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“I don’t want you to have to fend off anything.”
“You’re bossy.”
“When it comes to protecting you? You betcha. Get used to it, love.”
Valentine tried to hide her smile, but even if it only lasted a second, he saw it. He tugged her hand, and in two fluid motions, she was in his arms, and he was running.
“I really don’t think this is necessary,” she said in his ear.
“This is for your protection,” he teased, tapping her ass.
They finally reached Jaymes near the cabin. His deputy’s clothes were ripped, a sign he’d grabbed old clothes from the back of Nero’s truck. He placed Val on the ground as he said, “Jaymes, what’s happened?”
“Alpha, one of the wolves spotted a few black SUVs pulling into the Longborn estate in Longville.”
“Holy shit,” Valentine gasped. “How did you know they would do that?”
“It makes sense. They will want to regroup there. They’ve probably been doing their own rounds around our borders. They’ll probably attack as soon as the sun sets.”
Jaymes nodded. “Reece said you’d say that. He agrees, by the way.”
“Well, it’s time for phase one of the plan,” Nero sighed. He squeezed Valentine’s hand. “Are you sure you don’t want to stay here? With Jaymes? Where it’s safe?”
“I doubt Jaymes wants to play babysitter to a grown Half-Blood woman during a battle.”
Jaymes tipped his head to her. “You’re the alpha mate. It’s my job to do what the alpha wants, and it’s an honor to spend any time with the woman who will deal with this guy for the rest of her life.”
“Watch it,” Nero chuckled. “Now, I don’t think I want to leave you with her.”
“Good with me,” Val said.
“See what you’ve done,” Nero grumbled, clapping his friend on the back. “I’ll worry about you too much if you come. I’ll be looking over my shoulder every two seconds to catch a glimpse of you.”
“That’s on you,” she said, crossing her arms. “I can’t just sit here. This is my town, isn’t it?”
“You can bet your ass Reece isn’t letting your sister anywhere near the estate.”
Valentine snorted. “You’renuts. Reece could tie Celestine up with chains, but she would still find a way to actively fight.”
Nero crossed his arms. “I’ve known Reece for a long time. I can’t imagine him being okay with letting his mate fight.”
“Again with that word.Letting. He … andyou… for that matter, don’t get to choose if we Half-Bloods fight or not. We’re not human …”
“Kind of.”
She continued to speak over Nero. “We do havesomevalue in a fight. We can’t shift into wolves and tear a vampire’s head clean off with our hands, but there is nolettingus join the fight. Especially not when Lilliane is such a big part of the plan.”
Nero could point out that Lilliane didn’t have a wolf mate who would stop her from fighting, but that would only anger Valentine. It was hardly the right thing to say.
“I don’t like this,” he mumbled.
“You don’t have to like it.” She lifted up to her toes and kissed his cheek. “I’ll be fine. Now, we need to get this show on the road.” Val turned toward Jaymes. “Where’s Lilliane?”
“Getting ready. I wasn’t about to leave without telling you,” Jaymes replied. “Wouldn’t want anyone to think that Lilliane had run away. Again.”
Nero chuckled at the terrifying glare Val sent to Jaymes. The young wolf turned crimson. “Sorry, Alpha Mate.”
“Not the alpha mate,” she snapped.
