“We are.”
She blinked again, slower this time. Sure, she might’ve been crushing on him a bit while he’d worked as her enforcer, and yeah, he was something to look at with that hard body, but he’d always been cranky. Oh, she’d felt his gaze on her but had figured it was part of his job. Nobody needed to know about those dreams of him naked that haunted her. She was a total dork when it came to males, and this one was more male than anybody she’d ever met. “Caidrik. You don’t even like me.”
“Sure, I do. I mean, you’re a pain in the ass, and this whole thing is stupid. But the pack needs a strong leader, and I like it here. I like the people. And I do like you.”
“You just called me a pain in the ass.”
His shoulders were seriously wide. “Doesn’t mean you’re not likable,” he said, unfazed. His attention shifted to the tea. “What is this?”
“Just drink it.”
He shrugged, picked it up, and tossed it back without hesitation, just like his brother had. “Huckleberry.” He considered the cup. “Tastes good. Thanks.”
She sipped as well before concentrating. “Now how about you take back your stupid claim that we’re going to mate?”
“I don’t think so.” His chin lowered. “What do you want for the pack, Nadia?”
She paused. He was the only one to ask her what she wanted. Or what she thought. “I want them to have a strong leader who protects them. We’ve been attacked too much lately.” She warmed to the subject. “Plus, someone forward thinking who’ll add farming land and let the younger wolves explore the world a little bit before coming home.”
“I want that, too.”
She poured him more of the tea since he seemed to like it. While tension rolled off all five of the contenders, and obviously they all wanted to get to the challenges, Caidrik seemed more relaxed and kicked back. “You don’t need me by your side.” Although, she wanted the job. Wanted to keep the Alpha position in her family.
“Not true. Your family gives the entire situation legitimacy and continuity.” He drank the second cup. Solomon would be so pleased.
She huffed. “I know why I want your brother dead. Why do you?”
Caidrik’s chin lifted. “That’s irrelevant and not worth worrying about. Just plan to mate me, and we’ll deal with the aftermath of my killing that bastard at a later date.”
So much for them being on the same page. “I don’t like you.” She knew it was a lie even as the words left her mouth.
“Yeah, you do.” Caidrik reached for her hand, unfolding her fingers easily with his larger ones. The contact sent awareness racing up her arm and settling deep in her chest, sharp and unwelcome, and impossible to ignore.
Her breath hitched before she could stop it. “Why would you want to mate me?” she asked, her voice warmer than she intended.
“I like this pack,” he said. “I like it here, and I can make it strong. The other contenders aren’t tough enough. And your bloodline makes it permanent. You’re needed.” His gaze stayed on hers. “Plus, you like it here too.”
“I do,” she admitted. “I love it here, but I won’t be forced to mate anyone.”
His hand was unbelievably hot around hers. “You already agreed. That means it isn’t forced.”
“Don’t get logical with me,” she said. “You know how stupid this is.”
“Yeah,” he said calmly. “But it’s what I want.” He sighed, his gaze burning. “I tried to stay away from you, but there’s something here, and you know it. I’m the best to protect this pack…and you. I know you deserve better, but I’m what you’ve got. I want you, Nadia. Have since the first moment I saw you.”
The simplicity of his statement hit harder than any argument. Want. Basic needs. Not love. His gaze didn’t waver.
“What about what I want?” she asked.
He pulled her toward him, lifting her partway from the chair with ease. “I know what you want.” He pressed a hard kiss to her mouth.
Desire burned through her faster than thought, erasing protest before it could fully form.
When he pulled back, his grin was wicked. “See?”
Chapter 3
Caidrik escorted Nadia with a guiding hand at the small of her back. Man, she was tiny. He could sense the silver still in her system and would kill Bulwark for that alone. Although he had plenty of other reasons to want his brother dead.
