Page 52 of Sanctuary with a Dragon
I smirked. “No you won’t.”
He laughed. “No, I won’t. But I will sit in the hallway—to give him privacy.”
“Good enough.” I bit my lip again. “Do you thinkhe’s up? Do you think he’s going to want to tear my throat out for interfering?” I grabbed my throat. I was sort of attached to it, really. I wanted to keep it if it was at all possible.
I could hear Indie laughing on the phone, and I grimaced, having forgotten she was still on the line.
“Shifters, am I right?” she said, and I could hear Mesmer say something in the background, though my hearing wasn’t as acute as most shifters’, so I couldn’t catch it.
“Mes said he’ll protect you too, but we won’t need it. He said, if you’re wanting to help the bear shifter he thinks it is, that he’s a really good guy.”
“Okay, I’m going to find him. Give me a second.”
I turned down the hallway, Alaric on my heels, only to find the light from Alpha Riggs’ office already on. Light spilled under the door, illuminating the dark second-floor landing. The rest of the lodge was buttoned up, and everything else was quiet.
Alaric moved a chair so it sat opposite Riggs’ office, then crossed his arms again, his bright, Elandor-infused eyes fixed on the door, as though he could already hear whatever was happening behind it.
He probably could. I was ashamed to admit that I hadn’t asked him exactly what he could do as a shifter—other than shift, which he couldn’t yet, not until he regained more strength.
I knocked lightly. “Alpha Riggs? It’s Everly.”
The door immediately opened, and he didn’t looksurprised to see me. I made a face. “Was I really that loud?”
And I’d tried to be so quiet!
Alpha Riggs chuckled softly. “No, but I have really good hearing. A fair sense of smell, too. I could smell you coming.”
I scrunched my nose. “I’m really not liking that there are no biological secrets among shifters.”
He chuckled warmly again, gave his Prime a respectful nod, and ushered me into his office.
It was warm and masculine, filled with rich wood tones, a bookshelf covering one wall, a large desk, and several comfortable-looking chairs.
After we were both seated, he said, “What can I do for you, my queen?”
I blinked, startled by the title.
He smiled but waited patiently for me to explain why I was barging into his office in the wee hours of the morning.
I blew out a breath and held up my phone. “Look,” I began hesitantly, “I’m not sure if this is a taboo subject. I don’t really know, and to be honest, I didn’t take the time to ask Alaric—but I have a cupid on the phone. I’d like to ask your permission for her to come here right now with her mate, Mesmer, and I’d like to ask her to take you on as one of her assignments.”
My voice never rose above a whisper, but by the look on Alpha Riggs’ face, it might as well have been as loud as a bell tolling in the town square.
His expression showed pure shock, then it crumpled, and he closed his eyes, fighting for control. He bowed his head. There was a hush in the room—a palpable stillness, thick with pain.
The silence stretched long and heavy. I could hear only my own breathing. Even Indie was quiet on the phone. We all waited.
When Alpha Riggs finally looked up, tears filled his eyes, glowing ice blue with the presence of his bear.
“Thank you, my queen,” he said hoarsely, his voice rough and raw from emotion.
I nodded, then held the phone to my ear. “Can you come, Indie?”
Instead of answering, she and Mesmer blinked into the office, and I jumped, startled. I knew she could teleport instantly—I’d seen her do it—but I hadn’t expected her to bethatfast.
Indie immediately held out a hand to Alpha Riggs while Mesmer took up a position against the wall. He, too, was fully dressed at this early hour, and I wondered idly if anyone slept anymore.
I palmed my phone and headed for the door, intending to give them privacy.
