Page 51 of The Wolf Prince's Mate

He changed tactics.

“I’m on lockdown in Stray right now. If I was at the Lodge, I would already have pulled your pretty little ass out of that bush,”he said, the change of his tone making it seem like he was just making conversation.

His words caught my wolf’s interest, though. Just a little.

“My wolf lost his shit and broke through the cage I keep him in when I found your car. I couldn’t stop him. He tore the fucker in your backseat to shreds.”

My wolf tilted her head, just slightly.

She was officially intrigued. Talking about killing would do that, when it came to a wolf.

Her interest forced me out of the deepest pit between us as she pulled me closer, wanting to hear more from Clay.

“I thought he would kill you for a minute. It fucking terrified me. He ended up just licking the blood off your face and neck. It was kind of disturbed. Sorry about that. Wasn’t planning on violating your personal space again without permission. He’s just a pain in the ass.”He paused.“Actually, that’s an understatement.”

He stopped talking for a minute, and my wolf nudged me.

She wanted me to reply.

She wanted Clay to keep talking.

She wasn’t afraid of him the way she was afraid of everyone else, for whatever reason.

When I didn’t start talking, she started to pull back, to force me to shift. It was her version of a threat. I had to give her what she wanted, or she wouldn’t let me hide any longer.

I dragged myself out of the pit I’d hidden in.

Clay spoke again.“Hunter had to sedate me to get me to Stray. The wolf hasn’t tried this hard to take over in a couple of decades. We haven’t had to use the sedatives in just as long. He kept trying to break free during the drive back, and didn’t give up until Hunter dropped my unconscious ass on the edge of the wolf’s territory.”

“Tell me he’s not doing the claiming thing too,”I finally whispered.

“Nah. I think your wolf is just so submissive that he would’ve felt bad for killing her. Which is a real feat, considering he’s tried to kill his own brothers a handful of times.”

“Guess even insane wolves have morals when it comes to weak female werewolves.”

“Guess so.”He was being playful, but there was no humor in his voice.

I tried to retreat again, but my wolf started shifting back, so I forced myself to talk.

“How dead is he?”

“Think of the last dead thing you saw, and multiply it by ten.”

If I’d been in human form, I would’ve had a hard time fighting a smile.

“Want to tell me why you’re hiding inside your terrified wolf, Nova?”he asked.

My amusement faded.“Not particularly.”

“Everyone’s worried about you. Worried enough to call me.”

“You’re the guy they always call when they’re worried.”

“Usually. Right now, I’m completely useless.”

“My wolf is making me talk to you, and growling at everyone else. I’d say you’re the most useful at the moment.”

He snorted.“So that’s why you answered me.”

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