Page 45 of Smoke and Blood

“I’m taking one of the security routes tonight,” Liekki met his gaze.

Liekki’s stoic expression didn’t fool Aodh.“I haven’t heard we’re down a Drakh on the team.”Aodh tapped the report on his desk he’d been reading.Most of it had to do with movements within other territories.

The Drakh didn’t spy on the other shifters.No.Aodh respected his council colleagues to govern their property.However, a dragon’s vision was long-range and sharp, and they couldn’t help but observe certain activities across their borders.If Aodh wanted to, he could have one of the security flyers scan the Lupine lands and search specifically for Morlie and see how she was doing, if she was a wolf.However, that was a deliberate invasion of privacy on multiple levels, and Aodh would not order it.

“You wouldn’t.”

“True.”Edjer would handle any lapse in security and report it to Liekki if it elevated to the level of concern.Then, only if it was a significant problem that would affect the territory's safety would it come to Aodh’s attention.

Liekki drew his leg up to rest his ankle on his knee.“I’ve been out most nights.”

That shocked Aodh to hear.

When Aodh tipped his head to the side and frowned, Liekki rushed on, “Not because there’s a problem.With the rogue wolf still loose, I wanted to keep an eye out for him.I know Chanin and Bleddyn can help find him.Just making sure the rogue doesn’t decide to use our territory as a rescue.”

Aodh rested his elbows on the chair's armrests and linked his fingers.“I appreciate the extra measures.”Still unconvinced that his brother’s nighttime patrols were as clear-cut as Liekki tried to make it seem.Perhaps it was the slight flicker of a pale-tangerine flame in the depths of Liekki’s gaze, there one second and gone the next.The man before him was not only his brother but his close confidant.They’d always shared the truth.“Anything else?”

His brother arched a brow but sat quietly for a long moment as if Liekki expected him to say more.“‘Else?’Why would there be?”

Aodh allowed another pregnant pause to attempt to wait out his brother, allowing Liekki the space to open up if he desired.When long moments lapsed, it was apparent to Aodh that Liekki would continue to keep his private council for now.“Just making sure.”

Exhaling out a tiny wisp of smoke from his nostrils, Liekki rose.“I’ve kept you away from your reports long enough.I’d offer to help, but I know how much you enjoy the paperwork.”He stretched as if imprisoned in the chair for months.

Another sign of something had wound his brother up.Aodh, let it go.

“Yes.”Aodh sighed.It was true.He didn’t mind the tedious paperwork, while Liekki preferred to be in the skies or a different pair of thighs.“If I don’t get this done and the livestock report still needs to be reviewed, Yeongi will not go home, and Kai and I’ll be late to the house.”

“I’m too fond of you to let Mother come for you if you are late to the evening meal table.”Liekki stepped away from the chair toward the large window.

“I appreciate that.”Aodh chuckled.Their mother could be the fiercest when it came to governing their family home.He could see Kai being the same way.

Liekki nodded his head toward the window.“May I?”

“As long as your big-ass beast doesn’t shift in here and knock all my stuff around, by all means.”Aodh watched his brother strut toward the giant, sliding door.

Standing by the handle, Liekki glanced over his shoulder.“One time, a Drakh breaks a desk and a couple chairs, and his brother won’t let him live it down.”

Aodh gave him a half smile and recalled a memory from their youth.When they were young adult males new to the prowl, they were in a meeting with their father when Rhys was Mckenna.Liekki had spotted a drahkelle he’d been enamored with flying overhead.With hormones in full rage, his brother had shifted and shattered the chair and split their father’s desk in half and was charging for the window before the roaring voice of the Mckenna halted him.

They both had been in trouble, Liekki for the damage and Aodh because he couldn’t get himself up from the floor where his laughter held him bound.Rhys had sent them both to the territory's northern end to work with the goat keepers for three months.It took their father that long to calm down.Aodh was sure their mother persuaded their father to allow them to return to the territory center.

“It’s one of my fondest memories,” Aodh declared.

“Mine, too.”Liekki winked, then slid the door open enough to step out to the landing.Seconds later, he leaped from the wide platform and took to the sky in his dragon form.

Turning back to his reports, Aodh had to believe his brother would confide in him when he was ready.Determined to leave his office soon, he buried himself in his work.

“Mckenna.”Yeongi’s voice pulled him away from the livestock reports an hour later.

“Perfect timing, Yeongi.I’m about to sign the last report, and you can have them back.”Aodh picked up his pen and glanced at his assistant across from his desk.That’s when he spotted the man in the doorway behind him.

“Brantley is here to see you.He says it can’t wait.”

“Thanks, Yeongi.”Aodh finished his signature and then gathered his reports as he rose.He rounded his desk and handed it to his assistant.“I made some notes, but take care of it tomorrow.Go be with your mate.”

“I don’t mind—”

When Aodh arched a brow, it silenced the words of his assistant.

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