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1192 Words
Tyler turned swiftly from him. He needed to get back to the capital city now.
On the way back, he contemplated calling ahead and making sure Addison was okay. Or better yet, having several of his best shifters take her to a safe room and guard her. However, she’d be furious if he did.
A million possibilities swirled in his mind of how she could be harmed. One of the rogues could have broken free. What if they hadn’t really captured all of the pack, as he had thought?
Maybe he should make that call. But Addison would protest about whatever plans he enacted to take her away from the women and children. She was home on the castle grounds, which was one of the safest and most secure places she could be. Her guards should be sufficient for the time being, and she was committed to taking care of those they rescued. If he tried to derail her now, he would never hear the end of it.
He would see to her safety himself when he arrived and make her understand the danger she was in.
And he would keep her safe.
In record time, he arrived at his castle in the capital city and saw his beta waiting for him. Tyler quickly marched up to him.
“Has Addison been in sight the whole time? Are the guards keeping an eye on things?” he demanded.
His beta nodded. “Of course. All is well here, though the guards have to keep pretty quiet and stay out of her way. She doesn’t like knowing they’re following her all the time.”
A tension that he hadn’t even realized had been building in him was suddenly at ease. Good, no one had tried anything again. At least not yet.
“Where is she now?” Tyler asked.
“She’s helping the women and children settle into their rooms. For now, she’s given them all a place in the castle in the guest wing. I think she’s started a list to make sure everyone has what they need.” Louis told him.
Tyler nodded. “Thank you.” And then he quickly went off to find his betrothed.
Just as Louis said, she was talking with the women. The little girl, Cassia, clung to her side.
Addison noticed his approach and gave him a questioning look. Tyler came up to her and put a hand on her shoulder. “I need to speak with you for a moment. Alone.”
She frowned but began to extract herself from the circle of women. Cassia let out a noise of protest, and Addison smoothed her hair and smiled down at her. “This will only take a moment. I’ll be right back.”
The girl seemed satisfied enough with that answer and released her hold on Addison. Tyler pulled his betrothed off to the side and pulled her close to him. He’d done it so the others wouldn’t be able to hear, but it was almost intoxicating now that she was so close. Her scent was so utterly perfect that all he wanted to do was draw her even closer.
He mentally kicked himself. He needed to focus. There were more pressing matters right now.
“Did you find out who was behind all these attacks?” Addison asked.
Tyler shook his head. “No. I did, however, find out something dire. Someone has put a bounty on you.”
Addison stiffened.
“We need to figure out a plan to protect you,” Tyler continued. “Something to ensure your safety.”
She nodded, still looking a little shell-shocked. “Yeah, I guess so. What did you have in mind?”
“We need to get you out of the kingdom. We can send you to hide with one of your sisters or parents.”
Addison set her jaw. “No.”
Tyler balked, and the wolf inside him growled. Hadn’t she understood what he’d just said?
“I know you’re trying to protect me, but I won’t run,” she told him. “And I have a responsibility to these women. What kind of future queen would I be if I just ran?”
“I’m trying to keep you alive,” he retorted. “You can’t be any kind of queen if you’re dead.”
She shook her head. “This person put a bounty on my head. If they want to take me so badly, then who’s to say they won’t follow me wherever I go? I’d rather stand and fight than be hunted down like an animal.”
Her gaze was like liquid fire. A set and unshakeable determination settled in her eyes. “Let me stand with you and fight. Let’s face this enemy together.”
A part of him screamed at how incredibly stubborn and rash she was being. Every instinct in his body wanted to haul her away to the farthest corners of the world, away from here. And yet, he couldn’t help the small part of him that was exceptionally proud.
ADDISON
“Addison.” The warning in his tone would’ve made most people shudder. But Addison simply jutted her chin out more. There was no way she would leave all these people behind while she ran and hid.
“Look,” she began before he could lecture her again. “If we stay and work together, then we have more of a chance of defeating whoever is attacking us. And if you take me away from here, you’ll have two fights on your hands.”
Tyler held her gaze as if searching for something in her eyes. Finally, he sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Fine. As long as you promise you won’t throw yourself into danger.”
Addison thought about it for a moment. If she was going to make a promise, she wanted to be able to keep it.
After considering it for a moment, she answered. “I’ll stay out of trouble if I can. But I also have a duty to protect those women and children. I won’t abandon them if they’re in danger.”
From the way his mouth twitched downward, he was obviously not thrilled about that addition. Addison held her ground, however. She wouldn’t let these people down.
He nodded, and she noted the respect in his gaze. “Very well. But otherwise, you stay out of danger.”
Addison allowed a smile to quirk up onto her lips. “I will.”
“Good. I’ll put out the word and try to get a hit on whoever could have set the bounty.”
She nodded. “And if they catch word of where I am, there’s bound to be another attack on the palace. We’ll need to upgrade security around here. Luckily, you just so happen to have a tech genius around.”
That got a smile from him. “I most certainly do. For now, I’ll let you get back to moving the refugees in. I'll send out trackers to see what I can find.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
- Writer
