Page 53 of The Wolf King

Callum nudges me forward. “It’s okay. Keep walking.”

We head toward the hearth at the end of the room. There are two armchairs facing it, and Blake sits back in one of them, his long legs stretched out in front of him toward the crackling flames.

When we reach him, I look for a third space to sit down, but Callum hooks his arm around my waist and drops down into the vacant armchair—pulling me down onto his lap. When I try to get back up, his arm tightens around me.

Blake watches our almost imperceptible struggle, his dark eyes glinting.

He leans forward.

“Caught yourself a little rabbit, have you, Callum?” he says.

Chapter Twenty

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?”

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