Page 67 of Dragon's Revenge

“Not that I can tell, but you know him. He wouldn’t say anything anyway.”

Palani sighed. “Yeah.”

“But I really do think he’s fine.”

“I’m a little worried, considering that was the second time he’s been kidnapped, you know?”

“He was kidnapped before?”

Erwan spun around. How had Duff snuck up on him like that? He was usually more aware of his surroundings. “Yeah. By…” Fuck, how was he gonna word this? “By Cladhaire and Baoth.”

“Your father and uncle.”

“I prefer not to think of them like that, seeing as how they tried to kill me and my mate. In my opinion, that should be enough to ignore any familial bonds.”

Duff studied him for a few beats, then nodded. “Fair enough.” He turned to Palani. “Who are you?”

Palani raised his chin. “Palani. I’m one of Lidon’s mates and his second-in-command.”

“I didn’t invite you.”

Palani didn’t flinch. “I don’t need an invitation in my own home.”

“This conversation is not pertinent to you,” Duff tried again.

“I’ll be the judge of that. The only one who can make me leave is my alpha…and I haven’t heard him speak up.”

An amused smile played on Lidon’s lips. “Palani stays.”

As if there had ever been any doubt. Erwan repressed a smile.

Duff let out a frustrated sigh, but when Lidon’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly, he capitulated, sitting at the kitchen table. Vieno’s voice was cooler than Erwan had ever heard it as he asked if Duff wanted something to drink. “Water, please.”

“And for you?” Vieno asked, his tone much warmer as he addressed Erwan.

“Some tea, please?”

A few minutes later, they all had drinks and a slice of banana bread as they sat around the kitchen table. “So, what can we do for you?” Lidon asked Duff, who sat up a little straighter.

“I was hoping you’d be able to verify some information.”

“Hit me with it.”

Duff took a deep breath. “You are the True Alpha of your generation.”

Lidon waited a few seconds, then frowned. “Was that a question? Because it sounded like a statement.”

“It’s a question.”

“Hmm, okay. Yes, I am.”

“Has that been verified?”

Palani inhaled sharply, but Lidon put a hand on his arm. “Mr. Bás, I would advise you to watch your tone. While we’re happy to take questions, I do not take lightly to someone calling me a liar.”

Duff paled visibly, as anyone would have, considering Lidon had put some power behind his deceptively calm words. “I didn’t mean to… Yes, of course. My apologies.”

“But yes, it has been verified, both by my oldest male relative at the time and by the storyteller of our pack, Grayson Whitefield.”

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