Chapter 32
Branson’s competitive side is the only thing bigger than his ego. And he absolutely hates losing to me. I used to force myself to fail during game nights because he was absolutely unbearable when I’d win. It took leaving the relationship before I realized how messed up that was.
He might say he doesn’t need to prove himself to me, but I know he’s always trying to. It comes with the territory when you have parents like ours. His put even more pressure on him than mine do, although it’s a different kind of pressure.
Branson shifts his attention to Caspian, who’s still submerged in the water. The knowing smile on his lips makes me shiver with dread. Has he figured out what Caspian is? The water is dark, so hopefully they can’t see anything, but my palms still feel sweaty from nerves.
“I think you should sweeten the pot,” Branson says.
“What do you mean?” My voice shakes more than I’d like.
Branson flicks his wet hair back. “I have all the power here. One word from me would ruin you and Dr. Anderson.” He narrows his eyes at Phoenix and crosses his arms over his chest. “There’s no incentive for me to play your little game.”
“What do you want?” Hunter growls.
His gaze turns on me, and for half a second there’s something almost wistful to it, maybe even sad, but it hardens quickly. “I want Madi.”
The silence is deafening.
“What exactly are you proposing?” Phoenix says carefully, but he can’t hide the outrage in his voice. Rippling splashes come from the pool as Caspian moves closer to the edge.
“Don’t get your panties in a twist,” Branson says. “I’m not suggesting you sell her to us like a slave or anything as crude as that. I’m just saying, if we win, Madi moves back in with us and gives us a second chance. At least six months. And of course, she’d have to bring her bonded mate.”
I gasp in surprise, but Branson just chuckles. “Don’t think we missed the shiny new bite on your shoulder. That guy has a matching one.” He points at Caspian.
Six months means a heat. They’re basically asking for a heat. Fuck, that. I squeeze my hands so tight my nails bite into my palms.
From Branson’s side, Carter eyes Caspian with a dark hunger that makes my stomach roll. Rod is silent as always, the brute force of the pack who rarely ever thinks for himself.
“Fuck you, asshole.” I spit at Branson, but it lands on the floor at his feet instead of on his face like I’d intended. He just smirks. How did I ever find this man attractive? I can’t believe I gave them so many years of my life before I saw them for what they are.
“We’re not giving you Madi or Caspian. They aren’t bargaining chips.
They’re people.” Hunter moves between me and Branson, almost fully blocking my view of the asshole I used to call my pack alpha.
My chest glows at the protective gesture, but I step to the side so I can still see Branson and his pack.
There’s no way I’m being cut out of this decision.
“Then let us claim the discovery,” Branson says, as cool and collected as ever.
I close my eyes, trying to steady my breathing and calm down.
I’ve never been so pissed off in my life.
Caspian crooks a finger at me from the water, calling me toward him.
I squat down so we’re eye level. If Branson or his pack think it’s strange that he hasn’t gotten out of the water, they don’t comment on it.
I really hope they haven’t figured out what he is.
“We have an advantage he doesn’t know about,” Caspian whispers in my ear. “We will find it first.”
I draw back, looking him in the eye. “Are you suggesting we agree to this?”
“They will never get near you again, starfish. I promise you that.” His words sink into my soul and calm the ringing in my ears.
“I speak the language of this city. You have been studying for this your whole life. They will never find the library first. And if they do, well, there are some deals that are made to be broken.”
Maybe it should bother me that Caspian doesn’t intend to keep his word in this arrangement if things go south, but all I feel is protected, a deep certainty that my mate won’t let anything bad happen to me, no matter what.
“We’ll do it,” I say before I can overthink it.
“What?” Phoenix spins toward me, disbelief clouding his voice.
“Like hell.” Hunter grabs my shoulders and pulls me up to face him. I silently beg him to trust me, but I don’t expect him to. My experience with alphas has taught me they rarely give up their need to be in control. I take Hunter’s hand. He frowns, studying me closely.
“You know what you’re doing?” he asks, barely above a whisper.
“Yeah.” Sort of. Hopefully.
“Okay,” Hunter shocks me by saying. I don’t think a man—especially an alpha—has ever given me his trust so easily. Not my father. Definitely not Branson and his pack.
For a moment, I just stand there staring at him, expecting him to take it back, to add some condition, to question me more. He doesn’t.
Hunter turns around to face Branson again. “Alright. We go get supplies, then start first thing tomorrow.”
“You can do what you want.” Branson walks toward the open doorway with his hands in his shorts pockets. “Come on, Carter.” He looks back over his shoulder at his packmates. “Let’s go, Rodrick.”
Hunter’s eyes widen, and he shakes his head, worry lines creasing his forehead.
I pat my bag, then his, reminding him we have some supplies with us, even if it’s not a lot. “We’ll be fine. This shouldn’t take long.”
I don’t actually have any idea how long it’ll take to find the library.
By some accounts, the city hosted ten thousand inhabitants at one point.
That’s a lot of ground to cover. Aunt April’s journal claims the library was hidden in the palace, the entrance known only to royalty.
Branson never gave any credence to my aunt’s theories, dismissing it as the ramblings of a delusional woman.
Caspian is right, we do have an advantage.
“It won’t take long,” I repeat, feeling more confident this time.
“Fine,” Hunter grits out, clearly not happy about it, but once again choosing to trust me.
I’m so grateful, I throw my arms around him, unable to resist. “Thank you.”
Slowly, his hands come up to the small of my back, pulling me closer.
“I won’t let them take this from you,” he whispers in my ear, his breath warm on my neck. His fingers spread, flexing over my wet shirt, our bodies pressed tight.
My heart beats a little faster, all the anger and anxiety over Branson transforming into a different sort of energy. Hunter’s lips brush the column of my neck, and I turn to putty in his arms.
“As much as I love seeing the two of you touching,” Phoenix says. “We should really get going.”
Hunter lets go of me, and I pinch both of my lips together and turn away from him.
Branson and his packmates are nowhere to be seen, already through the dark passageway.
I clutch my waterproof flashlight tighter.
Caspian keeps his eyes on the door Branson left through as he pulls himself out of the water.
His tail dries quickly, and once he’s on his feet, Phoenix tosses him his wet shorts.
I didn’t realize he’d been holding them this whole time.
Caspian holds Phoenix’s eyes as he slips the fabric up his legs, then he takes my hand, and we head to the entrance.
Pack Prescott may have a head start, but from everything I’ve read about Ocearus, this city won’t give up its secrets easily. If they want to find the library, they’ll need more than speed.