Page 102 of Claimed By Prince Daddy

Damon rolled back his shoulders, but before he could reply, I squeezed in beside him, wishing to rectify the situation. “Hello. My name is Sasha Havens, Alpha of the Hopecrest Pack.” I offered her a sweet smile. “I’m certain the head witch is busy, but I was hoping she could help me by answering just a few questions.”

Exude an air of innocence,I told myself.

My inner wolf lowered herself to her belly and flattened her ears in a gesture of submission.

The older woman approached, her stride graceful, hinting at a life long lived. “To what questions may she answer?” Her eyes took on a speculative gleam.

“Are you the witch in charge?”

She cocked her head, narrowing her cold gray eyes. “I might be.”

I fought down the well of excitement that coursed through my insides. If I worded it right, she might help us.

“You either are or aren’t,” Damon growled. My mouth parted in a silent gasp. I glared at him. “If you aren’t the head witch, then point us in her direction.”

The woman’s gray eyes darkened to a stormy silver. My claws sliced out, and the urge to shred Damon’s back into ribbons was tempting me and hard to ignore.

“I’ve cursed werebears for less,” the woman hissed at Damon. He didn’t so much as flinch, and his eyes turned amber. “You bears were always the most obtuse out of all the weres.” She rolled her eyes.

Damon flashed a grin that was all fangs. I could’ve sworn sparks of lightning danced from the end of the witch’s fingers. Behind her, several other women, no doubt also witches, abandoned their tasks and edged closer. They honed their faces like a steel blade.

I punched Damon hard enough in the ribs to draw his attention. He fastened bright golden eyes on me.

“Tone it down,” I mumbled under my breath, glaring at him. “Brash, blockheaded bears.”

Damon didn’t budge and for a few heartbeats, I feared he would still throw his weight around. Then he slid his hands off the bar top and dropped his arms to the side.

Facing the head witch, I dipped my head in respect. “Please excuse us. It’s been a long day.”

“I’m sure.” She cocked her head, and I noticed the sarcasm dripping off every word.

I ignored her disgruntled state and kept a light smile on my face. “I picked up this scent and was hoping you could help me identify it.” After reaching into my pocket, I removed the piece of my garment, extending it toward the witch. “Can you take a whiff of this scent and identify it for us?”

The head witch’s eyes flew up and collided with mine. Shock flashed through her expression before her gaze grew shuttered.

She knows something.

My inner wolf growled in agreement.

A deep growl also rumbled from Damon. I peered at him, noting his attention halted on a group of males at a table across the room. Hooked claws sliced out from Damon’s fingertips. A quick peek at the other males showed their chests puffing out. Things were about to get ugly fast.

I made a move, grabbing hold of Damon’s forearm and placed my lips by his ear. “Go take a walk outside and cool whatever the fuck is going on with you.”

Damon tossed me a dark look over his shoulder.

With my teeth bared, I said, “I’ll meet you outside.”

Damon turned away from me and took a step toward the table of males.

Shit!

I reached out, digging my nails into his arm. I uttered the one word I thought I’d never voice to a werebear… let alone him. “Please.”

Damon’s head whipped around, his brows raised in shock and what looked like awe. I swallowed and held his gaze, allowing him to see the open vulnerability in me. We needed the witch’s help. And if that made me desperate, so be it. Damon’s amber eyes flickered as he peered into mine. Finally, the amber bled away till there was a thin ring around his pupils, the cobalt blue of his eyes visible once more.

“I’ll be outside,” he told me. His words weren’t biting, but soft. I blinked, unsure of how to react or process the flip of emotions coming from this male.

Damon went to the door, sweeping past me, opened it and slipped outside. I stared at his retreating form. A seed of gratitude nestled in my heart, knowing what it must’ve cost this dominant alpha male to relinquish his wants to me.

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