Chapter 31

Chapter 31

“Please tell Mason I’m sorry,” I sniffled, standing at the edge of the woods that marked the border of our pack lands. Jessop Town was just down the path.

“Honestly, Giselle, he’s not going to give a flying f*ck.” Eddie replied. He pointed down the path. “Get gone.”

I clung to Eddie’s arm, giving him my best damsel-in-distress eyes. “But you care. You care. Eddie. Remember how good we were together?”

Eddie snorted. “Wow, you are unbelievable. First, we were never together. Second, I wouldn’t mix it up again with a bi tch like you if Hale ordered me to. And third, I’ve had better. A LOT better. He shook me off. “Now f*ck off.”

I bared my teeth at him in a snarl, but his snarl was more intimidating, and I knew I wasn’t going to win this

p’ssing match. I turned on my heel and flounced down the path, carrying a bag of essentials over my shoulder. I’d been unable to carry all my things, and Eddie had been most unhelpful.

Jessop Town was a place for wh ores and drunkards, where anything could be bought for a price. It wouldn’t take long for me to find a place there, a

comfortable place. A place of power. It was just going to be so tedious building up a new network of gullible, im becile men.

The Wolf and Rabbit was going to be my first stop. I still had some contacts in the taverns around here, and the owner of the tavern was a friend. He’d let me stay for a few days until I could get my feet under me.

As I was about to enter, the door swung open, and two cloaked figures walked out. One of them bumped me, almost making me drop my bag.

“B*stard.” I muttered under my breath.

But the bump had shifted their-her-hood enough to get a glimpse of the

woman beneath it.

Bl oody. Kora.

Indignation bubbled in me. I wanted to run after her and tear her hair out. She was the cause of all of this. All of it!

I’d even turned to follow her when my better nature stopped me.

This was good. This could change everything.

Kora was definitely here without Mason’s permission. In other words, my little performance had made her go rogue.

I smiled to myself. No more competition for Luna.

There would be some smoothing over needed, of course. A lot of tiresome sucking up and sucking d*ck and hiding any other liaisons I might be having

behind Mason’s back. But a door had been opened that I’d thought had been closed shut on me.

I hurried into the Wolf and Rabbit and sought out Ben.

“Giselle!” he said, coming out from behind the bar to give me a hug and a grope. “As I live and breathe! Never thought I’d see you again.”

“Oh, I’m just passing through.” I purred, letting Ben feel me up. “I was wondering if there were any rooms available.”

Ben gave me a wink. “For you? Always.”

“Usual cost?” I asked.

A sly grin spread across his face. “Maybe a little extra.”

Of course. I sighed inwardly but gave Ben a s**y smile. “I like the sound of that.” “Good.” Ben put a hand on my a’s and began showing me to the stairs.

I stopped him with a soft hand on his chest. “And how much more to send a message to Shadowmoon for me?”

Ben raised his eyebrows. Then he chuckled and squeezed my a’s. “I’m sure we can come up with a fair price.”

I perched on the edge of a chair in the Wolf and Rabbit’s private parlor, barely able to sit down. Ben had taken his pound of flesh and then some, but it would all be worth it in the end.

Impatience was forcing my fingertips to tap the table. The Shadowmoon representative was late.

A tall, broad-shouldered cloaked man came striding in just as I was thinking of leaving to find another useful contact to ensnare. I pursed my l*ps at him as he sat down across from me, eyeing him from head to toe.

“What will your Alpha think when I tell him you kept me waiting?” I asked, my

tone tart.

“I don’t know. Let me ask him,” the tall man said. He spun in a little circle, then took a seat across from me. “He says just be glad I came.”

I blinked. “Alpha Shadowmoon?”

“Giselle Nightshade?” Lyle smirked.

I quickly got to my feet and executed a deep curtsy. “My apologies. I am most grateful you made the time to come speak with me. However, I expected a representative, not the Alpha himself!”

Lyle inclined his head, and I sat back down. “Let’s just say you piqued my

Interest.”

“Alpha, I know it is unbecoming to get caught up in rumors, and I would never hold myself so high as to think I knew your mind on any subject-” I began my spiel.

“Giselle. We’re both too cu nning to bullsh*t each other. I know some rumors about you, too.” He smirked at me. “I hope ALL of them are true.”

I smiled back and nodded. “Møst, I’m sure. Fine, I’ll get straight to the point. I was told you might have an interest in having Kora Monroe back for your mate.”

“You heard correctly,” Lyle said.

“I myself have plans to become Luna of the Fullbright Pack. However, that bi tch Kora-”

Lyle rapped his knuckles on the table. “Careful.”

Clearing my throat, I continued. “Sorry, of course. She’s your mate. Well, she will be.”

“I agree with you on that point,” Lyle replied. He leaned his elbows on the table, eyeing me speculatively. “What I don’t understand is how you’re going to fit into the picture.”

“I’d like to help,” I said eagerly. “I have information that might prove useful to you. In return for my help, however, I will require the protection of the Shadowmoon Pack until I can get my affairs back in order.”

“Your many, many affairs,” Lyle chuckled.

I shrugged. “One must do what one can with what one is given. I use my talents, just as anyone else would.”

“Remind me to find out just how talented you are some time.” Lyle laced his fingers under his chin and gave me a long look. “I suppose my protection would depend on the information you give me.”

“Kora is a rogue now,” I responded proudly. “And for more than that, I will require your protection.”

Lyle’s eyes gleamed. “Excellent. Though I was looking forward to strangling Hale with my bare hands for touching what was mine.”

I recalled Mason strangling me, and touched my throat absently. “I’m sure that can be arranged someday. I’d much rather be Luna Regent than have to k*ss up to Hale for the rest of my life.”

A laugh rumbled through Lyle’s chest. “Oh, I like you.”

“It’s just the truth.” I leaned on my own elbows, mirroring Lyle’s stance. “So… protection?”

“Why not,” Lyle said. “You amuse me, if nothing else. I will extend you the protection of my pack.”

“Good.” I settled myself back in my chair. “You have a prisoner named Shawn Norman. She will come for him.”

“I rather thought she would, which is why he is alive,” Lyle responded. “Is that all you have?”

“No,” I said quickly. I needed to cement my place in the Shadowmoon Pack, however briefly I might be there. “You also have her father, I believe.”

“Oswald? Yes.” Lyle shrugged. “But she’ll think of him as a traitor, just like the rest of Fullbright.”

I grinned and shook my head. “She’s been looking for evidence to exonerate him all these years. She’ll try to get him out as well.

Lyle tapped his chin. “Hmm. That is news indeed.”

“I’ve slept with Hale for years. And I’ve known Kora since we were children. I’m sure there’s more I could help you with.” I purred.

“I’m sure.” Lyle pushed back his chair. “I think it’s time we leave this dive and go back to my pack lands. We have much to discuss, you and I. Like a trap for Kora.

“And making me Luna Regent of the Fullbright Pack,” I pressed.

Lyle gave a full-throated belly laugh.

“Yes. We can discuss that as well.”

“You idiot!”