Page 22 of Catnip

If Knox was right, and regulars were behind what had occurred in Dale, there would never be peace. They’d all but declared war against their wholekind.

“Most regulars are indifferent to us; some may even like us. But there are others - not just the haters. Those who are simply resigned that we’re stronger than them. If they saw a weakness, they’d pounce. Now, tell them that killing a few dozen of us is enough to rid the world ofshifters…”

“We’d be royally fucked. All ofus.”

Perfect. Their day was just getting better andbetter.

“I may be mistaken,” the wolf admitted. “But, regardless, the little bird willlive.”

Waiting

Ava was probably insane,but after a little while, she relaxed around Knox. It might have to do with the fact that while she was pretty certain everything she’d heard about him was well-deserved, he seemed genuine. Under the swagger, the veiled threats, and the coldness, she saw wisdom, compassion,and…

“You know, you may just look as pretty as your late sister, if you put a couple of pounds on. Particularly around the tits and ass, little bird. Why women persist in resembling boys these days is completely beyondme.”

Never mind. He was adick.

“Of course, you’ll breed soon. Perhaps you’ll be fortunate enough to keep some babyweight.”

“Oh, fuckoff.”

He beamed at her like she’d given him a present wrapped in a prettybow.

“Are you going to contradict me, Ava Flavia of Dale? That you didn’t immediately think of it when I told you the legends are true? You need a child - so does your brother.Your blood isn’t yourown.”

“Then why don’tyouhave a litter of pups?” she retorted, beforewincing.

Okay, so he’d walked into that one, but, if he hadn’t had any kids over two thousand years, maybe he justcouldn’t.

“Not for lack of trying,” he replied pleasantly, although his jaw tensed a little. “My spawn have the unfortunate tendency of attempting to cut their way out of their mothers, far too early and in the most inopportune of fashions. It’s quite literally a bloody mess. Why, are you offering your womb?” he tilted his head. “Your boy may have a thing or two to say againstit.”

“How did you survive this long?” she mused in wonder. “Everyone who meets youmusthate yourguts.”

Her tongue was loosened by the fact that she didn’t think he’d chop her head offnow.

“I grow onpeople.”

“Likefungus.”

“And if that fails, I also happen to be able to kill just about anyone with an embarrassing lack ofeffort.”

She rolled her eyes. Showoff.

At least, bickering with him helped pass the time while they waited. It beat twiddling herthumbs.

Knox hadn’t agreedwith her plan; going to her flock and testifying seemed to play into their enemies’ hands, according tohim.

“Think of it. They’d still walk away with information we’d very much like to keep under wraps. And theyhavemassacred your family, regardless. Wouldn’t it be more fun to repay thefavor?”

It wouldn’t, actually. Just because a few people had risen against her family didn’t mean that she wanted to go to war with the entire flock of Dale. Particularly since the rest of the eagles of the world might joinin.

“Who do you think they’d follow? The traitors on your parents’ seat, or aFlavia?”

“I don’t know,” sheadmitted.

She had never done anything to earn the loyalty of her kind; they didn’t even know her. Shy as she was, she’d hidden from the limelight, avoiding large gatherings. Richard may have been another story, he’d travelled to each corner of the globe and madealliances.

“Well, how about we findout?”

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