Page 91 of Shifter Situations

I rolled my eyes. “I thought you were going to say something sweet, or I don't know, seduce me. But okay, from who?”

“From my friend, Arwen, the necromancer I know.”

“I’m following…” I flipped onto my side, searching for starbursts in his eyes as I listened.

“He said that he and our friend, Ozlo, had been given a job by the king. I asked him what he was talking about and he mentioned Dolyn’s name. I’m assuming that’s who you’ve called in to help with the assassinations while we’re busy. I didn’t know you knew Arwen.”

“I don’t know who Arwen is. I left the picking up to Simon, so he may have asked Dolyn to help him while he’s cleaning up after the rogue vampires.”

He quirked a brow at me. “Have you called Dolyn?”

“Not yet. I wanted to talk to Ripley first. At least explain why I want to extend some protection, not that there’s anything to explain. I don’t understand why I’m drawn to her, but I am.”

“She’s with Baylor right now. Why don’t you take Briggs with you and go talk to her? It’d be more productive than laying on the ground.”

“Does that cloud look like a dick to you, or is it just me?”

“It’s just you. Get up and go.”

I huffed. “Fine. I’m going. I’d rather be—”

“Kitten,” Stone warned. “Go.”

“Cuming,” I finished, jumping up as he growled at me.

He was right, though. Taking Briggs with me to talk to Ripley was a smart idea. He knew the feline shifter, so hopefully, he could help me say the right things without coming across as being bossy.

She seemed jumpy, with good reason, but I needed to know more about her.

Blaire had suggested skimming her mind. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. That was an invasion of her privacy, especially if she didn’t know we were doing it.

She deserved to keep her thoughts to herself after the lack of privacy she’d had over the last... I didn’t even know how long.

When I’d mentioned that to Blaire, she’d rolled her eyes at me, saying, “Sometimes we have to do things that we don’t like doing to make sure we’re protecting the right people. It’s not a bad thing.”

I felt like it was.

I couldn’t accept that Ripley might be a worse person than I was.

There was no way.

Briggs was lounging on the couch in our cabin, talking to York about growing fresh food in the greenhouse at home.

I stood on the threshold, listening to their plans with a smile on my face. It was so fucking cute, and I didn’t want to interrupt, but I needed my wolf’s help.

“Will you add raspberries to your list?”

York winked at me, and Briggs said, “Already there.”

“Can you guys pause your conversation? I was wondering if you would come with me to talk to Ripley?”

“Sure, Barbie. She’s next door with Bay.”

“I know. I wanted to offer her some protection, but I don’t know how she’ll react.”

He sat on the edge of the couch, shoving his feet into his boots before studying me. “Why does she need protection?”

“I just have this feeling... I don’t know. I can’t figure out what it is exactly, but I don’t want to leave her alone.”