Broods Of Fenrir - By Coral Moore Page 0,49

leaned into the warmth of his hand. “Are you empathic?”

“Not in the slightest.” His smile came back. “I assume you wouldn"t be flailing around and yelling at me if you were still hurting.”

Abashed, she started to apologize, but he stopped her by bringing a hand to her mouth.

“No apologies between us.” He lowered his voice.

“Besides, I rather enjoyed you squirming around in my lap.” He traced a finger along her lower lip.

A jolt of sensation surged into her. Her stomach lurched. Desire rolled through her, overwhelming her senses.

Her head fell back.

Gunni pressed a kiss into the pulse point at her throat, his mouth hot against her skin. “I"ll take care of you.” His affection flooded into her from all sides. She couldn"t doubt the truth in his words.

* * *

Alice followed Gunni down the stairs to the main floor of the cabin, her hand engulfed in his. He"d told her Erik"s brood used the cabin for their full-moon runs. Exposed logs gave the interior a rustic look, though the furnishings were modern and sturdy. The room was filled to bursting. Thirty sets of eyes stared at her, most belonging to males and females she 137

had never met.

She felt their confusion, their fear. Gunni squeezed her hand, and she realized she"d stopped. Since she"d met Brand, she hadn"t been in a room with so many brood members. She concentrated on shutting out their emotions so they wouldn"t overwhelm her, then nodded.

Gunni led her down the last two steps and walked to a blond male who occupied a dark leather chair in an out-of-the way corner. “Move.” His demanding tone drove the male from the seat in a hurry.

He eased her into the chair and sat in front of her on the floor. Though he wasn"t a barrier in any real way, the gesture brought so much comfort. He scanned the room as if expecting an attack at any moment and bared his teeth at a few males who refused to look away.

By her reckoning, Gunni stood highest in the room. She hadn"t thought him particularly powerful, but then, she was used to Brand, who was far above any in Erik"s brood.

Erik entered, followed closely by Bera, and al conversation stopped. He motioned toward a male who sat in the chair nearest him. The male ducked his head and slid out of the way. Erik watched Bera take the seat, then looked around the room. He met each pair of eyes before moving on.

He sought Alice last and held her gaze as he spoke.

“Humans learned what Lucas was and detained him. His death is on their heads. I called you all here because I don"t know how much information he shared with them about us. At the very least they know where I live.”

A murmur of surprise floated through the room. Erik paused for silence again before he continued. “From now on, no one travels alone. You have one day to pack what you need and meet at a rendezvous point Bera will call you with. You"ll be temporarily relocated to my ranch in Wyoming until I can determine how much information they have.” No one spoke as he looked around the room again. “We will see vengeance for this. I promise every one of you.”

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A chorus of yips and eager howls filled the room. Erik nodded to the group, then dismissed them with a wave of his hand. They filed out in an orderly column, leaving Alice and Gunni alone with Erik.

Gunni stood, effectively blocking her, as Erik crossed the room.

“Get out of my way,” Erik growled.

Gunni ignored the command and squared his shoulders.

Alice had to act before the situation got out of control.

She rose and took Gunni"s hand. “It"s okay.” Gunni turned to her. He studied her face before nodding. Returning his attention to Erik, he said, “Don"t frighten her.”

Erik appraised him with a quick glance. “You and I are going to have words later about your attitude.” Gunni bared his teeth in a grin. “I look forward to it.” Standing so near to them, Alice realized for the first time how close in strength they were—a dangerous prospect.

Alice spoke up, hoping to diffuse the tension between them before it could spark. “You didn"t mention what happened with Brand. I"m worried about him.”

Erik looked at her, his frown intensifying. “You should be. I delivered Brand"s message, and Björn called a Conclave.

He"ll arrive tomorrow.”

She"d held to the idea that Erik might have some news that would make her feel better, but