Cricket sighed. “Yes, ma’am.”
Slade’s fangs emerged. He wanted to put her over his lap and spank her sassy ass to teach her proper manners. This pack had allowed the runt to get away with murder. Worse, to fuck human men.
“Jesper, take Cricket back to her studio.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Rylee gripped him by the sleeve. “Then return and escort Prince Slade back to his guesthouse.”
Jesper nodded and left with Cricket who beat him to the door.
Slade clenched his jaw. He wanted to protest. The little wolf must come back with him. Stay where he could monitor her. When the door shut, he felt alone.
“Are you okay, Prince Slade?” asked Dr. Warner.
Despite the separation, he reined in the powerful urge to go wolf and drag her back to his side. His den. He passed a hand through his hair and sat. “Yes, but what about Cricket?”
Rylee narrowed her eyes at him. “What about her?”
“Should she be seen by a medic?”
Rylee laughed. “Trust me. If she was well enough to challenge a powerful alpha, she’ll live.”
Dr. Warner shook his head. “I think the runt is too defiant to offer her companionship to the prince.”
Rylee sat and sighed. “Cricket’s ability to pass as human has been a great asset to our team. I’m afraid I’ve been lenient for far too long about her stubborn willfulness.” She turned to the prince. “Perhaps, you will re-consider Jesper as your full-time companion.”
“No.”
Warner raised a suspicious brow. “Every male in this entire compound must be attracted to the petite sexy runt. However, if that’s the case with you, it’s best you listen to Rylee.”
His pulse elevated. Not on my watch. If they act on their attraction to her, they’ll feel my sharp fangs.
Rylee turned to Slade. “I too sense your desire for her, and unfortunately, hers for you. It is in our nature to be overly sexual, so I’m not surprised. That said, I don’t want you to make her think that it’s more than alpha lust.”
“I admit she’s alluring, attractive, but my duty is to the team and to my future mate.” Why did that sound like a fucking lie?
“So you are okay with accepting Jesper?” asked Dr. Warner.
He glowered at the shrink, and his tone deepened. “I accepted Rylee’s conditions. However, if Cricket is not brought to my headquarters by tomorrow, I will report to King Conan, that my needs are not being met.” He hated playing the royal card, but if he didn’t have his little wolf soon, he’d screw lycan society by escaping with her. Not knowing where, but far away, and away from danger and horny werewolves.
“Yes, of course, my liege,” said Warner.
Chapter 6
Cricket wore red silk pajamas and sat on her sofa, snacking on dark chocolate covered pretzels, while watching some cry baby love story. The twenty-something guy with a fatal brain tumor lay on his death bed with his college fiancée at his side. Cricket sniffled and reached for another tissue. Stupid sappy movie.
A knock on her door snapped her out of her gloom. Cricket quickly turned off the TV. She sniffed toward the door. Shit. What did Rylee want? She grabbed a handful of tissue and wiped her tear-stained face and then stuffed them beneath the cushion.
“One moment.” Cricket threw the bag of pretzels on the kitchen counter and opened the door. “Ma’am?”
Rylee walked in. “We need to talk.”
Now? It’s almost midnight. “Yes, of course. Would you like something to drink or eat?”
Rylee smiled. “You know you’re the only one around here who can eat chocolate.”
No one understood why, but because she had more human than wolf energy, Cricket could eat chocolate and other foods most canines couldn’t tolerate. Werewolves only served imitation chocolate. If only they knew how crappy imitation was compared to real chocolate. “I have other things.”