Page 28 of The Wolf's Captive
“Really?”
Nigel’s frown furrowed the wrinkles on his forehead. He glanced at Malone, who nodded, backing up my claim.
“He’s done it on several end of life wolves as well as a couple of witches who wanted a new familiar.” Clearing my throat, I licked my lips. “He’s never done it on a connected witch and werewolf.”
“Because there’s never been one,” Nigel muttered, “until now.”
Tilting my head to the side, I smiled. “Indeed!”
“This warlock.” Nigel frowned at Malone. “Is he legitimate? What’s in it for him?”
A chuckle vibrated Malone’s chest, showing that his anger was finally under control. “You’re too clever. No wonder you’re the elder of the werewolf council.”
“What can I say?”
Dismissing Malone’s slightly sarcastic compliment, Nigel focused on me. I glanced between the pair. They seemed to have a love hate relationship that bordered on respect for one another. I didn’t want to get in the middle of that. Maybe Malone’s comments were a way to get on the elder’s good side.
“He was banished from the Brighton Coven,” I answered. “He wants to come back, although he’s aiming high with becoming their leader. He’s got this crazy idea that the coven will listen to me, despite the fact that I was also banished.” My sigh echoed around the room as my chest squeezed.
It had been a while since I’d thought about the group of people I had known for so long. I’d truly found my home with the wolves, even if they were still guarded.
“The Brighton witches who were kidnapped by Kieran have returned to their coven. They’re working on a way to disconnect themselves from our captured werewolves. Could you not try and collaborate with them?” Nigel’s sensible request sent a chill down my spine.
I’d thought about the other witches, including Fredrick, my old friend from school, but only in passing. I’d been so wrapped up in myself, I hadn’t even considered how they might be dealing with their own violation.
“Yes, I suppose I could talk to them. Would you let Malone come back to Brighton with me? I’ve only just arrived home and I need him.”
Tapping his fingers on the desk, Nigel glanced at Malone, raising his eyebrows at the alpha. “Well, you brought her back, I suppose.”
“I knew that Della would take some persuasion to return home,” Malone said, “hence why I left without your consent. As much as she would’ve done the right thing eventually, I knew that my presence would help bring her back.”
My gaze slipped to him as his arrogance squared his shoulders. Ugh. It was hard to admit, but he was right. Was I really so easy to sway?
Malone looked at me, smirking when our gazes clashed and my heart almost exploded with hot desire.
Taking a deep breath, I shook my head and ducked my gaze. It was totally inappropriate – and a bit gross – to think naughty thoughts in front of an elder.
“I’ll grant you permission to go back to your pack.” Nigel pointed at Malone. “On the condition you report back to me in a week’s time with an update. I won’t be punishing any wolves until we know whether the connection can be broken. If a witch dies or is harmed because of something Kieran has done, we’ll have a war on our hands.”
“So…” I said, all thoughts of Malone’s utter gorgeousness vanishing from my mind. “…what will you do if we manage to disconnect everyone?”
Shrugging, Nigel blinked slowly before staring up at Malone. “I’ll execute the entire Crawley Pack for being so easily misled.”
Chapter Nine
The sticks crunched beneath my boots as I exited the woods and came into the clearing. The camp was quiet, only a few members of the pack milling around. Most of them would’ve been at their jobs in the city, too occupied by their day to day life to worry much about me.
“Don’t be nervous,” Malone said, squeezing my hand.
I glanced up at him, smiling when the sunlight stroked his strong jaw, highlighting the dark stubble lining his skin. He had driven us back to Brighton on his motorbike, which he’d left at a friend’s house near the airport. The wind around my head had cleared my thoughts, giving me time to settle my nerves. Until I’d stepped onto the pack’s soil. Now I was shit scared again.
“Will they hate me for running away?”
The memory of Malone’s harsh arrowed words flashed in my mind. Had he been voicing the feelings of every other wolf in the pack? Did they believe that I wasn’t good enough to be a wolf?
“Della?” Evie’s shout travelled across the grass, wrapping around me in a hug.
Her frame followed, flying towards me. Her bright pink hair flowed in the wind as her long legs ate up the space between us. Before I could utter a hello, she threw her arms around me, almost knocking me over.