Page 85 of Cultivating Caden

No, Caden. No ‘buts’. No waiting. A’kosh saved my life, and I’m going to return that favor. Ten, you need to cut off the communication.

But—

Now, Ten. You’re scaring Poppa and—

Scaring me? You did not just say that. You’re off on an alien world, you’re sick, and you’ve just lost a lot of blood. Who’s scaring me? No, this line of communication will be open until I say to close it.

A’kosh chuckled. “You not win.”

Quade nudged A’kosh with his shoulder. “Yeah, I know. Are you okay to go on?”

“Yes. I feel better, thank be to you.”

Fine. We can stay in contact, but you can’t be talking in my head. Distraction will be a bad thing.

Okay, no distractions. Got it. Y’know, this is pretty cool. What do you think, Sir?

The new voices threw Quade for a second.Kieran?

Oh, hi, Quade! Sir, he can hear me.

Yes, brat. Everyone can.

Ten, why the hell did you bring more people into the conversation?

Because they’re here, and we’re not talking, and they thought we were upset. I can’t very well let them think we’re mad at them, can I?

Quade sighed, even as A’kosh snickered. He knew Ten thought he was doing the right thing, but he’d have to impress on his son how dangerous a distraction could be, especially during this operation.Everyone needs to shut up. Now.

Oh, of course, Quade. We’ll be as quiet as a—

Kieran, quiet time started two minutes ago. Quade needs to focus, so we have to go elsewhere. They’ll call us if we’re needed.

Will youallstop talking? Please. Look, I’ll beg if you all want, but you have to shut up.

Ten, let Dad do what he has to. Keep us apprised of what’s going on, but we can’t distract him.

His mate wasn’t happy, but he was willing to put his trust in Quade.Thank you, Caden.

You can thank me by not coming back dead.

With those words, Ten’s link was relegated to a tiny spark in the back of Quade’s mind, and Quade felt oddly lonely.

He turned his attention to A’kosh, who stood there with what Quade could only call a grin on his face. “Are you ready to do this?”

“Yes. I ready.”

Shaking his head, Quade chuckled. “Ten’s going to need to work with you some more.”

He cast a glance back at the Prime, whose body had already become a lure for scavengers. Served it right, but Quade had to wonder who could control something so savage. The Prime was another apex predator, and they had no problems eating anything they could get their hands on, including their own people if they were motivated by anger or lust or hunger.

“A’kosh, have you ever seen a Bogran before?”

A sharp shake of the head. “No. No want to see it again. It taste bad.”

No way could Quade disagree with that. Of course, A’kosh’s blood hadn’t been all that palatable either.

As they walked, Quade kept up light conversation. He knew whatever was coursing through him was making him weaker, and the scents in the air were growing stronger. Even though he couldn’t get his wolf to come out, Quade knew the smells made his wolf edgy.