Chapter 20: The Wolf King: Chapter 20

My mouth dries.

Blake’s gaze pins me to the spot, while Callum’s thick arm holds me against his chest.

I’m not used to being so close to a male. Back at the palace, I had to dance, and smile, and sweet-talk nobles at social gatherings. If any of them had held me like this, they would have been executed. This is not appropriate. And it’s certainly not the way I wanted to meet the male that Callum said is the most dangerous wolf in the Northlands.

But it is the strange heat pulsing beneath my skin that finally makes me try to shuffle out of Callum’s grasp.

“Behave,” growls Callum, and I stiffen.

He has not used this tone on me before, and panic surges through me. Have I misjudged this male?

But then I remember he was going to tell Blake I was his prisoner. I do not see how that can work to our advantage, though. If Blake knows who I am, then it only makes me look weak.

Before I can decide how to react, Blake takes my hand in his and presses his lips to my knuckles. I freeze.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, little rabbit,” he says.

A low growl rumbles in Callum’s chest and the corner of Blake’s lip quirks before he releases me.

“You remind me of someone I saw back at the Southlands palace,” says Blake. “Did you know that the daughter of the king has red hair, just like yours?”

“Give it a rest, Blake,” growls Callum. “I know you know who she is.”

Blake sighs, before leaning back in his chair and reaching for a glass of wine on the round table beside him. “Very well. Let’s be direct with one another, if you don’t want to play.”

“Where’s James?” asks Callum.

“There was a disturbance near the border. He went to sort it.” Blake sips his wine. “You intend to trade her for the Heart of the Moon, I suppose?”

“Aye.”

“If the Wolves find out who she really is, they’ll tear her apart.”

I frown. Must they speak about me as if I’m not even here?

But then Blake’s eyes move to mine. Curiosity ripples off him. “Why did you choose to come here, little rabbit?”

“She didn’t choose. I took her,” says Callum. “And I’ve just told you why.”

“Very well. I’m interested in how this is all going to play out. I’ll keep your secret.”

“If Magnus gets back before James, he could cause some trouble,” says Callum.

“Are you asking for my help, Callum?”

“Aye,” Callum grits out.

“Say please.”

Callum’s thighs tense beneath me, and I can feel the restraint in his chest. If he launches himself at Blake like I sense he wants to, we’re going to be in trouble.

“Please,” I say, giving him a hard look.

Blake’s grin widens, and again I notice the dimples in his cheeks. “Looks like your pet has better manners than you, Callum. Very well. I’ll deal with Magnus.” He turns his attention back to Callum. “And you can put your rabbit in a hutch for safekeeping. The chambers in the western tower are empty—”

“She stays with me,” says Callum.

Blake puts his glass down on the table. In a sudden movement, he reaches for me.

Callum grabs his wrist, stopping him.

I’m jolted forward.

“Look at you,” says Blake. “You’re like a dog guarding his favorite chew toy. What happens when you decide you want to play with it?”

“She’s my prisoner,” says Callum.

Blake chuckles. “Please. You’re not a kidnapper, Callum. You’re a savior. Perhaps you told yourself that you brought her here for the Heart of the Moon, but we both know the truth. You saw a woman who needed saving, and you wanted to be the one to do so. She’ll stay in the room in the tower where we can both keep an eye on her.”

“No,” says Callum.

“You truly wish for me to believe you’re holding her captive?” Blake arches an eyebrow. “Fine. Prove it. Make her do something.” His lips curve into a smile. “Tell her to come and sit with me.”

“That is not—” I splutter.

“The day I feel the need to prove myself to you is the day I relinquish my title as alpha of Highfell,” says Callum.

Blake somehow manages to look bored even with Callum tightly gripping his wrist. “If you want my help, you’ll put her in the tower.”

“No.”

“Fine. Keep her in your room. Have her sleep in your bed.”

Panic, mingled with something else, surges through my body.

“Out of interest, have you had many dealings with noblemen in the south?” Blake continues, conversationally. “I have. They’re a primitive lot. Did you know they require their brides to be untouched? Did you know, on occasion, they check?”

The blood drains from my face and Callum’s biceps clench. “What’s that got to do with anything?”

“Well, I’m curious, Callum. How do you expect to get her betrothed to agree to a trade when it’s only a matter of time before you have your cock buried inside her?”

My cheeks flame. “That’s not—”

“That’s enough, Blake,” growls Callum. “She’ll be staying where I can keep an eye on her.”

“The room in the tower is close to my chambers, and to yours. Do you think anyone would be foolish enough to try anything with either of us so close? She’ll be perfectly safe.”

“She’s too valuable to risk.”

“And what of the Heart of the Moon?” asks Blake. “How valuable is that? How will you trade her—”

I jerk forward, freeing myself from both of them and stumbling across the flagstones. Both turn their heads toward me.

Callum’s body is hard with tension, whereas Blake seems merely intrigued.

I’ve had enough of this charade. Blake knows who I am, and he seems to have the measure of Callum, as well.

“Does my opinion factor into the equation?” I ask. “Or are you going to keep on speaking about me as if I’m not here?”

Blake’s eyes gleam, while Callum looks a little sheepish. He releases Blake, and the dark-haired wolf leans back, resting his elbow casually on the arm of his chair.

“What is it that you want, Princess?” Callum asks, seemingly realizing the pretense is over.

Freedom. That is what I want. I want to be free from Sebastian, and to not have my fate determined by powerful men.

For that to happen, I need to be alone so I can figure out my next move.

I can’t plot against the Wolves, and find out more information about the Heart of the Moon and the Wolf King, if I am kept in Callum’s room, in his bed.

“I’ll need my own chambers,” I say. “If Sebastian found out that I’d shared a room with another man, I’d lose my value. You heard what he said back at the castle.”

The muscles along Callum’s jaw tighten. He sighs and inclines his head.

“Very well,” he says. “But I have a condition. And I don’t think you’re going to like it.”