His mother and Willas had one child together, but Brodin’s tiny sister had died as a baby. He turned his head.
A small bush grew nearby, covered in pink blooms. Ember’s ashes were buried beneath it.
“Hi, Mom. Hi, Willas.” The man had always treated Brodin like a son. Showed him how to hunt and track. Taught him to respect females.
“I miss you both so much.” He let out a harsh breath. “Zavir is causing trouble. He tried on Rhain’s planet, now he’s doing the same on Damar. He’s taken some of our people.”
His mother had been wary when Brodin had befriended Rhain and Graylan, worried they were allied with Zavir. Instead, Brodin had gained two friends, two brothers, two men he trusted.
“I will do everything I can to protect Damar and our people.”
He wished for his mother’s advice right now, but all he heard was the wind in the trees.
“There’s a woman.” In a low voice, he told them about Poppy. “She’s smart, brave, cute.” He shook his head. “A huge distraction. I should be focused on the fight. On the vow I made to you. On finding our lost young ones.” His hands curled. “And…it hurts to care too much. Losing you both…”
It had been one of the worst days in Brodin’s life. When he found out they’d died, he’d raged, gone to the forest alone for days.
“Caring for someone makes you weak,” he said.
He almost heard his mother’s voice. It can also make you strong, my son.
He heard a sound and turned his head.
Several wild damar-wolves silently padded out of the trees.
They were streamlined, with rich fur, and much smaller than his people in their wolf forms. The damar-wolves brushed against him. They had their own alpha, but they still knew Brodin was the emperor. He stroked the sleek fur.
Then he rose. “I need to go,” he said to his parents. “The trackers will be back soon, and I have to find the kids.”
As always, there was no reply.
He headed back toward the main lodge. His cleavers had a small cabin and training area next door. The damar wolves followed him, sticking close.
He heard the sound of fighting from the training area. There was a large, dirt arena covered with a roof, but with open sides. He drew closer, the damar-wolves keeping pace, curious, as well.
Annora and Poppy were facing off in the center of the ring. His gut went hard.
What in the name of the wolves?
He strode forward, picking up speed.
Annora charged in. His First Claw was deadly. A few times, she’d even managed to take him down.
Poppy was no match for her.
Poppy ducked, moving surprisingly fast. She spun and landed a punch to Annora’s side, before dancing back.
Annora grunted and straightened. “Nice.”
“Three points to me.” Poppy grinned. “I’m up to ten.”
“And I have twenty,” Annora said dryly.
“I can still win our bet. I really should’ve gotten a head start to make it fair.”
“Go again, and don’t get cocky.”
Brodin slowed, understanding dawning in his brain.
The women attacked each other again. They traded some hits and kicks, then Annora stopped to correct Poppy’s form.
On the next charge, Poppy managed to swipe Annora’s legs out from under her.
“Oh, yeah.” Poppy threw her arms in the air. “I’m deadly.”
Brodin smiled. He decided not to mention that Annora wasn’t using all her strength. His second in command rose, dusting herself off, smiling.
This was good for Poppy, and for Annora. It would help keep both of their minds off things.
At the same moment, they both scented him, and turned. The pair couldn’t have been more different. One tall, fit, and dark-haired, the other small, petite, and blonde. Annora raised a brow, and Poppy smiled, wide open and beautiful.
After everything she’d been through, it was a miracle.
“Are the trackers back?” he asked.
Annora shook her head. “They found some extra clues to chase down. They should be back soon.”
He nodded, frustration chewing on him.
“Cassanra and I had a breakthrough,” Poppy said her face serious. “We isolated a poison from Fillian’s blood. We concentrated it, and it affected Cassanra. It makes Damari lose control, have no inhibitions.”
Gorr. Horror spread through him, and his jaw hardened. He traded a glance with Annora.
“If Candela can perfect that, and infect enough Damari…” Annora’s voice trailed off.
It would be a bloodbath.
Damari would turn rabha and attack other Damari.
“Cassanra is running more tests,” Poppy said. “The poison fades from the system over time. I don’t think Candela has a working version, yet.”
But she had new test subjects to experiment on until she got it right.
Until she hurt more of his people.
With a growl, he strode to the wooden post holding the roof up and punched it.
The wood cracked.
“Let’s not collapse the training yard,” Annora said dryly.
Poppy moved closer, her concerned gaze on him. He felt the edge of her bubble of calm.
A part of him wanted to rage, but he sucked in a few deep breaths.
“I’ll check to see if there’s any news on the trackers.” Annora’s gaze shifted between Brodin and Poppy. “Why don’t you train with Poppy for a bit? Show her some moves.”
His gaze narrowed. He was in no mood to spar with a woman he could snap in half. “I’m not sure—”
“She needs to learn to use all her abilities, Brodin.” Annora raised her hand. “See you later, Poppy.”
“Thanks, Annora.” She waved back.
Clearly, Poppy had won over his First Claw.
He turned to face her, and found her gaze on the damar-wolves lounging nearby. “Gosh, they’re beautiful.”
“They follow me around sometimes, but they prefer the forest.” He dragged in a deep breath. “Okay, let’s fight.”
Poppy faced Brodin.
God, he was so big. But she wasn’t worried that he’d hurt her.
She was worried she couldn’t keep her hands off that firm chest, those hard abs. She swallowed, trying to control her desire. She didn’t want him scenting it.
“Show me what Annora’s taught you,” he said.
She nodded, then suddenly rushed him. She landed a front kick to his gut and leaped back.
Ow. It was like kicking a tree trunk.
His eyes narrowed. “Sneaky. Not bad.”
He bent his legs, then he moved.
Poppy gasped and darted to evade. His fingers barely missed her. She spun and landed a chop to his side.
With a growl, he charged at her. Her adrenaline spiked and she twirled, but his hand caught the back of her shirt.
He towed her in so that her back was pressed to his front. Then he lowered his head, his mouth at her ear.
“You should be careful about getting too close to a predator, Poppy.”
Her belly was alive with butterflies. Her skin flushed hot. “I know you won’t hurt me.”
He nipped her ear. “You sure?”
She couldn’t stifle her moan.
A scent filled her senses, and she recognized her own arousal, then she picked up another deeper, scent. Masculine and mixed with spice. She jolted.