Chapter Twenty-Six
Kele woke to a close-up view of the inside of Pemma’s nose. The female’s arms were so entangled around hers they’d gone numb.
Omegas.
She shoved Pemma’s face away. Why hadn’t she gone to Ewald’s bed last night? Pemma knew she had no place to sleep but here. It wasn’t like she was going to run. What if Peder showed up looking for her? She had to give him a few days at least to escape.
Twisting her upper body, Kele managed to dislodge the female’s leechlike hug. Thank goodness she’d slept with her clothes on. She was so exhausted last night that she’d fallen in the deepest slumber and never sensed Pemma joining her in bed. She slid out and flexed her arms until blood pumped in them once more.
Pemma curled around her pillow and made puppy noises until she fell back asleep. It was easy to like Pemma. Kele always wished she could have been more outgoing, but when she tried it came out forced and unnatural.
The lovely dress Pemma had worn to the party lay tossed on the only chair in the room. Kele carried it to the wardrobe and hung it. Something hard fell out of the dress and onto her foot. Hopping on one leg, she gritted her teeth against a curse. She glared at the object then clapped her hand over her mouth.
“What the fuck, Pemma?” The words came out muffled but loud.
Pemma shot up in bed drowning in the mass of her wavy hair. “I didn’t touch him.”
Kele picked up the ruby pendant Benic had given her on her mating day. She’d lost it when the vampires had attacked and she’d shifted right out of her clothes. Running her fingers over the cold stones, she recalled her mother’s proud gaze the morning she received the gift. It took all her will not to toss it against the wall. Instead, she closed her fingers over the sharp edges and squeezed until it bit into her flesh. “Where did this come from?”
Pemma rubbed the sleep from her eyes. “Where did what come from?” She yawned and scooted off the bed. She wore a long white sleeping gown.
Kele held out her hand and opened her bloodied palm, not looking at the piece of jewelry directly.
“You hurt yourself.” Pemma grabbed her arm and yanked her to the washing basin, where she tended to the small cuts. “A local vampire lord gave it to me.”
Kele’s heart skipped a beat. “What was his name?” Was it possible? Would he have followed her here?
“Lord Benic. He’s quite handsome but a little too sad for my taste.” She laughed softly. “And quite drunk.”
Kele sat on the floor so hard the amulet rolled from her open hand.
Pemma hurried to her side and caressed her face. “What is it? Should I call for a healer?”
“Benic was here last night?” She’d been so close. Pemma told her to stay confined to her room because vampire parties required a certain amount of etiquette. She didn’t even know what the word meant so she had agreed. If she hadn’t allowed her fear to draw out her inner omega, she could have been rescued. Kele could have begged Benic to save Peder, whatever his price.
“You know him?” Pemma’s hands dropped to her lap. “Do you think he’d help you?”
She searched Pemma’s face and wanted to believe in this kindhearted omega so badly. Pemma reminded her of Peder in small ways. He’d been much more meek when they’d first met, but he’d been abused most of his life. His upbringing wasn’t the norm for omegas. Kele would say that more were like Pemma—sweet, giving…safe. “I don’t know.” But she had to take the chance. Finding Benic was her best chance of rescuing Peder and returning to their home. “We parted on bad terms.” Their past was something she had to consider.
Benic wished to own her and there was no love lost between the vampire and Peder. Benic might agree to save her but might be more than happy to allow Peder to rot in a cage.
Pemma pulled Kele to her feet. “There’s only one way to find out.”
The bedroom door opened and Lord Ewald entered. “Good, I’m glad to find you both awake.”
Ewald addressed them both but his eyes remained glued to the beautiful Kele. Yesterday, she’d been a dirt-covered slave. After the bath, she’d bloomed into a pale-colored female warrior. The muscles of her arms were defined yet delicate. She stood almost as tall as Ewald and met his stare directly. She called herself a hunter but Pemma smelled alpha on her. She couldn’t stop the drive to serve Kele, even though she was Pemma’s slave. She couldn’t blame Ewald for his interested gaze. If she were male, she would want to bed Kele as well.
But that was a dangerous thought. Pemma’s duty lay with her pack, not with Kele or with Ewald. He hadn’t taken Pemma to his bed last night. Instead, she’d received a peck on her cheek with a kind command to go sleep in her own chambers.
Had he taken another to his room?
She drew closer and sniffed him. Nothing unusual. Had he guessed what she’d done to free Kele? Her Gram had made sure Pemma had never developed any misconceived notions about Ewald ever loving her. She was his pet. Something to keep his bed warm while she kept her ears open for her pack. She couldn’t lose that position to someone not part of her pack.
“Kele, is it?” Ewald leaned against the doorframe.
She gave him a stiff nod.
“I wouldn’t have recognized you if you weren’t in Pemma’s room. You clean up beautifully.” He tossed Pemma an amused look. “You did well to purchase her. We should have showed her off at the party.”
Pemma sensed the tension in Kele grow and snaked her fingers through the hunter’s. “It would have been too much for her. She’s from the wild.”
Ewald’s eyes went wide. “From the West?”
Kele shook her head.
“She’s from the local lands, right?” She squeezed Kele’s hand. She had to trust Pemma. It was in both of their best interest if she could get Kele back home. She’d be free once more and Pemma wouldn’t have the competition for Ewald’s attention.
“Local?” Ewald’s eyebrows shot up. “I thought all packs in the area were domesticated.”
“No, we’re not.” Kele’s tone was sharp enough to cut.
“Anyways.” Pemma plucked the amulet from the floor and handed it to Ewald. “Lord Benic gave this to me to trade for weapons so we could be well armed for our journey west. He seems very knowledgeable. Wouldn’t he be a better person to discuss our future endeavors with than those slavers?” She been taught how to word suggestions so Ewald would think the idea was his own.
“Benic, the drunk at the party?” Ewald twisted and turned the jewelry in his hands as if deep in thought. “This is quite valuable. He gave this to you?”
She bowed her head. “Yes.” Well, she hadn’t stolen it.
Ewald’s gaze turned possessive. “Did you sleep here last night?”
“Of course I did.” She waved her hands at her nightgown. “You sent me here.” What was he implying?
He pocketed the amulet and muttered, “It wouldn’t be the first time you strayed.”
Her mouth opened but nothing came out. She didn’t think he intended her to hear. Damn, he knew. He wouldn’t understand her motives. She usually kept from others’ beds, but Ewald would think she let Timothy touch her because of desire. Ewald always enjoyed pack life but being a vampire meant he didn’t understand omegas on an instinctive level.
Kele rolled her eyes. “I can vouch for Pemma. She kneed and elbowed me enough times in her sleep that I knew she was here all night. I have the bruises to prove it.”
“I like to sleep close,” Pemma mumbled. Who didn’t?
Ewald chuckled. “Yes, you do, and it’s nice to know she doesn’t save those hits for just me.” He crossed the room and gave her a gentle kiss.
Was all forgiven?
“Let’s invite Lord Benic to lunch.” Ewald ran the back of his hand over Pemma’s cheek. “I’d like to thank him for his investment in our adventure and maybe I can convince him to join us.”
Pemma grinned. “That’s an excellent idea.” Ewald had mentioned they’d do better with a guide. Benic would be perfect since he’d been west before. She loved it when her plans came together. Now, she could work on freeing Peder and see about mapping a proper route west.
“Get dressed while I inquire of Benic’s whereabouts then you can deliver the invitation.”
She grew still. “Me?” Go out in the city alone?
“Yes, he’s obviously fond of you. Use your female talents to convince him to join us for a meal.” His eyes heated up as they landed on Kele. “I’ll watch your new pet while you’re away.”
Kele’s hands fisted.
Ewald wasn’t use to hunters who weren’t under Gramp’s firm grip. He’d been raised with a loyal pack of domesticated shifters. Kele was everything Pemma wasn’t. Maybe that was the allure. Ewald’s tastes tended toward submissive females. Kele held a very dominant air. Pemma clasped her hands to stop their trembling. This was his punishment for Timothy, and Kele would pay that price.
Kele who hadn’t bedded her soul mate yet. Oh what had she done?
“I don’t want to go by myself. I’d feel better if Kele came with me. She’s more familiar with the city.” That was a full-out lie and she hoped the female went along with it.
“And give her a chance to run?” He held up Kele’s hand and traced the half-healed brand. “What do they do to runaway slaves, Kele?”
“I don’t know.” She yanked her hand away. “Pemma is right. The city is too dangerous for her to venture on her own.”
He turned his attention back to her. “Pemma is more resourceful than she lets on. She’ll be fine. Hurry and get ready, dear. I’ll go let the staff know we’ll be having a guest.”