Page 91 of Hunt Me

“She is,” Matilda countered.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Tilda. It is a boy.”

“How do you know?”

“Intuition. Sleep.”

“I can’t.”

“Will warm milk do?”

“With cinnamon.”

“I shall return.”

“I shall be waiting.”

Luka had barely left when Ezra entered.

“Have you completed the task I assigned?” Matilda asked.

“More and more, I feel I am working for you and not King Alesi.”

“Precisely. What have you learned?”

“Prince Lykaon has appointed a new beta, and Beta David has been struck from the registry, listed as deceased, and since he didn’t have a mate, his assets and possessions were passed to the newest beta.”

“This is wonderful news, Ezra.”

“How so?”

“David has nothing to return to—no status, power, or wealth.”

“He could always challenge the new beta for his title.”

“In his current condition? Good luck, I say.” Matilda chuckled and threw the cover off her. “Hand me my robe.”

“Why do I have the feeling you will be making our king very mad in the near future?” he sighed, obliging her demand.

“Oh, Ezra. He will be incensed, but don’t you worry. I know just what might cheer him up.”

“Not being reckless would go a long way.”

“Reckless and huntress are synonymous.”

“Clearly,” he replied, following her out of the chambers. They approached the dungeon, and he briefly considered changing her mind but decided against it. She didn’t listen to the king; why would she listen to her bodyguard?

“Back so soon?” David asked in a defeated tone. He was growing weaker by the day, and figured he had less than a week before he closed his eyes for a final time. “The guards spoke of your prowess at the challenge. Congratulations.”

“Thank you, Beta David. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you and your generous contributions.”

“Blinding her with my blood and then beheading your opponent? You are truly wicked, huntress.”

“Sometimes you have to call upon wickedness to survive.”

“True. Why are you here?”

“I have come to share intel that I think you should be privy to. You may see the light of day again, depending on what you do with this information.”