Page 20 of Moon Claimed

I shrugged. “Fine. Bruising is turning yellow, and everything is scabbed over.”

Thank fuck.The tribe’s history only mentioned a werewolf’s volatileness at the new moon. Two days into that lunar phase and I’d felt nothing at all.

No sideburns or extra hair.

No fangs.

No growl in my voice.

Only one thing wouldn’t let me relax—the Luther’s smirk. What was he so happy about? Scaring me? I wished I’d got a clear look at the bastard.

Rhona plonked into the seat opposite. “Got a moment?”

No.I was calling our main importers today to introduce myself and pass on the news of Herc’s death. After that, I had an hour of study and a meeting with the head team.

I placed the importer’s contact file aside. “Of course.”

She frowned at her hands. “I was already on shore when the tower began to shake and tilt. Most of us saw you fall. Sascha Greyson was onshore too. He and the blonde ran for a boat when you screamed.”

She fell silent, and I waited.

Nothing more came. “And?”

“Likesprinted.”

I blinked. “I don’t understand.”

Oh,but I did.Damn it,Sascha.

Rhona fixed me with a serious look. “When the boat came back, he cradled you in his arms like some precious treasure. He wouldn’t stop looking at you. And herespects your cunning.”

Okay.Shit.I could not risk Rhona growing suspicious. “I thought he was close by at the time. You think he was in on what happened?”

Her brows climbed. “No. Well, we shouldn’t discount that risk, but no. I think the pack leaderwantsyou. Like, is completely besotted with you. I don’t know how I didn’t see it before. He’s obsessed.”

I blanched.Fuck.“You’re kidding me?”

She kicked her boots up on the desk. “Think about it. We always thought he was gunning for you because you infiltrated The Dens and he couldn’t act outside of the game to get back at you. What if that wasn’t the case?”

“I—”

“We could use this against him, Andie.”

Exhaling quietly, I shook my head. “I don’t know how we’d go about that.”

“Tie you up as a sacrifice.”

I snorted.

“Just a fake one, obviously. You could wear a white dress that gapes at the front. And you’d need to scream. It’ll be likeKing Kong, minus the gorilla and plus a werewolf.”

Laughing to cover my pounding heart, I leaned forward. She was far too close to the truth. If she wanted to use me as a weapon, then Rhona would expect me to bring this to the head team’s attention.

The theory would then spread to the entire tribe. That was a lot of scrutiny on an area that I couldn’t afford questions.

I had to contain this.

Rhona pursed her lips. “You don’t think it’s a good idea?”