

Has he been there the entire time?

Sighing, she was making her way over to him when she was stopped by Brandon’s brother, Tom. He was a gregarious young man who had been pestering her about going out with him for years, even knowing that she was an immortal Werewolf who was much older and stronger than he was.

“A kiss for the birthday boy?” he grinned innocently at her and she tutted at him, giving him a gentle push in the chest with her forefinger.

He stumbled backward, the good-natured smile never leaving his face.

“The birthday boy is obviously totally drunk.”

Tom nodded, happily. “I am. I’m twenty-one today.”

She snorted out a laugh, leaning forward as he froze in shock. She gave him a quick, smacking kiss on his lips and then patted his cheek. “Happy birthday, Tom.” She left him to gape after her as she moved to stand near Ambrosia.

“So, you’ve made Tom’s year.”

Hippolyta snorted, shaking her head. “He’s a baby still. It was like kissing Niles.”

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