Page 31 of Smoke and Lure

“No.Never.”She leaned into him.“I just want Kai to be happy for me.”

“Because you are...”

She glided her hands up his chest and around his neck as she pressed her full breasts against him.“Happy...down to my toes.”

He growled.He met her lovely gaze and saw the truth of her words there.As Chanin took in the rest of her features, he was glad to see that her bruising looked better than it had when he first arrived.

Chanin held her small frame against him, but he didn’t kiss her tempting, lush lips.He knew if he started tasting her, he wouldn’t be able to stop.Before he could go there, he needed to ensure a few things were set with his Pack first.

“Ahem.”His assistant cleared her throat.

“Runt?” He glanced over his shoulder and looked at the smallest member of his Pack as she carried a heavily-laden dish to the table.

“Since you didn’t eat much before you set out today, I saved you a plate.”Rudie pointed at the other plate on the table next to the seat where she sat the dish.

Rudie continued, “I also prepared one for Morlie since you all will be headed to the Drahk territory.”

His wolf licked its lips, ready to tear into ten rabbits.

Keeping an arm around Morlie, he walked them toward the table.

“Thanks.That reminds me.We have Farkas.”After Morlie sat down at the table, he sat at the head.

Rudie gasped, heavy and loud.“Where is he now?”

“Fang Warriors.”Chanin spotted spaghetti squash hash and two herb-encrusted roasted rabbits on a platter.He reached out and placed one of the rabbits on Morlie’s plate.

“I’ve already—”

He arched a brow at her.“You need it for the journey.Your wolf is not used to traveling so long yet.”

Morlie snapped her mouth closed.

Chanin glanced back at Rudie.“When you leave, I need you to radio Bleddyn and cancel the clothing gathering plans for Morlie with his mates.Inform him about Morlie and my decision for the evening.Faolan would have already spoken to Boris regarding Farkas.However, contact Boris anyway and request a security detail to accompany us to the Drahks.”

“I can handle that, Alpha.I’ll instruct them to meet you and Morlie out front in two hours.”Rudie went to the counter and wrote down his instructions on her tablet.

“Are you concerned there will be trouble?”There were shadows in Morlie’s eyes as if she wasn’t sure she should be worried.

He held her gaze.If there were, I’d always protect you.

I trust you to keep me safe.The relief filling her mind caused a coolness to touch his spine.

“But it was the protocol that at least two wolves travel together when dealing with other entities.You technically cannot be factored in since you are still a new Lupine.”

Morlie tilted her head and stared at him, confusion marring her lovely face.“But you came alone for me.”

He released a low growl.His need for her hadn’t gone away; it was simmering below the surface of his skin like a river of lava ready to erupt at any moment.

“If I would have paused for a second before journeying to the Drahk territory to retrieve you, mate, someone else would have tagged along beside me.My Beta or another.”He reached out and clasped her hand on the table beside her plate, then stroked over her warm, silky skin with his thumb.“However, my wolf refused to rest and clawed at me incessantly, forcing me to get its mate.Little rabbit, when I set out, I couldn’t think of anything but you.If I’d had to cross into the dragon area to claim you, I’d never heard the end of it from my people.”He leaned toward her with a wicked smile.“Good thing you came to me.”

A mirrored heat filled Morlie’s gaze as she glided her tongue over her lips.

He tightened his hand on her and began to draw her toward him.He desired little else than to pull her onto the table before him and make her his meal.Chanin knew if he gave into his lust for her, they’d never eat before they left.The knowledge that his mate needed to eat stopped him.Even though his wolf was used to hunting for long hours and days without food, Morlie had no experience.

“Anything else, Alpha?”Rudie’s soft, but distinct, voice broke into his thoughts.

He glanced at his assistant, still by the island.“Yes.I wanted the meeting grounds for today.With the Fang soon marching Farkas through the area, people will have questions and want swift retribution.I’ll brief everyone before I interrogate my cousin.I need Dolf to get the word out that the Pack will gather at first light on the grounds.”

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