Page 14 of Truth
The words were spoken just as I swallowed, and I nearly choked. Horo? Why? I didn’t get a chance to ask, Oak beat me to it, “Why do you want the wolf here?”
He eyed her suspiciously and, though he hadn’t spoken it, I know the thought of adding more people to Libby’s love circle did not sit well with him. Nonetheless, he would do it, and he wouldn’t complain because he cared for her.
“I was just thinking, the more protection the better, right? She’s only after me and wouldn’t attack his pack if I’m not there. So what’s another person? Plus, Justice hasn’t gotten thoroughly caught up or had much time with his people. He needs to be prepared for everything, and I think Horo could help with that.”
Oak looked between Libby and me, before noddingly slowly. “The wolf does look a bit rusty.”
I opened my mouth to object, but Liberty shook her head slightly and my mouth snapped shut. “Good. He can help check barriers or whatever is needed.”
“Is the barrier strong enough for the added person?” Ellis questioned.
Lenin looked at me, his head nodding once, “It is strong and will be stronger. If my Kitten wants the wolf to come, bring him.”
For a second, I swore the big oaf winked at me, seeing through whatever lie I was willing to let Libby tell to have a sliver of myself here with me. But I doubted he would even understand the gesture of a wink. He’s way too analytical for that. Still, I appreciated my mates working together.
“I just don’t want the wards weakened.” Ellis addressed his concerns.
Libby leaned into him, “Even if I was at risk, which Lenin assures I’m not at this moment so I believe him, I trust that all of you would protect me.” She squeezed his bicep, “My big strong men.”
“Are you mocking us?” I could tell that Ellis was amused but trying to hide it.
“Probably.” She looked at him, trying to hold a straight face for longer than Ellis could, but ended up being the first to crack a smile, “Okay yes, but I do think you all are strong.”
He leaned in trying to whisper, but my hearing was excellent, so I heard it all, “Do you trust him?”
I wasn’t sure who exactly he was talking about, but his quick glance behind her to Lenin standing by Oak was a good indicator. “I do. He can’t hurt me, remember? We have a mate mark.”
“But everyone else, he could.”
“I would not.” Lenin interjected, “I gave my word. The very accusation is blasphemy. My Kitten is strong enough to kill even me, if she so wished. Why would I go against such power?”
Libby shrugged cheerfully, “So then, it’s settled. Horo comes tomorrow and Ellis is ordering dinner tonight.”
A single brow rose on Ellis, “I never volunteered to order dinner.”
She scratched her forehead, “Oh right, I forgot. You wanted to order groceries or hit the stores after days of adventuring.”
Ellis rose, “I’ll go see if I can conjure up some takeout menus, any preference?”
From behind them, Lenin added, “Vegetarian.”
The words left his mouth right as I swallowed, and I choked. There is no way the fates would implicate such a joke as to pair me with a – with a – with a fucking vegetarian. Me? A carnivore to my very core. I couldn’t, no I absolutely wouldn’t, accept this as a true pairing. Pairing me with Libby was already a cruel joke, but with a vegetarian? The fates must know their error.
All eyes fell to me as I cleared my throat, trying to recover from the shock that had clogged my throat. “There is no way-“ Libby cut me off, “While Ellis is ordering food, why don’t you call Horo? See if tomorrow is an acceptable arrival date.”
Had she just cut me off? The king? If she wasn’t my mate, I could and probably would have her head to use as an example. Maybe I wouldn’t have before my entrapment, but now, now I am not as soft. Now I am hardened to the fact that women cannot be trusted and that my power is superior.
“Did you just–“ she shook her head at me again, her eyes wide, and for some reason, my mouth snapped shut, unwilling to argue. Instead, I filled the silence with, “I’ll call Horo.”
“I’m going to shower.” Sterling announced and slowly everyone dispersed to do their own tasks, leaving Libby and me alone.
I wasn’t sure what to say when we were alone. It’s not like we had tons of opportunity to be in this position, to have just us without a single person around. And if my memory served me correctly, the last time I was alone in a room with her, I consumed her like she was the last glass of water I would ever drink. And maybe she was, because the more I look at her, them – fuck, I hate to admit it, but the more I look at them, the more I question my reserve.
Vegetarian be damned, I still found myself glancing at his ass when he and Oak left the room. What the fuck was wrong with me? What had I done to offend the fates so extensively that they have given me this?
Libby stood, taking a few steps closer to me until her breasts brushed against my arm alluringly, and my breath left on a sharp inhale. “I know how you feel, but you cannot disrespect someone else’s preference because it does not match your own.”
“But, a vegetarian.” I croaked.