Did Emeric know any of this?
His random comments about how his previous pack had been run made me doubt it.
“They are claiming me as their Alpha. Not the other way around.” Dropping his voice, Braun’s tone eased again. “Magic doesn’t make slaves. This is the first law of pack. I’m not going to quote that old high German because it’s a pain in the ass, but magic doesn’t make slaves. Period.”
That was really good to know and it sounded like some of the authors I’d found needed to hear that lesson.
It seemed to be one he needed to hear too because he turned around and climbed back in the SUV.
That was incredibly unfulfilling.
I wasn’t sure if everyone else felt the same way but they watched in silence as the SUV did a three-point turn and headed back down the road.
Yep, still unfulfilling.
I got a bit of satisfaction as the wolves turned to Braun and waited in utter stillness. He must’ve done something because they all tipped their heads before moving deeper into the woods around the road and then disappeared.
Yep, that was better.
Braun waited for some signal or sense to tell him something because from one moment to the next the rough Alpha was gone and my mate was back. He turned around and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close and resting his head on mine. “He has no idea how the magic of the pack is supposed to work.”
“I don’t know how you’re right but I think you are.” Wrapping my arms around my mate, I let out a long breath. “If this were abook, not that I read those kinds, but if we were living in a book it would’ve been because someone has fucked up their magic system through inappropriate shenanigans or the Alpha is so evil it’s warped the magic.”
Were those even options in the real world?
It was Braun’s turn to sigh. “I have no idea what could’ve gone this wrong.”
We’d figure it out.
“I think we need to get more information from Emeric and then I think you’re going to need to make more calls.” Braun’s groan had me trying not to laugh and hugging him tighter. “Once we’re done, I’ll…I’ll reward you?”
It sounded like the right option but I had to admit to drawing a blank at that point.
Chuckling, Braun leaned down and pressed a kiss right under my ear. “Anything I want, Wölfchen?”
The shiver that raced through me got another wicked laugh from him. “I think that’s a yes, but give your consent, my mate.”
“I consent.” To whatever my naughty mate’s mind could come up with. “I’ll probably be embarrassed first, though.”
“We’ll see.” Straightening, he looked lighter as he glanced around. “We’re going to need to change the plan around. Let’s go get Emeric and we’ll have our conversation first.”
Yes…that couldn’t be put off any longer.
“Then phone calls and then your reward.” Whatever that would be. “You’ll have to let me know how to prepare for it.”
I managed to say that without blushing or sounding awkward, but Braun’s devilish smirk said he’d imagined the naughtiest way to interpret it. “Needy boy.”
Maybe.
We’d gotten up and out of the house so early my old neighbors hadn’t even been dressed as they’d hung out their front doors.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Because I wasn’t just going to randomly start throwing out options just in case…of something. “Let’s go.”
Or I’d end up saying something ridiculous.
Chapter 24
Braun
