Hunted (Pack of Dawn and Destiny, #1)(57)

“It’s a unicorn!”

“Unicorns!” the kids shouted.

Greyson slipped off Solstice’s back, and I scrambled down after him, glancing back at the parents who had corralled their kids to keep them from running at us.

Linus slipped out of the car and nudged the door shut. “It sounds like we should head out before we cause any more of a ruckus,” Linus said. “Next time we visit we shall attempt to make a more discreet entrance.” He waved to the kids, then hopped up on Solstice’s back with ease given his fae height advantage.

“Yes,” Chrysanthe agreed, though I wasn’t sure she’d actually heard a word Lord Linus said—she was too busy gawking at City Hall. “A ruckus.”

“Thanks for the ride,” I said. “It’s really, really nice to not have to drive all the way back here.” I glanced at the city as the smell of hot blacktop mingled with the pungent scent of pine.

Linus tossed Greyson the car keys, then waved off my comment. “Of course! Next time you come to Magiford, text Chase and one of us shall come fetch you,” he said.

“We couldn’t possibly impose on the Night Queen in such a way,” Greyson started.

“Nonsense! She offered you an alliance, and as her official fae advisor I’m well aware you signed it this morning,” Linus said with a gleam in his eye. “Besides, Chase is now part of the Night Court, and for all practical purposes you are his family. His family is naturally important to the Night Court, then, as well. So, until next time!” He gave Greyson a jaunty salute, then nudged Solstice in the direction of the still active gate. “Come along, Lady Chrysanthe. We must be going.”

“Already?” Lady Chrysanthe asked.

“Fret not, I have a plan,” Lord Linus said before he and Solstice disappeared through the gate.

“Farewell, Alpha Greyson, Pip.” Lady Chrysanthe waved to us as Eclipse headed into the portal, and moments later she, too, was gone.

The portal collapsed, then faded as the magic propping it up dissipated.

As soon as it was gone, Greyson let his arm drop over my shoulders, and he surprised me by resting a little of his weight on me.





Chapter 15





Pip





I thought he was playing a trick on me, so I scowled up at him, but my frown faded when I saw he had his eyes closed.

“Are you okay?” I slid my arm behind his back in a feeble attempt to offer more support.

“I’m fine.” Greyson opened his golden eyes and stared at the ground. “The rapid changes are…difficult to handle.”

“Ahhh, I bet.”

Here’s the thing about wolves: their senses made them pretty sensitive—and the stronger their senses, the worse it was. Going from day to night in a totally different biosphere to day but several hundred miles north would be rough on any wolf given the different smells, sensations, and weather patterns. For a werewolf as strong as Greyson, it probably was enough to make his head swirl.

The kids returned to the playground—they were used to seeing wolves snuggle in public so they didn’t care. But I’m pretty sure one or two of the adults recognized Greyson because they were giving me some squinty-eyed looks that said gossip was spawning as we stood there.

“Do you need to sit down?” I asked.

“Just give me a second,” Greyson said. He plunked his chin down on the top of my head, effectively anchoring me in place.

I stretched my arm a little farther and tried not to be salty about all his muscles—seriously, wolves win the genetic lottery when it comes to physical fitness with the least amount of work.

“I can drive you and the car back to the lodge,” I offered.

“I’ve seen you drive. That’s not necessary.” Greyson leaned in, and a little more of his weight blanketed me.

I tried to look up at him, but between his chin on my head and his arm on my shoulders I couldn’t move much.

“Feeling better?” I sourly asked.

“I’m not sure. I have a ringing headache. You could try kissing me to see if it makes it better.”

“You are such an animal.” I tried to struggle my way out of his grasp.

“Yeah, it’s almost like I’m a wolf or something.” Greyson let me scramble for another moment or two, then collected himself, freeing me from his weight. “Congratulations on winning your case, Lady Hunter. Be sure to wave at Fletching when he arrives so he knows you got back first.”

“I never pegged you as being petty.”

“It’s not seemly in an Alpha,” Greyson acknowledged. “It’s why I encourage it in my Pack instead.”

I rolled my eyes and strode toward his car—I needed to grab my daggers from the glove compartment before I left. Because I certainly wasn’t driving home with him like this when it was just a short walk. “I’d say thank you for coming with me to Magiford, but you didn’t have to, and it seems like you had your own agenda.”

“So that’s a no to a thank you kiss, too?”

I glared at him as I yanked the passenger door open.

Greyson’s smile was too wolfish as he leaned against the car. “What? You’re the one that’s stingy.”

“Bad wolf.” I fished my daggers out of the glove compartment—they were cool to the touch since the car had been parked in the shadows of the garage instead of cooking in the sunlight. “Go find your mate and bother her.”