Page 21 of Enemies By Fate

“They weren’t members of the Apex pack. They were members of different packs under our rule. But if they were really our friends, they would have never tried to overthrow us,” Asher replies huskily. “We have to do what we have to do to protect our pack and our territory.”

I want to be disgusted with his explanation, with the inhumane conditions the males in the underground dungeon are living in. But I’m beginning to understand that it’s not all so black and white.

Asher’s hand cups my face, and he draws me closer. “You’re bewitching for someone who isn’t a witch,” he murmurs. “What is it about you, exactly?”

I swallow hard, forcing down the lump in my throat.

Leaning forward, my lips brush against the luscious fullness of his mouth, shockwaves zipping through me on contact as my eyes close.

The feeling is certainly mutual, and yet if this were a mate bond, wouldn’t I know it?

Something is undeniably happening between the Apex Alphas and me, but I don’t claim to know what.

Asher’s lips part, his other hand snaking up to pull my neck closer as our tongues touch.

Run, Poppy, run!

My father’s voice pulls me back, and I slide away, putting distance between us as shame floods me.

“You didn’t enjoy that?” he asks smugly, as if he already knows the answer, but I don’t give him the satisfaction of a response.

“I want to speak with the prisoner. The one who kept following me around.”

His smile fades, and he shakes his head.

“If you want answers,” I blurt out, “I believe he might have some. He knows something about the mark, I’m sure of it.”

Asher hesitates, considering my ask. “I’ll have to bring it to my brothers.”

I feel my hope dwindling as he rises. Malachi won’t agree, I’m sure.

“In the meantime, why don’t you just appreciate the fact that you’re not in the underground cells anymore and stop fighting with us at every turn? Things will go much easier for you that way.”

Smiling weakly, I watch him amble toward the door and leave me alone to finish my lunch and think about the kiss.

Afternoon sunshine dipsbehind the distant mountains as I sit at the plush window seat by the balcony. I wonder if Circe and Sadie are panicking about me now, and guilt eats away at me.

Warrick enters with a crate in his arms.

“I know there’s a TV, but you don’t seem that interested in it,” he comments, nodding at the black screen of the mounted device in the sitting room. I turn away from the balcony window to peer at him curiously and realize he’s holding a box full of books. “Are you much of a reader?”

My heart skips at the sight as I throw my legs over the side of the nook and wander toward him to look at the titles. “Yes!” I reply honestly. “I love to read.”

He grins. “Me too.”

Warrick gestures at the box. “I took a guess at what books might interest you,” he informs me as I near, and I’m impressed by the selection. “But I guess there’s no reason you can’t go down to the library yourself and pick out what you want.”

Jaw slacking, I stare at him. “You have a library here?” I ask in disbelief as he sets the crate on the ground.

He nods proudly. “The Bloodstones have added to it for generations,” he explains. “Dating back to the first Apex Alphas. You said you were raised by a witch, right?”

I tense at the reminder, but I nod, expecting him to ask more questions about Sadie.

Warrick smiles. “We have an entire section on ancient magic and spells. You could probably work on some of your spells if you get the urge.”

“Oh,” I laugh, relaxing as I reach for one of the titles. “I don’t think so.”

“You don’t have to worry about blowing anything up. We have our own fixers around here,” Warrick chuckles. “You’d be amazed at how much crap Malachi got into in his youth. There’s nothing you can do that can’t be fixed.”

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