Page 174 of The Lands Defying
Then he says, “I’m sorry if I have done anything to make you doubt me.”
Rhea shakes her head. “I’m sorry I ever did. It’s just, everything is just so much.”
“It’s okay,” he says before reaching down to stroke Illium’s head. The Croneian squeaks happily, bouncing around. “Charlesknows of my deeds against him. How far back that goes? I don’t know, but…he knows. I cannot be of help to you that way anymore.”
“You are safe, that’s all that matters,” Rhea says as she hugs him again.
Edward looks over her shoulder at me. We both know he isn’t safe.
“We need to prepare,” I tell Rhea as they both stand.
“Prepare what?” Rhea’s face is a picture of confusion, letting me know she had no idea.
“Charles saw me.”
Her eyes widen. “Are you sure?” Her hands come around herself, and I hate the way that male makes her feel.
“I’m sure, little wolf.”
“What do we do now?”
“Get ready for what is to come.”
“And what’s that?” she asks in a small voice.
“Anything.”
Fifty One
Rhea
I drag the deer as my pack runs around me, playing, excited for dinner. In wolf form, they nip and play in a way I am envious of.
Runa huffs her agreement.
I wonder what it would be like to run with them, fully. Sure I do anyway, but two legs over four has to make a difference.
Drax however, stays beside me, watching over me while Darius is with the Elites. He did go for a little run, but he soon came back.
“I don’t need another babysitter, you know,” I tell him, changing my grip on the deer’s legs to pull better. “Your keeper does a good job of that already.”
He nudges me, but that’s the only response I get as Runa sits up straighter at his attention.
A rustle ahead in the bushes has me tilting my head as a familiar wolf walks through. I pause, eyeing Drax and the little black flames on his back with trepidation.
Axis walks forward a few steps, but halts when Drax moves toward him. I drop the deer, ignoring the blood dripping off of my hands as I watch on. I don’t know how much control Kadehas, we didn’t manage to have that conversation, and since we got back here, he has been spending all of his time with Sam.
Axis bares his teeth when Drax draws near, but he pays him no mind and huffs at him like he’s a little pup. Axis doesn’t like this, he growls, head lowering.
Shit.
But then, Drax just walks up to him and nips his nose. I pause, and Axis seems to do the same, unsure what just happened.
I see the moment Kade comes through, and my shoulders relax that he has control. He sits, tilting his head up at Drax before the change comes over him.
Being fully clothed, it’s a relief to know the progress Kade has made, but he is also more vulnerable with a large wolf towering over him.
I go to them, running a hand along Drax’s side and then I face Kade, a hesitant smile on my face. “Hey, Carzan,” I say, rubbing my cheek to his.
