be other exceptions, too.”
“Ramm looking for me. Against Talg order. He only one brave enough risk such thing.”
“He didn’t look so brave.”
“Hmmm.” She sent him a knowing stare.
He stared right back. Yes, he was an ass for feeling jealous at the way she said the hunter’s name Sure, he’d been happy someone else was looking out for Nayla, but hells, did it have to be a fucker who looked like he could kick Grif’s ass?
“No other exceptions to pack ban from Other territory.” Nayla had already returned to the initial topic. “Talg plan is use females to draw you to pack land. Fight where pack have advantage. After what happen with his mate, he never come to Other land, or allow his real pack there. I certain. There may be spy at settlement, but not pack.”
Hells. That was important intel. He doubted the commander would accept the explanation so easily, but he did.
He knew Nayla. He knew when she skirted the truth. He knew when she told it. She was telling him what she believed. Of course, that didn’t make it so, but she made a compelling case, which left him wondering just who the hells else might be out there spying on the settlement, and why?
He’d need to get word to Ryker and the commander.
Of course, first he had to get himself the fuck free.
“Nayla, enough is enough. Stop this beast, untie me, and let me help you.”
Her spine snapped straighter. “You not in charge now. I do fine on my own.”
“And when my crew catches up with us? They’re already paranoid you’re planning to warn your pack and make it harder to rescue the females.”
A quick yank on the beast’s harness and the animal jerked to a halt. “I do this to save pack and females.” Her eyes narrowed as she glared at him. “You think I weak. I not. I don’t need your handling or approval. You think because I don’t speak your language so well, I’m not smart. You are wrong. I have plan. Rescue females. Return them to you. You take them back. Leave pack alone. No need for blood shedding.” Her ears twitched. “A lot kinder than what you people do.”
He hid a flinch and conceded, “It’s a good plan.”
He’d known his crew’s suspicions were off base. And maybe he was a little guilty of some of the accusations she was leveling his way, but there was still a problem with her plan.
“It’s just too risky,” he concluded.
“Of course, you say that.”
“You’ll have to evade my men. Sneak by your own pack. Somehow get the females out of where they’re being kept and back to my people without Talg discovering what you’re up to… And what will you do if any of the females are sick? Or hurt? It’s too much for one person. There’s more chance of success if you let me help.”
He got it. She thought she had to handle everything alone.
He’d shown her he could tear down her defenses, but he hadn’t yet proven he could be there for her, too. He would. He just needed to figure out how.
“Help me?” She echoed his words, her voice shaded with disdain as she gave a gentle tap to the beast’s hindquarters and halted him in place. She slid off the beast and stood in front of Grif, hands on hips.
Sharluff pawed the ground as if sensing her agitation.
“Help me like before?”
Grif shimmied forward an inch, torqueing his body upward so he could stare back. “I was trying to extract information.” His voice deepened without him intending it to. “I can be very helpful when I’m so inclined.”
Heat flared in her gaze, a match to his own. Apparently, it didn’t matter who was tied up, or what grievances were still raw, the chemistry between them was as explosive as ever.
“Untie me. Now.”
She reached toward the binds at his back, her trembling hand skimming his cheek. Triumph surged. He’d done it. He’d convinced her.
Except she bypassed his roped wrists, flicked at a knot, and jerked on the beast’s neck harness twice in quick succession.
Without warning, his ride brayed, pitched to one side, and shed Grif like a bad case of extra pounds.
The ground rose up fast. Without his hands, it wasn’t going to be pretty.
With a grunt, Nayla caught him. Sort of. Stumbling back, she landed on her ass, dragging him forward and slowing his descent so that his chest and belly, rather than his head, hit the dirt. He ended up with his