Page 286 of Golden Eagle

“I don’t know where you’ll go,” Rob said, “but you’re welcome to come to Lionheart. Under no obligation to fight and serve, obviously. But. If you need a safe place, our door is always open.”

Nikita glanced over toward his pack, all of them huddled together. As he watched, Alexei and Severin joined them, supporting a limping, unsteady Dante between them.

“I think…thanks, but I think I know where we need to go. For right now.”

“I thought so. I’ll leave you coordinates, and a contact number. Call any time, day or night, and we’ll pick up.”

Nikita regarded him again, this mythic figure of legend. Of history. Of pop culture. The inimitable Robin of Locksley, in his Lincoln green – a hero in the flesh, and not just in theory. As honorable and as fierce as the movies had always made him out to be. Maybe more so.

“Why was it me you wanted to talk to?” Nik wondered aloud.

“Because this is your pack,” Rob said, like it was obvious. “Yours to love and keep safe. You’re their leader.”

He rocked back on his heels. “I’m only a Soviet dog.”

“And I’m only a nobody woodsman, who happened to help the right king. It’s all in where your heart lies, my dear Captain. The world has plenty of kings. Sometimes, it’s the dogs that get the hard jobs done.”

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