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My wolf had hesitated for the barest second before surging forward to take her rightful place at his side.
Please don’t ask for a belly rub, please don’t ask for a belly rub, I pleaded with my wolf-side.
Hecate was at his side, a step behind the throne. My wolf loosed a low growl at the woman—not genuine anger, but a warning. With a wry look in her eyes, she moved farther away.
The wolf, mercy of all, didn’t roll over on the spot. Instead, she—I—settled into a seated position next to Cole and dropped my head to Cole’s knee. Possessive. Marking the male as mine.
I couldn’t see Cole’s expression from this angle—instead, my wolf stared down every attendant of this impromptu reunion.
And then,bliss.
Cole’s hand caressed my ear, the perfect pressure as he scratched the sensitive skin there.
No.
No, don’t do it.
But he kept caressing.
He did it, like everything else, so perfectly. Like he knew exactly how to extract just the right feelings from me.
I heard it more than felt it.
Powerless to stop it.
Thump, thump, thump.
My leg involuntarily gave in to the instinctive relief.
I’d murder him when I turned back into a human. If I didn’t die of shame first. He knewexactlywhat he was doing. My wolf continued to look out, making eye contact with each and every one. No one dared laugh.
And then Cole continued to hold court as if nothing was happening.
Chapter XXV
ThehourspassedasCole held court. His stroking seldom abated, but I slowly wrangled enough self-control to stop the humiliating thumping and observe.
I settled my attention on the court proceedings. It was fascinating to listen as Cole ordered the court about. He was fair when he heard petitions, not lenient, but fair. I’d had no idea what to expect, but it was clear that Cole didn’t simply rule through raw might. Oh, no doubt he was the most powerful creature in the room. But he listened to those who approached him.
It was a completely different side from what I’d ever seen before. I’d seen the flirtatious Cole, the grumpy Cole, even the angry Cole.
But this… this was something else entirely.
At some point, Daphne arrived, clearly having come looking for me. She didn’t approach until the court dispersed. My wolf gave her hand a gentle lick, an apology for leaving her behind.
“What happened?” Cole demanded.
I hadn’t felt the need to explain the bargain on our way to plant the teeth. Now, I regretted my silence. “I’m not exactly sure.”
“She made a deal,” Hecate said. She rounded the throne, moving to stand by Daphne as she bent down to me. “Correct, Soteria?”
I dipped my head in confirmation.
“It will fade in a few days, I assume. Nothing to be concerned about, though I’d caution you to be more careful in your dealings.”
Cole made a sound of frustration. He twisted to face me, and I lifted my head to meet his gaze from where I still sat.
“When you shift back, I’m going to make you train the likes of which will make the Leo demon look like child’s pay.”
