Page 128 of Wicked Bonds

“On the street?” Luc sounded confused.

“At an inn. The Spriggs family adopted some cute mutts.”

“Ah,” Luc replied, immediately deciphering Balthazar and Leela’s current location. BecauseSpriggswas a name all the Elders knew. It wasn’t the real surname for the family that owned this inn, but a nickname for one of the ancestors.

The black-and-tan mix on her opposite side lay down and put a paw on her thigh while staring up at Leela with pretty caramel-brown irises.

Puppy eyes, he mused, his lips twitching despite the anger still thundering through his veins.

Maybe a little fluffy love would help calm him down, too.

“I should go,” he said to Luc. “We won’t be here long.”

“That’s wise. Touch base in six. I’ll give you an update on everything here.” Luc ended the call before Balthazar could agree to the timetable.

Twelve-hour check-ins were easier to manage.

If Luc wanted to chat in six hours, then it meant they were close to finalizing the wards.

A weight slipped from Balthazar’s shoulders. He missed Hydria. His home. Hisbed.

Mmm, he wanted Leela in that bed. Tied up. Wet. Begging him to fuck her.

Would it bring back more memories, or merely make new ones?

A laugh left her luscious mouth, drawing him for his erotic musings. The boxer mix was still trying to climb into her lap. Much to the chagrin of the floppy-eared one using her thigh as a pillow for its long snout.

Balthazar sauntered toward them, the phone still in his hand. Leela’s eyes danced with a delight that matched her thoughts, causing his lips to curl.

Happiness made her shine even more. This was a female who deserved to smile. To laugh. To enjoy life. Her existence had been darkened by a lifetime of cruel tampering.

And that darkness had bled into him as well, taunting his memories and mind and removing this delightful creature from his thoughts.

Who would they be today had the council not separated them?

Bonded mates?

Still partially bonded?

Not bonded at all?

Had Leela only bitten him to taint her bloodline? Or had they been in love?

She laughed again as the floppy-eared German shepherd mix sat up to give her an unexpected lick on the chin.

Balthazar’s grin grew at the sight and sound of her joy.

Stunning,he marveled, almost hypnotized by her beauty. But he wanted his own kiss, too.

On her lips.

He closed the distance between them and bent to claim her mouth with his own, telling her with his tongue that he didn’t blame her for anything that had happened and only wanted her happiness going forward.

She clung to his shirt as though she needed him for balance when he pulled back. Her smile had disappeared into a content expression mingled with lust.

“Who are your new friends?” he asked softly, feeling the nose of one of them against his cheek.

Sniffing sounds had replaced the happy panting as the two dogs evaluated Balthazar’s character and intentions.