[Ivan’s POV]My gaze narrowed as I watched Arissa snuggle up to Nazhoni right in front of me. Sure, I knew that I probably deserved her cold shoulder after keeping something as big as the prisoners escaping from her. But did she really have to treat me as public enemy number one?It had taken most of the previous evening to calm her down once I revealed the recent happenings, and when she allowed me to sleep next to her, I had thought that things were settled, but when we woke up this morning and packed to leave, she didn’t say a single word and even headed out before me. And when I finally managed to load up and join the rest of our party, this was how I found her. Snuggled against Nazhoni with a "you deserve this expression" on her face as she watched me seethe with jealousy.As I continued to watch her, the carriage around us came to a jolting halt. Confusion flaring, I got up and prepared to investigate what was happening, but stopped as arrows burst through the windows around us.

[Ivan’s POV]A sigh of content escaped me as I looked down at the sleeping woman in my lap. It seemed that I had worn Arissa out with my punishment, and now she was out cold, allowing me to be alone with my thoughts.Outside, the sky was an ominous gray and the carriage shook with the fierce wind that was beginning to pick up. I could only hope that we could manage to find a place to hunker down before the storm struck. Otherwise, I feared that the trail leading up to Doragon would be too treacherous.Lifting a hand, I knocked on the wall behind me, drawing Markus, our driver’s, attention towards me. After only two knocks, a small slab was pulled aside, allowing me to see Markus’ eyes as they looked in to see what I wanted."We need to pull over soon." I ordered, keeping my voice low so that I wouldn’t wake Arissa. "We won’t be able to continue until this storm passes.""There is a small village up ahead." Markus suggested."Do you mean the Baculum tribe?" I asked.If I vaguely rememb

[Ivan’s POV]I held my breath as Pixie’s mother examined us, considering the question I had just asked her. I knew that I was asking a lot, but if we didn’t find somewhere to stay, then things could go incredibly south very fast, and we didn’t have enough time to turn back and then try again."Of course." Pixie’s mom finally responded. "We have a few empty rooms in the barracks for you. It isn’t much, but it should be enough. ""Just a few stable walls would do, ma am." I assured, letting a grateful smile spread across my face."Thank you." Arissa added. "I’m Arissa, and this is Ivan. We are the leaders of the Fulgur and Tonitru packs."Pixie's mother's eyes grew wide at Arissa’s words. It seemed that even this tribe had heard about us. However, I wasn’t quite sure if that was a good or a bad thing."What’s wrong, mama?" Pixie asked, taking in her mother’s shocked form. "Why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost?""Pixie!" Her mother scolded, shooting the tiny girl a look. "Do you have

[Ivan’s POV]I woke the next morning to dim light shining through the only window mine and Arissa’s room possessed. It seemed that the storm that had been raging the night before was finally over and we could continue on our journey.At least that was what I hoped. Given how bad the blizzard had been, there was a chance that the snow would be too high to travel properly. If that were the case, we would have to stay for a few more days until it melted. However, we didn’t have the luxury of wasting time like that. Arissa’s time was running out, and I would be damned if I allowed her to leave me.Trying to ignore the sudden panic that was racing through me, I looked over to where the woman in question was still sleeping soundly. After keeping her up for most of the night, fucking like rabbits, I was sure that she was exhausted.Allowing a slow smile to begin to form on my lips, I leaned over and kissed between her shoulder blades, earning myself a low grumble. Letting a slow smile spread

[Ivan’s POV]"Better now?" Lindsey asked as Pixie finished off the fruits and nuts in front of her. "Or should I have Grant go grab something else?""No, I’m good." Pixie responded, giving a satisfied sigh."Great." I said, leaning forward in my seat. "We’ve wasted enough time waiting for the kid to eat her fill."If I had known that the first thirty or so minutes of this gathering would involve watching a child stuff her face, I would have spent a bit more time in bed with Arissa. After all, that would be a hell of a lot more enjoyable than this."You could just leave." Pixie snapped, shooting me a fierce look. "No one is holding you hostage.""Pixie," Lindsey warned. "Have you already forgotten what I told you about this man?""Yeah, yeah," Pixie puffed.As she spoke, she let her gaze look me up and down. Clearly,this child was doubting me. I would have to be sure to show her just what I was made of before we parted ways."Maybe we should begin this meeting." Grant suggested, lookin