Gerrick raised a finger. “Actually, I think it’s Fro—”
“You were letting him watch adult shows.” Tenia cut him off and practically growled at Myanin. “With language and violence that was entirely inappropriate for a six-year-old.”
“I think we’re a tad off topic,” Lilly cut in, but Myanin just kept going.
“And he was becoming a better fighter because of it. But now he’s learning how to sing ridiculous songs and talk to snowmen.” The djinn snorted. “Great parenting move, Tenia.”
Tenia ground her teeth. “Fine. No cotton candy.”
“Ohh, sounds like there’s a story behind this little drama.” Claude purred. “Do tell. It’s not like we’re going anywhere, and I’m bored.”
“Oh, you’re going somewhere,” Dillon assured the vampire. “I’m just waiting on the go-ahead from the alpha.”
Claude’s eyes took on a hooded quality as he looked at Dillon. “I thought you were an alpha.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Myanin saw Lilly pinch the bridge of her nose. “And now we’re reverting to adolescent mean girls.”
Dillon shook his head and chuckled. “Do you really think I’m so insecure? It doesn’t bother me that the Great Luna has seen fit to put a leader over all the packs. Taunting me as if I’m a pup won’t work.”
“E for effort, though.” Tanya gave Claude a thumbs-up, and her voice was so perky she sounded like she was speaking to a child who had tried to draw a dinosaur and ended up with a deformed turkey instead.
“Did Fane say how long he expected us to keep him alive?” Gerrick addressed the warlock queen. “Now that we know Cain is trying to make hybrids, what more do we need?”
“Fane didn’t mention it the last time we spoke,” Lilly answered. “I imagine there are lots of pieces in play, and he must take care with his moves, including decisions about who needs to die and when. We also don’t yet have the location of Cain’s new hideout where he is performing his so-called experiments.”
Gerrick smirked. “If you talk to the alpha again, please let him know I’m happy to dispense of this piece.” He nodded toward Claude.
Myanin glanced at her mate. “Are you feeling bloodthirsty? I know this thing between us is still relatively new, but um … I’d be lying if I said that didn’t turn me on.”
Dillon coughed, and Tenia cursed under her breath.
Gerrick smirked. “Noted.”
Myanin laughed as she balanced the tip of her blade on her finger, holding it straight up and down.
“Did you hit your head when I wasn’t around or something? Because you seem even more unstable than usual.”
“Is that even possible, Tenia?” Skender stalked into the room.
Tenia looked at her wolf mate. “Good point.”
Skender pointed to Claude. “What are we doing with him?”
“Everyone keeps asking that,” Tanya pointed out. “And I’ve given what I thought was a decent idea. But nobody wants to play. They just want to off him.”
Myanin tilted her head at the Colorado female alpha. “I didn’t know you were so wicked. We should hang out more.”
Dillon shook his head as he pulled out his phone. “Not happening,” he muttered. “Let’s find out if Fane has any more information that can help us move this thing along.” A moment later, a ring filled the room. Dillon had put the phone on speaker, so they’d all be able to hear the conversation. As if the other’s supernatural hearing wouldn’t have kept it from being a private discussion, which meant he did it for her benefit. Dumb, nice werewolf. Myanin didn’t like liking people, and she found that more and more, she was actually liking more of them.
“Dillon.” Fane’s voice filled the space.
“You’re on speaker,” Dillon told him. “Claude is in the room with us. As is the warlock queen.”
Myanin figured Dillon had pointed Lilly’s presence out as a way to show the queen respect. They were in her territory, yet it was Dillon calling Fane instead of her.
“Noted. Does Tenia think there is any way we can use him?” Fane’s voice sounded urgent as he spoke.
Myanin’s eyes jumped to her friend.
