Page 10 of The Wolf King's Demand

Louis grinned and made a peace sign with his hand. “Calm yourself. They’ve taken all the children to a shed in the back of the cave tunnel. At least until they sort out what to do next. Her guards are still with her. It should be the safest place for them right now, though we seem to have everything under control out here.”

Tyler flashed a relieved smile, rushed to Louis, and gave him a big hug. “Man, I do not know what I’d do without you, you wonderful wolf.” The alpha slapped Louis on his back and raced toward the cave-like entrance on the edge of the forest to seek his queen.

Tyler jogged along the wooded trail until he found the sod-covered cave. He slipped through, and about fifty feet on the other side, he laid eyes on the modest hideout. A thin sliver of smoke eschewed from the fieldstone chimney.

Tyler reached the stoop and lightly knocked on the knotty pine door so he didn’t scare them with his arrival. Seconds later, it opened, and there was a small boy, about six years old, smiling up at him. Tyler smiled back. He looked over the top of the boy and saw Addison sitting on a fireside bench, reading a storybook to the children sitting cross-legged or lying about on the floor.

The tiny audience of four children was mesmerized by Addison’s soft lilt and the wondrous tale she told. A few of the guards he had left to supervise Addison were scattered around the outskirts of the room, along with three women he guessed had been kept as slaves.

Tyler noticed one girl in particular. She sat alongside Addison, resting her head on Addison’s bosom, her tiny arms wrapped around her waist.

Louis came up from behind and whispered over his alpha’s shoulder. “That’s the little girl who was abused by her mother. The same one Addison swiftly took out, if you know what I mean.”

Tyler sniffed. Blood. Addison’s blood. He looked at her more closely. She had a swollen lip.

By this time, Addison had sensed Tyler. She jerked her head up to see who was at the door, assuming it was a guard checking in.

For a moment, Addison and Tyler locked eyes. He sensed in her the same intensity that was in his heart.

“Children, how about you rest now? I have a visitor. We will finish the story after your nap.”

The children moaned and grumbled but did as they were told. One of the guards watching from the corner, Declan, handed out blankets he must have retrieved from somewhere in the camp.

Addison rose and came to her king. “Tyler, where have you been?”

Tyler held her chin lightly and turned her face to examine her wound. “Never mind about me. Look at your lip. Are you all right? Do you need the healer to visit you again? I can order her swiftly to meet us at the castle.”

Tyler now knew why he had smelled her blood so easily.

Tyler lightly ran his hands over her arms, feeling for other wounds. Thankfully, there were none.

“Addison, what happened? Who attacked you?”

When Tyler uttered those words, he saw the four resting children suddenly huddling together under their quilts, fear painting their faces where a moment before there had been none.

Addison cupped Tyler’s face and serenely smiled. “I am totally fine, Tyler. Now, if you’re asking about that woman tied up in the corner. She might give you a different response.”

Tyler scanned the small cabin. His eyes homed in on the far right corner on the other side of the fireplace. One of his enforcers stood guard beside the tied-up, but unconscious female splayed out on a wooden cot.

The alpha approached and gazed down at the wench. Addison followed.

“She might need the healer, Tyler,” Addison smirked.

The enforcer broke protocol. He couldn’t help himself. He chuckled and spoke.

“Your queen is one fine woman, My King. She can surely take care of her own. She took down the bear guard at the gate, then kicked some serious ass with this girl despite the wretched hag calling her all sorts of names and threatening the little one over here. I would have done worse if it were me. But your mate knocked her on the noggin to shut her up. Worked like a charm, as you can see.”

Tyler could have glared at the enforcer, ready to scold him for speaking out of turn, but instead flashed him laughing eyes and an approving smile.

The king looked down at his queen. She had left his side to attend to the children, calming them and returning them to their nap.

Hmm … who knew I had a fated mate who was a fighter in her own right? I’m not sure if I should feel pride or offense at feminine competition for my manly duties.

Tyler voiced no words, of course.

He left the unconscious woman and lightly put his hands on Addison’s shoulders. The alpha was too in love and too enamored by his beautiful gladiatrix.

SEVEN

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