I cleared my throat. “We’re going to have a pack run after Remy meets with the pack representatives. You’re welcome to bring the Narodnaya pack to that.”
“Wonderful,” Nikolai beamed, “I shall join that as well.”
“You don’t have to be there before,” I said slowly.
“And yet I shall be,” my father returned, his eyes narrowing ever-so-slightly.
Remy’s eyes hardened. “So, you want to give up your pack?”
Nikolai paused. “Correct me if I’m mistaken, but you plan to give the packs back to an Alpha of their choosing once the Norwood threat was eliminated. Are you no longer saying that?”
“I have zero desire to be Alpha to an entire country or continent,” Remy said flatly. “When this is over, I’m giving these packs back their independence. Us standing together, united, is just to stop Norwood and those who think like they do. I’m not much better than Damien if I plan to keep all these people under my control, am I?”
“Then there you have it,” Nikolai said brightly. “Giving you my pack for a few weeks under the promise it will be returned to me is hardly a sacrifice really.”
Remy turned and gave me a look. He schooled his features well, but I could see the same surprise I felt mirrored in his gaze.
“What’s the catch?” I demanded sharply.
Nikolai looked at me. “Call it a hunch, little wolf. I think it’s the smartest play.”
“And all the other packs that you mentioned who are sending people here to support us? What then? Are they going to join us?” I lifted an eyebrow in challenge, calling his bluff.
“If I say so, then yes,” he replied evenly, not missing a beat and not breaking my gaze.
“And if we lose?” Remy asked.
“Are you planning to lose?” Nikolai chuckled and cocked his head to the side.
“Of course not,” Remy retorted. “But I’m not egotistical enough to think this war is something we can win easily.”
“Then you’re already leagues ahead of Damien,” Nikolai commented. The smile on his face melted and he stepped forward. “The question isn’t whether or not I’m comfortable putting my pack in your hands, but if I’m comfortable placing my daughter’s life in them.”
Remy’s arm dropped to his sides and he edged forward, not backing down. “That’s not your call, though, is it? It’s Skye’s.”
Nikolai’s lips twisted into a dark smile. “I don’t know if you’re worthy of my daughter.”
I sucked in a sharp breath, more than ready to tell him off, but Remy simply shook his head and chuckled.
“I can assure you that I'm not,” he said evenly. “But she’s mine and I’m hers, so you’ll have to deal with it.”
Respect glittered in Nikolai’s gaze. “Very well, Alpha. Tell me the time and place for tonight. I will have my people there as witnesses to our union.”
I moved forward, sliding my hand into Remy’s.
“The packs arrive in two hours. We’ll start then,” he said firmly.
“Very well,” Nikolai agreed. “I’ll see you both tonight.”
He gave me one last smile and turned to walk away.
“I don’t like him,” Rhodes announced when Nikolai was barely out of earshot. He was still glaring at the open doorway Nikolai had departed as Larkin burrowed under his arm and wrapped her arms around his waist.
“Do you think he meant what he said? About joining us?” Katy asked quietly.
I frowned. “I think so. But I also think there’s something else he isn’t telling us.”
I was sick as hell of being kept in the dark.
“Maybe I should go talk to him,” I muttered.
“Nope,” Katy said suddenly. “We have two hours to get you ready before everyone arrives.”
I groaned. “I thought I wasn’t a trophy.”
“Not to us,” she confirmed. “But that doesn’t mean you can’t knock these new guys dead when they get one look at you. They’ll be a drooling mess when they see you, gorgeous.”
Remy growled softly. “Why the fuck would I want them looking at her?”
Katy rolled her eyes, clearly not impressed with her brother’s show of possessiveness. “Because it’s about optics, big brother. You and Skye are, well, were the youngest bonded pair we knew about.”
Katy sniffed and tossed a glare at Larkin and Rhodes. “Until you two went and showed them up.”
Larkin shrugged but ducked her head into Rhodes’s chest.
Katy waved a dismissive hand and turned back to Remy. “You two need to look every inch the power couple.”
“You should really cancel her subscription to Us Weekly,” Rhodes cracked, snorting. He shook his hair out of his eyes.
“Keep it up and I’ll have Dante and Ryder hold you down for a haircut to make sure Remy’s beta looks the part, too.” Katy gave him a tight smile.
“No,” Larkin said firmly, speaking up.
Katy’s jaw dropped. “I was just—”
“I said no,” Larkin repeated, her eyes narrowing into a glare.
I stifled a giggle and looked away. Remy was biting his lower lip to keep from laughing.
“See? Larkin says no,” Rhodes drawled, kissing the top of her head and tucking his hand into one of the back pockets of her jeans.
“Whatever,” Katy grumbled, throwing her hands up before turning to me. “Skye, this isn’t about you just looking shiny and pretty. You two are everything Blackwater stands for. You represent us.”
“And I can’t represent the pack in jeans and t-shirt?” I pressed my lips together, trying not to grimace. “I mean, I even showered today and everything.”
I did shower. With Remy.
Part of my brain liquified at the memory of him pressing me against the shower tiles, the water making everything slippery and wet and—
“Yeah, that’s exactly what I mean.” Katy gave me a sour look. “Honey, I’m recommending you not go stand in front of a group of men looking like you spent the night in O-Town. Seriously, did you two even sleep?”
I gulped and looked away. “Okay, fine. You win.”
Katy winked at me. “I usually do.”
40
Skye
“Wow.”
The word slipped past my lips before I could censor my brain, which was currently short circuiting at the broad planes and slopes of muscle on muscle covering Remy’s back.
Remy glanced over his shoulder at me, grinning as he started to pull on a black button up, the crescent moon and star tattoo on his shoulder rippling as his arm moved.
“Don’t cover up on my account,” I said lamely, coming into his room and not-so-discreetly closing the door before I leaned against it. I intentionally pinned my hands between my back and the wood to keep from peeling the shirt off his body.
He shook his head with a laugh. “If I didn’t think Katy would come in here and interrupt, I would absolutely have no problem taking my clothes off. And yours.” His gaze swept my body, heating. “Except for those heels.”