Chapter Twelve

Casimir sat up full and tapped his fingers on one thigh. Who was this Ranger and why did he have these feelings toward his wife? Not important? Seriously?

“Be careful, babe. I’ll see you in California.” A warning rumble reached him and it took everything in him not to respond in kind. He was an alpha and didn’t respond well to threats.

“I will be and yes, see you there.” Their call disconnected.

“Who is he to you?” Casimir demanded.

“None ya.”

He angled his head to the side. “None ya?”

“None ya damn business.”

“Tell me.” His words fell on a low thread of command. The tone he used and instant obedience from his pack.

“No.”

“No?” What is it about her that makes her have little to no regard for my orders?

“I get it. You’re used to this instant compliance”—she whipped around a large RV who had a child’s face pressed up against a window—“from your pack. But you came to me—got that order—you came to me for a divorce. I’m not Pack.”

“You’re my wife.” The words were on the far side of dangerous.

She shrugged nonchalantly. “Whatever. That’s going to be rectified for you in a couple days.”

His wolf bared its teeth and growled low in displeasure. Casimir agreed. He glanced at the mirror and frowned. His fangs had begun to descend. He unclenched his fists and took deep calming breaths.

“Tell me what that leopard shifter is to you.” He was proud he managed to do it with a calm voice.

“No.”

“I really dislike that word.”

She gave an amused chuckle. “Get used to it.” She turned up the music and pressed the accelerator.

That night they stayed—at his insistence—in a hotel with suites. He walked to hers and opened the door after knocking but receiving no response. Music from Two Steps From Hell filled the room.

“Dyana?”

He approached the bathroom and froze. She stood there in various stages of dress. Or undress. Lust slammed him hard enough to rock him back.

Her pink bra matched her boy shorts. Both were one hell of a contrast to her darker skin. Even his wolf had come to attention.

Go to her, his beast encouraged. She is ours.

“Something you need, hoss?”

Her voice stroked him to an even harder state. He blinked and found her tying off the drawstring of her pants. She wasn’t shy and approached him. For a second, he compared her to Jetje. His future mate would have been all about seduction with each step. Dyana? Not so much.

“Cat got your tongue?” A blink. “Or a dog in your case?” Her accent was thick and syrupy.

“You didn’t answer.”

She walked by him close enough to tease and tantalize, or to touch should he move a fraction but there was no contact. He pivoted and watched her shrug into her shirt.

“Didn’t hear you.”

She rubbed her left leg and he barely stopped the sneer. This time however his wolf didn’t give his agreement.

“Room service is here.” He stalked out before doing something stupid like kissing his own wife.

****

Dyana gazed around, the beauty, majesty, all of it called to her in ways she didn’t understand. Following Casimir’s directions, she pulled up to a large two story and parked.

She exited her car after he did. Dyana watched him surreptitiously from behind her shades. He loved it here, that was easy to see. She also noticed how serious he was now. Not like he’d been a barrel of laughs before.

The front door slammed and she watched a young one of about three come running toward him. Casimir didn’t hesitate, just swept him up and tossed him in the air a few times as childish laughter filled the air.

Anchoring the child to his hip, Casimir gave her a look she took to mean follow. She did, moving slowly. She swore there were people—ones she couldn’t see—watching her.

An older gentleman stepped out, his blue gaze running over both of them.

“Paps,” Casimir said. “Meet Dyana Vance.”

“Been a while, child.” The man waved her closer. His black hair had silver in it but she would bet he was still formidable. “Why are you no longer a Hunt?”

Odd question. “Never have been. Name’s always been Vance.”

His sharp gaze narrowed. “Your grandparents—”

“Paps. It’s been a long drive.”

“Actually,” Dyana jumped in. “I’d just assume sign whatever it is and get on my way.”

“Go inside, Bryan.” Casimir said. The boy scampered off. “You will stay at least for the night.”

“No thanks. I’ll get a hotel in town if I must but I was under the impression I was needed here for a signature. That indicates the papers are here and ready.” She despised being lied to.

“In such a rush to get to Ranger?” His question vibrated with danger.

“Not sure what business it is of yours, hoss. You want a divorce to marry someone else. And no offense, but since you’ve come into my life it’s gone to hell. My house was blown up and I lost my two best friends. Not to mention I was subjected to two others breaking into a motel room with what I can only assume was something nefarious. So the faster I’m away from you, the better.”

His eyes flashed and his jaw clenched. “Inside.” Tension vibrated that single world.

She bristled and held her position. He tipped his head toward her and arched a brow. Damn, he’s hot. She couldn’t explain this increased attraction to him.

“Dyana.”

Lord help her she felt that one in her clit. “I don’t take orders from anyone. You need to issue them, do so to your pack. Not me.”

He gripped her arm and pushed her forward. She wasn’t strong enough to stop him. He knew it. She knew it.

“Why do you feel the need to challenge me?” he hissed in her ear.

She held her tongue. A woman stepped into view who stared down her nose at Dyana.

“Marla.” Casimir’s voice gave her slight pause.

Her smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Good to have my grandson home again. Jetje has been by often. She misses you.”

Must be the wife-to-be. Dyana ignored her dislike of that nugget of knowledge.

“We were eating out back.” Paps held out his hand to her and Dyana took it, watching him cautiously. “The papers will be here in a week.”

A week? She gazed over her shoulder at Casimir, he met her gaze unflinchingly. This is bullshit. I’m giving him a piece of my mind later.

Paps patted her arm and guided her out…into chaos. One which fell silent when they stepped out. Over twelve children who’d been playing, froze. Close to three dozen adults walked around conversing who also stopped and watched her. A mix of people. All races, both genders.

She felt set up. Dyana was no stranger to being in front of large crowds and she tapped that for fortitude. Some looks were suspicious, very few welcoming, and many hostile.

Casimir stepped up beside her then walked down to his pack. A tall woman with jet black hair and a streak of white on the left side broke from the ground and approached him. And she couldn’t ignore her killer body, Dyana sighed as she realized this was the future wife.

Dyana refused to get emotional over a virtual stranger. Husband or no, he remained a stranger. Eventually, he walked out of view with another male.