Page 49 of Bite Me Alpha Cole

Chapter 24 – Royal Gossip

Nadia

“These people you’ve been treating today?” Cole says, looking at each of us in turn. “They’re not the people you saw running away last night. Some of these – many of them – were the die-hards clearing the path for Slaken to escape.”

“Shit,” I whisper, shaking my head at the Prince. “So, he’s gone?”

“Wait, sorry,” Grace says, leaning forward and looking fascinatedly between us. “What’s a Slaken?”

Cole smirks at me for a moment, realizing that I trulydidkeep my promise of secrecy. Shayne scoffs at me, figuring out the same thing at the same moment. But Cole just nods and quicklyfills the pair in. Something in my chest glows like a happy little firefly to see him trust my best friends so easily – I mean, they’re wonderful people, and he couldn’t put his trust in a better spot.

But whatever that little firefly is? I smush it immediately. Nuh-uh. No bugs in the soul.

“Okay, so,” Grace says, concentrating hard on Cole. “This leader guy – he ran from the military invasion? And we don’t know where he is?”

“He’s out there somewhere,” Cole says, shaking his head, his expression open enough for us to see the true worry in his eyes. “But we have no idea where,andwe’ve got no real plans for how to find him. We know so,solittle about this desert and its terrain. But we do know that he got out with a lot of supplies and alotof people, so…wherever he is, he needs a great deal of space. But…he’s also well supplied…”

Cole’s eyes go a bit far off as he rubs his palm against his cheek, his stubble scratching against his skin.

“So, how do we find him?” Grace asks, fascinated.

“The only people who know this terrain with any real accuracy are locals,” Cole murmurs, clearly lost in his thoughts. “I mean, we have maps and drones to scope, but we suspect that there are caves and tunnels. And when there are canyons, it’s very difficult to know what’s going on down below…”

My face twists with doubt. How can we knownothing? “We don’t have anyone who knows the ins and outs of this wilderness?”

“We have very few people,” Cole murmurs, turning his eyes back to me. “My brother made contact with someone who’s been really helpful – Jude can get almost anyone to talk - “

“Wait, are you talking about Prince Jude?” Shay asks, her shoulders straightening with interest.

Cole smirks a little. “Considering I haveonebrother and his name is Jude…yeah, probably a good guess, Shay.”

Shayne and Grace gasp, loud and thrilled, their faces twin pictures of delight.

“Ishecoming here?“ Shay asks.

Cole shrugs. “It’s a possibility.”

“Oh my god!” Shay gasps, spinning to Grace, who squeals.

“Dibs! Dibs!” Grace shouts, holding her hands up high.

“No way, no way!” Shan says, smacking at her with an open palm. “YouknowI’ve had a crush on Prince Jude since we wereten, Gracie! It’s not fair!”

Cole grins at the girls but turns his attention to me, dropping his voice. “You’re not as excited about any of this?”

“One Prince messing up my life isenough, your highness,“ I murmur, rolling my eyes and making him laugh. “Plus, whileyouhave proven yourself to be…tolerable, Jude has a reputation for being...”

Suddenly, a hand smacks against my back, shoving me the short distance to the ground. I gasp, my hot chocolate sloshing as I hold the mug high, barely keeping it from splashing all over my scrubs. I spin to glare at Shayne, but she’s already thrown herself across the log and wrapped her arms around Cole, who laughs readily and hugs her back.

“I’m so glad we’re friends now,” Shayne cries. “I have myownfont of royal connections. Please tell him to come! Tell him I’mprettyand fun, and I can’t wait to meet him! And tell him Grace isuglywith –”

“Shayne!” Grace gasps, appalled, smacking at Shay in turn.

Cole just laughs, slipping an arm around Shayne to hug her back. “Happy to oblige.”

I raise my eyebrow at Cole from my spot in the dirt, silentlywillinghim not to be so nice and tell Shay that she’s both overstepping and fetishizing his Princely status.

Cole finally sees my expression when he lets Shayne go. “What?” he asks, laughing and shaking his head at me. “I honestly am happy to pass on word to Jude!”

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