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“She needs to know I don’t intend to have her as a ht”

“Would she resort to that archaic law?”

“Why not? She’s told the whole damn world I’m her intended”

“Kiara wants greater royal prestige And you buddy, are it, even if you’re just a spare heir”

“She’ll need to look elsewhere” The sound of horses gladdened Steele’s heart “They’re back”

Slade stood and looked over the railing “Shit”

“What?”

“No riders”

Steele’s adrenaline spiked “Kiara found her!”

Slade growled, shifted and took off toward the trail Hot on their scent

Steele shifted and joined him at a dead run Please, let there be a better reason their horses returned without them

Gaby fretted Cricket fell into a deep sleep She peeked beneath the bandana covering Cricket’s wound The bleeding had stopped Although her injury could be internal The wolf pack guarding her and Cricket turned their attention toward the forest They growled, but slowly backed up Kiara must have returned with ently patted her cheek “Cricket, wake up”

Cricket opened her eyes “Was I asleep?”

“Yeah”

“Sorry, what’s up?”