Page 212 of Kingdoms of Night

However, his expression told me it wasn’t up for debate.

I blew out a breath and decided he’d more than earned an honest response. “I haven’t eaten today. My body is undergoing…changes. And I’m tired. So while I could walk, I would be much slower than you.”

I hated admitting all that.

But it was true.

“And…” I paused, mentally preparing to voice the rest of my response. “And I don’t think now is a good time for me to be stubborn. Therefore, I may not need to be carried, but I would like to be carried. Please.”

CHAPTERSEVEN

JONAS

Somewhere in North Carolina

That had to be the most civilized response Dr. Riley Campbell had ever given me.

“All right.” I closed the gap between us. “Bridal-style or piggyback ride?”

She snorted.

I arched a brow. “Answer the question, Doctor.”

She rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Bridal-style,Alpha. May as well pretend, right?”

“Pretend what?” I asked, picking her up while I spoke. We needed to get back so I could properly put the den together. And I’d rather do that before we completely lost the sun.

“That we’re in love?” she suggested as I started walking. “That we’re courting? That we’re dating? Whatever it is we’re supposed to do before you knot me for a week.”

I grunted. “I’m not going to knot you, Omega.”

She laughed. “Right.”

I stopped and looked down at her. “You are aware that Alphas can control their rutting instincts, right?”

She gave me a look that told me she absolutely did not know that. “No Alpha wants to control their rut.”

“I didn’t say they want to, Doctor. I said theycan.” I resumed walking, my gaze going to our surroundings.

“I’ve never seen an Alpha control his urges. It’s not possible.”

“Well, you’re about to see me control mine,” I informed her flatly. The strongest of our kind possessed the ability to maintain control at all times, even when tested by a needy Omega.

She might not realize it, but I was a strong Alpha. Averystrong Alpha.

“I almost want to make a bet,” she mused, proving her ignorance and essentially insulting me yet again.

Rather than point it out, I merely muttered, “It’s one you would lose.”

“So confident.”

I didn’t reply. She could pretend to know whatever she wanted. I’d prove her wrong through my actions, which meant more than words.

“Weren’t you just saying how you were five seconds away from knotting me?” she asked after several minutes of silence.

“Weren’t you just saying how you didn’t want to be difficult?” I countered. “Yet you’re goading me right now. Some would say that’s being difficult, Doctor.”

“Because you went from saying you were going to knot me in five seconds to saying you’re not going to knot me at all. I’m just pointing out the contradiction,Alpha.”

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