“Which friend?”
“The Lone Wolf, the one with the wolf tattoo on his hip.” Gunnar said. “Ask him for his help. You’ll need it. And he needs to come back to New York. Do whatever it takes.”
There was only one Lone Wolf he knew with that kind of tattoo—he’d seen it when he fished the man out of the Hudson. “You mean—” He stopped short. No one in New York knew about Ransom. “How do you know him?” But his brother ignored him and walked toward the bedroom, shutting the door behind him.
A cold feeling crawled over his skin. Hours ago, he had felt so confident that they would get to the mages first. That Sabrina would be protected, if temporarily, by making her invulnerable. But now, even that wasn’t 100 percent certain. He would have to find another way to protect her and make sure no one could get to her. To take her somewhere the mages could never find her.
An idea popped into his head. He knew of one place far enough away, and the mages would never be able to reach her. Of someone who could keep her safe.
Of course, Cross felt like a piece of shit asking her for this favor now after avoiding her for over a year, but what choice did he have?
Mind made up, he transported back to The Alpha’s guest room. Sabrina was still in bed, and hadn’t even moved an inch. Thank goodness she was a really heavy sleeper, and after their exhausting evening, she was surely out like a light. He slid into the bed behind her and embraced her, then waved his hands to create pajamas over her naked body. She stirred and twisted around to face him, nuzzling at his neck before relaxing in his arms again. After a minute or two when her breathing evened, he closed his eyes and concentrated.
The bed they reappeared in was still made, and his enhanced senses told him this entire wing was empty. Carefully, he slid away from her, placing a pillow in his stead.
As he moved away from the bed, he wondered about the long explanation he was about to make. Honesty, he said to himself. She’s always appreciated honesty.
Closing his eyes, he transported himself again, though this time, not very far away, only to the next wing in the Royal Palace of Zhobghadi. He found himself in the spacious living room of the king and queen’s private apartments. His enhanced hearing picked up sounds from a room off to the side, and he carefully walked toward it, peeking inside the open door.
A woman dressed in a green tunic had her back to him as she hummed softly, cradling a child to her chest as she swayed back and forth. He’d only taken one step inside the room when she froze, her entire body tensing. He stopped in his tracks as she slowly turned around.
“Cross,” Deedee whispered, her light green eyes shifting colors as a myriad of emotions flashed on her face. “I was told … I spoke to my dad, and he told me you left … but then you came back again.”
“Deedee, I’m sorry to drop in like this,” he said sheepishly, scratching at his head as he approached her. His wolf recognized hers instantly, yipping happily as he drew closer to his best friend. At one point, he had thought there could have been something between them, at least until he met Sabrina. That maybe Deedee could have meant something more than a friend to him, but by then she had met her True Mate, King Karim of Zhobghadi.
Her mouth was still open with shock. “You came here, didn’t you?” she asked. “A few days ago.”
“How did you know?”
She reached into her pocket and pulled out something gold and shiny—his GI medallion. “I found this on the balcony. I still have the one you gave me. I keep it in my dresser. I had hoped it was you … You haven’t visited or called all this time.”
“I know, and I’m sorry. I thought it best to stay away. Your husband isn’t too happy with me.”
“But I’m not too happy with you being away,” she said with a pout. “You didn’t come for the wedding or when Caspar was born.”
He glanced down at the sleeping child in her arms. “He’s beautiful.”
“I know.” Her mouth turned up into a smile as a wistful look passed on her face. “He’s everything to me.” She kissed the top of the child’s forehead.
“You look happy, Dee.” A total understatement. She was glowing. “Really happy.” He couldn’t help but see the remarkable difference in her as she fussed over her son as she placed him back in his crib.
“Of course,” she replied. “I—”
“What in An’s name is going on here?”
Deedee started at the sound of her husband’s voice, but she recovered in a split second. “Darling, look who’s come for a visit.”
His Majesty, King Karim of Zhobghadi strode into the room, his cerulean blue eyes trained like daggers on Cross. Dressed in a dark gray tunic with a dozen or so shiny medals on his chest, he looked every bit the imposing royal he was. There was also a great power he kept wrapped up inside him that Cross’s wolf couldn’t ignore—a mighty dragon that could raze lands with its mighty fire breath.
“What are you doing here?” The king asked. “Do you think you can just come here anytime—”
“Karim!” Deedee admonished as she marched toward him. “Stop it. Please don’t be angry.”
He glared at Cross, then looked down at his wife, his expression softening. “I could never be angry at you, habibti.” Then he turned back to Cross. “But you still need to explain your presence. You have avoided my wife for more than a year. She sent you an invitation to our wedding, to Caspar’s welcoming ceremony, her birthday, and yet, you ignored her. What kind of best friend does that?”
“Karim please—”
“Habibti, I know how much it hurt
