Page 18 of Seduced By Moonlight

“If you start quoting proverbs at me, I’m going to toss you off my balcony.”

Tank snickered. “I’d like to see you try.”

“You might be bigger than me, but I’m stronger. There would be no trying.” Ward wasn’t bragging. Tank earned that nickname for a reason, but Ward waskingfor a reason too.

“I see someone woke up and chose violence this morning.”

“Why are you here again?” Ward asked, only half kidding.

“You looked like you needed to unload, so here I am. Unload away, My King.”

Ward wanted to make a joke, but Tank was right. He did have things on his mind. “I suppose I’m worried about maintaining our privacy with so many outsiders coming and going.”

“Especially since we have that new… person.”

“Yes, that too.” Speaking of which, Ward needed to talk with her shortly. Just one more thing on his to-do list.

“But Mr. Lancaster seems reliable enough, aware but discreet,” Tank said.

“That he does.” Ward paused, watching a bat flit across the moonlit sky. “I have a feeling change is in the air.”

“And I know how much you hate change,” Tank agreed softly. “But remember, growth requires change. And without growth, we become stagnant. And if we become stagnant, time will leave us behind. Honestly, Ward? Sometimes I feel like weareteetering on the brink of being left behind.”

“I know. And I’m trying to involve us as a clan more in San DeLain issues. I provided clan members every time the leaders of San DeLain attacked the hunters,” Ward pointed out.

“But that’s the only time we really have anything to do with other paranormals. That needs to change, Ward.”

“I know,” Ward said. He needed to get in step with change or get walked over. He understood what he needed to do, but even so, sometimes change was painful.

The night air cooled his thoughts as much as it did his body. Tomorrow’s meeting with Kayden would mark not just a restoration of stone and mortar, but potentially the start of something transformative for everyone involved.

“Gather the clan, please. Or as many as possible. I need to introduce them to Rihanna and explain her situation.”

“Give me about forty-five minutes. Where are we doing this?”

“The grand ballroom should be big enough,” Ward said.

“Got it.”

As they descended back to the lower levels of the castle, Ward made his way to where Rihanna was temporarily staying.

Rihannawas sitting at a small table, a book open in front of her, but she stared out the open window. Her clothing was different, so Celine must have let her borrow something.

Rhianna looked up, her expression unreadable. “Hello.”

“Good evening. How are you?” Ward asked, resting against the doorframe.

“I’m fine, thank you. Celine was kind enough to show me to the shower, give me new clothes, feed me, and offer a place to sleep.”

Celine joined them. “Hey, Ward.”

“Hello, Celine. How are you?”

“I’m fine. I just received the results of her bloodwork, and we’ve already discussed it. She gave me permission to share with you as well. Overall, everything looks good, but there are some indications of malnutrition, which is not unexpected given the circumstances,” Celine explained.

“I appreciate you sharing that with me,” Ward acknowledged to Rihanna.

They made small talk, Ward asking about her previous life. Rihanna answered everything he asked, he was happy to see. He also answered questions she had about his clan and this world.

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