“Doesn’t it?” I replied. “I’d invite you to watch the fireworks, but that may make it too obvious.”
“Yes, I think my role here is to continue functioning as her pawn.”
“I agree.” I met Edon’s gaze. “And yours will be to continue reformation in your pack. I’m sure she’s receiving updates from someone on the inside. Let her think you’re reverting. It’ll help her mental state along and hopefully coax her into coming out to play.”
Edon nodded. “The breeding camp incident should have reached her by now.”
Yes, I imagined killing three dozen of his lycans would cause quite a stir in her world. The fact that he chose to keep all the humans and try to rehab them into his society would only make matters worse for her.
“Can you get a message to Kylan?” I asked, bringing us to our final matter of business.
“Yes,” Jace said.
“Tell him we need to go on a double date while in Chicago. It’s become quite evident to me that my pet needs her friends.” I glanced at Edon again. “Your Silas will continue to visit her. He seems to please her.”
Edon snorted. “You can tell him that yourself. He doesn’t take orders well. That’s why he’s my Enforcer.”
“He’ll obey mine,” I said, certain. Finally, I addressed Damien. “I need another few days. Can you handle San José without me until our arrival next week?”
“I’ll make all the arrangements. But I’m keeping your harem.”
“I have no use for them.”
“I know,” he replied. “And I’m keeping Tracey.”
“Who the hell is Tracey?” I asked.
“The servant girl Meghan whipped.”
I growled at the memory. Meghan’s resulting death had been far too quick. “Be good to her.”
“Oh, I’ve been very good to her,” he replied, sharing a look with Jace.
Ah, I thought, catching on. That was the secret. They’d played together this week. Well, so long as all parties enjoyed themselves, I didn’t need to know more.
“I’m going to find my pet,” I told them all, standing. “We still have positions to try.” One of which included anal. We hadn’t explored that yet. It would be either this week or soon after because I intended to own all of her, just as she so completely appeared to own me.
“Don’t forget to feed her,” Damien reminded me. “Blood and food.”
“Oh, she’ll be well fed,” I promised, walking to the door. Then I paused to look at Edon once more. “Do you still feel she requires a choice?”
“I think she made it last week,” he replied.
“I think she did, too,” I agreed.
“Her mark looks good on you, by the way,” Edon said, his lips twitching.
I licked my bottom lip, noting the soreness. “I’m about to go repay the favor.”
“Enjoy,” Damien drawled.
I smiled. “I intend to.” She was my reward, after all. My beautiful hybrid pet. My distraction. My new reason for living.
30
Ryder
A few days turned into eleven before Damien called and said he needed me in San José.
Willow sat beside me in the car, her leg jumping against mine. Rick was driving. He’d also piloted the plane here. His loyalty remained resolute, which was evidenced by his lack of a comment upon seeing my upgraded pet.
Her scent noted her as part lycan, but her eyes swirled with the power of a vampire, making her hybrid uniqueness rather evident. Yet he’d remained as silent as ever, just as he did now behind the wheel.
“Pet.” I placed my palm on her thigh, giving it a gentle squeeze to halt her fidgeting. “Stop.”
We’d agreed to a charade of sorts where she continued to play the submissive human role in public. It would make everyone believe I’d created a hybrid for a pet—a passing amusement of sorts. Which would allow her worthiness to go undetected by the masses.
Everyone would underestimate her abilities and, even more importantly, my growing affection for her. The former served as an asset, while the latter qualified as a weakness.
“Sorry,” she whispered.
“They won’t touch you,” I vowed. “Only I can pet you.”
She wore one of the revealing gowns Damien had procured for her harem wardrobe. However, I’d added a leather collar to the mix. Overkill, perhaps, but I found it rather entertaining.
At least I hadn’t affixed a leash to it.
Hmm, although, that gave me more ideas to play with in the bedroom later. Not that I needed additional scenarios. My list for her just continued to grow no matter how many items I’d crossed off of it. And we still hadn’t indulged in anal yet.