dwindling flames.
“Why are you all here?” Her voice cracks and worry taints her words. She blinks over at Bardhyl and Meira as they enter the room, and a smile splits her mouth. “Everyone’s looking for you, girl.”
Smiling, Meira makes her way across the room and kneels next to her, taking her hand. “Someone had to save these Alphas.”
Kinley laughs, and she pats Meira’s hand.
Bardhyl is pacing back and forth near the door, keeping guard. Being here is risky… Anywhere in the settlement is with Mad in charge.
“I experienced my first change,” Meira tells Kinley, who gasps with startled excitement, then scans my gorgeous babe head to toe.
“And everything’s all right?”
“Yes. I think. I’m not too sure yet, but I’m not dead, so that’s a bonus.”
I trace the curve of Meira’s body, searching for anything to show she’s not fully recovered after her first transformation. The way she talks is like she’s not convinced yet she’s healed. A chill slides down my back at the thought that she hasn’t told us everything yet.
Bardhyl gives a short growl, grabbing my attention while the two women talk. I head over to him just as electricity skips down my arm. His body begins contorting, stretching, growing. The familiar sound of bones cracking and skin popping fills the room. Before I step back, he’s standing in his human form, naked as a doorknob. There’s way too much cock on show for my liking.
“Put it the hell away,” I snap as I turn my back to him, smirking because I love getting him all riled up.
“Bardhyl,” Kinley says. “In my bedroom, I have spare clothes in the cupboard. Always have spares.”
He doesn’t say anything but marches across the room and vanishes into the hallway. I don’t miss Meira staring at the big guy, at his nakedness on display, or the way her eyes glint at seeing him exposed.
I have no doubt she’d stare at me with the same desire if I stripped right now. Though with the way Kinley is looking my way with amusement it’s as though she can read my thoughts, I walk away and close the distance to the window. Pulling back the curtain an inch, I scan the grounds outside.
The rain is coming down in sheets, puddles covering the courtyard, and figures are darting about. But how much longer before they start searching houses? The gates out of the fortress grounds would be heavily manned, so using those to exit are out of the question.
I turn to Kinley, who’s still chatting with Meira, but she lifts her gaze on my approach. “You know why we’re here,” I say.
She nods.
“Why is that?” Meira lifts to her feet as Bardhyl returns, and I look over as he strolls into the room, carrying a pair of black sneakers, too small for him.
The dark pants he wears are plastered to his thick legs, the fabric appearing thin, and it leaves nothing to the imagination. His black, long-sleeved top has a V-neckline and pulls taut across his chest. He pulls at the material, and if there’s one thing I know about Bardhyl, it’s that he loathes constricting clothes and prefers to be in his wolf form. Sure, those were two facts, but it’s like he chose those pants on purpose to display his wares.
I turn back around to Kinley, noting Meira doing a double-take of Bardhyl. I roll my eyes. “Okay, focus.” I grab everyone’s attention, all three staring strangely at me. Hello, who’s wearing tights clinging to his cock? It isn’t me!
“So, are we hiding out here until we go rescue Dušan?” Meira’s voice is full of hope, then she smiles wildly as Bardhyl hands her the sneakers. She’s been running around barefoot, and the big guy is soft when it comes to Meira.
“Thank you.” She wraps herself around him, hugging him, then peers up at him. He leans down and kisses her quickly. My heart beats faster and it has zero to do with jealousy, but everything to do with admiration at how much Meira has tamed the beast in him.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but… “We’re getting out of the settlement now. Homes will be searched soon, and we’ll be no help if we’re imprisoned again.”
The lovebirds pull apart and Meira’s expression falls. “Wait, we can’t leave without Dušan. Can’t we stay here and go back for him later?” She puts her shoes on, tying up the laces.
“I wish we could, but we can’t risk you getting caught. We’ll be