The Wolf King's Demand

6

It seemed to Tyler that they had reached some sort of truce. Addison was more friendly and open as they worked on their separate projects for the afternoon. He hoped the new familiarity would last a long time.

“I’m still no closer to tracking this damn security breach,” she told him several hours later. “Whoever hacked into the system is using some advanced software. I keep thinking I’m getting somewhere, then it just sends me around in a loop.”

“That sounds frustrating,” Tyler replied. “Listen, I’m finishing up here. I’ve got to send the last shipment of supplies to the attacked villages, and I’ll be done. Do you want to finish early and go somewhere more restful?”

“Like a date, you mean?” she asked suspiciously.

“No,” he assured her. “Nothing so horrible as a date. I was thinking something more along the lines of a carriage ride down to Turtle Lake and a picnic dinner?” He tried to keep the laughter from his voice as he said it.

“That sounds suspiciously like a date, you know.” She side-eyed him with a sneaky grin.

He cracked a smile. It was the first time she’d laughed spontaneously like that. He liked the way her eyes lit up with merriment. “No, I just happen to like carriage rides and picnics,” he said innocently.

The laughter twinkled around her eyes. “Okay then,” she said. “As long as it’s not a date.”

They finished their work and headed out to the Royal Stables. He loved it there, and in truth, taking the horses out was one of his favorite things to do. Something about the routine of bringing them back to the stable and grooming them set his nerves to rights.

Addison wasn’t so sure about horses, but he calmly showed her how to manage them, and soon they were on their way.

They set out between a long avenue of trees, their spring blossoms scenting the warm afternoon air. “Do you want to have a try at driving the horses?” he asked.

“Really? Do you think I could?” she replied eagerly.

“I don’t see why not,” he said, handing her the reins and showing her how to hold them.

“This is amazing,” she squealed. “I love it!”

The two black horses were perfectly matched and trotted nicely underneath her gentle guidance. “You’re doing really well,” he said.

She drove the horse all the way to the lake’s edge and pulled them to a stop at his favorite picnic spot. The scene was flawless. The lake was clear and blue, reflecting the azure sky.

An ancient willow had half fallen into the lake here. It had continued to live, as willows do, creating the picture-perfect bowled picnic area. He spread out the blanket, and they unpacked the food together. The palace kitchens had done them proud. There were potted meats, a cut glass bowl of green salad, and freshly baked rolls, along with homemade lemonade and a bottle of sparkling wine.

“This is lovely,” Addison admitted.

He was so pleased she had warmed to him a little. “Made all the lovelier by you being here,” he said.

“Ugh, cheesy,” she replied, throwing a grape at him.

He burst out laughing. She was certainly not like the women who simpered at him in court. “Come with me,” he said. “I want to show you something.”

He led her into the woods to a gentle rise. At the top sat a tower. “Wow, that’s cool,” she said. “Why is it here?”

“It’s just a gimmick,” he replied. “We used to play here all the time when I was a kid. A group of us would have the tower, and the other group would be the invaders.”

They climbed the spiral staircase that wound its way around the inside up to the floor at the top. The view was stunning, with the lake below and the castle on the far hill.

“I love it,” she breathed, her eyes twinkling and setting his heart on fire.

ADDISON

The relaxation of the day before had already been nearly forgotten as Addison sat in front of her computer and cussed. She had gotten so close to tracing the computer hack when it had thrown her right back to the beginning again. She didn’t understand how they were doing it. She thought she had at least made it so they couldn’t breach the system again. But she couldn't be sure with the advanced software they were using.

“Still not nailing it?” Tyler asked.

There was no blame in his words, but she felt them as a slight. She prided herself on her computer skills, and she didn’t want to have to ask for help from her family with this one. But it was so damn tricky.

“I’ll get there,” she assured him, sitting back in her chair and running her hand through her hair.

Just then, the tracker Tyler had sent out earlier padded in. The big gray wolf trotted to the privacy screen in the corner of the office to shift into human form.

He returned, tucking his shirt into his pants. “I tracked them to their camp about twenty-five miles west of here,” he said. “They took a circuitous route to try to throw me, but there’s no tricking this nose.”

Tyler smiled. Declan’s tracking skills were legendary. “Well done, Declan. I knew I could count on you.”

Declan smiled, and Addison noticed even in human form, Declan’s incisors were long and sharp. He looked like a wild man with his dark beard and shoulder-length dark hair that could use a hairbrush.

“Did anyone see you?” Tyler asked.

“What do you think?” Declan asked. “You know no one ever sees me unless I want them to.”

“That’s true. We nicknamed him the Ghost when we were younger,” he told Addison. “Do you know who it was?” he asked Declan.

“It was the Fleetfoot Rogues,” said Declan.

“Damn, are you sure?” Tyler appeared livid.

“Absolutely,” confirmed Declan. “I saw their leader at the camp. They were keeping slaves, too. Women and kids who looked underfed and squalid. The conditions were abominable.”

“f**k,” Tyler growled. “Louis,” he called to his beta, “assemble thirty of the best fighters we have. We’re going to take down that camp.”

“I’m coming,” said Addison quickly.

“No way,” Tyler growled. “It will be too dangerous.”

“I can handle myself,” she retorted. “Besides, if there are children and women that need looking after, I’d like to help them.”