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What he meant to say was Draven wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize that.
She couldn’t help but admire Kade’s loyalty and his need to fix things between her and Draven. But ultimately, Draven didn’t have to marry Mateo’s cousin or become Alpha of the Moon Ridge Pack to secure the stone and free his people. He didn’t have to follow the rules of the tribes to become the Alpha he was always meant to be. There was a third option, she realized. One where he forged his own path. The problem was, she wasn’t sure that was a path Draven wanted. Or if it was one she could follow him down.
Flora lifted her eyes to the moon, surprised to find comfort under its beams. “Soon you’ll be whole again.”
Kade’s chest shook behind her with a laugh. “You know I never considered that a tiny little blonde could be our saving grace.”
“I’m not a savior,” Flora chuckled. “I’m just the girl who was in the right place at the wrong time, under the sovereignty of a jackass Scotsman.”
Kade let out a genuine full-belly laugh and Flora smiled, loving the lightness that flowed from the usually silent enforcer. “I think you’ve been hanging around us too long. Our profanities are rubbing off on you.”
Flora shrugged, happy with Kade’s assessment. The last few days she’d felt more like herself than she had in her entire life. “Now if your other abilities would follow suit, I’d be right as rain.”
Kade cocked a brow. “And what abilities does a princess like you covet?”
She silently considered his question. If her time with the wolves taught her anything, it was that she was in sore need of training that didn’t involve diplomatic etiquette. “The ability to fight. To protect myself.”
“I’ll teach you,” Kade offered without hesitation.
“Really?”
“Absolutely.” Kade puffed out his chest and lifted his chin. “Hand-to-hand combat is my specialty. And every woman should be able to protect herself.”
“Tell that to your boss,” Flora scoffed. It wasn’t that she didn’t appreciate Draven’s need to be her protector, but it was time she learned for herself.
“You aren’t a wolf,” Kade said offhandedly, as if that explanation made perfect sense.
Flora’s fists tightened on the reins, and she chewed the inside of her lip. “I’m also not a porcelain doll.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Settle yourself, little spitfire. You absolutely are not. I saw what you were capable of last night against your father. And believe me when I say most wolves wouldn’t have been able to do what you did.”
Flora raised a brow and tilted her head, unsure what that meant.
Sensing her confusion, Kade continued. “What I mean is, if you were a wolf, you would have been taught to fight as a pup. Our women are considered warriors, too. The only thing males demand of them is that we own their pleasure.”
Of course they did.
Flora rolled her eyes, but her cheeks heated, and she couldn’t help but remember the way Draven had demanded her pleasure the night before. Her nipples tightened, and she clenched her thighs, causing the horse to pick up speed beneath her. “I think I’ll be owning my own pleasure from here on out, thanks.”
Kade laughed softly and reached around her to give the reins a tug. “Suit yourself.” The lilt in his voice told her he didn’t believe her for a damn second, but that was just fine. One night with a wolf and the fallout after was enough to last her a lifetime.
A deep growl sounded from behind her, louder than his previous one, and Flora rolled her eyes again.
“You don’t get to growl at me,” she whispered, knowing Draven would hear her.
Kade snorted. “I’ve never seen anyone rile him up as you do.”
Hoofs thundered toward her and seconds later Draven was riding beside them. He wore a scowl that she tried not to find sexy, but failed miserably. If Draven happy was alluring, Draven angry was intoxicating. Especially when his jaw ticked with the promise of retribution.
He met her hardened gaze with fire in his eyes. “I’ll teach you to fight, Flora. You are under my protection so long as you are with my pack.”
He had some balls on him if he thought she was going to bend a knee to anything he said.
“Protection doesn’t mean control, Draven. You might have had a say yesterday, but I wouldn’t want your fiancée getting the wrong idea upon our return. Plus, I think Kade is more than capable of teaching me, considering he’s pretty much your bodyguard.”
Kade bowed his head. “As I said, I’d be honored.”
Draven’s eyes narrowed on her, but she only basked in the heat of his stare for a moment before turning away and giving Firefly a kick to pull forward.
