Page 16 of An Unending Claim
“I didn’t call for help, Nate. Sapphire already informed me that you were otherwise occupied trying to catch a serial killer and stop a war between all supernatural species. Although she left out the fun facts about your little mate and pup.”
“Again, I’m glad I could be your entertainment, but if you didn’t call for my help with the revolution, what is it you need?”
“I need a favor.”
“Anything.” Immediately after the word left my mouth, I knew I had to clarify. “Up to a point.”
“Of course. Before we pull the trigger, I want all of my bases covered. Once we’ve retrieved Nikola, it will take time to train her and solidify our plan. If they get wind of our location in Greece before she’s ready, we’ll need somewhere to go. Somewhere they wouldn’t think to look.”
“That’s an incredibly stupid question you aren’t asking, friend.”
“We could potentially bring the fight straight to your door,” he warned.
“If Grigori and his army of leeches want to take on KBO and all the packs, covens, and other supernaturals who are loyal to me, he’d be effectively signing his own fucking death certificate.” My wolf grunted, having perked up at the tone of the conversation. He wanted to settle down with Peyton, but part of him still missed the battlefield. A sentiment I shared.
“Ah, this is the Nate I expected to speak with today,” Dimitri said arrogantly. “I much prefer the bloodthirsty revolutionary to the mated and love-befuddled pup.”
I relaxed back into my seat again. “There are two sides to every coin, Dimitri.”
“Not every coin.”
“I know you believe there is nothing of humanity left inside you except rage, but you are capable of burning hot and freezing to ice. Someday, I look forward to meeting the woman who pulls you to the middle.”
Dimitri snorted. “Unless they are food or a fuck, I have no interest—just a moment. Sapphire just walked in and she’spestering me.” The last two words were said with malice and directed at his tiny witch, I assumed. “Sapphire, I am not your messenger, you answer to me. Oh, for fuck’s sake.Fine.Now leave before I decide you’re most useful as a snack.”
“You really need her?” I asked, genuinely curious. Peyton’s attitude and stubbornness would seem like pleasantries if I had to deal with Sapphire on a regular basis.
“We made a fucking deal. I’m stuck with her until I fulfill my end or kill her.”
“Can’t say I wouldn’t be contemplating both options at the moment,” I admitted. The difference being that Dimitri was truly considering both, while I would contemplate my choices and ultimately choose not to kill her.Probably.
“Her message was for you, Nate.”
“Fantastic,” I growled.
“‘Trust the stranger.’”
“Great. I’ll keep that in mind every time I meet someone I don’t know. Because that never happens to an Alpha who sits at the head of the ISC and SCA,” I snapped.
“Don’t shoot the messenger. Which is apparently how far I’ve fallen since I reigned as prince. Which reminds me. Queen to F4. Checkmate.”
Well, fuck.Dimitri and I didn’t speak on the phone often, but we texted a few times a month, which was often nothing but a chess move. I kept track of our game on the board in my home office since the one at Council HQ was reserved for Jude. I’d had him in check last time.
I looked over at the board set up on the small table across the room. “How the fuck…?”
“The queen is key, Nate. She’s a killer, not a weakling that needs protecting.”
I didn’t have time to digest his comment because footsteps crunched on the gravel of my driveway and my wolf and I both went on alert until we heard the soft murmurings of my parents’ voices.
“My parents just arrived, and I want to catch them before they wake Peyton.”
“Tell them I said hello.Do svidaniya brat.”
“Zhelayu udachi. Do svidaniya brat.” I wished him luck and disconnected the call, then loped around front to catch my parents before they went inside.
CHAPTERSEVEN
NATHAN