Page 21

She nodded, her fingers absently tracing the rim of her water glass. The image stamped itself in his mind as he followed Jared to a corner of the dining room.

"What is it?" Orion demanded, positioning himself to keep Seraphina in his line of sight.

Jared shifted uncomfortably. "The United States Senator from Florida has contacted us directly. He's demanding the return of Miss Lucero immediately."

"He's what?" Orion's voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.

"Her friend has reported her missing. The senator claims you've illegally transported an American citizen across international boundaries and is threatening diplomatic consequences if she isn't returned to Miami immediately."

Heat crawled up Orion's neck. "She is my Luna. I'll take her wherever I damn well please."

Jared winced. "With respect, Your Majesty, in the human world, that's considered kidnapping. Their laws don't recognize mate bonds."

"Their laws," Orion spat. "Their laws mean nothing to me or my pack. We've governed ourselves for millennia before their republic was even dreamed of."

"Yes, but we exist in their world now. We need their continued ignorance of our true nature. A diplomatic incident would bring scrutiny we cannot afford."

Orion's mind raced, his eyes finding Seraphina across the room. She was watching him, a crease of concern between her brows. Something about this situation felt wrong – calculated.

"How would he know to contact us directly?" Orion asked, suspicion taking root. "It's been less than a day."

"I... don't know, sire. The timing is unusual."

Orion's wolf senses prickled with warning. Leadership had honed his instincts for detecting traps, and this reeked of one. Someone knew too much. Someone was moving pieces on a board he couldn't fully see.

Orion's nostrils flared, a low rumble vibrating in his chest. "How exactly would anyone know I took her? Let alone that she's on this island?" he demanded, his voice pitched low enoughthat the diners around them wouldn't hear, but carrying enough authority that Jared flinched.

The communications councilman shifted nervously. "Well, Your Majesty, I believe... she may have had her phone with her when you brought her here."

Orion's eyes flashed dangerously. "Her phone."

"Yes, sire. Modern smartphones have tracking capabilities. If someone knew her credentials, they could locate?—"

"I know what a damn phone does," Orion growled, running a hand through his hair. The realization of his oversight struck him like a punch to the gut. Such a simple thing. Such a human thing. "I should have thought of that."

His gaze traveled back to Seraphina, watching her tuck her raven hair behind her ear. In that moment of rescue, with her unconscious in his arms, his wolf had taken over completely—protect, shelter, and secure what was his. The tactical, calculating king had surrendered to base instinct.

"I've spent centuries outsmarting enemies, outmaneuvering political opponents, and I get undone by a piece of technology that fits in a pocket." Orion clenched his jaw tight. "What else does the senator know?"

Jared swallowed. "He specifically mentioned Starlight Island, and addressed you by name, Your Majesty."

Orion's tattoos seemed to burn against his skin beneath his tailored shirt. Someone had recognized him in Miami. Someone connected to the senator. The pieces were aligning in a way he didn't like.

"This goes beyond mere phone tracking," Orion muttered, more to himself than to Jared.

"What shall I tell the senator, sire? He's demanding a response within the hour."

Orion's lips curved up into a smile that held no warmth. "Tell him nothing."

"But, sire?—"

"Since when does Starlight Island answer to American politicians?" Orion straightened to his full height, his shoulders squaring. "The last time I checked, we don't have an extradition treaty with the United States. They have no jurisdiction here."

Jared paled. "But they're threatening other diplomatic consequences."

Orion laughed, a sound like thunder over distant mountains. "Empty threats. What are they going to do? Invade a sovereign territory over one woman?" He leaned closer to Jared. "A woman who, may I remind you, was in immediate danger. A woman Irescued."

"With respect, sire, humans don't recognize our laws of?—"