Tamed (The Condemned #4) - Alison Aimes Page 0,114
guards closest to Talg surrounded him.
Which was perfect, since it put Nayla further out of the bastard’s reach.
“It doesn’t have to be war between us.” He loosened a dagger from his harness and let it drop to the ground. Nayla’s lyrical voice drew him closer. The tie between them as strong as ever.
He cast off one weapon after another, leaving a trail of discarded daggers and axes in his wake as he closed in on his goal. “Some Others desire peace. We have the ability to reason. Learn. Change. Cherish. Nayla has taught me that.”
His female kept translating, a shy, shaky smile playing across her face at the mention of her own name.
More whispers from the pack. He couldn’t tell if they were thoughtful murmurs or “go fuck yourself” murmurs. Whatever the case, he had their attention.
“Rishe. Gazi. Lomesh.” Talg roused from his shock. The guttural words that poured from him full of hate, and directed at Nayla.
Here was a true monster, not too dissimilar from the one Grif had put down in his youth.
He couldn’t wait to do it again.
Except he’d promised Nayla he’d avoid a full-scale war if he could, and he was determined to make her proud. Gutting the pack leader wouldn’t ease tensions.
So, instead, he tossed another weapon into the dirt, making sure that the bastard’s attention returned to him. “Nayla has also taught me that your people do not need to be our enemy. We can find common ground.”
Expression disbelieving, the leader let him come, as if he could not quite absorb what was happening. Or maybe he just wanted Grif close enough to tear his throat out.
Either way, Grif kept coming.
He advanced until his harness was empty, his chest bare, his sole item left the rope at his hip. “We come to you in peace. Inspired by love.”
He swept his female into his arms and took his first real breath since he’d woken up and seen Malin staring back at him.
Nayla leaned into Grif’s hold, absorbing his strength even as a collective gasp rose among the pack.
She had never been prouder or more in awe of her male.
She had always known he was fierce. She had seen his bravery and his power time and again.
But to witness him wade into an enemy camp and cast off his weapons as he spoke of peace and love was the kind of courage that inspired legends.
If any act was truly blessed by the Ancients, it was his.
She knew that was why the hunters had let him advance.
Honor, purity of heart, bravery. These were the qualities valued above all else among pack. To see it displayed in an Other must be shaking them to the core, impacting them more than her words ever could.
Then he’d done something even more astonishing by pack standards. He’d hauled her into his arms. He’d embraced her—a Gazi—without fear.
The pack waited for his blood to boil. His bones to melt.
They’d be waiting for a long time.
A beast that could survive the touch of a Gazi without pain was beyond formidable.
She suspected as the moments passed and Grif remained alive, more than one hunter was beginning to doubt Talg’s arrogant claims of an easy victory.
Maybe a few were beginning to doubt the leader altogether.
Grif’s plan was a clever one. But risky.
Without his weapons, he was far too vulnerable.
“You okay, wild thing?”
“I’m okay, Grif.” She rubbed her cheek against his arm, grateful to the Ancients that she could. “I’m glad you’re here. I do not like, though, that you are in danger now, too.”
“I’ll always go where you are. We’re a team.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “There is no female alive with more worth, courage, and kindness.”
Another collective gasp from the pack.
He shot her a wink.
The pack might not understand his words, but his blatant act of affection and claiming needed no translation.
Was it wrong that she relished every moment? That she loved Grif even more for knowing how satisfying this would be and giving her such a gift?
She might not need to prove herself to pack anymore, but her scars were still fresh enough to enjoy that a warrior as brave, vicious, and formidable as her savage Other could care for her, choose her, in front of those who still considered her less than nothing.
The pack looked to Talg to hear his explanation for what they were seeing.
He opened his mouth. No sound came out. For so long, his rules and his lies had been obeyed without question.