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Kade cocked a brow and leaned to look behind Draven toward his room. “I’m surprised she’s not at your side, given how much her scent is clinging to you.”
A low growl rumbled in his chest, filling the small hallway. “Just meet me outside.”
“You talked to your father then?”
Draven gave a curt nod and spun on his heel, heading for the outfitter to secure the horses for their long ride. If they left in the next hour and kept a steady pace, they should be able to reach the base of the mountain by nightfall and then enter the caves at first light.
Forty minutes later, Mateo, Kade and Flora rounded the brick building of the outfitter to where Draven stood loading the horses’ packs.
Flora was a goddamn fucking vision in leather riding pants, knee-high boots and a long sleeve fitted top that was low enough to show off the chain of moonstone between her breasts and accentuate all her curves while bringing out the blue of her eyes. He most definitely hadn’t purchased these for her, so she must have brought them from the castle. It was cute that she’d dressed for the occasion, though it seemed that no one had told her this wouldn’t be a joyride through the woods. Or that whatever waited for them on the other side likely wasn’t going to care what she looked like.
She glanced up at him, taking in the tight smile on his face. “Don’t say a damn thing, Draven. Mateo and Kade already gave me shit all the way over here.”
“Did they now?” He tried to hide the laugh that bubbled behind pressed lips, but he wasn’t fooling anyone. He was off to a terrible start ignoring her, because in that outfit, she demanded to be looked at. The way the leather cupped her perfect ass and tightened at the curve of her hips was pure perfection. What he wouldn’t give to be the one sliding up against it for the remainder of the day.
“You’ll all be eating your words when your thighs are chafing at the end of the day.”
“Superior healing,flaca,” Mateo retorted with a laugh. “Our thighs are still going to be as soft as a baby’s bottom come nightfall.”
She huffed through an eye roll and looked to where Mateo and Kade were mounting their horses. “There’s only three. Where’s the fourth?”
Draven pressed his lips together, hardening his features. “This is all the rancher had left. You’ll have to pair up.”
She took a step toward him and ran her hand along his horse’s neck before leaning in to nuzzle the mare. His stomach clenched as she craned her neck toward him and smiled sweetly, offering him her pack to sling on the saddle.
He almost took it. Almost pulled her against his chest and said fuck it to the plan he’d agreed to.
Then he remembered it wasn’t just about him. There wasn’t another to take his place. No brother or cousin who could continue his father’s legacy. And he wasn’t about to watch another pack take control of what his family had worked so damn hard to establish. Not when the supernatural world was at a precipice and any tiny change could send it spiraling in a direction that could leave hybrids vulnerable.
Draven turned away from Flora and placed his hand on the horn to pull himself up. “Not with me. You’re with Kade.”
There was no way he was pairing her up with Mateo; by the end of the day he’d likely have her convinced to birth his pups. Both of his men were as smitten with the woman as he was, and while he knew neither of them would actually steal her away, Kade was the lesser of two evils. Especially if he’d have to witness it for the rest of the day.
Flora raised her narrowed stare and tilted her head so her hair hid her cocked brow from Mateo and Kade. She hesitated, waiting for an explanation from him, but he gave her nothing. His stomach churned and his heart dropped to the floor as he hardened his face into a blank gaze and bottled all the emotions he felt for her.
She pressed her lips together and nodded, understanding registering on her face. “Oh, okay.”
Fuck. Her confusion and subsequent acceptance was a sucker punch to the gut. She closed her eyes for a split second, and when she opened them, he could see her retreating back into herself. All the progress she’d made living and trusting herself disappeared right before his eyes.
He couldn’t stand that he had made that happen.
“Flora, I—”
“You don’t have to explain yourself, Draven.” Tears rimmed her eyes, and all he wanted to do was take back everything he’d said. Everything he’d agreed to.
His wolf huffed as if to say“You’re gods-damned right you should take them back,”but Draven continued to ignore the grumpy fucker.
Heavy is the fucking crown.
Flora didn’t say another word. She spun on her heel, giving him her back, and a perfect view of her ass as she walked away toward Kade, who lifted her onto his horse with ease.
Mateo sauntered up next to him and slapped him on the back, but Draven’s gaze was firmly set on Flora. “I hear congratulations are in order,cousin.”
Fuck me.Mateo may have been his best friend, but most mornings he had shit for brains. He might be one of Draven’s most trusted enforcers, and he knew better than to blame Mateo for the trash coming out of his mouth, but this wasn’t something he wanted to discuss in front of Flora.
“Not now, Mateo,” Draven ground out between clenched teeth.
“You can’t fault me for being excited. We’re going to befamilia, ey primo. Darcy really isn’t that bad if you can get past her bastard father and social-climbing mother. At least your pups will be cute. ”
