Page 92 of What a Wolf Demands

She fidgeted now, squeezing her hands together in her lap, her shoulders tense.

“It’s all right, sweetheart,” he said, looking at her. “Max is on our side. Before we hung up, he said he has something of a trick up his sleeve.”

Her eyes widened. “What kind of trick?”

“I don’t know, but it’s not like him to be cryptic. He seemed reluctant to discuss it over the phone.”

Her mouth tightened, and she looked back at the windshield. “Well, I hope it’s a good trick because Luc wants my head on a platter.”

Now, that was never going to fucking happen. Dom’s wolf paced, giving the impression of showing its teeth.

Dom forced himself to stay silent. It wouldn’t do her any good to show his temper. Right now, she needed a calm, steady presence at her side. A rock she could lean on. He intended to be that for her.

They rounded a corner, and the Lodge came into view. Dozens of lights winked in its windows, and its four stories of bulk loomed against a darkening sky.

Lily made a sound and leaned forward. “It’s beautiful,” she breathed.

Dom ran a critical gaze over the structure he’d called home since he was a teenager. He’d never really considered it beautiful before. Imposing maybe. Or even majestic. Built to blend in with its surroundings, the building was a combination of stone and timber. Behind it, a deep gorge cut through the forest, providing a natural defense against the pack’s enemies.

Not that they really needed it. Max’s Hunters prowled the forest at all hours, guarding against unwelcome visitors and curious humans.

Speaking of Hunters . . .

He focused his thoughts and sent a message to Remy. “We’ll be at the doors in two minutes.”

Nothing.

Irritation spiked in his mind. It wasn’t like Remy to ignore him. They’d been talking mind to mind since they were kids. He took a deep breath and projected again. “You around? Lily and I are pulling up.”

Silence.

“Are you okay?” Lily asked.

He looked at her, startled from his efforts to reach his friend. “What? Yeah. Why?”

“You’re frowning.”

He made an effort to relax his face. “Just trying to get in touch with Remy. He’s not answering.”

She glanced at his phone on the center console, her brow furrowed. Then comprehension dawned in her eyes. “You meant get in touch in your head.”

“He’s well within range. He had to have heard me.”

Something like admiration lit her gaze. “That’s got to be cool, having the ability to speak mind to mind.”

He couldn’t help but smile. No one had ever called his Gift “cool” before. “It’s definitely convenient, especially when I don’t have my phone. Although, my list of contacts is woefully limited.”

She laughed.

That was another first. He wasn’t really known for his comedy. That was more Remy’s domain. But damn if he wasn’t willing to make a fool of himself if it meant hearing her laugh like that again.

He slowed as they turned into the portico that dominated the front of the Lodge.

Lily’s smile faded, her eyes on the massive double doors. Her heart rate picked up, the beat like a small drum.

He could tell her to take deep breaths, but that might just make things worse. She was already walking into a den of wolves. She didn’t need any reminders they could hear every swish of blood pumping through her veins.

He parked and shut off the engine, then offered her his hand.

---