Chapter 125 - Inseparable

Louis

I wondered what kind of mischief Daphne was up to. I felt like we had somehow entered into a new kind of chess game, a mental one. So she wanted Nash to train with my warriors? Why? What was she trying to accomplish? I was trying to see three or four moves ahead to see what her plan was.

My first, knee-jerk reaction was to reject the suggestion. Not because I was worried about Nash getting insider secrets from my training program. Rather, I was legitimately concerned that he might get hurt. Yes, he was tall and strong, but even the toughest human was no match for claws and fangs on the battlefield. The idea that some muscle-headed soldier of mine might accidentally injure him made me feel a little sick to my stomach.

My need to protect him was as real as my need to keep Daphne safe.

And then Pilar jumped on the wagon. Frankly, I would have been perfectly fine if she happened to take an accidental fist to her windpipe, because I was so weary of listening to her talk. I hadn’t allowed her to stay out of concern for her safety, and certainly not for the pleasure of her company.

And I was sure that her personal security had nothing to do with her father trying to foist her off on me either. The Larkins and their pack were up to something. Pilar, I suspected, was being planted in my palace as a spy. Perhaps she thought she would worm her way into my bed and win my confidence. Even after I blatantly told her that Daphne was carrying my pup, she continued to flirt shamelessly.

And now she was holding my arm, begging to train with my forces. Which was laughable because it was very clear to me that Miss Larkin was not the sort of woman who liked to sweat. Perhaps she thought she would infiltrate my military that way.

I felt a wave of hostile energy from the other side of the table, but I ignored it. No doubt Daphne disliked the way that Pilar was clinging to my arm. I didn’t like it either. I had the impulse to flick her away like an unwanted insect, but I forced myself to remain still, and to keep my voice congenial. “Well, Miss Larkin, if you feel so strongly about it, I suppose it would be alright if you and Mr. Turner would like to join in training.”

I leaned back and slipped my arm away from her claws. I was trying to avoid looking at Nash, because if I looked at him, I inevitably ended up staring at him. “They start their first training at five AM.”

She beamed like she had just won the lottery. I snuck a look at Nash. He looked pissed, though I wasn’t sure why. I would have a word with my trainer about our two visiting participants. They would be under strict orders not to inflict any injury on Nash Turner. Strictly no shifting.

As for Pilar Larkin?

I smirked a little as I picked up my fork and prepared to dig into my breakfast. I would make sure she got the full training experience, along with some fake intel. If that fake intel made its way back to the Larkin’s pack, then I would know for sure she was feeding them information. And I would have grounds to arrest her father for treason.

I didn’t usually participate in the 5:00 AM training, as it was geared toward new recruits. I attended the 2:00PM advanced training sessions as often as my schedule allowed. However, I might have to pop in early now and then just to see how things were progressing.

And, to see how well Nash could fight with werewolf opponents.

I narrowed my eyes at Daphne. I suppose that was her move, to force me and Nash to spend more time together. “Not very subtle,” I said under my breath.

Her head swiveled toward me and her lips twitched like she was trying to hide a smile. She gave me a wide-eyed and innocent look before she helped herself to the platter of fresh hot muffins that the kitchen staff placed in the center of the table.

Why did it seem like there was something overtly sexual about the way she wrapped her lips around the edge of the pastry and delicately bit off a piece? She chewed and swallowed and then ran her tongue over her naturally pink lips.

Nash made a strangled sound and looked away. Since his gaze was averted, I took the opportunity to study him. He already looked like he was recovering from the mate-separation. His face was less gaunt, his eyes looked less tired and haunted.

Suddenly he turned toward me, his dark eyes slamming into me like a sledgehammer. He had caught me staring again. “What is that painting?”

I turned to look at the painting hanging behind me. It had been hanging there for so long I no longer noticed it. “Ah, that is meant to be a portrait of my wolf.” I coughed into my hand and turned my back on it. “I suppose it's a bit pretentious to hang a painting of myself in the dining room, but…my late wife was very fond of it.”

“It is a beautiful painting,” Daphne said, as though she were also noticing it for the first time. “Who was the artist?"

"Just some human we offered sanctuary to. She offered me the portrait as thanks for her asylum." The actual identity of the painter was a secret, one which I would gladly share with Daphne and Nash some day, but not with Pilar present.

"I feel almost like…I’ve seen it somewhere before…” A wrinkle appeared between her brows as she considered the portrait.

“I have seen it before,” Nash said, stabbing a sausage on his plate with his fork, while his eyes were still on the wolf in the painting.

“Of course you did,” Pilar rolled her eyes and pushed a grape around her plate. “It was just hanging there the whole time, and you dined in here last night.”

“No, not the painting,” Nash spared her a cold look and then looked at me with an expression that was almost accusing. “I saw the wolf. I saw it in a dream.”

My heart stumbled in my chest, “You dreamed of my wolf? When?”

He shut his mouth, and by the stubborn set of his jaw, I thought he would refuse to answer me. But then he cast a sideways look at Daphne. “Months ago. At the university. Right after I met Daphne.”