Quil is shaking, and I hate the fear I can feel through the bond. I snuggle into him, and he relaxes just a bit.
“I had planned to take you to the Rogues after the meeting, but I didn’t know I’d be-”
“Biting me?” I offer when he pauses.
“Right. My father claiming you was unexpected. You were never supposed to be at the meeting, but I knew if you weren’t, Michael might have someone else retrieve you, and I couldn’t let you out of my sight.”
“When did you know about my Dormant Wolf?” I ask, and Coal goes on.
“The day I met with Nero before school. Your father is his Beta, and so when he asked about a Human girl named Delilah… I-”
“What he’s trying to say is Coal freaked the fuck out and tried to kill your father. We had never told Nero the name of the girl we wanted to save, and when Daniel claimed her mother was once his Avowed, Coal went into full-on murder mode. Thankfully, Nero knew the truth, calmed Coal down without killing him, and told us the truth,” Quil says with a smile in his voice.
“I did. But I assumed the worst. I didn’t know what would happen when I bit you, but I would do it again if it meant keeping you out of Michael’s reach,” Coal growls.
“How romantic,” I tease, and he rolls his eyes, but I can see the tension in his shoulders. He had been terrified.
“I had been planning to get you out of there the whole time, but my father has eyes on me at all times. Wolves who enjoy harming Humans,” Coal whispers, and I nod.
“Jessica,” I add, and he nods.
“Yes.”
We’re quiet for a moment, and then Dean brings us all small plates of food, winking at me.
“You’ll need your energy,” he says, and I can’t help but smile. Then he turns to Coal, as Matteo and Dean both sit near us on the floor.
“I met Delilah when I was ten. Back when my father came here all the fucking time to visit yours,” Matteo says, looking down at his food. “He’s not a bad guy, not really. He was just trying to establish peace and thought the only way was to get close to Michael. My father had been one of the first ones Michael had spoken to about the Academy.” The look on Matteo’s face is grim. “He wanted more women. Young women, who were easily accessible. Wolves and Humans alike. If I hadn’t known it would get me close to Delilah again, I would have refused to attend. Knowing Michael’s true intentions.” Matteo looks more bothered by the moment. My sweet Wolf.
“How do you know, Dean?” Quil asks.
“Our fathers have been friends since we were young. Their alliance is long-standing. Dean’s father is a bit less tolerant of Michael, as we all know. When I asked him to help me with Delilah, he didn’t even have to think about the answer. Our plan wasn’t exactly a very good one, I’ll admit. I just knew I needed to get here, have Dean claim Delilah as his Avowed, and go from there. I thought if he claimed her, and then said fuck this shit and dropped out of the Academy, Michael wouldn’t say shit since their packs don’t have any kind of loyalty between them,” Matteo tells us, and I smile softly.
They were all doing more than I knew to protect me. I was never as alone as I believed.
“Tomorrow, Nero is meeting with Michael by the river. Michael thinks the meeting is about Nero demanding aplace for his young Wolves at the Academy, but in reality, we’re going to ambush my father and then kill him. Nero is bait, in a way, but he’s not worried. He’s stronger than Michael in a one-on-one fight. Unfortunately, knowing my father, he won’t be going alone, like he expects Nero to.”
“Who’s killing Michael?” There are a lot of people here that want him dead. Everyone in this room. My mother, Daniel, Nero. But I wonder who gets the honor?
“I will,” all four men say at once, making me smile.
Delilah
“I need to go back to-”
“No,” I interrupt Coal, already knowing what he’s going to say, and I am not allowing it. “You’re one of the smartest men I’ve ever met; why are you being so stupid right now?” I point at him as Quil grips my hips, holding me back as I lean forward.
“What do you mean stupid? If I stay here, then tomorrow at the meeting my father will be on edge, ready for a fight. If I go back tonight, he’ll be distracted. It will be easier to catch him off guard, and I can use the bond to tell you what he’s planning,” Coal argues, but I’m shaking my head.
“No fucking chance. What if he kills you? What if he locks you up, and I can’t get to you? No, no fucking way. Come on, you’re smarter than this.” Coal looks ready to keep pushing, so I launch myself at him. He falls back ontothe floor, as I climb on top of him, and look down into his eyes.
“Delilah, I’ll be fine. He won’t do any of those things.” Coal swallows hard, and I can feel how unsure he is.
“I know you’ll be fine, because you’ll be here with me. I don’t fucking care if Michael brings an elephant wearing full battle armor because he’s so suspicious. You are not leaving my side. I’ll make them tie you up if you even try,” I threaten. Coal is slowly giving in, but the man is so stubborn. He thinks he’s right, but he is dead wrong right now.
“What if…” I whisper, leaning down to kiss him, “Quil sucks your dick while I ride your face?” I tease, and the tension in the air hits a new high.
“Fuck, beautiful. Your words alone are enough to make me come,” Dean groans behind us, as he gets up and moves to the bed with Matteo following soon after. I frown, but Dean just laughs.
