“Shut up. You’re coming with me.”
“And what about the hunt?”
He tugged at the leather string at his neck, finally showing some agitation. “I’ll find another rabbit for them to chase.”
She shook her head. “None like me.”
“They won’t find out until it’s too late. We’ll be long gone.”
He was planning to move his pack over her? That was going to go over well. “I want assurance that Magnus will be left alone. And alive.”
“Of course.”
Why didn’t she believe him? Didn’t matter. She wasn’t going with him, and she wasn’t going to allow him to harm Magnus.
She just needed to figure out how she was going to do that.
When they reached the living room, she stopped. She needed more time. She needed to alert Magnus somehow. She needed to get rid of the damned collar around her neck. Her attention went to the leather strap he had tied to his neck. It looked as though it was made from the same leather that was around hers. Could it be what she needed to regain her freedom?
“I don’t know why you’d want me, anyway. As long as this thing is around my neck”—she tugged at the collar—“I’m pretty much human. I doubt your pack would like that. And what about your mate? I doubt she’d be very happy.”
He growled something and pointed to the door. “Doesn’t matter. Let’s go.”
“Right.”
Nodding, he ran his fingers over the leather that peeked over his collar. “Let’s just say, if you’re a good girl, you won’t have to worry about that collar, all right?”
Was that a tell? Nari certainly hoped so.
“As for my mate? I’ve chosen you.”
He had no idea what he was talking about. It wasn’t like he could pick and choose who he wanted to be with. And he clearly had no idea how powerful the bond was. Even before mating. Her entire relationship with Magnus was proof of that. It was as powerful as it was intangible. Inexplicable. She knew that, try as he might to push things down another path, she and Magnus would have ended up together.
Was there any point in arguing it with him? His mind was made up, and until he experienced it for himself, Nari very much doubted he would understand.
What could she do? How could she buy more time? All that she knew was that she felt more powerful when she was nearest to Magnus. Perhaps close proximity would spark something?
She shook her head. “I won’t go without saying goodbye.”
He didn’t look happy about it but nodded anyway. “Whatever. Just hurry it up.”
Outside, they rounded the corner, and she led the way to where she’d last spotted Magnus, only to find nothing. There was no sign of a struggle. Barely even the faintest scent of him and the wolves.
Nari whirled on her heel to glare at the wolf next to her. “What have you done to him?”
“Not a thing.” He shrugged negligently. “My boys, on the other hand…”
She wanted to slap the smirk off his face. “Unless you want to lose another eye, I suggest you start talking.”
“That’s what I like about you. You’re so feisty. Even without any powers, you dare to threaten someone bigger and stronger.” Giving her a leering grin, he leaned in close enough to trigger her gag reflex at the scent of him. “I bet you’re a wildcat between the sheets.”
And now nausea. Nari held her breath until her stomach stopped roiling. He would never find out. And if he tried, he’d find himself without yet another, more vital, part of his anatomy.
“Take me to him.”
“Only once you get this through your head, sweets.” He tapped her temple. “You’re coming with me, and if you try anything, we’ll start cutting pieces off your hairy boyfriend.” Snorting, he smirked down at her. “What were you thinking? A fucking lumberjack-looking motherfucker? Seriously?”
And he thought he was so hot? Magnus was a million times more man than he was.