Page 14 of Bosse
She dug into the woven sack and pulled out a hind quarter from a deer brought in today. It had taken all she could do to sneak it out of the kitchen in the garbage she offered to carry to a spot where guards would burn it later in the week.
Unwilling to touch him, she flipped the meat over his waist and gave him an order. “Quick, take it before the guards see.”
He snatched the leg from the air before it hit the dirt. The meat disappeared into the dark shadow between him and the back of the cage.
She knew without question that was the most protein he’d been given for days, even with the additional meat she brought when possible. Even a wild dog would deserve better than the grunge they fed this man.
She’d brought him cookies twice.
He’d been asleep, so he had no idea. Maybe she should have included a note, but that might have gotten them both killed.
She wanted her rapid heartbeat to slow down, but she couldn’t wish away her fear.
After several minutes, his body lifted and settled with a deep breath. He sounded angry or put out when he said, “Tell me who hit you. I will kill him, and we will be even.”
He’d do what?
Her heart pounded even harder at his fervent words. She doubted not one of them.
To be honest, his offer to retaliate over her injury touched her. No one had protected her since she reached the age of eighteen, seven years ago.
Her fear settled into discomfort. “No, please don’t do that. It was necessary to antagonize that guard, or I could not have come in here. They wouldn’t trust me if I had asked.”
Bosse turned his head again. That single eye now stared at her as if he should fear her. “You got thrown in here onpurpose?”
She sighed at his confusion and glanced to her left to confirm the guards were still enthralled with their game, and the rhino monster appeared to sleep. Turning back, she quickly explained, “Yes. I must leave soon, or they’ll become suspicious. I have something to tell you.”
“Tell me.” Simple and loaded with suspicion. With one quick exchange of words, he’d become wary of her.
She understood. She’d heard whispers about the invincible wolf shifter from Norway. Had he been here so long he’d lost his original language? Linota had warned her to keep her distance from this wolf shifter. That hadn’t been possible. Alifair’s heart hurt the day Linota told her how Bosse had been used and abused every day for his entire time in captivity.
He would not be receptive to a stranger, not yet.
She hurried to say what she could. “I don’t have time to say much. I’ll be back again and explain when I return.”
“Why did you come now?”
His attitude was beginning to wear on her. Yes, he had reason to be cautious around anyone, but she’d brought him extra food more than once, including tonight. The best way to tamp down her terror was if someone riled her up.
He was doing a great job of it.
Every time he spoke, he made it sound like she was an idiot lacking any basic sense. Thanks to her damn dream, she had to deal with this unappreciative brute.
She kept her reply simple. “I’m here because you need meat to heal, even though you claim to be fine, and I need you to win your next battle tonight.”
He sat up halfway, leaving from his waist down in the shadows. She hadn’t been this close to him until now. Every time he moved, she admired more of his seriously cut muscles. He looked fit enough to toss an elephant over the moon.
If she stayed here much longer, she’d perspire from a sudden hot flash.
Had he kept his manhood turned away from her as a courtesy?
He grumbled, “Tonight? I never fight twice in one day.”
That rocked her back on track. “Krol left after your last battle. I heard him tell the guards he would return in four to six hours and to have the arena ready.”
Bosse scoffed softly. “He could be sending Beast in to fight.”
She shook her head. “Krol said to bringyouthe minute he returned.” Her neck tingled at the sensation that time was running out. She had to go. “When I come back, we’ll talk. I wanted to meet you first and to let you know you can... trust me.”
