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Chapter Thirteen
After an aggravating meeting with the new Council on War, we decided it was time to tighten up our defenses even more. My meetings with the people in the kingdom were halted for the time being, and no more outings unless it was to train or with all three of my mates.
Felt like the tower all over again, but this time I had three gorgeous and loving roommates.
Bors had known where we were going and the route we were taking back home.
It was like somehow he’d known my schedule.
My wolf thought there might be a traitor among us. I didn’t know who, but I meant to find out.
Bors’ surprise attack had shocked me to the core. I spent the night in a bundle of nervous energy. Gunnar held me and apologized for something he wasn’t responsible for until we both passed out from the day and from lack of sleep.
Leif took my hand after the meeting and dragged me into a stone alcove. “We’re going to train,” he mouthed. Who knew how many ears we had around here, listening to our every word? Another reason to speed the sign language thing along. What they couldn’t hear couldn’t be whispered to Bors.
“What’s the point? I can’t hear. I’m a liability. What’s the use in having a weapon I can use when I couldn’t hear him coming. He was right behind me, and I didn’t sense it.”
Leif cupped my cheeks. “Neither did Gunnar, and he can hear. Stop blaming yourself for what happened, and let’s push forward. You are my strong, independent woman, and I’ll be damned if you live the rest of your life cooped up because of that asshole. Anyway, I lied on the schedule. I put that you were going to get an update on the solar power system.”
“And where are we going?” I asked, cocking out my hip.
“I’m not telling you. You just have to trust me.”
I nodded and took his hand. He had all of my trust and all of me.
When we got to a clearing behind the solar plant, Gunnar was there. He wouldn’t look at me. He was cleaning swords and…guns?
“Guns?” I asked either one.
Gunnar nodded but again didn’t move his lips. Leif stepped forward. “Yes, this is an enemy who has directly tried to kill you, Janis. I don’t care how this bastard dies, by gun, by sword, or by my teeth, but before long, he will die. We have to make sure of that.”
“Okay. Give me a minute with Gunnar.”
Leif nodded after kissing my cheek and walked away, swinging a sword the entire time. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of him from behind. Damn, the man had an ass of steel.
But there were more things to focus on.
“Gunnar?” I asked but he didn’t turn around. “Gunnar!”
He sighed. I saw his shoulders lift and then fall. He turned around and faked a smile. The fakest smile in the history of insincerity. “Yes, Janis?” And yet, his eyes still didn’t meet mine.
“Gunnar, look at me. What happened yesterday wasn’t your fault. You did the best you could.”
I watched his Adam’s apple bob in his throat while his jaw clenched. “I didn’t protect you. He had you in his hands. He was pulling you away. What kind of pathetic mate am I?”
I closed the distance between us and took the collar of his shirt in my fists. His golden eyes pierced me all the way down into my soul. “You are one of the three best mates on the face of the planet. You fought for me. I watched one of those wolves bite down into your throat while you were trying to see where I was. You had three wolves attacking you, and yet, your focus was on me.”
He touched his forehead to mine. “You are everything to me. I wouldn’t know what to do with myself if something happened to you.”
I kissed his lips gently. “And I wouldn’t know what to do without you. I love you, Gunnar.”
He smiled and kissed me again. “It’s gonna take me a while to get over this.”
I nodded. “That’s okay. But in the meantime, can you show me how to use this gun? I’m so tired of being afraid.”
Whatever I’d said clicked him out of his misery and back into reality.
For the next three hours, we practiced. Mostly hand-to-hand combat with swords and my dagger, but toward the end, Gunnar showed me how to use a gun. I had to admit, even holding it was empowering.
By the end, we three were satisfied with how far I’d progressed. We agreed that one of my mates, if not all three, would be with me from then on, stuck to me like glue no matter where I went.
My one downfall in war was my lack of hearing capability. Their presence would make up for that.
Let Bors come after me now. We were ready.
