Page 275 of Primal Bonds

Heels tapped on the cobblestone street behind him. His whole body went alert. He turned to look at the woman strolling toward him in a red leather jacket and tight jeans and knew this was why he’d been drawn to the waterfront.

You.

The last time he’d seen Rosana do Rio, it had been early summer, and she’d been naked. But not, unfortunately, because he’d finally talked her out of her clothes.

No, it had been because Adric was on Rock Run territory. Rosana had been with another sentry, cruising the Susquehanna as her river dolphin, and she’d shifted to woman to confront him.

The sight of her naked body was burned on his brain: her breasts high and slick from the swim, her legs long and sleek. She knew as well as him that this thing between the two of them could never go anywhere, but when he’d taken her mouth in a deep, soul-stealing kiss, she’d let him—and then ordered him off her clan’s land.

So what was she doing in Baltimore? And alone, when usually her brother Dion guarded her like a wolf with one pup.

His breath snagged. He covered it with a scowl. “Aren’t you a little far from Rock Run?”

“I came to see you.” Her long black hair hung in damp corkscrews around her heart-shaped face, and her big blue eyes were deep pools in the dim light, like a siren who’d emerged from the harbor to lure him to his doom.

“Yeah?” His heart gave a hard thump. He scraped his gaze insolently down her body—and tried to ignore his rapidly hardening cock. “Finally decide you can’t live without me?”

“Screw you.” She spun on her heel.

“Oh, no.” He grabbed her arm. “You don’t get to run away. Not this time. You’re in my territory now.”

She halted, lungs jerking. Too hard. She was pissed off, yeah, but beneath the anger he scented desire.

And because he wanted her so bad, his fingers bit into her arm. “Talk, damn it.”

She whirled to face him. “Dion’s right. You’re an ass.”

His smile was sardonic. “I love him right back.”

Her hands balled, and he half expected her to take a swing at him. The gods knew, he deserved it.

But she blew out a breath and then with a visible effort, relaxed. “I’m here about Merry Jones.”

So she wasn’t here for him. Disappointment made his voice harsh. “She’s okay?”

“Yeah. Except for the night fae prince demanding to know why Rock Run didn’t inform him she’d died.”

“What did Dion say?”

“That what happens at our base is none of the prince’s fucking business. Of course, he put it more politely. The prince still hasn’t responded.”

Adric nodded. He might not like the other alpha, but the man was smart. “So what’s up?” he asked, releasing her.

Rosana immediately put a little space between them. He had to force himself not to grab her and keep her close. Inside, the cat was damn near drooling, it was so thrilled to be near her after six long months.

She shoved her wet black curls behind her ears. “You know me and Merry are friends, right? I mean, I’m eight years older than her, but she’s like the little sister I never had.”

He nodded. “Jace told me.”

“Well, Merry’s scared.” She lowered her voice to subvocal level. “We all know that someday the prince will learn the truth and come for her. She’s terrified he’ll force her to go back with him to Virginia. Dion and Cleia told her there’s no way they’ll let that happen, but she’s still worried. After all, she is his granddaughter.”

His eyes narrowed. What did Rosana know?

But she simply waited for his answer, an anxious crease between her brows.

“Tell her not to relax,” he said, affronted at a primal level that a cub should have any worry other than the usual ones of adolescence. “If that S.O.B. tries anything, he’s dead.”

She scrutinized him. “You mean that, don’t you? Even though she’s part night fae herself.”

---