Page 67 of Johann

It was Wolfe who broke the silence, apparently unconcerned with the potential power play of letting one’s opponent speak first. “So was the point of this meeting simple chastisement, or are we planning out your return? I could book us three tickets as soon as you like.”

Jay set down his already half-empty drink and folded his hands. “I want to discuss what it would take for you to let me stay.”

“I’m afraid that’s not poss—” Wolfe’s words cut off with a start, his impeccable posture stiffening even further. He turned in his seat, a wary cast to his gaze, and watched a new party entering the bar. A party of three, one of whom—a tall, blond, sturdy-looking guy somewhere in his thirties—caught a glimpse of them and waved at their table.

“King!” the blond human shouted boisterously. “Fancy seeing you here.”

Gabe gave him a grimace and a half-hearted wave back, and the man didn’t come any closer, only briefly smirking at Soren, glancing curiously at Alexei, and shooting a wink at Jay (which, holy fuck, Alexei’s new beast didn’t like one bit).

Wolfe had sunk back into the shadows at the corner of their table, escaping the human’s notice altogether. After a moment, as the new trio was directed to a table at the other end of the room, he picked up his wine glass, swirling the ruby liquid there in a much less graceful fashion than before. “Who was that man?”

Soren arched an inquisitive brow but answered the question. “Dr. Monroe. He’s not one of us; you don’t have to worry about him.”

Wolfe took a small swallow of his wine, set his glass down, and tapped one index finger against the table. It was another long moment before he spoke again. Maybe he was as paranoid about humans as Jay had suggested. Finally, he cleared his throat genteelly. “What would be the terms of your staying, Johann?”

If anyone else was shocked by the sudden change from stubborn opposition to careful consideration, they didn’t show it in their faces.

“I’d give you half,” Jay said, ignoring Soren’s immediate protest. “Without the marriage component, of course. You can take it back to the den or keep it all for yourself. I don’t care anymore.”

Wolfe pursed his lips, thoughtful. “The den wouldn’t trust me alone, not without your reputation backing me. That was the point of the whole arrangement.”

Jay shrugged, sneaking another sip of his cocktail. “Well, they’d just have to, if they wanted that money to benefit them.”

Wolfe considered that, swirling his glass once more. Alexei was tempted to take the damn thing and throw it off the table, but he supposed that would be considered rude. “It’s still too much money they’d be losing. They’d come for you; I’m sure of it. They’ve probably already sent someone. That whole lack of trust in me, you see.”

“Well, that’s easy,” Soren interjected, a broad grin on his face. “We’d kill anyone who tried to take Jay without his consent. The last person who tried to kidnap one of our family is now a pile of ash in the forest.”

Alexei felt a strong surge of surprised joy coming from Jay at that wordfamilyand Jay’s implied inclusion in it. Alexei turned to study his face, but Jay was still staring placidly at Wolfe.

Wolfe took a moment to think that over, his gaze wandering the room, catching briefly at the table where the blond doctor now sat with his friends. “I have a different proposal.”

“Nothing where Jay leaves,” Soren insisted.

Alexei could feel another surge of pleasure run through Jay at Soren’s defense. As if he hadn’t known before just how important he was to these friends he’d found a home with until that home was threatened.

“It will be tiresome for you all to fight off individual attacks from the den. One of you could get hurt, possibly killed. I could…run interference, in a way. Pass along the message that you’ve formed your own den, Johann. One with capable protectors. I could even give you my allegiance. Then it’s no longer a matter of one runaway companion but a war between two dens. A much more daunting matter for them to consider.”

Gabe cleared his throat. “Why can’t Jay just tell them that?”

Wolfe shrugged one shoulder. “I doubt they’d believe him, for one. Not without corroboration.”

“For half the money?” Jay asked, cocking his head.

“Half the money.” Wolfe took a considering sip of his wine. “And I want the doctor.”

Soren’s grin grew even wider, but his pale eyes turned to ice. “I guess it’ll betwopiles of ash in the forest.”

Wolfe waved a dismissive hand at him. “Notyourdoctor. I want the other one. Monroe.”

“Well, um… He’s not ours to give,” Jay pointed out, his brow furrowing in confusion.

At the same time, Gabe scoffed. “Him? Why would you wanthim?”

Soren placed a placating hand on his mate’s arm. “Jealousy doesn’t suit you, Highness. You know I didn’tactuallysleep with him.”

Gabe snorted, but he looked slightly mollified. “You like jealousy on me, brat,” he mumbled. “It makes you preen.”

Jay cleared his throat, catching both Soren’s and Gabe’s eyes and tilting his head not so subtly at Wolfe, who was looking quite pained at the interaction. The duo fell silent, but Alexei couldn’t help but notice that Sorenwaspreening, just the slightest.

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