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Cricket sat up rubbing her head. “We’re screwed.”
“I had no choice.” Gaby leaned in and looked at her wound. “Looks bad. You’ll need stitches.”
“Nah. I don’t heal as fast as the average werewolf, but it’ll be better soon.” She smiled. “Thanks for saving my ass. The bitch would have killed me for sure.”
“A fellow werewolf?”
“Even while defending my territory, killing a defiant runt is Princess Kiara’s right.”
This was the first time Gaby heard Cricket refer to herself as a runt. “I doubt Slade and Rylee would see it that way.” Gaby helped her up, but she winced and sat back down. “Your wound is bad. I’ll get help.”
Cricket touched the back of her head and stared at the blood on her hand. “You can’t go alone.” She tried to get up again, but moaned.
“Don’t move.” Gaby wet a bandana with her canteen and wrapped it around Cricket’s head.
She winced. “Kiara knows you are a wolf-segen. She’ll come back with an entire pack and weapons.”
Gaby sighed. “Sorry, I got you into this mess. I tried calling back the horses, but they must already be at the barn.”
Cricket cocked her head. “So your influence is distance constrained.”
“Yes, we recorded the distance at about a half-mile.”
“Let’s hope Rylee finds a loophole in the kill a wolf-segen on sight law.”
“Not if I escape.”
“Against my better judgment, but I think you’re right.”
“No point in staying anyway.” She handed Cricket a canteen. Not with Steele looking for a proper mate.
Cricket drank and wiped her lips. “You should take the pack and all your animal friends and head back.”
“Not leaving you.”
“Then we’ll both die when they come back.”
Chapter 20
Steele sat drinking beer with Slade on the balcony overlooking the mountains that bordered Slade and Cricket’s property. The day was crisp and the sky clear blue. He had argued with his brother about taking a mate and then returned to headquarters. First, he’d talk to Kiara about his Vegas wedding. Unfortunately, he had just missed her. She went home, but would return tomorrow. Maybe she’d wait to talk to him about Gaby before going raving werewolf mad. Kiara must understand, he’d forgotten the lycan mating rules. At least no one but Rylee knew Gaby’s location. Frustrated, he phoned Rylee. She told him Gaby was here. Slade had returned from a rescue mission and picked up Steele by helicopter from headquarters to hang out at his place until Cricket and Gaby returned from their picnic ride. “I told King Conan, I won’t take a mate. At least not for now.” Unless, it kept Gaby safe.
Slade gave him a sidelong glance. “Let me guess, he threatened to take your title?”
“Not quite. Unfortunately, my nephew is not well, and my niece is a beta. I’m a much needed royal spare.”
“If Maxwell is not well, then Margo has no choice but to become the next queen, not you.”
“That and I told my brother it’s not necessary since he’ll live long enough for Margo to ascend the throne.” He scratched the stubble on his chin. “You appear happy with your choice of Cricket over your title.”
Slade finished his beer and sighed. “I’d give up a thousand titles for Cricket.”
I feel that way about Gaby. “If only I can do the same.” The king let Slade keep his Yukon territory.
“I get it. The only way you’d be allowed to mate Gaby would be if she was a Stallo woman.”
Slade didn’t know Gaby was a wolf-segen. Not only was she human, but their ancestral enemy, a person who could point out a werewolf. They had the mother of all relationship complications. Steele raked his hair back. “You’re right. I have to give her up.”
“Not so fast. If you and Gaby agree, she can remain your pet. That is if your future mate allows it.”
