Page 118 of A Whisper in the Dark

“Worried about my investment is more like,” he snorted, unable to help himself. “You forced me back into this, Odin. You sure as hell can’t leave me in it alone. Make sure nothing happens to you out there. Period.”

Vetle was gaping at him a little, but Hunter didn’t tear his unwavering gaze off of Snow.

After a moment, Snow made a sound akin to a purr and said, “Yes, my Little Huntsman, anything for you.”

A shiver raced down Hunter’s spine before he could help it, because it’d been clear what Odin had wanted to call him just now. What he’d meant. Little Whisper was written in his eyes as he watched him, that smirk still curving his lips.

The reminder of what they were to each other had something coiling in Hunter’s chest. He wished it was a mere physical reaction, but it wasn’t like his dick was instantly hard or anything. No, instead his mind played back memories of this morning, when the two of them had sat down for breakfast and laughed over how Odin’s eggs had been overcooked. Stupid, small events like that one, ones that a couple would experience together and not a Brumal Dominus and his captive.

Damn it. Did Hunter really even actually think of Odin as his captor anymore?

Was he?

It’d been months since his first arrival here, and yet it still felt like things were moving too quickly.

Fortunately, Loni broke through the tension by clearing her throat.

“When do you expect to hear back from Wren?” she asked softly, sending Hunter a quick sideways glance that had him thinking she’d known and had been helping him out.

She was starting to grow on him.

“Any time now,” Odin said, “so long as he isn’t too busy messing around.”

The twins shared a secretive look but neither of them spoke.

Hunter was interested to find that he wanted in on whatever it was they knew, and not because he thought for even a second it could be something useful to him. Just because he was curious.

When was the last time he’d cared about the goings on in anyone else’s life but his own? On the run, doing so might have cost him, so he’d taken to avoiding making friends or relationships of any kind.

Vetle’s multi-slate dinged and he checked a message, slowly rising to his feet. “We’ve got a new shipment arriving at the docks in an hour and they’ve asked that I be there to receive it.”

“Still lingering problems after what happened with the Southwicks?” Corbi glowered.

“Yeah,” he made a disgusted sound, “damn family. Should have wiped them out sooner.”

“Do what you have to do,” Odin waved them all off, “we’ll dismiss this for now.”

Chapter 12:

Hunter didn’t have to be told that he wasn’t included in the dismissal, staying put by the window while the others poured out of the room.

Odin watched him while they waited, an enigmatic expression written across his devilish face. He’d dyed his hair again. This time a deep blue shade that made the silver jewelry lining his ears stand out even brighter. The rings on his fingers dinged against the smooth surface of the table as he strummed them against the wood, clearly pondering over something and sorting out how he was going to word it.

“Should I sing a song in the meantime?” Hunter finally proposed, making sure a thread of irritation slipped into his tone. “While you figure out whatever it is you’re trying to figure out?”

“Do you remember—”

“Gods.” He rolled his eyes and tipped his head back against the cool glass of the window, keeping it there as he stared up at the light gray ceiling. “Can we not?”

“Why? Already tired of me, Huntsman?”

“What I’m tired of, Snow,” without moving his head his eyes slid back to him, “is discussing things we cannot change. You’re the one who said as much before, remember?”

“Doesn’t it make you nervous?” Odin tilted his chin. “Isn’t that why you asked for exclusivity as one of your terms for the mating?”

For a second all he could do was frown, unsure what the man was referring to before it finally hit him and he snorted. “You mean because you were with Isa yet clearly into me back then? No. It doesn’t make me nervous.”

“Are you lying?”

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