Jared sniffed. “Only because they lack imagination.”
“Jared,” Xavier said through clenched teeth. “If you don’t tell me right now what you want and promise to return them, I will throw this cat at you.”
Mrs. Fluffington jumped down and then raced off to the other side of the room.
Jared laughed hysterically, pounding the table as he struggled for air.
Xavier would’ve found the situation equally funny if Jared hadn't stolen those he considered his. Instead, he kicked Jared in the shin… hard.
“Ow!” Jared stopped laughing and wiped away the tears in his eyes. “Okay, okay. I thought we could have a nice conversation over coffee and cats, but you haven’t grown more patient.”
Xavier had the patience of a saint when it came to his mentor, but not so much for brothers who had become kidnappers. It didn’t seem relevant to mention it. Jared took offense when his crimes were pointed out.
“What do you want?” he said with a growl that would’ve made the wolf pack proud.
“I want the dryads.”
“No.” There was no way he was going to give his brother more people.
“Hear me out.” He held up his hands as if to stop Xavier’s words. “If I’m there right as the Grove’s transferred over, they will be at their magical peak. Melcori is only thinking of the gems' monetary worth. He doesn’t understand how much magic can be channeled into them at various stages. If I’m there when Rance creates the next Grove, I can grab them at the right time.”
Xavier folded his arms and leaned on the table. “If you explained that to Melcori, he would have worked with you. Why did you kidnap Kat? You can ask for the gems in payment already. Why did you need to interfere?”
“Because I want you to blood infuse them.”
“No.” Xavier didn’t even hesitate.
“Even if it means I’ll harm your Kat?”
Xavier rubbed his hand over his heart. It ached fiercely. “Hurting Kat won’t get you your way. To kill a mate is a crime, and both the shifter council and the Blood Mage council will hunt you down. I will be without a mate, but you will die because, trust me, if anything happens to my mate, I don’t care what beast you are at the time. I will kill you.”
“Wow, I got chills.” He held out his arm to show the goosebumps. “Besides, I said nothing about killing him. There are a lot of ways I can torment your mate, even if I just keep you apart. There are many ways that no guild or pack will get involved. I’ll tell them it’s a family matter.” He offered another cheery smile.
Xavier offered one back. “The Moon Pack considers Kat one of theirs. If he’s not returned, I’ll tell them who has him.”
Jared swallowed convulsively. “The Moon Pack. I thought they were just watching him. I mean, I know that they have non-wolves, but they all are bonded into the pack. You’re not a Moon Pack member.”
“Anthony is working very closely with Kat and accepted him. He’s under Pack protection.” He didn’t know if that was true or not. He was hoping to resolve the situation without involving anyone else.
“Fuck.” Jared raked his fingers through his hair. “How did I not know that?”
“He lives on Moon Pack land.” Xavier had a petty flash of glee over his brother losing his shit.
“I thought he was renting.”
“Give. Him. Back.”
“But… that ruins my plans.” He pouted.
“What is this master plan of yours?” Xavier was quickly losing his limited patience.
“To have you use your Blood Magic to infuse the protection runes I will carve into the dryad gems. I have many enemies, and this will keep me safe.”
“No, you idiot, the runes will be stronger if I infuse them with the magic of the person who wants protection. If I use my blood, it will protect me, not you.”
“Oh.” Jared leaned back in his chair. “I’ve been overcomplicating things.” He took another sip of coffee. “How about I return your mate and the dryad, and you do the runes for me? I’ll talk to Melcori about being there when the gems are freed.”
“Wait.” Xavier held up his hand. “Are you telling me you kidnapped my mate and blackmailed my Master, all so you can have more protection against your enemies?”
