The Leopard King (7 page)

“I never even knew this was here,” she said in a marveling tone.

This stone chamber wasn’t anything special, but until now, she’d had no cause to use it. For that reason, it must seem magical. He could almost hear her thinking,
I lost my clothes, so I need this place. Just like everyone else.
That wonder kindled in her eyes and illuminated her smile, so radiant that it drew an answering look from him, irresistible as breathing.

The moment shimmered between them, fragile as spun glass.

“The fuck is going on here?” Slay snarled.

T
he timing couldn’t
be worse.

In contrast to Dom, Slay was burnished and strong with a mane of dark hair that tumbled past his shoulders. Sharp features, high cheekbones, a divot in his chin, and thick-lashed golden eyes. Always, always, it was his eyes that seduced her, time and again. A storm was building in them as he stared at her naked body.

It wasn’t like Slay had never seen her this way, but everything was different now. A muscle ticked in his jaw when Dom stepped between them to shield her. Looking ready to kill, Slay strode forward, but Dom didn’t give ground. To diffuse the tension, she went ocelot and darted around Dom’s legs. Her tail high, she showed off a little, and Slay stilled.

Slay murmured, “Beautiful. You’re so beautiful.”

His eyes glinted, as if he might be on the verge of tears. Then he knelt and reached for her with a shaking hand, a smile brightening his face like sunrise. Pru only let him graze one of her ears before backing off. Wearily, she returned to human form.
Dom was right. It’s easier.
The pain no longer dizzied her, at least, but she wasn’t looking forward to this exchange.

Slay beamed at her, all sparkling joy that she was about to crush. “So that’s why you’re naked. For a minute, I thought…” He laughed and shook his head.

When he reached for her, Dom blocked him again as she dressed. “We should talk.”

It would be easier to let Dom take all the heat, but that would imply they weren’t equal partners and she needed him to sort her issues. Plus, she owed Slay one last conversation and a proper good-bye. Of course she’d still
see
him, but things could never be the same. Their failing relationship had been on life support for years, but it shuddered and died the day he decided she was expendable. For all he’d known, Dom might’ve turned into a killing machine, left alone for so long, and she’d lacked both claws and fangs.

So she tapped Dom’s arm lightly and shook her head. “Go greet our guests. I need to take care of things here.”

“You sure?” Dom brushed her shoulder in passing, support or reassurance.

Slay’s brows shot up, over the touch or at her use of “our”, but he had to suck it up. For better or worse, she’d be leading Ash Valley alongside Dom from this day forward. That would take some getting used to, but she intended to be a strong, reliable partner.

No matter what.

She traded a look with Dom and then tipped her head toward the door. With his eyes, he asked if she was all right on her own. Faintly surprised Animari silent communication had already developed, she nodded. Slay balled up a fist as Dom left.

When the door clicked shut, Slay punched it. “I
really
don’t like this vibe. Since when am I a thing to take care of? Clue me in before I lose my shit.”

Part of her wanted a better setting than bare gray walls, plain shelves, and benches, but did it really matter
where
she said this? While she wrestled with the kindest way to break the news, he settled his agitation. One breath, another, and then he was smiling again.

It would be better if you were angry.

“Never mind.” Typical Slay, he didn’t wait for explanations. Instead he pounced, buried his face in her hair and then recoiled. “You smell like Dom. Why the fuck—?”

“I made a deal,” she said softly.

“Don’t jerk me around, Pru. It’s not funny.”

“I’m not. Dom and I, we’re mated.” There was no way to be gentle. Best to drop the truth like a bomb and deal with the fallout.

Baring his teeth, he snarled, “You went away mine and came back his? How does that make sense? Especially now. You know—you fucking do know—that I’ve been waiting.”

Closing her eyes briefly, she sucked in a sharp breath. This was the first time he’d ever said anything remotely like that, and it didn’t soothe the bitter sting since it came
only
after she’d shifted. Mostly she recalled the shape of his back as he strode away. She also remembered the brutal humiliation of his rejection five years ago, sitting across from Slay and his parents as her nails cut crescents into her clammy palms. Her mother wore a determined smile as she made small talk, and then her father carved through the chatter with his customary bluntness.

“From what I know, these two want each other. We’re here to put our stamp on the match, if your family’s willing.”

Pru had watched the rebuff forming in Lorelle Slater’s eyes, but to her eternal shame, Slay spoke first. “I need a stronger mate, someone capable of fighting beside me. Sorry.”

That old hurt broke wide open, bolstering her resolve, and she shook her head. “I wasn’t yours, and you were never mine, either. You made sure I knew that. I can’t even count how many times you said it…
This was fun.
As you left.”

“So you fucked my best friend to get even?” Like somebody taking a punch, he rocked a little as he said it, hands opening and closing as if he didn’t know what to do with them.

“That’s not why. Dom needs me, the pride needs him, and you? Don’t deserve me.”

“When did you start hating me?” he whispered. “And why didn’t I know about it?”

“I don’t. I’m just… done. You had ten years of my devotion, and you rewarded me by weighing the odds and deciding the pride could afford to lose me.”

“Fuck, no. I never thought for a minute that Dom would hurt you.” Torment kindled in his lambent eyes, as if she’d cut out his heart and eaten it in front of him.

Pru didn’t let his pain weaken her when she had truth-ammo left to fire off. “We were attacked by Noxblades. If I hadn’t managed to shift, they would’ve executed both of us.”

His legs seemed to give out, and he collapsed onto the nearest bench. “So this is for real.”

“It is. I think… it’ll probably be easier if we put some space between us. Eventually I’m sure we can—”

“Be friends? Screw that.” Slay let out a bitter laugh. “You weren’t alone for the last ten years, sweetness. Did you ever see me with anybody else or even hear a whisper of it?”

“I figured it was only a matter of time. I’ve heard your mother talking.”

He sagged forward, elbows on his knees, and he couldn’t meet her gaze for a few seconds. “It’s not like I haven’t been ignoring her for years.”

“Now you don’t have to.” That response came out quiet and cold.

Slay swallowed hard, gazing up at her with pleading eyes. “Well, shit. I never imagined you’d give up on me. I always…” his voice hitched, “…thought we were forever.”

She considered saying,
I wanted us to be.
But it wouldn’t change anything.
I won’t cry. I won’t.
Instead she took a step back.

“Everything changes. And love doesn’t survive untended.”

The next words he spat at her through clenched teeth. “Fine, I’m a dumb shit and I didn’t make it clear how I feel, but whatever I did wrong, it’s hard not to feel like you traded up. Why settle for second when you can fuck your way to first?”

That poison verbal dart landed. “I finally understand how you could treat me like Latent was the worst thing I could be. You’re just fucking
small,
Slay.”

“That’s not what you said a couple of weeks ago.”

“And… I think we’re done here.”

As she turned for the door, suddenly he was there, wrapping his arms about her from behind. His familiar scent dizzied her: sage, cedar, and sandalwood. “I’m sorry. I lost my mind for a minute. Please don’t leave me. I don’t care what happened on the mountain. Just… tell Dom it was a mistake.”

Tears burned in her eyes and the back of her throat. It was too late; she’d made a promise, and Pru took her vows seriously. Besides, love wasn’t everything. Respect and friendship mattered too. If she could keep Dom on a steady keel, Ash Valley would be better off. She let Slay hug her for a moment longer and then she broke his hold.

“You were never strong enough to do that before,” he said in a soft, shattered voice.

“I’m different now.” And it was true. She wasn’t the woman who had waited for his love endlessly, wishing she could command it.

With that, she put Slay behind her and didn’t look back.

More than once,
Dom was tempted to double back because Slay had looked murderous.

Only the certainty that his second wouldn’t hurt Pru kept his feet moving in the opposite direction. The hold bustled with activity as he strode down the main thoroughfare. All the buildings gleamed with the same stone that formed the wall. A few things had changed in his absence; they had torn down the old repair center, and there were three new shops. Belatedly, he wondered how the factories were doing, as when he’d left, he let go of the reins completely. Members of the pride greeted him with varying levels of disbelief, excitement, and relief. Two of his father’s friends hugged him and pounded his back so hard that he’d probably have bruises.

“You were missed, son.” Caio had been his father’s second, and he’d declined the role of pride leader when Dom’s father passed.

“Thanks.”

“Get to the hall before Beren flips a table. He’s not happy about the delay, says he’s got some disturbing news about the Golgoth. But Slay has been plying him with liquor while betting his whole hand on Pru.”

It wasn’t a bad move
.
She came through.

“Raff?” he asked.

“Busy flirting with Magda. You know how that wolf is.”

“Thanks for the update.”

“We’ll talk more soon.” With a pat in parting, the older man went about his business, leaving Dom to do the same.

After making the bear and wolf leaders wait this long, ten minutes longer wouldn’t hurt; it would be bad manners to greet them dressed in what amounted to pajamas and slippers. He got stopped twice more before he reached the residential annex. Outside the apartment he’d shared with Dalena, he hesitated. Finding everything exactly as she’d left it would cut him wide open, but it might be even worse if all her things were gone. Briefly he rested his brow against the door. But it wouldn’t do for anybody to catch him being weak. The pride needed to believe he could steer them through the coming crisis.

On a bracing breath, he entered the pin; the lock clicked open and he stepped inside. Somebody had obviously been cleaning, as the furniture shone, not a speck of dust anywhere. Same gray sofa with burgundy pillows, same overstuffed armchair, but the blood-stained carpet had been removed and replaced with a fluffy rug patterned in black and gray. Their wedding portrait still hung, and Dalena’s smile hammered him until he couldn’t breathe.

This is where she died.

He skirted that part of the salon and went to the bedroom, pulse pounding in his ears. But she was gone from here; his clothes hung alone in the wardrobe, and none of her powders or lotions remained on the shelves. For a moment, he breathed in and imagined he could smell the honey and lemon of her skin. But the room only gave back clean linen and chamomile soap.

With effort, he forced down the sadness and got ready as quick as he could. Half an hour later, Dom inspected the loose fit of the charcoal suit he’d chosen. Still, with a fresh shave and proper clothing, he no longer looked like a scarecrow. As he left the apartment, he felt lighter, hurrying toward the main hall.

Slay must still be talking to Pru because he only found Beren, Magda, and Raff in the lounge, which was now decorated in russet and gold. They had been offered drinks and refreshments, and he felt sure they both had been allotted private quarters where they could rest and curse him. Beren was an enormous man with a shock of silver hair; the years since Dom had seen him hadn’t been kind, weathering his face and giving him a perpetual air of irritation. Raff hadn’t spotted him yet, but the way he was smiling at Magda, he didn’t seem to mind the wait.

“I apologize for the inconvenience,” Dom said smoothly.

“Finally stopped contemplating your navel?” Beren rose and offered a hand for a crushing shake.

Typical of the bear boss.

“I thought you went up the mountain to die,” said Magda, slapping Dom’s shoulder.

Mags had been chief of security since before his father died, and she was taller than Raff by a couple of inches, but the differential didn’t dampen the wolf lord’s interest. Raff came over to greet Dom; his dark hair was longer than it had been at the last meet, and he’d grown a full beard, shaped to partially hide a fresh scar on his right cheek. Dom didn’t ask; unless it impacted the alliance, he had no interest in wolf pack or bear clan affairs.

“Good to see you. Finally,” Raff added.

It seemed best to play host. “Have you eaten?”

“Several times.” Beren waved an impatient hand. “There are far more important matters to discuss.”

Nodding a dismissal at his security chief, he led the way to a cluster of comfortable chairs. This part of pride leadership didn’t trouble him. “Tell me.”

“There have been skirmishes on the northern border.” Beren seemed sure he would immediately grasp the severity of the situation.

“Golgoth?” he guessed.

The bear leader nodded. “The same. Raff hasn’t spotted any yet in the east, but my scouts are picking up a lot of activity, troop movements and supplies being shipped.”

Dom sighed. “That doesn’t bode well.”

“They’ll wait for the treaty to expire,” Raff predicted. “If I had to lay odds, I’d say they’ll send someone to stall during peace talks and strike while we’re focused here.”

“But where?” He didn’t necessarily expect an answer.

“I’ve assigned my best to find out,” Beren said.

“What do we know about the delegate the Golgoth are sending this time?” he wondered.