Page 18 of Targeted By Temptation
“Yeah, pretty much. But don’t worry… we’ll figure this out. We’re having a meeting with my brothers and the leadership of the pack you’re promised to. We’ll figure something out. If we need to trade for you, we will.”
I bit back a hiss. What was I? A freaking cat? “Did you just say you would trade for me?”
“They might demand compensation for what they see as you being stolen from them. It’s not because I think you need to be purchased… it’s just the way of things. And I hate it too. But at the end of the day, what’s more important? Getting you out of there and keeping you safe.”
“Okay.” His point was solid, even if the entire situation was distasteful at best.
He handed me my phone. “You should probably see what’s on here.”
I turned on the phone, and it beeped incessantly. Notification after notification after notification—each and every one of them from my father’s people. He was livid.Livid.
“We’re gonna need to deal with this too.”
I turned it around to show him the texts.
“One problem at a time, mate. One problem at a time.”
9
EZRA
I was dozing by the door, the gun I’d taken from the car on my lap, alert to every sound outside and in. I noted Reign’s even breathing along with the snapping of a branch outside and an owl hooting in the distance. Worried that the Stravons were plotting revenge, I planned on shoving Reign into the cellar if they turned up.
But even if they did discover where we were, I hoped Boaz had enough spies in the streets surrounding the compound that he’d be alerted if they were on the move.
I’d just checked the time when the phone vibrated. Of course it was from Boaz.
Woods. Twenty minutes. All six of us.
Gods, he’d marshaled all the brothers, even Maynard, who often used the excuse he had a hit to carry out and needed his sleep.
They were close by, and I was torn between letting my mate sleep and waking him and bringing him with me. But it’d be intimidating to be confronted with six Grey brothers in the forestin the dead of night. I’d be close by and would scent anyone trying to sneak into the cabin.
I stood and stared at my mate, hoping he’d wake because then the decision about whether to have him accompany me would be out of my hands.
“Last chance to meet my brothers,” I whispered. He was curled on his side with the blanket tucked under his chin, and I pictured him as a child clutching a teddy as he slept. I made him a promise that once this was over, we’d take a vacation and try to erase the arranged marriage incident from his memory.
“I’ll be a hundred yards away, two hundred at the most.” With one last glance at my mate, I scribbled a note saying I’d be back soon and closed the door.
Taking a deep breath and relishing the earthy forest aromas, I strode toward the trees. My wolf whined with each step, saying we should be with our mate. The pain in my chest was overwhelming, and I panted, trying to get enough air into my lungs. It felt as though I was being reeled back to the cabin, but my determination to go in the opposite direction was causing the agony.
“You’re late.”
I rolled my eyes. “By five seconds. Don’t you remember when you first met your mate, Boaz?”
I received a grunt in reply as I walked into a small clearing and was surrounded by my five brothers. This felt like an intervention, but I’d done nothing wrong. Fate put Reign in my path.
“How is he?” Riggs asked.
“Reign is asleep, and I’d like to get back to him ASAP.”
Lake was eager to find out how my mate reacted to my beast.
“Better than I expected. He warmed to him, and I think they’ll be great friends.”
“You’re assuming he’s going to stick around.” Boaz was always assuming the worst.
I shrugged, not wanting to get into the weeds about what we’d said to one another.
