“I can’t. Rust will be here soon, and I’ll need to get to work.”
“I saw Rust on my way in. He ordered me to keep you busy for the day.”
“A dragon is coming for us, and you want me to skip training?”
“You don’t think the alpha has a plan?”
I pulled far enough away to read Mack’s face. “What do you know?” I was about to launch into a whole barrage of questions, but he held up a finger to stop me.
“Just a second.”
His eyes went distant, like they always did when he conversed with the pack. Going through the Bloodrite had connected the minds of my packmates in some sort of mental group chat. Since my wolf was batshit crazy and had to be bound, I couldn’t quite plug in.
I’d always wondered what it would be like, but after the dragon had spoken directly to my mind, I was glad nobody else could. Maybe I was meant to be a lone wolf because I wouldn’t want to openly share my thoughts with anyone.
Mack frowned and focused on me. “You have orders to see the witch for a binding tonight.”
“I’m not due for another week. Did the alpha say why I need to go early?”
“We’ll be leaving in the morning.”
Was Dad finally sending me to the ranch? A thrill of excitement shot through me until I remembered the complications attached to that plan. “Wait. We, as in you and me?”
“And the alpha and Rust.”
That was different. “And where will we be going?”
Mack shrugged. “He didn’t say. Just instructed us to pack.”
“Pack for what kind of weather? And for how long?”
Mack eyed me, likely noting the panic in my tone, but he didn’t get it. He traveled to the farm often and didn’t have a dragon promising to hunt him to the ends of the earth. He gave me another shrug. “I’m sure we’ll know more after the binding tonight. The alpha said to take the bloodstone to Sereana’s with you.” His lips curled in disdain around my aunt’s name, and I didn’t blame him one bit.
“Okay.” Apprehension stiffened my spine as I wondered what fresh hell I was in for. I’d been hoping my role in her game was completed when I’d shown up with the stone, but I had a bad feeling about tonight.
“Maybe we should go eat first, and then head home.”
“We’re going God-only-knows-where in the morning,” I said. “I need to be on my A game.”
“Yeah, but I’m home, and I missed you.” Dipping his head, he brushed another kiss across my lips. “You could use some rest, and I know exactly how to put you to sleep.”
I started to protest, but he released me and pushed himself up before grabbing my hand and tugging me toward the weapon rackmounted on the north wall. Pausing in front of wooden practice swords, daggers, maces, and a set of pugil sticks, he flashed me a smile, showing off his dimple once again.
“I’ll make you a deal.” He plucked a pugil stick off the rack, examined it, and then tossed it to me before grabbing the other for himself. “Duel me. Take me down three times, and I’ll spend the day training with you. I had to leave the farm around midnight to get here this early and haven’t slept yet.” He flashed his dimple at me again with a shrug. “Who knows? You might actually have a chance.”
I’d never been able to resist a taunt, which he damn well knew. I spun my stick around to warm up my wrists. “You’ll train with me all day?”
“Ifyou win. But when I take you down three times, we’re getting breakfast, and then I’m dragging you to bed and wearing your ass out.” His smirk was hot enough to melt my panties. “Then you’ll sleep beside me until it’s time for you to see the witch.”
My stomach growled, and I wondered whose side it was on.
He took a cheap shot at me. I saw it coming and lunged backward, creating space between us and leaping into position on the balance beam, giving him the same look I’d give a pup who stepped out of line during training.
I clicked my tongue. “Have to cheat to win, huh? Pathetic, Mack.”
“Always trying to antagonize the big bad wolf.”
I barked out a laugh. When he didn’t join me, I said, “Oh, sorry. You were being serious?” Schooling my expression, I rolled my shoulders and bounced on the balls of my feet. “Since it’s just the two of us, level with me. That is the only library book you’ve ever read, isn’t it?”
