Leap of the Lion (The Wild Hunt Legacy #4)(117)

“Wells will track the rest down, and I think he’s planning something with the Dogwood males.” She frowned. “He’s not exactly sharing though.”

Silently appearing, Calum plucked the mite from Jamie’s lap, cuddling the tiny male cub against his shoulder.

“MomVee,” Jamie whined. “He stole my baby.”

“Our cub,” Calum murmured and kissed the top of Jamie’s head. “As are you, kitten.” With a smile, Calum rubbed his cheek against the baby’s and leaned on the armrest next to Vicki and said to the group, “Donal reports the wounded are ready to travel. I’ve made arrangements with the other territories to house everyone, including the females, currently in Rainier Territory.”

He looked at Gawain. “Owen says you enjoy driving. If you are amenable, I’d like to you to transport the Dogwood females to their new homes. Owen will accompany you to ensure their safety.”

After a startled second, Gawain bowed his head and gave the formal answer. “Your will, Cosantir. When do we start?”

“I believe Bree would gut me if I sent you away before her Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. Will Friday suit?”

Gawain glanced at Owen for his nod and answered. “We’ll be ready.”

“I’m glad.” Darcy’s lips curved, and she rubbed her shoulder against Owen’s. “The females will finally be able to start their lives. And they’ll get to meet Daonain guys. They’re in for such a lovely surprise.”

A lovely surprise. Pleased, Owen squeezed her.

“Speaking of meeting guys, full moon is coming.” Vicki frowned up at her mate. “My darling Cosantir, although I love you, if you even think of mating, I’ll hurt you.”

Calum burst out laughing. “Indeed. No worries, cariad. There will be no heat for you for a couple of months, at least. Remember, if you’re not interested, neither are we.”

Her eyes narrowed. “What if other females are interested in you? Two months is a long time.”

“Time is irrelevant when you’re lifemated. The only female Alec and I want to mate with is you.”

“Huh. Sometimes this Daonain stuff isn’t all that bad.” With a soft smile, Vicki leaned against her mate.

Turning toward Owen, Darcy bit her lip. “I’ve never been to a big Gathering. It was scary enough with only four of you. And I don’t really want…”

Owen drew her more snugly against him.

Kneeling beside her, Gawain set a hand on her knee, brow drawn with worry. “Darcy.”

Calum’s expression turned gentle. “I will be there, Darcy, and will keep an eye on you.”

Although her worried look didn’t ease, she smiled back. “Thank you.”

Uneasiness trailed cold fingers across Owen’s nape. A Gathering? How the fuck could he stomach seeing Darcy—his Darcy—get escorted to the mating rooms by other males? Just the thought sent possessive rage streaming through his veins.

The muscles in Gawain’s cheek had gone taut.

They were fucked.





Chapter Twenty-Eight





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Darcy sat in Angie’s Diner, drinking coffee and tearing a donut to shreds. Rain ran in clear rivulets down the glass windows. The diner was almost empty. Apparently, the noisy storm had discouraged people from venturing outside.

After a swallow of coffee, she resumed tracing her finger through the brown liquid she’d spilled on the table. She wasn’t really hungry. Bree had made huge omelets for breakfast. Of course, that had been hours ago.

Face it, her appetite had fled because the full moon was tomorrow. As Vicki would say…god fucking dammit all to hell.

Gawain and Owen weren’t back.

Honestly, they’d been gone…for-ever…deliver-ing the Dogwood females to the various territories. Okay, four days. She’d heard from them only once—using Shay’s phone—but like Tynan, they were being exceedingly cautious about being traced. She agreed. Once the Scythe rebounded from losing the prìosan and forest compound, they’d start a hunt for their lost shifters.

Ice filled her belly at the thought. She still wondered if she should have disappeared into Canada as she’d planned. At the time, she’d expected the villagers would all hide together. Scattering made more sense. Probably.

She sighed. The days were long and dull without her guys. How long could she last without hearing Gawain’s big laugh or being wrapped in the muscular blademage’s arms. She missed Owen’s low growl and how the ever-so-deadly cahir would nuzzle her cheek. And, oh, she missed mating with the both of them.

Hunger slid into her bloodstream as she remembered the ways they’d made love—sheer carnal sex, loving sex, slow sensuous sex, fast, pounding sex, and every other variation they could think of. Sex in bed, on the floor, in mountain meadows, in the shower…although—she grinned—the lodge shower had been a bit small for the three of them.

Being with them and loving them fulfilled something in her.

She shook her head and took a sip of coffee.

As she set the cup down, she smiled at the cell phone sitting on the table. It was a present from Vicki. One evening when the females had gathered at the tavern, Vicki’d tried to thank her for going into the prìosan to get her out. In return, Darcy’d tried to thank her for the clothing, the friendship, for standing up for her, for…