added, “Dashkov.”
Interest glittered in his eyes. “Finally embracing your true pack, I see?”
I smiled back serenely. “Well anything is better than being connected to Linden Markham.”
Damien snorted. “He really was a bit of an ass, wasn’t he?”
I didn’t reply. I wasn’t interested in any kind of bonding with Damien, even if I did agree with what he said.
“But he was a useful ass at times,” Damien added with a wink when I didn’t say a word.
“He’s also quite a dead ass,” Nikolai said drolly behind me.
Damien’s eyes moved to him and narrowed. “Your pictures don’t do you justice, Alpha.”
I went still, my gaze slowly inching to Remy’s. He had no idea Nikolai had given his pack to me. That technically I was the Alpha of Narodnaya and over a dozen other packs on the other side of the world.
Remy quickly smothered the small smile that hitched up the corner of his mouth.
“They rarely do,” Nikolai agreed, stepping up to my side.
“We should talk,” Damien said slowly. “We have a mutual friend, I believe.”
Nikolai’s brows rose. “Do we?”
“Don’t play coy,” Damien said, the congenial tone sharpening. “You and my uncle are well acquainted.”
“Yes, we are,” Nikolai agreed, his smile turning feral. “But he is no friend of mine or my pack. I would just as soon fashion a new chandelier from his ribcage.”
Damien hissed and stepped back, glaring at Remy. “Where is my uncle? He was part of our deal.”
“So was Maren,” Remy answered, ice in his tone. “Where is she?”
“Safe,” Damien replied loftily. This was all a game for him. Pretending this was a normal, friendly visit had to be some sort of psychosis.
“You’ll get him when I see Maren.” Remy’s chin lifted a notch in defiance.
“Fine,” Damien snapped. “We’ve arranged transport back to Windale. Buses for your pack members.”
Remy and I both looked at Griffin, who nodded. The buses were safe then. At least we didn’t have to worry about the bus being blown up or some shit by Norwood while we drove the twenty minutes back to where Griffin lived.
“Kace will head back with your pack,” he added, gesturing to his friend.
Remy glanced back over his shoulder and gave Rhodes a nod.
“All right,” Rhodes spoke up, looking to the others, “let’s head out.”
Remy and I started to follow them towards the bus, but Damien stepped in front of us. I stopped abruptly to avoid touching him in any capacity.
“I arranged for all of us to have a more comfortable ride.” He gestured to the limousine parked near the buses.
Remy shook his head. “Enjoy your ride then. We’re good with our pack.”
“I’m afraid I must insist,” Damien said evenly, all friendly pretense slipping away. “We have matters to discuss.”
Griffin sighed. “Just go with it, Remy.”
“Exactly, Remy,” Damien added, all smiles again. “It’s just something a tad more comfortable for Alphas so we can chat.”
“So Griffin’s coming, too?” Remy asked, arching his eyebrows.
Damien’s smile tightened, realizing he’d opened himself up to that loophole. “Of course.”
Griffin grinned at Remy. “Awesome.”
I turned and met Nikolai’s gray eyes. I gave him a strained smile. “Dad, you should come, too.” I looked at Damien innocently as he started to frown. “Since this is about Alphas.”
Nikolai stepped around me and smiled benignly enough at Damien. “More luxurious accommodations sound wonderful.” He tucked my arm into his. “And I can never say no to spending time with my daughter and her mate.”
Damien looked from me to Nikolai, barely masking the sour look puckering his face. “I’m glad to have you join us.”
“Lead the way then,” Nikolai added, his gaze sharpening as he dared Damien to say anything about him inviting me.
Damien might have set up this private ride, but with Griffin and my dad now included, he was outnumbered, and he knew it. The anger simmering in his gaze as he looked at me let me know he wasn’t happy about it.
I grinned back, not giving a shit.
52
Remy
The limo was a tight fit for all of us. I herded Skye in first, making her take the bench seat facing backwards before I slid in next to her and casually laid an arm around her shoulders. Nikolai and Griffin sat on the seat along the wall, a buffer between us and Damien and Trace as they sat on the last seat.
Trace’s eyes lit up as he saw me and then moved his gaze to the girl at my side.
My girl.
I resisted the urge to pull her onto my lap in a totally possessive show that would have