Frank snorted. “No. Hate indoors.”
“That’s what I figured.” Caidrik looked around. “Don’t kill anybody, all right?” He turned and followed the women back inside. The living room felt smaller with his mother in it, as if the space itself had adjusted around her. Nadia had already seated her on the sofa. Helena politely refused tea and coffee with a wave of her hand.
Caidrik took a chair across from them. “Mom,” he said, “what are you doing here?”
Nadia shifted slightly at his tone.
Helena smiled at him. The grin was familiar. Mischievous. Dangerous. “I heard that you and your brother might fight to the death, so I thought I’d come stop it.”
Nadia lifted a hand to her mouth, then let it fall. Her eyes flicked to Caidrik for help.
He kept his tone as level as he could. “Bulwark threw Nadia, the Nightsom heir, off a cliff. He tried to kill her. I don’t have a choice.”
Helena blinked rapidly. “You must have some sort of choice. Come on. You’re going to be the Alpha, right? Or at least one of you is.”
“Bulwark isn’t,” Nadia cut in quickly. “He violated the rules when he tried to end my life.”
“Well,” Helena said thoughtfully, “it’s probably for the best that Bulwark doesn’t lead a pack this size or with this much strength. He always did have a terrible temper.”
Caidrik closed his eyes for half a second. This was going to be a very long conversation.
“I’m not sure Bulwark is made to be an Alpha,” Helena said thoughtfully. She sat back on the sofa, crossing one elegant ankle over the other, her scarlet skirt pooling neatly around her boots.
Caidrik remained across the room in a hard-backed chair near the window, arms folded, weight forward on his elbows. He watched everything. Especially Nadia. Sure, he figured she’d meet his mother someday, if he became the Alpha and mated her. But right now, everything was up in the air, and he didn’t need one more complication.
Helena tilted her head. “Bulwark would make an excellent enforcer though. Loyal. Ruthless when needed. Do you think he could serve as your enforcer?”
“No,” Caidrik said without hesitation. “He tried to kill Nadia, and he wants me dead. I don’t trust him.”
Nadia glanced at him, then back to Helena. She looked like a new fawn who’d discovered a salt lick. Entranced and wary at the same time.
Helena nodded slowly. “Yes. Bulwark is far more like his father than I ever wanted.” She leaned forward and rested her hand briefly on Nadia’s knee, the touch light and proprietary. “I didn’t do a good job with either of my mates. They were brothers, and I fell for Caidrik’s father right after Bulwark’s passed on, and he later died, as well. It’s important to mate with the right male, dear. Please keep that in mind.”
Nadia blinked. Then she smiled. Just a little. “I’ll remember that.”
Caidrik exhaled through his nose.
Helena continued, unfazed. “McGregors are exciting. Dangerous. Sexy. The entire line comes with a certain appeal.”
Nadia swallowed once. “I’m starting to notice.”
Helena chuckled. “Be careful. I went for excitement instead of stability. I loved their fathers, truly, but they weren’t good males. Although, they were both sexy. Real bad boys.”
“I understand,” Nadia said. She didn’t sound shaken. She sounded thoughtful. “It’s kind of you to come all this way.”
“I’m staying,” Helena replied easily. “I booked a room at the bed-and-breakfast in town.”
Holy crap. Caidrik shook his head.
“That place is lovely,” Nadia said, clearly ignoring him. She looked around the room. “You’re more than welcome to stay here, if you’d like.”
Panic heated through Caidrik, and he moved his weight on the delicate chair, searching for the right words.
Helena waved her off. “Sweetheart, with my sons circling each other, distance is wise. I should stay in more of a neutral area where I can do the most good. It’s a mother’s duty, you know.”
“That makes sense,” Nadia said, nodding, her tone bemused. Her gaze slid toward the front of the house. “I noticed you have enforcers. What pack do you travel with?”
“I’m the Alpha of the Nightvein Pack.” Helena held her head up proudly.
