Did she speak when I wasn’t paying attention?
“You’re right, little seer,” Cael says, his accent curling around the nickname in a way I strongly dislike. “That isn’t very original at all.”
Oh. He’s amused by her comment.
Fine.
Actually, not fine.
I do not care for him to beamusedat all.
He glances at me, his eyebrow arching like he’s heard me. I wish that were the case. Alas, Cael’s mental talents are a lot more complex than simple mind reading. But he can surely feel the furious energy rolling off of my aura.
Of course, in typical Cael fashion, the bastard just smirks and returns his attention to Ashlyn. “Regardless, I’m glad you’re okay, darling. I’ll be sure to pass on your good health to Ivana; she was most concerned about your disappearance.”
Ashlyn winces. “Yes, please do. I didn’t mean to scare everyone.”
“Then perhaps you shouldn’t have involved yourself in the mating program and played the part of martyr,” I mutter.
She and Cael both look at me.
“Without her sacrifice, Tadhg might still be alive,” Cael informs me, a hint of dominance underscoring his tone.
“I’m aware of that,Your Majesty.” I lean back in my chair, not wanting to engage in this foolishness with him. “But she also put herself in jeopardy.”
“Which was a bold and dangerous choice,” he returns. “And also brave.”
“I know.” I’m not arguing against any of that. “I’m merely pointing out that if she wished not toscare anyone, she should have considered not involving herself in the situation. That’s all.”
“You’re chastising me for a decision that saved countless lives,” Ashlyn interjects, her expression fierce as I look at her. “You didn’t see the potential outcomes, the future that awaited all of my friends. I will forever sacrifice myself for those I care about, something you would be wise to remember,Alpha Grey.”
She pushes away from the table, her gaze bouncing between me and Cael.
“I’m exhausted, so I’m going to make this last part brief,” she says. “I don’t know where Nikiski is, only that I’m destined to help Alpha Grey find her.”
Her gaze turns to me, the haunted gleam in her blue depths giving me pause.
“And the ‘cryptic notes’ in my journal that you mentioned earlier were from visions I’ve had of our future together,” she tells me. “I’ve written down what I know. I’ll let you know when I see more.”
With that, she walks toward the bedroom and shuts herself inside.
3
GREY
Cael releasesa chuckle under his breath, the sound grating on my nerves. “I really wish I could stay and watch how this all unfolds,” he muses. “Our little seer is a firecracker.”
“She’s notours,” I tell him again.
But one look his way confirms he’s just trying to piss me off.
“Yes, the commentary earlier, plus all the growling, made that clear.”
“I haven’t growled.”
“You have,” he informs me, his bright eyes glittering with knowledge. “Perhaps not vocally, but the growl was felt.” He cocks his head. “It’s a good thing I like you too much to accept that challenge from your wolf.”
I scoff at that. “I wasn’t challenging you, and if I was, we both know I’d win.”
