Playing Dirty
Leo
“No.” I frown icily at Skyla, who is promising death as she glares at me through the screen.
“Oh, don’t be such a fucking buzzkill,” she growls. “Where’s Azura?”
“Neither of you is going to get me to agree,” I double down. “I’m not sending a nineteen-year-old out there.”
“But you were happy to send my twenty-one-year-old cousin,” she retorts.
“He wanted to go; besides, he’s a prophesied ruler. He’s at an entirely different level.” I don’t have time for this shit. “I have to go-”
“No, you aren’t going anywhere! I fucking need you to do something, because you fucking put them on opposite sides of the globe where they ain’t even got the chance to cross paths!”
“The opposite side of the globe would be if I sent him to New Zealand, and last I checked, I didn’t,” I mock, pointing out the obvious.
She narrows her eyes. “You fucking know what I mean. Now, you better listen before I crush your pierced sausage,” she snarls.
Thanks for sharing that, Baby Girl.
I keep my face indifferent and expressionless.
“What’s going on?” Azura asks from behind as she enters my office. “Is that Sky?”
“ZU!” Skyla practically fucking screams, and I’m about to cut the call, but Azura wraps her hand around my wrist, stopping me.
“Now I’m even more curious,” she says as I turn to look at her. She’s wearing a black satin nightgown, and that dark makeup tells me I’m in for a night of fun, if Skyla doesn’t fucking ruin it.
She’s noticed, too, and she’s smiling like the fucking Cheshire Cat. “Zu, he isn’t going to help bring Sienna and Jayce together. He’s damn selfish.”
Azura raises an eyebrow, and I reach up, tugging her down and kissing her hard, my entire fucking body coming alive, the strain of the day’s work gone in a fucking flash.
“Oh? How so?” Azura asks. “We know you’re anything but selfish, right, Blue-Eyes?”
“It isn’t happening; I’m not sending Sienna to the Siberian Wastelands. First of all, that would be so fucking obvious and only piss Jayce off. Secondly, I don’t think your father or Rayhan would agree,” I point out, glaring coldly at Skyla.
She rolls her eyes. “So, use that big brain of yours and pull Jayce from there, send them on a mission or some shit. Pair them up. You’re meant to be the fucking King, not Dad or Rayhan, so do it and make it happen,” she shoots back.
“She has a point. At this rate, it’s easier for him to be far away where he doesn’t need to see her. And even though she’s on those jabs, they won’t work forever.” Azura backs her up as she begins massaging my shoulders.
I refuse to move away, even if I know it’ll cloud my judgement… a little. Because that would just make them think they’re winning, and I refuse to let them win on this shit.
“They need to sort it out themselves; we don’t need to play fucking Cupid,” I say icily. They exchange glances before looking at me.
“And how can they sort it out when one’s in England, and one’s in Russia, you dumbass?” Skyla snaps.
“Keep talking like that and I’ll fucking make sure I put you on the opposite side of the fucking globe.”
She scoffs. “I’d like to see you try,” she challenges. “Fucker.”
“Do it for Sienna,” Azura interrupts before I can respond.
“Do it for Jayce,” Skyla adds.
“For the two hurt souls,” Azura murmurs as she kisses my neck.
“Stop it,” I say, reaching up as I tangle my hand in her hair and tug her back. “I know what you’re fucking doing.”
“Taking care of my man?” she whispers seductively. “If you agree, I’ll-”
“Enough,” I cut her off, and Skyla snickers.
“The power of a woman,” she taunts.
“Fuck off,” I mutter.
“That’s his best comeback? Shows it’s already working, when he’s thinking with his little head,” she replies, cackling as Azura snickers.
“There isn’t any mission I can put them on together, and besides, like I said, it would be fucking obvious. Give them time.” I frown as Azura slides her hand into my shirt as she peppers my neck with sensual kisses.
“Look, I know you’re the damn King, but don’t become like Dad. Grumpy doesn’t look good on you,” Skyla sighs, as if I’m fucking behaving unreasonably.
“Think of something,” Azura says. “Sienna’s heat will just get worse and worse. We should help her, right?”
I look up at her, her hand travelling down my abs.
I clench my jaw, looking between the two women, and trying to avoid lingering on the gorgeous blue eyes of my fucking mate. She’s my fucking weakness, and she fucking knows it.
There’s one way that comes to mind, but it was Delsanra who was my first choice. Sending Sienna in her stead, I’m not sure Rayhan would agree with that. I guess I can deliberate on it.
“I’ll have a think,” I say with finality, scoffing when they both break into victory smiles.
“That’s it!” Skyla says. “I’ll be waiting for an update. Enjoy your night, cousin,” she smirks slyly before cutting the call, and I turn my chair to face my mate.
“You’ve been a bad girl,” I remark as I light a cigarette and look up at her.
Reaching up, I take hold of her chin while taking a drag on my cigarette.
“So, get down on your knees and show me how this pretty little mouth is going to make up for it,” I command huskily, as I rub my thumb across her plump lips, the hunger inside of me intensifying.
“With pleasure,” she whispers, smirking as she unties her gown, revealing the risqué lingerie that covers fuck-all. The black straps press against her nipples and around her tiny waist, and there is a tiny strip of fabric covering her pussy.
She slides her hands up my thighs before she drops to her knees, reaching for the zip of my pants. Leaning in, she kisses my neck sensually before her gaze drops to my crotch and she drags the zipper down, running her tongue across her lips.
“Fuck,” she whispers, her eyes darkening with lust.
That’s my fucking girl.
Sienna
“How are you feeling?” I ask Brock as I sit beside his bed at the hospital.
“Great, thanks to you and Shahira. I owe you one,” he replies, his voice raspy.
“We’re a team; there’s no need for thanks,” I say softly as I reach for a cloth and wipe his forehead. He’s still running a fever. “What happened?”
He shakes his head, confusion flitting across his face.
“He used his claws, but I don’t know; there was some kind of magic done prior, maybe. I honestly don’t know. It just happened so fast; one minute I killed someone, and then I turned to assess the situation, when someone plunged their hand through my stomach.”
I nod slowly. “Could have been a variety of spells, but I thought we managed to kill their witches, unless they’re making use of spell charms.” We’ve been doing that, so why wouldn’t they?
The door opens, and Artemis enters, holding a tray of food. “Time to get some food into you, babe.”
“I’m not hungry,” Brock replies. “But for you, I’ll eat,” he adds before she can protest.
I stand up, smiling slightly, giving them some space. “Well, I’d better get the report done. Take care and rest plenty.”
“I will,” Brock says, raising his fist and flashing me a smile.
“I’ll make sure he does,” Artemis promises, kissing his forehead softly.
I nod before exiting the room and shutting the door behind me. He’s at the Shadow Wolves Pack Hospital, and I have to admit that not being in the Arden Mansion felt easier. Helios’ presence is prominent there.
I walk across the path as I pull up my Schattensicht’s hologram screen and begin typing up the end of my report.
“Good to see you’re getting that report done. I was expecting it this morning, though.”
I stiffen, hearing Uncle Leo’s voice behind me, and turn to face him. He’s wearing black as usual, a cigarette between his lips, his hair combed back, and his icy eyes trained on me.
“Uncle Leo, you’re here… Is everything ok?” I ask.
“As good as it fucking can be. I came to talk to you, actually.”
Me?
“Of course, what is it?” I ask, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear.
He inhales his cigarette slowly, glancing towards the direction of the Arden Mansion before turning away from it. “Let’s go for a walk.”
I nod, close my report and fall in step beside Uncle Leo. He’s an imposing man, but I feel I’ve come to understand him more. The lines on his forehead are a little more prominent than they once used to be.
The weight of every decision is on his shoulders…
Realising I’m staring, I quickly look away, relieved he didn’t comment on it.
We walk in silence, heading towards the trees that line the path. They’re perfectly structured and placed along the winding cobbled footpaths that weave in and out of the pack territory. It’s an entire town in itself, with shops and houses mixed together.
With every passing moment, I begin to worry, a hundred things going through my mind about what he wants to talk about.
Only when we reach one of the empty training fields does he stop and lean against the wall.
“As you know, the Indomitable are trying to seize control of the dome and the surrounding area,” he begins.
“Is Jayce ok?” I ask, my stomach twisting.
He cocks a brow. “Yeah, as far as I know, he’s fine. Shall I fucking continue?”
“Sorry,” I apologise, blushing lightly.
“In close proximity to the dome, spells and barriers don’t work, rendering both sides’ witches unable to use their magic. Their presence there, as you know, has caused a lot of extra issues for our troops.”
I nod; I know that. I heard the magic of the ley lines from the dome disrupts witch magic. Protection spells and any kind of barriers we’ve made haven’t worked.
“If you’re looking for something that might hold, Heaven might be the witch to talk to,” I offer, wondering why he is telling me.
“Yeah, I know that. We already have Raihana and Delsanra, amongst other witches, looking into it. That’s not what this is about.”
“Oh?”
He glances at me for a moment before speaking. “Demon magic works differently, so in theory, if you use that magic to create barriers, it might hold. It’s a theory, but until we try it, we can’t rule it out,” he finishes slowly, as if waiting for me to click.
“You want to send me to Russia?” I ask, my heart skipping a beat.
“I was considering your mom, but I need her here for her knowledge.”
No… You’re sending me because of Jayce. I don’t know why, but it has to be.
I don’t say it out loud, but my eyes probably speak loud enough.
“Why me?” he asks my unspoken question. I nod. “Well, let’s just say there’s an entire fucking army of dark-haired women who will fucking do my head in if I didn’t find a way to send you there. You can thank Sky for it,” he says quietly.
My stomach coils with nerves. Was this what was on her mind last night? Gods, I love her for it.
“And you agreed?” I ask incredulously, unable to hide how I feel.
“If I had no real reason, I wouldn’t have. But I actually do think you might be able to accomplish something out there,” Uncle Leo replies curtly.
“I will do my best!” I promise, my heart hammering.
He now finally turns and looks me in the eye.
“You got one chance to fix shit; don’t waste it,” he says quietly.
I nod vigorously, my hair bouncing. “I won’t. Thank you!” I exclaim, and without thinking, I fling my arms around his neck. “Thank you!”
He touches my back for a moment before I drop to the ground. “Don’t thank me just yet. The Siberian Wastelands are no fucking walk in the park.”
“I know, but it’s the chance I needed,” I whisper softly.
I will heal what I broke.
“Good,” Uncle Leo murmurs before he rakes his free hand through his hair. “Well, I need to stop by the families of the deceased. You should get that report finished.”
“Yes, sir!” I say with a firm nod.
A shadow of a smile crosses his lips, but it’s gone as quickly as it came.
Now to go thank Skyla and Azura.
It takes everything in me to walk away at a normal speed. Only when I’m out of Uncle Leo’s direct line of sight do I begin running. It’s been a while since I’ve felt so alive with hope.
This is my chance!
I’m barely touching the ground as I resist the urge to shift into my wolf, or to fly!
The mansion doors are opened for me the moment I reach them, the butler bowing his head.
“Oh my!” Aunty Catherine says as I almost bump into her.
“I’m sorry!” I apologise, but she laughs.
“It’s quite all right. You look happy,” she observes.
“I am,” I admit just as Skyla walks out of one of the rooms, her endless legs clad in leather pants, paired with a lace top, and she’s wearing six-inch heels, looking every ounce the queen she is.
“What’s the news?” she asks.
“Did you know Uncle Leo was here?” I ask her.
“I just heard from Royce,” she says, slipping her hands into her back pockets. “Why?”
“Thank you,” I say as I walk over to her and hug her around the waist, taking her by surprise.
She laughs softly. “So Leo put that head to some use,” she remarks, giving me a squeeze.
“Thanks to you and Azura,” I say, moving back.
“It’s a domino effect; Azura puts one head to use, and that knocks-”
“Skyla!” I gasp, blushing. I do not need to know about their sex life!
She smirks. “Ok, fine! But both Zu and I are team Jaysi.” She winks at me before her smirk fades. “You got this, no matter how futile it will feel.”
I nod. “I’ll fix it,” I promise.
“I know you will. So, when do you leave?”
“I’m not sure… I should ask him. Oh, I don’t even know why I didn’t ask-”
My Schattensicht buzzes silently against my skin.
The mission brief has arrived.
I open the message, my stomach fluttering with nerves.
I just got my answer.
Two days. In two days, I’ll be on my way.
I’m coming, Jayce, to fix what I destroyed.