Page 60 of Her Silent Knight

Cooper’s gaze jerked to him. Both he and Takeo wore shocked expressions.

“Did those words just come out of our team leader’s mouth?” Cooper asked. “Or am I imagining things?”

“I said don’t look at her.”

Cooper lifted his face to the sky, obeying Kaede’s command easily. Takeo kept his eyes glued to Kaede’s. At least he wasn’t staring at his mate.

Takeo pushed the telescope he used to keep an eye on the villagers to the side and peered down at Kaede.

“You left yesterday and you return today with vampires on bikes, a half-naked woman and a sheet around your waist. You didn’t check-in and no one from the team has been able to reach you. And now, you’re talking. What happened?”

“Sounds like a wild night,” Cooper said, face to the sky. “Team leader can talk. I’m so freaking shocked.”

“Open the gate,” Kaede demanded.

Takeo pressed the button on the device near his right. The gate started to open. Takeo stood up as Kaede strode through the gate as soon as there was enough room for him to enter. He glanced down at his mate as he entered the first square of the compound.

“You stay here and keep watch,” Takeo told Coop, who’d risen from his seat also.

“But Tak...”

“Both of us can’t leave our post.”

“Okay.” Cooper slumped back down in his seat as Takeo descended the stairs.

Looking straight ahead, Kaede kept walking, ignoring onlookers who’d stopped working to gawk at him. He knew he looked like a fool carrying an unconscious woman while wearing nothing but a sheet. Right now, he didn’t care.

He needed to get his mate inside, into his room. His dragon had increased his body temp enough to keep her warm. But he wanted to lie her down on his bed and pull his covers over her so she could rest properly.

She needed her rest. Because when she woke up, she was going to be pissed. He hoped she didn’t try to burn the entire compound down. Kaede smiled. Even if she did, no one there would chastise her for it. He wouldn’t allow it.

Behind him, he could hear Takeo calling his name. In the first square of the compound, the planters were working hard to clear the field of snow so they could plant this season’s winter groundnuts. They all stopped what they were doing to watch him.

“Kaede, wait,” Takeo called to him.

Without slowing his stride, he called over his shoulder, “I need to get her inside.” Gasps filled the air from the onlookers.

“Did Kaede just speak?”

“I think I heard Kaede speak?”

“Impossible. Kaede can’t speak.”

“Not until he finds his mate.”

“Wait, does that mean he’s found his mate?”

“He is carrying a woman.”

“Kaede has found his mate.”

Let the rumors began. At least they were on the right track. Kaede turned the corner just as Takeo caught up with him. The wolf matched his stride as they headed toward the second gate.

“Is she yours?”

“She is.”

“Was she your target?”