Ulric was in his underwear, and Ezra had some strange déjà vu as he held up his arm to show the goosebumps."I think it's the section farthest away from the house."
Rourke and Ulric exchanged a look, and ice curled around Ezra's heart."Should I come with you?"
"No."Both spoke at the same time.Rourke continued, "But it might be a trap.Get us to go over there and leave the main house unguarded."
Rourke looked at Ezra."The kitten.They know we have wards now, right?"
Ezra shrugged."They might believe you were patrolling your land.I don't think the cat noticed me, and without me there, it could have been part of your normal routine."He tried to remember what he'd picked up on over the years.No one included him in any planning, but it didn't mean information didn't slip out while they were eating and Ezra was nearby.
"They don't know what your routine is."
Rourke nodded."You'll stay with Farkas."
Farkas?He liked Farkas well enough.He came, ate something, and fell asleep, so he couldn't say heknewhim, but he didn't have anything against Farkas.
"His hut is next to the main house.If they plan an attack on the house, I don't want you in it."Rourke turned to Ulric."Wake Geri and Tala."Then he frowned."Wake everyone, but Geri and Tala are going with us.Do you prefer to be in wolf form or human form?"
Ulric shrugged."Doesn't matter."
"Tell Geri and Tala to shift, and we'll go in human.It might be best if you can communicate if they're leaving the territory."
Ezra was stunned.His brain wasn't working, but as Ulric left the room and Rourke moved at a rapid pace, he forced himself to get out of bed.
Rourke tossed him the same jeans he'd worn earlier."Get dressed."
Ezra did as he was told.A little unsteady on his feet as he got underwear and jeans on.Then he grabbed one of the new shirts and tore off the price tag.
"I got you a belt."Rourke tossed a black leather belt with chains hanging on one side.It clinked as Ezra caught it, and he stared at Rourke, who grinned at him.The next second, he was wrapping his arms around Ezra and nuzzled his cheek."Don't think I haven't noticed you were a crow shifter in a former life."
Ezra huffed.
"Everything shiny calls to you."Rourke gave him a quick peck."Ready to go?"
Ezra put the belt on and joy swelled in his chest.Rourke huffed in amusement."Very fetching, love.Come on now."
Rourke walked so fast, Ezra had to jog to keep up with him."What about Harold?"
Rourke stopped abruptly in the middle of the corridor, and Ezra almost tumbled into him."Don't you think he's better off staying in the room than us trying to catch him and taking him to Farkas?"
"But what if they attack?"
Rourke's eyes narrowed."How likely do you think it is they'll attack?"
Before Ezra could reply, Ulric rushed out of his room."I think there is only one left now.I'm not entirely sure, but I think three entered and two left."
Rourke focused on Ezra again."How likely?"
"Not likely.They're more inclined to lure you into a trap.Throwing spells inside a crowded building--" He gestured around them in a circle."--makes it way more likely someone will make a mistake and catch the wrong person than if a battle is fought out in the open.They'll want you on a field where nothing is shielding their view."
Nodding, Rourke started walking again."We leave Harold.He has the good sense of hiding."
Ezra hoped he was right.
Farkas was awake when they arrived at his hut, but Ezra got the feeling it was more due to him not having fallen asleep than anyone waking him.
Rourke explained the situation in clipped words and with an air of dominance.It was the first time Ezra had seen him in full alpha mode.People always listened to him, but now it was like they didn't have a choice.Ezra didn't think they feared him, not like back home where everyone feared Shixyll.They respected him.
Rourke gave him a quick kiss before ushering him into Farkas' home.
