Page 24

“Wait,” I murmured, scanning the parking lot, staying alert as I made sure they hadn’t called others. “They could have circled back here,” I told her, not wanting to further complicate an already complicated situation by telling her they could have sent friends.

“How….how would they know I live here?” She stammered, as my keen hearing picked up on her suddenly racing heart.

I didn’t answer, tugging at her legs so she’d release the stranglehold she had on my waist. She unfolded them, sliding down my back, and landing unsteadily. I kept my arm around her as I remained alert.

“We’ll keep an eye on the place,” I told her, not considering how my words might come across as I attempted to ease her fear. She edged back and I risked a glance at her, seeing her cheeks turn pink. My thoughts scattered as she stared at me, her eyes tracing my face as red crept down her neck.

She shivered, but it wasn’t due to the cold, because even my higher than normal body temperature told me the air around us was warm, scorching even. I studied her as I breathed deeply, and her concentrated scent almost brought me to my knees.

Arousal was a punch in the gut, and her expression froze as my eyes dilated, my lips parting as my tongue sought the taste of her on the air. She didn’t move, instinct holding her still as I prowled closer, her scent drawing me like a magnet, each of her heartbeats luring me closer in a dangerous dance.

“Your scent,” I growled, my voice thick with desire, and heat flared through her, my eyes shifting to pick up her heat signature, and I knew we were close to the point of no return.

I closed my eyes, forcing all of the air from my lungs as I tried to expel her scent, scrambling for reason. I clenched my hands into fists, my nails digging grooves into my palms as I fought for control. My body screamed for oxygen and I took a shallow breath, almost losing it as her scent hit me again. “Not helping,” I muttered under my breath, knowing I had to get away from her before I pounced. I opened my eyes and saw the confused desire on her face. “I’m going to step back. Stay,” I ordered, seeing her instinctive need to protest, but she remained silent and still.

I fought for control of my wolf as he protested the distance I was putting between myself and Jess. He wanted to claim her, assert dominance, and mark her so every wolf knew who she belonged to.

Her body swayed, moving in concert to mine and I froze, only needing her to give me the okay and I would be on her. She didn’t speak, her eyes wide and frightened, and the knowledge gave me enough strength to edge back another step.

After several long moments, I’d moved several yards away and managed a few shallow breaths, clearing her scent from my lungs. “I’m going to take a look around, make sure those guys didn’t follow you here.” I nodded to the motel, needing her to be behind a locked door. “Go inside, lock your door, and don’t let anyone in.” Her lips parted and it was all I could do not to lunge forward and cover them with mine. “Including me,” I answered, reading the question in her eyes. “Go,” I barked, needing her to leave before I did something I regretted. I didn’t want to take her choice from her, but my wolf was howling and I knew the entire Pack could sense my turmoil.

She moved then, her steps quick but not a run, allowing me to maintain control over my wolf. Her fingers fumbled with the lock, but finally she was behind the door, my keen hearing picking up the click of the deadbolt and I bolted for the forest, forcing myself into a brutal pace trying to put as much ground between us as possible.

Chapter Six

Voices hammered at me as I ran, leaping strides taking me to the very edges of Navarre land. Howls ripped through the air, carrying for miles as I ignored my Pack. I shook my head, snorting as I rubbed my nose against my paw, trying to erase her scent.

It didn’t help.

I waded into a stream, the icy water soaking my fur and cooling the heat rising off me.

“You alright?” The single voice cut through the clamoring of the others and I lowered my head, blowing water out of my nostrils as Trent waited patiently.

“I had to leave,” I admitted and heard him chuff in response. “I needed to clear my head.”

“Nose, you mean,” he retorted, our link strong in spite of the distance. The last couple of weeks had strengthened our bond and I had a hard time with the idea of Trent leaving. “I caught a whiff of her. No wonder those Hanley boys were chasing.”