“Ko’s got the girl. You’ve got the wolf. Just. Do. It.”
I let out a dramatic sigh, the kind that could’ve won an Oscar forMost Put-Upon Brother in a Supporting Role.
“Now I’m a babysitter. Perfect. Just what I always wanted. Can’t wait to put this on my moon-damned resume.”
Sliding the safeties back on my pistols, I re-holstered them, then knelt down, trying not to startle the pup. It growled again and dragged its body out of the duffle, standing protectively over the girl.
“Noctem maledicta,” Ko mumbled as we all stared at it.
Fur dirty, marred with scars, and matted with dried blood. Ribs far too prominent. Less than half the weight it probably should be. Plenty of teeth, though, sharp and strong, that it bared at me as I crept closer.
“Oh, c’mon, fuzzy,” I groaned. “We’re helping you and your mommy, and you’re giving us attitude?”
It growled louder this time, a snarl that would’ve been frightening if it wasn’t so pitiful. Poor thing had been beat all to hell, just like the girl. And for much longer than just today. Infection didn’t set in instantly. Starvation took time. Scars happenedafterinjuries.
Rage swelled in my chest, spreading in little fractals through my veins—
“Focus, Z,” I heard Cas from a great distance. “Not here. Not now.”
After a moment, I nodded and stretched out my fist for the wolf to smell. It glared at me, then bared its teeth again.
“I’m trying to be a hero here, wolfie! I don’t need lip from a walking dust bunny!”
Despite its size, I figured it was too weak to do too much damage if it bit me, so I scooped it up, cradling it in my arms. It was like holding a furry sack of bones that was all legs and tail. In seconds, its head lolled against my shoulder, body trembling and eyes cloudy with pain.
“It’s a boy!” I called out after a quick peek.
“Congratulations,” Cas said through his teeth.
“Listen, fuzzer, we’re trying to help your friend here. Can you tell us what happened?” I waited, but he just stared at me. Something was off with him. Dires could talk to anyone, but this guy only seemed confused. “Perfect. A mute dire wolf. Because this day wasn’t already a fang-rotted dumpster fire.”
Yeah, this was supposed to be an arranged marriage. A deal, a duty, some political game we were forced to play. But staring at the girl’s battered body and the fragile pup in my arms, I had a feelingthings were about to get a whole lot more complicated than any of us had planned.
Ko lifted the girl as he stood, his movements careful, almost reverent. The pup growled again, but it didn’t fight when I held him tight to my chest, careful not to hurt him, but needing him still while we figured this out.
Then a single word from Ko, and the whole world fell apart.
“Beloved?”
#
Koa
I cradled the girl closer and felt the weight of responsibility settle onto my shoulders. Unlike Cas, I knew this girl wasn’t a maid or a plant. She was our bride.
Which meant this wasn’t just another assignment anymore. It was personal. Someone hadmadeit personal when they hurt her.
Even if she was only our pretend wife, she wasours, and nobody touched what was ours.
My thumb brushed against her cheek, a gentle attempt to rouse her from unconsciousness. Her eyelids fluttered, like the wings of a bird in distress, and then, suddenly, they were open.
Dove-gray, they met mine, and the world around us melted away.
“Beloved,” I whispered.
“What did you say?” Cas moved closer, his broad shoulders squared like he was about to charge into battle. His stern face softened as he leaned down, his green eyes locking with hers as he gasped, “Beloved!”
“Beloved?” Zane shrieked. “Are you two fucking around with me? There’s nobelovedin our fang-rotted, moon-damned reality!”
