Page 153 of The Hunter

“Me too,” Lacey said, and drew back. “Once Cole’s leg is healed up, come visit Kaldarak and meet everyone.”

“I will. I can’t wait to.”

Lacey pointed at Cole. “And keep this asshole in line.”

“Hey!” Cole scoffed, throwing up his free hand in one of those human what the fuck gestures.

Sophia chuckled and slipped her arms around Cole, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “Oh, I’ll keep him occupied enough that he won’t have time for any mischief.”

“My hands are always busy,” Cole said with a wink.

“They sure will be,” Sophia practically purred.

“I’ll pretend that you mean working with wood,” Lacey said.

Cole grinned. “I could so⁠—”

“Shut up. I know I walked right into that one. Save it for the next time we see each other. Oh, and I get dibs on your deck.”

“The fuck you do! That’s still mine for when Sophia and I visit our summer home.”

Lacey’s brows drew together. “What do you mean? It’s always summer here.”

“Exactly.”

She rolled her eyes. “It’s still mine until further notice.”

“Is not.”

Telok extended a foreleg, hooked it around Lacey, and guided her back into the shelter of his body.

Mine.

“Whatever my mate wants, she will have,” Telok said.

Cole glared at him. “Dude, you’re not stealing my deck.”

Telok held up both his upper hands, raising only his middle fingers. “Stop me.”

Cole swept his hand out, gesturing at Telok and Lacey. “Do you see what I have to deal with?”

Sophia laughed.

Lacey grinned. “Guess you better come back to Kaldarak soon to reclaim your throne.”

Chittering, Telok lowered his hands, only for a sorrowful pang to strike his chest. He’d spent a lot of time with Cole over the last several moon cycles. Despite the occasional friction, he would…miss this. “Heal well, human, and return to us safely.”

“Yeah, you too,” Cole muttered, rubbing at his chest. “See ya later, spider man. And you two better not fuck on my deck.”

Lacey tapped her chin. “Now that you mention it…”

“Don’t wanna know!”

She chuckled. “We’ll see you both soon.”

Sophia smiled, resting her head on Cole’s shoulder. “That’s a promise.”

Garahk’s deep voice rose over the gathering. “Winddancers, your shar’thai burns bright as the sun. But should your Nedrayas seek a new place to take root, Kaldarak will welcome all of yours. Mine will gladly stand as your shields.”