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Her cheeks heated, and she lowered her gaze.
Rylee snapped, “Despite his age and injuries, the grizzly could have mauled you to death.”
Cricket flinched at her tone. Low ranked or not, being humiliated in front of others was a human flaw she suffered from.
Rylee continued her tirade against her. “What do you think would have happened to Prince Slade if he’d found you dead and mangled by the bear?”
Cricket wanted to argue she would not have allowed Old Miner to maul her, but snap, Rylee had a point. Had Slade found his companion dead, his morphopsychosis might have sent him over the edge. She gulped. “Sorry.”
Dr. Warner nodded and turned to Slade. “Which is why, Prince Slade, we recommend Jesper. Despite his upgraded status, he understands his place in the pack.”
Slade shook his head. “She survived and this time,” as if it was let’s-bully-Cricket-day, he glowered at her. “I will make sure she obeys.”
Cricket glanced at Jesper, but he kept his head down like a perfect submissive. No help from him, even though, like her he probably preferred doing his work instead of tending to a royal prick.
Warner shook his head. “It might be best if you break this bond now and stay elsewhere. Perhaps with the king. Allow his betas to find you a mate and re-establish your territory.”
“I might have mineral holdings and land, but Yukon is no longer my territory. Not without my pack.”
Warner said, “Then help establish a new territory on your future mate’s home and keep Yukon for your future offspring.”
As much as it bothered Cricket how angry they were with her for abandoning her station, the reminder of his future mate, bothered her even more. It felt as though Old Miner had raked out her heart.
Slade’s nostrils flared at Warner. “Yukon is holy ground. A place for the dead. Not for my get.”
“Yes, of course, my liege.” Warner lowered his chin.
Slade took in a long breath and slowly blew it out. His fur and fangs receding, he turned to Rylee. “I wish to serve on your team.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “For a second, I thought you were going to lose yourself to the wolf.” Rylee smiled. “I would
be honored if you served with Team Greywolf.”
“No. It will be my honor. I was to serve as my pack’s royal commander and guard, never as my territory’s king.” He sank back onto his chair, and his voice lost its fierceness. “To honor my pack, I only wish to safeguard our society. Perhaps as penance for not saving my pack.”
Cricket’s eyes moistened, her heart breaking for him. Had he been cured, or was it really her presence that kept him from losing his humanity?
Rylee sighed. “Very well then, but on two conditions.”
“Yes?”
“I will not allow you on missions until Dr. Warner returns to evaluate your mental health, and determines you are cured, in say, a month.”
“Agreed. And the other?”
“Cricket can still provide calming companionship; however, she won’t be there for you 24/7. Jesper will act in her stead when she is not available.”
His mood darkened again. “Why would she not be available at all times?”
“She is a member of my team and will be needed.” Rylee met his eyes. “Take it or leave it.”
Slade rubbed an eyebrow as if warding off a headache and then met Rylee’s gaze. “I accept.”
“Good.” Rylee turned to Jesper. “Tomorrow, you can move a few of your things to his guest house, in the event you are needed.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Slade didn’t seem very pleased, but at least had not lost it. He shrugged. “Very well, then.” He glanced at Jesper as if just noticing him and smirked. “Is he not needed for missions?”
