Page 41 of Huntress and the Thorn Court
“No, sir. We’ve looked, but…”
“Don’t worry. I’ll find her before I head in. Escort them to the throne room.”
“Yes, sir.”
My eyes went wide. There was only the door, that I wasn’t even sure was locked, between the throne room and us.
“You wanted to play, Princess. Have you changed your mind?” He challenged. Not a chance. I bobbed my head watching Gideon from under my lashes. His neck was bowed back absorbing the sensation. His hands gripped the desk behind him and I swear I heard the wood groan. “I’m close,” he warned. The fact that he did just made me more determined not to stop.
With a groan he spilled into my mouth. I drank him down, milking him of every drop. When his body stopped pulsating, I did one final sweep of my mouth to ensure he was clean before coming to my feet.
Gideon grabbed me at my waist, tugging me to him. He kissed me passionately uncaring about what I’d just done as his tongue dance impatiently with mine.
“I don’t have time to give you a proper thank you,” he breathed against my lips. “We’ll finish this later.” It wasn’t a question but a statement of fact. I nodded kissing him once more. “Go up the elevator so we’re not seen coming out together. You can use the bathroom to compose yourself before coming down.” He swiped his thumb over my swollen lips removing a drop of what I missed. Biting my lip, I did as he asked.
I didn’t know whom the entourage included, and it didn’t matter, there would be no way for me to explain my familiarity with Gideon’s personal space that would satisfy if I was seen coming out of his office. He stood there watching me with a hooded gaze until the elevator doors closed behind me.
17
Ididn’t knock when I entered the throne room. I put on airs of the revered huntress I was. It was a mask I’d been wearing less and less as of late. I hid my reaction when I saw who from the Order were present. It was Reed and his group of miscreants. The same two that had been present during my encounter with Reed over the mistreatment of the teenage werewolves were here, but it appeared he added two more for show, which was odd as Reed’s team was only meant to be a group of three. I made a mental note to ask Eric about it tomorrow.
“Isabel,” Reed beamed. Arms thrown wide, he approached me, wrapping me in a more than friendly embrace. “You smell good,” he whispered just for me, but we were in a room of supernaturals. A whisper didn’t mean anything. My eyes caught Gideon’s as he gritted his teeth. “They’ve been taking care of you, I see.”
“They have.” I stepped back putting space between us. I didn’t enjoy Reed near me on a good day. Add in the alpha wolf whom I was sleeping with watching us and it made for a volatile situation. “Why are you here? I was told I was requested.”
“Requested?” he turned back glaring at Gideon. “Did he not just demand you come?”
“She is not my subject,” Gideon spat. His hostility was more than what the situation warranted. I got the vague sense I was missing something. “And if you know her, then you are aware that persuading her is much easier if she’s given the option to refuse.”
“Well,” Reed turned back to me ignoring Gideon’s comment. His snub at the Alpha didn’t go unnoticed. I kept my expression blank, but internally I wondered if Reed had a death wish. He was already plotting with Drake, which was stupid in and of itself. Now he was antagonizing Gideon in his own house. “I was just explaining to the Alpha that I’ve come to bring you home.”
My stomach bottomed out. The statement caught me by surprise and I was unable to mask my distress. “What?”
“Why don’t you look thrilled? You’re coming home,” he grinned hugely.
I glanced up at Gideon again wondering why he wasn’t contradicting Reed. I couldn’t be going home yet. “I don’t understand. I still have months left in my sentence.”
“Isabel.” The way Reed drew out my name was like he was trying to speak slow as if I was too naive to hear him otherwise. “It’s all about leverage.”
Two guards I hadn’t seen before, dragged a man who was bound in silver. He’d been beaten to a point that I barely recognized him. “Adam?”
Gideon didn’t seem surprised by the state of his Beta. I realized a moment later it was because he already knew.Thiswas what I had missed.
“What the hell have you done?” I bellowed at Reed letting my mask slip away. Was he trying to start a war?
“I just bartered your release,” he sneered at my ungratefulness.
“And threatening a war by kidnapping the pack’s second? Are you an idiot?”
Reed’s face turned red as the blood rushed to his cheeks. “It’s done. Gather your things so we can leave.”
My body vibrated with unchecked rage. How could he be so stupid?
“Gideon?” I looked up at him pleadingly. He told me six months at the minimum. It hadn’t been that yet. I’d just gotten over my own self-repression, but it was more than that. I liked Gideon probably more than I should. I couldn’t leave and never feel his body against mine, to never have him kiss me again. I needed more time with him although I wasn’t sure what would ever be enough.
“I release you, Isabel, Princess of the Hunter’s Order and consider the retribution paid.”
My lips parted. His words were almost a physical blow. He’d been the last thread of hope now there was nothing. “No,” I stated firmly causing Gideon to blink at me. “I am honor bound to fulfill my obligation. I will not let us go to war with each other over a lapse in judgment from my Order.” I turned to face Reed. “This is not how we do things.”
