Read Online The Leopard King by Ann Aguirre - Free Book Online

else or even hear a whisper of it?”
    “I figured it was only a matter of time. I’ve heard your mother talking.”
    He sagged forward, elbows on his knees, and he couldn’t meet her gaze for a few seconds. “It’s not like I haven’t been ignoring her for years.”
    “Now you don’t have to.” That response came out quiet and cold.
    Slay swallowed hard, gazing up at her with pleading eyes. “Well, shit. I never imagined you’d give up on me. I always…” his voice hitched, “…thought we were forever.”
    She considered saying, I wanted us to be. But it wouldn’t change anything. I won’t cry. I won’t. Instead she took a step back.
    “Everything changes. And love doesn’t survive untended.”
    The next words he spat at her through clenched teeth. “Fine, I’m a dumb shit and I didn’t make it clear how I feel, but whatever I did wrong, it’s hard not to feel like you traded up. Why settle for second when you can fuck your way to first?”
    That poison verbal dart landed. “I finally understand how you could treat me like Latent was the worst thing I could be. You’re just fucking small, Slay.”
    “That’s not what you said a couple of weeks ago.”
    “And… I think we’re done here.”
    As she turned for the door, suddenly he was there, wrapping his arms about her from behind. His familiar scent dizzied her: sage, cedar, and sandalwood. “I’m sorry. I lost my mind for a minute. Please don’t leave me. I don’t care what happened on the mountain. Just… tell Dom it was a mistake.”
    Tears burned in her eyes and the back of her throat. It was too late; she’d made a promise, and Pru took her vows seriously. Besides, love wasn’t everything. Respect and friendship mattered too. If she could keep Dom on a steady keel, Ash Valley would be better off. She let Slay hug her for a moment longer and then she broke his hold.
    “You were never strong enough to do that before,” he said in a soft, shattered voice.
    “I’m different now.” And it was true. She wasn’t the woman who had waited for his love endlessly, wishing she could command it.
    With that, she put Slay behind her and didn’t look back.
    More than once, Dom was tempted to double back because Slay had looked murderous.
    Only the certainty that his second wouldn’t hurt Pru kept his feet moving in the opposite direction. The hold bustled with activity as he strode down the main thoroughfare. All the buildings gleamed with the same stone that formed the wall. A few things had changed in his absence; they had torn down the old repair center, and there were three new shops. Belatedly, he wondered how the factories were doing, as when he’d left, he let go of the reins completely. Members of the pride greeted him with varying levels of disbelief, excitement, and relief. Two of his father’s friends hugged him and pounded his back so hard that he’d probably have bruises.
    “You were missed, son.” Caio had been his father’s second, and he’d declined the role of pride leader when Dom’s father passed.
    “Thanks.”
    “Get to the hall before Beren flips a table. He’s not happy about the delay, says he’s got some disturbing news about the Golgoth. But Slay has been plying him with liquor while betting his whole hand on Pru.”
    It wasn’t a bad move . She came through.
    “Raff?” he asked.
    “Busy flirting with Magda. You know how that wolf is.”
    “Thanks for the update.”
    “We’ll talk more soon.” With a pat in parting, the older man went about his business, leaving Dom to do the same.
    After making the bear and wolf leaders wait this long, ten minutes longer wouldn’t hurt; it would be bad manners to greet them dressed in what amounted to pajamas and slippers. He got stopped twice more before he reached the residential annex. Outside the apartment he’d shared with Dalena, he hesitated. Finding everything exactly as she’d left it would cut him wide open, but it might be even worse if all her