Chapter 242

Lilia’s POV

I stood there, furious as Greg, the head commissioner, continued talking to the press, telling them about his asinine plan for a winner-takes-all fighting contest.

The absolute nerve of this man. I had already told him this was a terrible idea! He’d known I wasn’t a good fighter and he still was going through with this!

I glared at him, hoping he could see me in the crowd, but the bastard didn’t look at me even once.

Only after the announcement, when all of the contenders were being sent home, was I finally able to speak with him.

I walked right up to him and said, “What the hell?”

Looking nervously around, he grabbed my arm and then pulled me in inside of one of the nearby venues. Yet, that wasn’t good enough for him either. He led me further into a supply closet of all places. There, with the door closed and locked behind us he faced me.

The bastard had the nerve to try to kiss me! I shoved him away. Just because we occasionally had sex did not mean I was going to be available whenever he wanted a quickie.

Especially after he had directly gone against my wishes by announcing this terrible plan.

To show my displeasure, after shoving him, I brought my hand back and then slapped him across the face.

That seemed to wake him up from his lustful musings. His eyes went wide a moment before narrowing, taking on a hard edge.

“Do not test me, woman,” he said.

“Don’t test me,” I growled back. He had gotten far too bold as of late. Who did he think he was, acting on his own? “Don’t forget what I know. Do you have any idea how easy it would be to come forward with the truth? I could tell everyone right now how you murdered that other member of the commission. The reporters are probably still here.”

His eyes turned cold. I knew that needling a killer, especially while alone in a closet, wasn’t a great plan. But he couldn’t harm me. I had proof of his misdeeds in a secure location. If anything were to happen to me, that proof would come forward.

He had to keep me alive and happy. And in return, I occasionally allowed him to have me. It was truly a win win for both of us.

“There’s no need to be nasty, kitten,” he said. “Keep those claws away. We can both still get what we want out of this.”

“Your plan is terrible,” I snapped.

He smiled. “Ah. That is why you are angry. I told you to trust me.”

I didn’t trust anyone but myself. Not George. Not my mother. And certainly not this man, a killer.

Though, admittedly, I did find the darkness in him attractive. Offering myself to him was not entirely a bothersome endeavor.

His viciousness was extremely hot, and he was so much more capable than George ever was. If only I had found this man to start with, perhaps Cara would have died all those years ago in that ‘accident.’

Lifting his hand, he gently traced a finger down the side of my cheek. “I know you lack physical strength, but I have just what you need to give you an edge. You will win, no matter who you stand against.”

“What is it?” I asked, my excitement brewing.

“Ah, ah,” he said. “Later…”

Then he leaned in and roughly kissed me. I bit at his bottom lip and he growled.

“You better make this good,” I grumbled. “Don’t waste my time.”

He liked when I talked to him like that and growled.

Cara’s POV

After leaving the pavilion, I headed to Ryan and Aidan’s house. As Georgie and Claw Sisters didn’t really have anywhere to go or anything to do for the rest of the day, I invited them with me.

So now, Ryan, Aidan, Colin, Alaric, Georgie, Claudia, Charlotte, and I stood around in the backyard, while the kids ran around us, playing.

At first we talked about the suddenness of this event, and then what to expect. The Claw Sisters were excited by the change, while my brothers and I felt some trepidation. Georgie seemed indifferent either way.

“We should practice sparring,” Charlotte said. “As you were trying to help us, allow us to help you.”

“We can help too,” Aidan said, giving Charlotte a look. “We aren’t bad fighters ourselves.”

“Is that so, wolf,” Charlotte said, and she smiled a bit at the challenge. “We shall see about that.”

“That sounds like a challenge to me,” Aidan said, grinning in return.

Alaric came to stand nearer to me. “I’ll help you too.”

“Okay,” I said.

For the next little while, we paired off to spar. Charlotte and Aiden kept trying to outdo each other, laughing and enjoying every moment.

Claudia and Ryan were taking themselves much more seriously – almost too seriously, as they fought with each other.

At the same time, Georgie was clearing just playing with Colin. She’d already bested him many times, even though he was putting in all of his effort. Instead of being upset by the loss, however, Georgie was looking at her with some awe in his eyes.

“I’m glad they are all getting along,” I whispered to Alaric as we were breaking for a moment for water and rest.

Alaric looked at the pairs. “I’m not sure they’ll be willing to say goodbye after this.”

I could only hope my brothers and my friends would find happiness in each other, but it was far too soon to tell such a thing. Right now, I was just glad they were enjoying each other’s company, for however long that would last.

Alaric and I finished our break and paired off again. He was showing me how to break holds. I was successful a few times, showing my new strength.

With Lucy returned to me, I had been growing physically stronger.

“Good,” Alaric said, giving me a soft look. “Very good.”

I knew he wasn’t fond of the idea of me fighting at all, but perhaps by showing him that I was more capable now than I’d been even a few days ago, I was bringing him some peace.

We continued to dance around each other, sparring and playing – until one of the servants came out to announce a guest.

“Miss Cara,” the servant said. “Noel is here to see you.”

“You can show him to us,” Ryan said. “He knows the way.”

“Beg pardon, sir, but he wishes to speak with Cara alone.”

I exchanged a look with Alaric, who I could tell was somewhat worried about this exchange. But he touched my chin gently and said, “Go on. Better see what he says.”

The trust he was showing warmed me from the inside out.

I leaned in for a quick kiss before walking away.

Following the servant, I found Noel standing in the foyer, just inside the door. He seemed troubled by something.

“What is it, Noel?” I asked him, approaching. “What’s wrong?”

When he lifted his eyes to look at me, his expression was guarded.

“I’ve heard your wolf returned to you, Cara,” he said. “I guess… I just had to be sure.”

“Sure of what?”

He licked his lips, and in a flash, and only for a flash, I saw a hint of vulnerability in his gaze. “Now that your wolf has returned, do you feel anything of a mating bond for me?”