Page 59 of Scarlet Wars
A flicker of fear crossed Emma’s face, gone as quickly as it came. Beside her, James’s jaw flexed, his hands curling into fists at his sides.
The High Chief’s eyes cut toward him, assessing. “When we learned of your relationship with Mr. Walker, we concluded it would be prudent—no, wise—for you to solidify the True Bond with your mate.”
“My mate?” Emma snapped, before narrowing her eyes into slits. “James and I broke up more than seven months ago. He’s not my mate, not even close.”
Fuck no, he’s not.
The High Chief only smiled faintly, brushing aside my outburst as if it were nothing. “Semantics. The word mate doesn’t exist in our laws, of course, we all have free will. But seeing how your son carries your loved one’s name, your current relationship status aside, we believe forming the True Bond with him would grant you and your son a protection even we cannot offer.”
I snorted and crossed my arms over my chest. “Please don’t tell me the United Chiefs are convinced one of the most common first names in history somehow proves his fatherhood beyond all doubt?”
“We do,” he said simply, like it was the most natural thing in the world. “We believe it offers sufficient proof of her later choice, and we would feel…reassured if she were to solidify that choice now by bonding with the father of our savior.”
“Bullshit,” I spat, the word tearing out of me like venom. “There’s no way the United Chiefs are that easily swayed. You’retelling me you all believe Walker is the Krait’s father because of a shared first name?”
The High Chief’s expression twitched, annoyance flashing before his mask of authority slid back into place. “Yes. And if Miss Thompson wants to make sure no harm comes to her, her future son, or anyone else she might care for, she’d be wise to bond as we suggest.”
Emma blanched at the threat. Her knuckles whitened on the edge of the table as if she were bracing herself against the words.
Motherfucker. He knew exactly where to twist the knife. Between the grief she was barely holding at bay and the crushing fear of losing more people she loved, he’d found the perfect point of leverage.
I ground my teeth so hard it hurt, ready to decapitate the bastard where he stood?—
Until Emma fucking Thompson rose to her feet.
“Let me be very clear, Mister High Chief with no name.” Her tone cut like ice, every syllable precise.
“I will not be manipulated into any choice. Not by you. Not by any man who feels entitled to dictate what I do with my body or my mind, in the present or in the future.”
The High Chief drew a breath, ready to contradict, but Emma lifted her hand, halting him mid-motion.
The gesture alone silenced one of the most powerful men in our world, and I was so turned on I couldn’t fucking see straight.
“As our governing body,” she furthered, “I understand the interest you might have in this matter, and I will gladly inform you of the ‘happy news’ once it occurs. However, I will not be forced into another True Bond. Not by you. Not by anyone else.”
Shit. James’s gaze collided with mine, looking alarmed, and I knew we were both thinking the same thing.
“Another True Bond, Miss Thompson?” the High Chief asked softly, though the weight behind his question was unmistakably threatening. “What do you mean,another?”
FIFTEEN
CADEN
Emma’s eyes widened for the barest second as realization hit her. But the lawyer in her didn’t fold. She tilted her chin, forced a shrug that looked almost careless. “I spoke too quickly. I meant I won’t be forced into any True Bond with James or anyone else.”
Quick thinking. But a weaker excuse than I would’ve liked.
The High Chief’s studied her with a sharpness that promised he wasn’t fooled.
I forced my jaw to relax. “If Emma doesn’t want the bond, there’s nothing you can do, since forcing her into it would amount to mind-rape.”
“Of course not.” The High Chief’s smile was nearly vicious. “No one isforcingher into anything. But if she values her life—and the lives of everyone else connected to her—I suspect she’ll consider her choices, and the cost of refusal.”
He held up his hand when James wanted to respond. “And before you make any heroic declarations, if you do not comply with our request, we will respond accordingly.”
“So it’s bonding to James to ensure a genetically superior baby who saves your ass in the future, or the death of all my loved ones,” Emma said, her voice suspiciously calm.
The High Chief’s expression was carefully blank. “I wouldn’t phrase it quite so crudely.”
