Page 379 of Warlords, Witches & Wolves

Surely her brother didn’t believe her?

Jarrad thumped his fists against the ice. “No!” he growled, but his mate didn’t even acknowledge him. Ryan frowned at him though, before turning back to Tabitha. That settled it—they were both ignoring him. Jarrad snarled in frustration.

“I need this, Ryan.” She said it to her brother, but she fixed her eyes on him. “I can’t be around here right now. I just can’t.”

“Not for long, all right? No getting lost in the bush just to avoid this place. We’ll go back to Carnarben as soon as we get this Inquisitor.”

She gave a small nod, though Jarrad sensed it was more to placate Ryan than out of any real agreement. He didn’t know for sure though. Tabitha’s emotions were Fort Knox.

She kissed her daughter on the forehead and slipped the keys into her pocket as she walked out the door. Without a single glance at him.

“What’s Jarrad doing in an ice block, Uncle Ryan?” Luna asked, ever curious.

“Cooling down,” Ryan replied.

Jarrad wanted to snarl at him, but the man was right. The ice had effectively cooled his temper and given him a rude awakening.

“He’s been a bit of an idiot.”

Tabitha was his mate, and he’d accused her of manipulating him and his pack.

Hewasan idiot.

“That’s not very nice. Mummy says you shouldn’t call people names.” She looked at his cage in awe. “Shouldn’t we get him out? He looks sorry now.”

Ryan stared at him, face stony. He gave a quick nod. “I think you’re right, pumpkin. Want to help?”

At Luna’s eager nod, Ryan talked her through melting the ice. The girl had an affinity for fire, like her uncle, but who knew? With Tabitha for a mother, the little witch could probably do plenty more than that.

The rev of an engine startled Ryan and Luna from their task. Ryan rushed to the door and cursed as the sounds of a car rumbled into the distance. The man turned furious eyes towards Jarrad. Then his shoulders slumped in resignation.

“Where’s Mummy going, Uncle Ryan?” The girl nibbled her lower lip, brow furrowed in concern.

“Not sure, Pumpkin, but she needs some time to calm down,” Ryan replied, but both he and Jarrad knew she’d be at the Hippie House. It washerspace. “We should finish getting this idiot out.”

Luna didn’t correct him this time. Perhaps she sensed this was all his doing, though Ryan was the one who couldn’t see through Tabitha’s obvious lie.

Almost an hour passed before the ice was finally thin enough for Jarrad to break free. When he did, it was to find Ryan’s fist connecting with his jaw. He didn’t retaliate.

“I guess I deserve that.”

Ryan’s eyes flickered with flames. “And more, you arsehole! You can’t just—”

“That’s it, I’m telling Mummy, Uncle Ryan. You can’t just hit people and call them names. Mum’s going to ban you from tech for a week!”

Both men let out an incredulous guffaw, their anger melted for the moment by a little miracle.

“Can you pop upstairs for a bit so I can apologise without you interfering, Luna?” Ryan asked affectionately.

She eyed him suspiciously. “Okay. But just remember, I’m telling Mum. So don’t do anything else bad.” She trotted upstairs as Ryan rounded on Jarrad, anger cooled but not gone.

“I heard your conversation,” Ryan said without preamble. “You must be the biggest idiot who ever walked the planet.”

Jarrad opened his mouth to argue but was cut off before he could start. Besides, he agreed with Ryan anyway. Even if he had cause for suspicion.

“The only reason I’m telling you this, dipshit, instead of hauling her back with me to Carnarben, is ‘coz I’m pretty sure you are Goddess blessed. Mates, or whatever you call it. And there’s no arguing with that shit.” His voice had risen by the end of his speech and a little voice called from upstairs.

“I heard that word, Uncle Ryan. Don’t make me come down there!”

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