The same melody I hummed to Blake when he was afraid.
Why would a band of Wolves in the Northlands know the tune my mother loved so dearly?
Blake is watching me curiously, his head tilted slightly to one side.
I narrow my eyes. “What is this?”
“What is what?” His expression of faux innocence is betrayed by the hungry gleam in his eyes.
“Why did you ask them to play this music?”
“It is a well-known wolf melody,” he says, feigning confusion. “About the Elderwolf and his love for the Moon. I thought you might like it. Do you not?”
I try to pull away, but his hand tightens around mine. His slender fingers are like a cold vice. He spins me around. “Do you recognize it?” he asks.
“You know I do. Let me go.”
“That wouldn’t be wise, little rabbit. Everyone is watching us. Including James.”
I look around. People are staring at us curiously from the benches, the alcoves, the sides of the hall. The dancefloor has cleared, leaving us at its center. I do not know when that happened.
The Wolf King is leaning forward in his chair, an unreadable expression on his face.
I search for Callum, seeking a lifeline out of this situation, but he must have left the hall to speak with Fiona.
I am truly alone.
My eyes meet Blake’s. “I don’t care. I’m leaving.”
“You should care.”
“Why?”
He moves forward so his cheek almost touches mine, and lowers his voice. “Because you are in danger. Do you truly believe James will let you stay?”
“No. But how does dancing with you help my situation?”
“That is the game, little rabbit. Play with me, and find out.”
I’m about to tell him that I’ll take my chances, when his gaze flits over my shoulder. “Too late.”
He drops my hand just as a wave of warmth washes over me. Before I can turn, I’m scooped up into big strong arms. I breathe in sharply, hooking my hands around Callum’s neck, my eyes widening in surprise as he claims my mouth with his.
It is not a gentle kiss. It is hard and deep and claiming. His tongue moves in strong, dominant strokes against mine. Heat floods through my body, melting the ice, as my grip tightens around his neck. I have to fight the moan that threatens to escape me. Too many people are watching.
The wolf is in his eyes when he pulls back and glares at Blake.
Blake steps back, his eyes dancing with amusement.
I feel both him and the Wolf King watching us as Callum carries me out of the Great Hall.
Callum snaps his fingers at Ryan as we pass. “Ryan, I’m putting the princess to bed. You’ll guard her door while I attend to some business.”
Ryan disentangles himself from his girlfriend, Becky, and grumbles as he follows us through the castle to my bedchambers.
“Put me down,” I hiss as soon as we’re out of earshot of the hall.
“No.”