Moon Claimed (Werewolf Dens #2) - Kelly St. Clare Page 0,104

back now.”

His voice soothed me, and though weak, I felt his power ready to help me.

Crack.

So slow.

Pop. Crack.

My legs lengthened and, in human form, I panted hard on the ground.

Sascha scooped me into his arms, and I had nothing in me to do anything but rely on him.

“She is to leave within two hours,” Rhona’s voice shot across the gap.

Oh… apparently, I could hurt more.

A savage snarl left Sascha’s mouth. “She is no longer yours to command.”

“That’s Head Steward to you, Luther.”

Sascha’s laughter rattled me. “No one believes that, young Thana. Not even yourself.”

With that, he turned from her, carrying me away from my sister and tribe.

And I surrendered to the darkness.

28

A warm body curled behind mine. Scalding hands splayed across my lower belly. His knee was between mine.

I forced my eyes open and took in Sascha’s bungalow.

How long was I out? I asked my wolf.

She yawned. It’s the next day. Nap time.

The sun was at its highest. Her nap time, not mine.

“I thought it best to keep close overnight—you know, with the healing thing,” Sascha said in my ear.

I shivered. “Is that right? This was for medicinal reasons?”

He hummed against my shoulder and I shivered again. “I’m not sure medicinal is the right word. How do you feel?”

Fantastic. “Far better than expected.”

It’s because we’re with him, my wolf said breathlessly.

I rolled my eyes. “Yes, it’s because we’re with him.”

“Yes, it’s because you’re with me.”

Dammit. “I was speaking to someone else.”

His shoulders shook. “Does she like me?”

My eyes narrowed in response to my wolf’s exuberant yes. “She has a crush on you. I can’t see the appeal.”

His hand swept down the curve of my waist and hip, coming to rest on my thigh. I resumed breathing a beat too late.

“I have a strong feeling, little bird, that you can see the appeal.”

I rolled onto my back. It should be illegal to be this close to Sascha Greyson. How the heck was a person meant to think straight? “I don’t think I’m head steward anymore.”

He didn’t laugh as I’d intended, perhaps because he could smell exactly how I felt.

Discarded.

Mostly, I just felt like it was justified.

Sascha’s honey eyes burned. “No one deserves to be treated like that, no matter their circumstances. Your part in Hercules Thana’s death was miniscule to the point of insignificance. Rhona has twisted that night to her favour. She is playing on the guilt you feel. You don’t deserve this.”

I closed my eyes and tried to absorb his words to no avail.

He kissed my nose and forehead, whispering more kisses on my cheeks and jaw. “When you didn’t show, I assumed the black wolf took you, too, but all black wolves were accounted for and I could feel you around Sandstone. I cancelled the formal gathering for fear of alerting the wolf that I knew something more and left for Sandstone. You were well guarded by Rhona’s force. I couldn’t get to you.”

“Thank you for trying. It’s done now. Is there a way for me to leave the valley?” I peeked up at him.

Sascha froze. “You can’t leave the valley. It’s too dangerous.”

That put me in a pickle to say the least.

“Andie,” he said. “We’d be honoured if you remained on pack lands.”

My brows shot into the stratosphere. “There’s no way your pack wants me here.”

He didn’t answer.

Yep.

“Whether you wish to stay or not, there’s no other place for you now. The pack has acknowledged that.”

Tears clogged my throat.

Sighing, Sascha gathered me close.

After a moment, I sniffed. “I’m naked.”

His voice dropped. “I realise that. I thought you’d be more concerned about how Wade’s doing.”

Gasping, I shot upward. “Wade!”

Sascha caught my hand before I could launch out of bed, assemble an army, and find a flamethrower.

“We have him.” Sascha rushed. “I saw the images Daniil showed you. Hairy and Leroy found him last night. He’s okay. Tired.”

“I need to see him.”

He tugged me back a second time. “We returned him to tribe lands.”

My face fell. I stopped pulling away. “You did? I mean, that makes sense. He’ll be okay there.”

“We don’t have medicine here. We’ll lose points for one of our wolves harming Wade. The penalty would be greater if we held Wade here.”

Of course. “I can message him.”

My phone.

Was in my car.

“I need to get my car.”

“It’s in tribe territory,” he said. “I can ask for it, but you cannot enter Sandstone without sanction.”

I sat on the bed. “Right. Okay.”

“I’m so very sorry, Andie,” he said after a beat. “You must regret the day you ever met