“Hurry up. And you, lycan—”
“My name is Riley.”
“See to your partner’s well-being. A good dog sees to his master’s needs.” Orion left on that note.
Riley’s anger washed from her pores like a heady perfume that went straight to Kraft’s head. And other parts.
“Dog?Master?” she fumed.
Kraft darted from the bed but took a little longer than usual to shower, in no hurry to end his private time with Riley.
“Would you hurry up?” she yelled from her spot on the loveseat, pretending like she didn’t want to look at him drying off then slowly getting dressed.
Finally clothed and ready to go, he paused after opening the bedroom door. “Oh hell. Did Orion say the cat is back?”
“Yes, why?”
“No reason.” Except that the demon inside the kitten hadn’t been pleased when Kraft had thrown him to that hungry ogre last week.
This meeting would not go well. He could feel it.
CHAPTERTWELVE
Kraft walkedinto the living room with Riley at his side. To his relief,noteveryone was present.
Only Mormo, Orion, and Varu remained in the living room talking. Upon seeing him and Riley, Mormo said, “Rolf and Khent are on a job. Duncan and Macy are active with something for MEC, and Kaia and Fara are working.” Kaia, Orion’s mate, worked as a librarian at an archive, and Fara had been doing some power gem consulting for some fae friends of Mormo’s.
Kraft sensed Mormo’s gaze and realized silence had fallen. Mormo stared, and Kraft had the impression he was supposed to say something, especially when Riley just watched him, waiting.
Mormo shook his head, his lips pinched with disappointment. “I don’t believe everyone’s been acquainted.”
Oh, right. Introductions.
Mormo continued, “Riley, you already met Orion.” He turned to Varu. “Varu, this is Riley, the lycan who’s going to help us. Riley, meet Varujan of the Night Bloode, the clan’s patriarch.”
She visibly stiffened but didn’t cower in any way. “Hello, Varujan. I met your mate, Fara.”
Varu nodded but didn’t show any expression. Kraft had to admit he looked intimidating even if you did know him.
“She seemed nice,” Riley said.
“Too nice for him, you mean,” Kraft added, never one to bow to anyone, least of all his leader.
Orion coughed but didn’t manage to hide his laughter.
Varu frowned at Kraft. “My mate is lovely without compare.”
“I guess.” Kraft said, just to annoy the strigoi, “I bet Riley could take her in a fight, though.”
Riley glared at him, and he could almost hear her telling him to stop talking. But Orion seemed to think a fight would be a good idea.
“We should throw them in the gym and see them go at it.” The vryko’s eyes narrowed as he looked Riley over.
“I don’t—”
Orion interrupted her. “I wonder how Macy would hold up in a battle. Think about it. A lycan, an elf, and a witch. Macy gets pretty annoyed easily, and it’s obvious Riley’s super irritating. I mean, she’s lycan.”
“Do you always talk over your guests?” Riley asked, her voice like ice.
