Page 120 of Claimed By Prince Daddy

I faltered, not sure where he was going with this. “Perhaps a few more days. A week.” I cocked my head. “You should really ask Balin about this.” I chuckled. “I’m no healer.”

Rick shifted. He then approached my desk. “Isn’t it time Sasha returned to her own pack?”

A flicker of irritation flitted inside my chest. “No. And until Balin clears her, she stays.”

Lips twisted and nostrils flaring, Rick’s face leaked with agitation. “A werewolf does not belong in Stoneclaw.” He flung a hand at the window, gesturing toward my cabin across the yard to where Sasha slumbered in the bedroom. “She’s the enemy!”

I placed my palms on top of the desk and rose to my full height, letting my dominance seep out. Rick shuddered as my sheer power buffeted him, though he kept his gaze fastened on me, a feat not easy to accomplish. “Sasha has not harmed one soul in this clan. Do you still spout lies that she's the enemy?” My bitter words sounded edged in steel.

But Rick pressed on, his eyes blazing. “Just because she has harmed no werebears in our clan does not mean she’s not a threat,” he hissed. “Are you really going to allow your father’s memory to go down in shame for laying with that she-wolf?”

My eyes popped wide.

His upper lip curled. “Don’t think I don’t know you’ve bedded her. I can smell her on you.” He tossed his head, nose wrinkling. “What would your father think?”

A vicious snarl tore from my chest. As if sensing the danger he was in, Rick ducked his chin, his gaze skating away from mine. But he had already unleashed my temper. And it stormed with the same violence as a tempest.

My vision altered, going red, as my gaze glowed—my inner bear brushing under the surface of my skin.

Wicked fangs poked out, and I growled, “Get the fuck out.”

Rick spun and scurried toward the door, but my parting words stopped him in place. “The only reason I haven’t carved your face open is because you’ve been my closest friend since cub hood. But make no mistake.” I shook my head, glaring at him. “Cross me again… breathe onewordabout Sasha and I’ll send you tomeetmy father. Is that understood?”

I heard Rick’s audible swallow as he gave a jerky nod. Then he swept beyond the door, out of sight.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: A HEART OF DARKNESS

RICK

Istalked through the dark alleyway, a lone street light flickering overhead.

How dare that asshole ignore me? Even after all the shit we’ve been through. He loses his fucking mind over some piece of tail.

My thoughts raced back to my meeting with Damon in his office. The werebear alpha’s rage over me speaking against the female werewolf was so palpable I could taste it. His lust for her stung my nostrils. I scoffed. So, our leader had fallen for the werewolf. I wouldn’t stand by and let our clan suffer because of it. Nothing good ever came from an encounter with werewolves.

I stepped deeper into the shadows. The scent of trash and rotting food curled into my nostrils, the bitterness causing me to hiss in disdain. Thunder roiled overhead, a dark swath of clouds amassing together. A bolt of lightning streaked through the sky, illuminating the alley in front of me in a glorious white haze. A door stood off to the side, tucked away in the corner, the top of the frame just visible behind a dumpster.

A fine sheet of rain fell as the heavens opened up, pelting my shoulders with tiny droplets. I approached the door, my boots trudging through the puddles. If our alpha wouldn’t protect us, then it was up to me. Because I could see through the deception. Sasha did not have me wound around her little finger. I stopped in front of an unobtrusive door, the painting the same dingy gray as the faded brick that comprised the building.

I’ll be damned if I let that she-wolf become my alpha female… not after what her kind did to my mate and cubs.

I slammed my eyes shut against the rush of pain that struck my heart like a barb. Images of blood staining the floor, streaking the walls, and the figures slumped in the corner hunched together speared my mind.

My eyes snapped open, renewed determination boiling in my blood.

I will make sure that no one dishonors the memory of my family.

I knocked on the door—two quick raps followed by one loud one and stepped back.

After a long pause, the sound of a lock clicking met my ears over the pouring rain. The door creaked open on squeaky hinges. A broad-shouldered male with shoulder-length blond hair stared back at me. Hard green eyes slid over me.

I opened my mouth and allowed my fangs to jab out.

The male, a lion-shifter, released a fraction. He gave a curt nod and moved back from the door, allowing me entrance. I fought back a growl of annoyance and entered the were-club. The were-club had a rule that prohibited humans from entering, and to gain admission, each shifter had to show their abilities.

Once entering the dim corridor, my ears started ringing with the blare of dance music, deep bass rumbling through my insides like an earthquake. I could hear loud laughter and the low hum of chatter. Up ahead shone a kaleidoscope of lights, the brilliant beams whirling around the ceiling. I walked around the bend and stepped onto the fringes of the dance floor. Weres of every kind filled the space, the club brimming with bodies. Couples gyrated on the dance floor, their bodies melded together, bringing to mind a sexual intonation more so than mere dancing. The citrusy scent of lust and a sharp bite of alcohol permeated the air.

I slipped past the dancing were-kind and hugged the edge of the club, making my way to the bar spanning the rear of the room. After approaching the elongated metal bar, I slipped into a seat and gestured toward a young witch who stood polishing a glass. Her eyes sparkled as she set the glass down and neared, her hips swaying with seduction.

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