Page 108 of Bruised MC Bear
“That is correct. You will know when the time is right.”
Kiera wrinkled her nose. “You should not put out such lures for the strongest witch on the island to bite.”
Reena grumbled. “Don’t let Minassus hear you admit that. He may know it to be true, and he may tell you and others that it is true, but never let him see you as a threat.”
“I think I was enjoying this conversation more when Xander was the topic.”
“As was I.” Reena smirked, her head tilted to the side. “Sorry. I forgot, we all have to kiss your Chosen arse now.”
“I never said that!”
Reena’s hazel eyes narrowed behind her glasses. “No, and you would not. But resentment comes with the territory.”
“Thanks for always having my back,” Kiera mumbled, not without a little bitterness.
“You should know I do. I am your biggest supporter. That will never change. Just watch your back for Minassus.”
“I will.”
“Excellent. So, getting back to Xander… what’s the plan?”
“Well, I will meet him a few more times before the transformation ceremony.”
“And will you take my advice and live a little?”
Kiera nodded. “Perhaps I will.”
“Are you joking? He’s… a shifter!” Reena whined, this time in a tone dripping with sarcasm.
She was probably the only woman in the fortress who had openly voiced her opinion against the Regent’s treatment of Xander and his men. The only reason she did not face punishment for her views was because of her extraordinary gifts as a botanist, which made her an asset the Regent could not replace.
Well, that was the main reason. The other explanation was that Reena’s late father had the 236-k gene, and thus had been turned with the first batch of shifters. He was killed in action that first year, so fortress residents extended an extra dose of patience to her whenever she started that particular rant against the Regent. Her seventeen-year-old younger brother, Ryan, also had the gene. His eighteenth birthday was in less than a week, which meant that Ryan was included in this year’s cohort of Border Protection Unit trainees slated for transformation.
Kiera left the comment alone.
“So you’re really into him?” Reena asked.
“It’s too early to tell.”
Reena rolled her eyes. “Like hell it is.”
“And you are a beautiful girl who has not spent nearly enough time around men to keep from falling for the first one to come along.”
“You may have a point there, Kiera. You know why? I do not get out much, but when I do, I tend to fall for the first guy that comes along…and the second…and the third.” Reena grinned. “But don’t change the subject. I see it in your eyes, virgin-whore. You. Fancy. Him. Besides, I have seen Commander Oslo. He is gorgeous.” There was no arguing with that statement. Kiera’s cheeks warmed, and she stared outside again. “See?” Reena crowed. “I knew it! You must give him a try!”
“Oh, come on. We need to be realistic. That will never happen. The Regent will never let me out of his sight… I had five of his guards with me.”
“But they waited outside, did they not?”
“Yes, but—”
“But nothing. If you want him badly enough, you can make it happen.”
“Is this what you call slapping me out of it?”
“I never agreed to that part. You should live a little…if the Commander also wants you, which I am certain he does.”
“How would you know? Or are you clairvoyant now? You, my dear, are as bad an influence as Coco! Actually, have you seen her?”
