Stolen and Forgiven (Branded Packs #1)(49)

“I heard your stomach growling earlier,” he said, moving with ease to the counter to slice the bread he’d baked the day before. “Do you still like your eggs over easy and strawberry jam on your toast?”

He heard her tiny sound of surprise. Did she think he’d forgotten? That he didn’t remember every single thing about her?

“Is that why you brought me here?” she asked in a husky voice. “To make me breakfast?”

“Not entirely.” With the bacon and eggs cooking, and the bread being toasted, he turned to study his companion. Instantly, his heart clenched with a sharp-edged longing. Christ. She looked so perfect sitting in his house. It didn’t matter that her gorgeous hair was tied back, or that her face was scrubbed free of makeup. There was a sense of ‘rightness’ that settled deep inside of him. “I have a favor to ask.”

She regarded him with a wary scowl. “What favor?”

He grimaced. Someday she was going to look at him with joy, not that aggravating suspicion.

“Despite the efforts of our two Alphas, the melding of our Packs is bound to be difficult.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Yeah, understatement of the year.”

“I hoped you would help me keep the peace.”

“Peace?”

He gave a lift of his shoulder. During his long nighttime run, he’d given considerable thought to how he could ease the burden carried by his Alpha. There were some duties only Holden could deal with, but it was possible Soren could help prevent the brewing battle between the two Packs.

“Right now, we’re all on edge and waiting for an opportunity to strike out,” he said, watching as she gave a small shiver. He didn’t blame her. The very air in the enclosed compound seethed with the promise of violence. “I hoped we could find a casual means to provide interaction.”

“What sort of interaction?” she asked.

“Casual competitions.”

“Competitions?” She blinked in confusion. “Wouldn’t that just ramp up the sense of wolf versus cat?”

“Not if we mix the teams,” he explained. “We could divide up the more aggressive members of the River and Golden Packs and add in the submissives to tone down the urge for violence.”

He sensed her wariness fade as she leaned her elbows on the island, her expression one of feline curiosity.

“What would the competitions entail?”

Ah. He knew she wouldn’t be able to resist the idea of helping ease the tension between the Packs. She might be a princess, but she was utterly devoted to her people.

“We should switch them up so everyone can be involved,” he said. “Some could be organized sports like softball and football. And others would be less structured. Maybe races or an obstacle course.”

Cora’s emerald eyes sparkled with anticipation. The cats were bound to excel at anything that included climbing.

“Like American Ninja Warriors?”

“Exactly.” His fingers itched to reach up and stroke the hint of color that bloomed beneath the satin softness of her cheek. Would she purr or scratch? The fact he couldn’t be sure kept him from trying. “Afterward, we could have a picnic to celebrate the winners.”

She gave a nod, clearly approving his suggestion even as she hesitated to agree. No doubt she understood they’d have to spend a considerable amount of time together planning the various events.

“Isn’t this a discussion you should be having with Max?” she asked. “He’s our Beta.”

Soren shook his head. “As soon as I go to him, any suggestions I make will become a part of formal mediations that have to go straight to your father.”

She instantly bristled. She was overly protective of her father since her mother’s death.

“Would that be a bad thing?”

“It’s not a bad thing,” he instantly assured her, “but I don’t want the Alphas making this a mandatory get-together. No one’s more bullheaded than a shifter, and once it gets turned into a duty, everyone will resent having to do it. If we keep it spontaneous, then it has a better chance of getting people involved.”

She considered his words before giving a slow nod. “True.”

“Then you’ll help?” he asked.

She bit her bottom lip. “I’m not sure.”

“Cora, you know that your people adore you.” He shamelessly manipulated her by bringing up her loyalty to her Pack. “If you put your full energy into the events, then the cats will come.”

No doubt sensing she’d just been lured into a well-planned trap, Cora narrowed her gaze. She wanted to tell him to go to hell. He could read it in her eyes. But even as he prepared himself for a fight, she heaved a small sigh of resignation.

“Fine. I’ll help.”

His wolf howled in silent triumph.

****

A week later, Cora stood at the edge of the communal gathering area and tried to look interested in the assorted activities that were spread around the large opening.

The “Pack Games,” as Soren had labeled them, had been a roaring success.

Around the edges of the clearing, Soren had constructed an obstacle course that consisted of narrow tunnels built of barbed wire, six-foot-high walls that had to be jumped, a mud pit, and a three-hundred-pound weight that had to be carried over a narrow bridge.