22. Zander

Chapter twenty-two

Zander

T he rest of the Pride knew not to test Killy when the man summoned them right from their beds and plopped them down in the dirt in their pajamas the other night. Barnham, however, was more stubborn than a wall that had to be knocked down to move.

I’d just walked out of the house when Killy grabbed the gun. Naven was easing his way towards Barnham’s tuck. He knew as well as I did that Killy could and would rip Barnham to pieces.

Based on his thoughts, Naven was happy with Killy. His lord had provided a nice pavilion and last night, Naven slept under a roof with walls and a bathroom. The man had brought a tent to pitch and expected to be sleeping on the ground. I decided to put a little shed behind the pavilion, then, with a bed, a bathroom, and a wood stove for the winter. This wouldn’t be the first Pride meeting.

Killy listened to me and stayed on the porch. People came to him, and he was cordial. Nirah had expected him to refuse her children playing with Jules. Her mate had died a year ago when Xeno came through one night and tried to take the cubs. Gilly had been a Demi-deuil, several generations removed from Ozzi. Syvyn and Sadie were Shifters but didn’t look like MacLadens. I’d kept her in her house after that. Xeno was after her farm, too. I’d paid the taxes and gave him a direct order to forget Nirah existed.

So many things you haven’t told me, Killy thought as we watched the children play.

Naven would be your librarian, I thought. He can read bloodlines and has enough magic to read those books in your library. He moved them for me.

Good to know. This is only the first step in getting things right again, Zee. Tell me you’re staying? Tell me I don’t have to keep asking if you’re staying?

I laughed softly and slid my arms around him. I’m staying, Killy. My things are in the house, in your closet. When everyone leaves tonight, I’ll show you the new bed in our secret room, and you can show me a different position.

Can I, now? he replied.

Oh, you can.

He laughed then, and I kissed the top of his head.

…to be continued.