“You keep your animal out of my closet and do not touch my books,” he snapped, beginning to pace.“In fact—stop touching anything that’s mine. If you don’t stop, I will—”
He broke off, a growl ripping out of him.
We both looked up.
It was the wolf.
Was it defending us?
Yes.
I’d laid his clothes out and had Bouda roll on them. No harm in a little fur, dead skin, and whatever dirt we’d picked up outside.
The books had taken longer—turning each one so the spine faced the back of the shelves.
I let him rant. Let him slam his fist against the table.
But he never threatened us again.
And, surprisingly, Bouda didn’t growl at him.
We ignored him until he left.
There was something deeply fulfilling about watching him fracture. When my dad had tried to research him, there’d been very little online. When he spoke to people directly, they clammed up. Aside from a handful of blogger theories, there was nothing of substance.
We’d concluded that people were afraid of him—ordinary people, high-ranking officials, all of them. And I did what I always did: dug my heels in. That decision had ended with my abduction.
Seeing this man crumble one tiny act of sabotage at a time was immensely satisfying.
Almost healing.
???
The following morning, I heard the helicopter arrive—and leave.
It wasn’t supplies; those trips lasted longer. Hopefully, it was him leaving again.
If he fled the island, what would I do to keep myself amused?
I rolled over and went back to sleep.
Because—fuck him.
Chapter 31
Blaidd
They could rot on the island for all I cared. I could live without her scent.
I closed my eyes as the helicopter lifted off. Fenrir didn’t need to remind me that I’d taken some of her dirty undergarments and sealed them in a plastic bag.
I glanced at my suitcase—just to reassure myself it was there.
All three of them were against me now, and I had to remind myself of my goals. My work wasn’t finished yet.
Not until the current prime minister was on board.
I stared out at the endless ocean, already calculating my next steps once I reached London.
