They entered to find Max talking to Paz.
Kraft’s eyes narrowed.
Max chuckled. “I talk to animals, but they never seem to talk back.” His gaze frosted over when he noticed the lycan in Kraft’s arms. “When they do, all they say are lies.”
Kraft let Antonia go, and she quickly shifted back into her human form. The female was attractive. Slender where Riley was muscular, more demure where Riley was dominant.
Hazel eyes stood out in a light-brown face, her long, dark hair pulled back to expose a cascade of curls dangling from a clip. Pretty and perturbed, she shot Max a look filled with annoyance and guilt Kraft doubted she wanted anyone to see.
Max didn’t notice, too intent on punishing the dire. “Where is it?”
She took a step back and bumped into Kraft.
Max stalked toward her. Kraft waited to see what he might do, eager to learn more about Riley’s kin. But he only lined up the runes, no attack toward the enemy yet.
Kraft felt the familiar magic ofI’m Not Homesettle over everyone and waited.
“No one can hear you scream, Antonia.” Max sounded more threatening than Kraft had ever heard, and Antonia’s eyes widened. “Kraft was just telling me how long it’s been since he’s fed.”
She had the sense to be afraid, her fear delicate on the air.
Finally.A lycan remembered Kraft was the top predator around here. Hmm. That had taken way too long. Maybe Riley was changing him. He hadn’t killed anyone in two days.
Kraft sneered at Antonia, his teeth bared, and watched her pale. He did his best not to laugh when Paz tried to out-sneer him and flashed a baby tooth at her.
Fortunately, her gaze remained on Kraft. She took a step back and ran into Max.
“Not this time, liar.”
Her eyes narrowed, and she twisted out of his hold and nearly took out his eye with a nail. But Max wasn’t having it. He struck out and grabbed her by the neck, holding her off her feet.
Nice catch.Pax approved.
So did Kraft, until Max dropped her and warned her to behave.
What the hell is that?Paz’s ears went back.He’s acting like a huge simp.
Kraft frowned. “What’s a simp?”
Max flushed. “Fuck off, vamp.”
“What? I’m serious.”
“It’s when a human male will do anything for a girl he likes,” Max said through gritted teeth.
Yes, just like you and the berserker.Paz smirked.
“Fuck off, cat.”
Antonia stared, confused. “Why are you talking to the cat?”
“Why is he talking to me?”
She narrowed her gaze on Paz. “He doesn’t feel like a cat, does he?”
“Forget the cat,” Max growled. “Where the hell is the artifact you stole?”
She ignored him. “Hold on. Max? A simp?” She blinked. “You think Max likesme?” She laughed so hard she cried. “He tried using me to get to my father and now acts like he’s upset I turned the tables on him.”
