He wished he could talk to Otto on the phone and have Katy in the same room, so he might have the chance of hearing her voice.He just wanted to hear it one more time.Gage waited for the dots to appear, but the screen remained painfully blank.He set the device on his lap, when what he wanted to do was launch it across the room.
Link’s phone vibrated, and he looked at the screen.His lips tightened across his face.“Azure wants to know if I’m on my way.”
Gage stared at the Shaman.His mind was a mess of wolf rage and man’s fear.He could hardly think clearly.
“Tell him yes.”
“And what should I say about you?I could tell him you decided to stay behind, or Nox ordered it.”
“I doubt he’ll believe it.”
“Why are you old men up here when all the females are back there?”a male voice said.
Gage closed his eyes and cursed under his breath.The Beta.Nox must hate him.That’s all there was to it.The Alpha was trying to drive him mad.
“Oh, by the way, I don’t know if you saw him get on the plane, but Nox sent Justice,” Link pointed out unnecessarily.
“Dire.”Justice had the swagger and confidence of a male twice his age.It was why he was the second-in-command of the Kingdom of Fangs.Dominance dripped off him like a living thing.
“That shit doesn’t work on me, Beta,” Gage reminded the wolf.“Knock it off.”Also, Justice’s youth made him do stupid stuff, like attempt to see if he was suddenly more dominant than Gage—a dire more than twice his age.Fool.
“Can’t help it.”Justice took a seat across from him.“Usually it doesn’t get you ruffled.This time I actually got a reaction.”
“He just found out his mate was bitten by Otto, alennserin Azure’s kingdom.And when it doesn’t kill her, Azure will use her to fuel an evil voodoo spell to make animi out of human women he’s captured,” Link offered.“So, he’s a little off his stoic game.”
Justice’s eyes widened.“Damn.Nox did not mention any of that.He just said to get on the plane and not piss you off.”
“You failed the second part,” Gage said flatly.“Well done.Your parents must be proud.”
Link coughed and ran a hand over his mouth, but Gage couldn’t even take pleasure in the insult.He needed Otto to text him back.
“Did you respond to Azure?”
Link nodded.“He thinks it’s just me and Justice.”
Gage wondered if that would throw the Snake King off.Would it be enough to confuse him so Gage could slip in and get Katy?Would Azure even keep her at the mansion?There wasn’t anywhere else on the property to keep her.The mansion was in an old part of town, and the lots were small.He’d have taken her to one of his clubs if he did move her.
Had Azure gotten a hold of Otto’s phone?Was the little lizard out of commission?What about Slick?
Gage’s hands were moving immediately, sending off a text to Slick.
Gage: Is Katy still there at the mansion, or did Azure take her?Where is Otto?I can’t get him to respond.Give me some information so I know what I’m coming into.
He held his breath and let it out when dots appeared.“Thank Visata.”
Slick: As far as I know, Azure has not left the mansion, so Katy must still be here.We will see if we can figure out where he’s put her.She’s not in her room.
Gage wanted to ask what the hell Slick was doing in her room, but that could wait until after she was safe and by his side.
Gage: Thank you.Please don’t let any harm come to Otto.
That request would probably shock Slick, but Gage gave zero cares.Katy and Otto had clearly built a bond.And now Otto had been forced to bite his mistress.He would feel as if he’d betrayed her.Just one more thing for Azure to pay for.
“Dude, I’ve told you before not to smile.You give off serial killer vibes.You’re going to have cops harassing you just because people call them to tell them some guy is giving them the creeps.”
Gage’s mouth fell as he looked at the younger wolf.“Still haven’t found your mate?”It was a low blow.But it was all he had at the moment.
“Because of the circumstances”—Justice narrowed his brown eyes—“I’m going to give you a pass on that one.”
