Page 73 of Wolf's Vow

“I’m good here,” I told him from the kitchen.

He patted his lap. “Here.”

Usually, I would tell him to stuff it, but I didn’t know if it was the phone calls, the kiss, or that my wolf just wanted to be near him, but I crossed the small space and perched on the edge of my mate’s knee. Okay, maybe I wanted to be near him too.

Wolfe didn’t believe in things being done half-assed. His arm snaked around my waist, and I was pulled into his chest. He dropped his head into the crook of my neck and inhaled deeply.

You smell delicious.

I flushed.Behave, I admonished him, wiggling in his lap to get comfy.Why am I on your lap anyway?

Because I want you to be.

I turned my head to look at him over my shoulder and almost came undone when I saw the slow, sexy smirk, and, clearing my throat, I faced the front once more.

“I think we should be quick,” Diesel murmured, and Killian nodded in agreement, far too quickly, only making my cheeks redden even more.

“Did you really hear the Goddess?” Thalia asked Diesel, and I shot her a grateful look as all attention shifted to the big male.

“Heard her?” Diesel snorted. “Difficult wench tried to kick my ass down a mountain.”

I gaped. Wolfe chuckled, so did Brand and the others, but was he serious? “Wench?” I struggled to speak. “You can’t call the Goddess awench!”

“Sure I can,” Diesel said with an easy shrug.

“Yes,” Wolfe said, pulling me farther back against him until I was practically lying on him. “I asked for a sign and she not only sent me this ornery bastard back, she created the seal.”

“The territory barrier?” Killian asked, leaning forward. “Nice,” he added when Diesel nodded. “It’s the reverse of Stonefang, right?”

Wolfe’s hand skimmed lightly up and over my arm, making it hard to concentrate. He didn’t seem to be having any difficulty. “Yeah, I think it is. No one gets in when we’re both here.”

“You have that mother and her children to move,” Axel said quietly but firmly. “Solana wants out of here; you called them back too quickly.”

Diesel frowned. “Why is she leaving?”

“Her husband was using the oldest to send messages to our attackers,” Axel told him with no hesitation. “He beat his wife, threatened the oldest with abusing his little sister, let another use his wife against her will.”

Diesel growled low in his throat. “Is he still alive?”

Wolfe sat up a little, and I used the moment to stand and move to the kitchen.

“It is for the Pack Council to try him for his crimes,” Wolfe said calmly.

“Fuck that,” Diesel scoffed, and I saw Cody nod in agreement. “His punishment should come at the hand of his alpha.”

“Whoever punishes him,” Axel said from his post at the door, “Solana was promised the chance to leave, to go to Stonefang and heal.”

Diesel looked at Wolfe, who gave a slight nod. “I’ll take her in the morning.”

Cody nodded. “The Grumps are there; they’ll take care of her.”

I couldn’t think of anything worse than those creepy old shifters looking after her. Other thanDieselbeing the shifter to lead them to the territory. My eyes widened as I looked at Wolfe, and he squinted in question. “What is it, princess?”

“I…” I shook my head. “I can talk to you later.”

“She wants to know if I’m the best choice to escort a beaten female to Stonefang.”

Well, if Diesel had no quibble calling me out, then I had no hesitation answering it. “She’s vulnerable.” I tried for diplomacy. “Wolfe told me Aren is fragile and?—”