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My wolf whines, begging me to run to her now, to try again. To make it better.

“So,” General Amir says, snapping my attention back to him. He leans back in his chair, his fingertips steepled against each other as he studies me. “Back to this question of Nadia’s access. Should we call your father now? Let him know that Nadia is officially a high-ranking member of his military with open access to information and a vote in the proceedings simply because she shouted at you and you want to appease her?”

I frown, looking away at the door, weighing my options.

Chapter 32 – Conditions

Nadia

“Nadia.”

A creaking little squeak rises in my throat as I turn my head toward the noise, a determined frown curving my lips.

Something pats my mattress.

“Seriously, Nadia.”

My eyes fly open to take in the horrible sight of Cole Kincaid’sperfectfucking faceeightinches from mine.

I bolt up, starting to shriek, but - quick as a panther - he slips a hand over my mouth and muffles the sound.

“Can you not?” He hisses, glancing rapidly around at all of the other sleeping forms. “Everyone is asleep!”

I start to say thatIwas likewise asleep andpleasedto be so – but the words are all stifled against his palm, so I just seethe, already glaring – which isnotan activity Ienjoybefore dawn when I haven’t had any coffee –

“I come in peace, all right?” Cole whisper-growls.

“Hmm?” Shayne murmurs, lifting her head next to us. “Pizza?”

Cole drops his hand, turning to her bed behind him. “Go back to sleep, Shay.”

She blinks and then focuses on him, her lovely little cherub face breaking into a smile. “My dreammm! Though…” she leans closer to him, “usually in this dream we are in a tropical location, Cole, and when you’re kneeling by my bedside, you’re wearing alotless clothes -”

I groan and fall back on my pillow, covering my own mouth as Cole attempts to hold back his laugh. Shay just grins at both of us.

“So, what’s with the early morning visit?” Shayne whispers, completely unashamed as usual.

“Nadia’s needed,” Cole murmurs, gesturing to me with his thumb. “For a meeting.”

I roll over and smack his shoulder. “I’m righthere. Talk tomeabout what I’m needed for, not Shay!”

He narrows his eyes. “Shayne is beingnicer.”

“In my dream, I am notalwaysnice, Cole – but you tend to like that –“

“I’m up! I’m up!” I hiss, sitting up in a hurry and scooting down the bed, glaring at the Prince and the harlot both. “This had better be worth it.”

He smirks at me. “Five minutes, meet me outside the tent. Clean up, you’ll be on video chat with the King.”

“I havethatdream too –“

“Shay!” I hiss, hurling my pillow at her.

Cole can’t help it anymore, laughing freely and attempting to smother the noise as he stands and moves for the entrance. He holds up five fingers to me, a silent reiteration of my time limit.

I scowl, even as excitement rises in me. Because whatever’s happening…yeah. I want to be part of it.

Precisely four and a half minutes later, I duck through the tent flap, zipping up the front of my fleece pullover. I’m still in scrubs and sneakers, but I’m clean and my teeth are brushed, my long dark hair up in a messy pony.