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Again the feeling of being near him unnerved her That saed her retort, while blood rah her body "Based on my observations, you don’t hit much"

The instant she hter rippled around the into her stoht to bind her breasts tight in a long length offar ruff voice of the cook called out froiant, Ōka your touch?"

"The little lord didn’t let me finish" Ōkami bent forward "I said I wouldn’t hit him" He was so close, his words pulsed across her skin

"But that’s not the only way to punish soh Mariko’s center, its aim hot and true She knew she could not afford to let a boy like Ōkaet free of thesea way to distract herself--any weakness in the strength surrounding her--she studied Ōka His forearms were corded with muscle His hold on the reins was loose Easy Which meant he was likely an accomplished rider Any attempt to unseat him would be ill-advised

But perhaps Mariko could unseat hian, her tone low and brusque

"You really don’t learn, do you?"

"You h your parents named you after a wolf?"

"They didn’t"

Despite all, her curiosity took hold once ," Ōkami said "Before I pass you to someone who really will beat the impudence out of you"

She paused "Wolves are pack creatures, you know"

Another ru out from behind them "I must admit that boy is tenacious, even in the face of doom"

Mariko felt Ōkami shift in the saddle to address the cook At that, she took the opportunity she’d been waiting to catch him unawares

She bit into the skin just above Ōka his horse to rear Mariko almost slid headfirst frorip, catching her at the last possibleher tight by the collar of her threadbare kosode Mariko expected to find fury in his eyes Instead she was met with an impenetrable expression Not the cold sort But rather carefully veiled, though his eyes were reht

Mariko returned his stare, her heart thrashing wildly "If you were " She could not prevent her voice fro on the last word

"No, I wouldn’t" Ōkaed at his lips "I would have succeeded"

"And hoould you have gone about doing that?"

His ather you routinely think you possess the ence of any man around you"

She shook her head slowly

"A word of warning" He bent closer The scent of warm stone and wood smoke emanated from his skin

Mariko blinked

"Don’t bare your neck to a wolf" With that, Ōkami heaved her off his horse into the shallows of the nearby pond

Mariko gasped as the cold water enveloped her, theher bound wrists to brush vines andthe bank Then he twisted his horse aithout a glance back

"Welcome home, Lord Lackbeard" Ranmaru smiled

"Home?" she choked "What are you--"

"Clean yourself up You were badly in need of a bath anyway Then fetch me some firewood" He clicked his horse fro," Ranmaru said over his shoulder "There are traps everywhere You won’t ue from our camp"