Page 118 of The Wolf and the Chimera
I chewed on my lip and wrung my hands. “So, I slipped away from Kieran, but Ryder found me, of course, walking alongside the creek. We got into a huge fight, but I realized I was only upset because I care so much what he thinks of me, you know?”
Lyall said nothing. Silence hung over the creek like an axe waiting to fall, but I pressed on.
“Things got heated in a different way.” My fingers traced my newfound mark. “One second, I was in Ryder’s arms, and he was backing me against the rock of the waterfall, and the next—”
“We discovered the damned ripple you like to keep secret from your pack,” Ryder grumbled.
Frustration darkened his words, and I fought my smile. My werewolf was a decent liar.
“We saw them get sucked into the ripple,” Kieran added, “and we weren’t sure what to do.”
“Eventually,” Melanie said, “we knew we had to follow them.”
“I’m glad they did,” I said, “we wouldn’t have been able to fight our way to safety without them. The High Witch sent Handmaidens, golems, and vampires to retrieve me.”
Truth and lie and truth,I thought,mingled until you can’t tell one from the other.
Lyall chuckled darkly. “Did you indeed fight?”
I blanched.
Was he pointing out a misstep in my lie or trying to mock me for my shortcomings?
Though I wanted to snarl at him, I hung my head in shame.
“Taunt her again,” Ryder threatened, “and I’ll rip out your tongue.”
Dear gods.The words weren’t part of an act. Kieran swallowed, and Melanie’s blue eyes widened, but Lyall laughed.
“I see having your claiming interrupted has worsened your short temper,” Lyall joked. “Though anyone would be pissy with the bitter scent of bloodsuckers clinging to their skin.”
Joking aside, the Sovereign stared at us with cool, unflinching eyes. We spoke to a predator, not a politician.
Lyall’s voice was cold. “Where did you go?”
“I guess my mind took us to somewhere safe,” Ryder said. “We went to my favorite meadow back home.”
“We followed them,” Bo added. “Over and over, we thought,find Elle and Ryder.”
“We knew we couldn’t let them go off on their own,” Kieran said.
Smart,I thought,to play the loyal, vigilant son.
“And how,” Lyall asked and prowled closer, “did you get back?”
Ryder tensed, and I jumped in.
“We used the ripple on the hunters’ property,” I answered. “We knew the High Witch’s forces would never follow us to the estate. They want me, but they’re not suicidal.”
I prayed Lyall didn’t know that particular ripple had been rendered useless, but the stroke to Lyall’s ego was the cherry on top of our performance. The Sovereign smiled.
“I’m glad you feel safe here, Elle,” he cooed, “especiallynow that you’re part of the family, though I must say, Kalli will want to hold a ceremony for you two immediately.”
I painted a pleasant smile on my face. “That would be lovely.”
“I would rather wait until we’re home on my father’s lands,” Ryder countered.
Lyall chuckled. “Now, you’re eager to wait? You didn’t wait to give your mate a proper ceremony before sinking your teeth into her neck.”
