Page 19 of Moon Claimed

I pulled myself to sitting. “Well, I’m in your company, aren’t I?”

Leroy growled low, quietening at a sharp look from his leader.

With the grace of a cat, Sascha cradled me in his arms. I crossed my arms as he stepped up onto the pier.

Wade was the first to reach us.

“I’ll take her from here, Luther,” he said coolly.

Sascha froze, sniffing. “You’re bleeding.”

“You’re hurt?” Wade took me in his arms. “I saw you fall.”

“It’s nothing,” I said, feeling the exact moment Sascha smelt thelie.I was too close to miss his sudden tension. “The ladder caught my leg as I fell.”

Rhona ran up. “What happened?”

“The tower was shaken. Someone wanted to throw me off.” I avoided Sascha’s gaze.

She spun on the Luther.

“I didn’t see them.” I cut her off.

Lie.

“Only one species here is strong enough to shake that tower,” she snarled at Sascha.

My leg ached, and I couldn’t risk anyone here seeing the wound. “I have no proof, Rhona. A penalty would be disallowed. But a penalty for you attacking their leader in plain sight would not go unpunished.”

She cocked her head, slanting me a glance.

I looked at him then.

His body almost vibrated with the force of his anger.Yep,he smelt the lie, alright. Wade tightened his grip on me.

I wasn’t the only one noticing his reaction.

“Thank you for bringing the boat over,” I said. “Congratulations on the win.”

Sascha’s gaze darted to my leg and back. His fingers twitched at his side. “We both know you didn’t intend to win that round, Miss Thana. You won’t find me a relaxed opponent despite your recent introduction to Victratum. I respect your cunning too much.”

With a short bow, the werewolf returned to the boat. Rhona stared after him, fixing me with a curious look.

“Let’s go,” I muttered.

Wade carried me down the pier.

“Get everyone dispersed, please, Rhona.” I sighed. “There was an attack on me, but we have no proof.” That would fire everyone up. “They did well today, and the Luthers should fear the next time we meet them in Water.”

Let’s hope I could live up to that promise.

Or just live in general.

* * *

“How’s the wound?” Rhona asked, striding into the office.

I tensed at the mention of my injury. The wound had the appearance of a cut at least—the Luther’s teeth must be razor sharp. I’d told everyone the metal of the ladder caught me on the fall.