Warlord's Ward

Rampage

"You seem to know an awful lot."

"I should."

"Why?"

"Because you have my mate in that tower." He nodded upward. "She doesn't know I can feel her already, that I can sense her thoughts."

"So these whispers were her thoughts?"

Rampage lowered his head in admonition.

Warlord knew of only one she-wolf in that tower. And he wasn't willing to share.

"Does she know she's your mate?"

"Not in the least. Not yet. I plan to claim her under the Mating Moon."

"You best plan well, Boy."

"Why?" Rampage sensed the sudden challenge on Warlord's face.

"Because the she-wolf up there is mine."

"Like you I'm both wolf and mage. My intended mate is no wolf."

"You'd choose a mage?"

"I want her."

"To each man, his own."

"Will you let me help you with the book then?" Rampage queried.

"I'll take you up into my tower and see what you're capable of. But you betray me, and I'll cut your damn throat."

Rampage's lips twitched in a way that indicated he wasn't as afraid as Warlord thought he should've been.

"I wouldn't do that, even if you could." He recommended.

"Why is that?" Warlord pointed toward the stairs back up to the tower. Hoping, despite himself, that the boy could do as he promised.

"Because my father would know. And he'd come hunting."

"Ah yes, the great Fury. The First Beast."

Rampage nodded before taking the stairs at a quick pace. Eager to reach the tower and see the woman he'd been yearning for.

"Does your little she-wolf know what's coming?" Rampage asked on the way up.

Warlord stared ahead and said nothing, so Rampage insisted.

"About the Mating Moon?"

"No. She was locked away for all of the ones before."

"She was an innocent?"

Warlord's lips tightened but he said nothing.

"Ah." Rampage nodded. "Before you got to her."

"Is there a point to this little chat?" Warlord's head whipped to look at the boy who was of the same height.

"Yes. You should warn the poor girl. Before you break her."

"I've no intention of doing that."

"Have you forgotten what it is to be wild, Man?" Rampage eyed him askance. "Once you're free in those woods, the desire to rut her like a violent animal will be nearly irresistible. And where you've spent them, all locked away in this tower suffering, your need for her will be breathtaking."

"Violent." He corrected.

"Breathtakingly violent." Rampage grinned.

"Not the words I'd use."

Rampage was laughing as Warlord tossed open the door and ushered him in. Before pulling it closed and turning the key and pocketing it.

"Locked in, I see." Rampage noted.