Page 89 of Crossed Fates

We were in uncharted waters with all this mating stuff. The connection could disappear when I left the realm… or not.

What if letting Alaric’s wolf mount mine cemented us together even more? I didn’t want to cause Alaric pain if I left. Nor had I come to terms with the idea of being mated to a mortal.

Put it all out of your mind, Makayla,I lectured myself.One day at a time, remember?

That’s right, baby. Just focus on what I’m going to do to you when I catch you.Alaric’s comment was smug but also low and sexy and rumbling through my body as though he were right next to me.

I have no idea what you’re talking about, Alpha,I said, my tone demure.His responding growl had me grinning and adding,I might need a detailed reminder.

Oh, sweetheart. I promise to be very thorough so that by the time I’m done, you’ll never forget a second.

I giggled. Fucking giggled! Like a damn schoolgirl. But I couldn’t help it. And shit, I was so turned on that it made it hard not to simply flop to the ground and wait for him to ravish me.

Maybe—

I paused and skidded to a halt as a familiar scent reached my nose. My head swung in the direction it had come from, my enhanced night vision making it easy for me to survey my surroundings.I smell something…I silently followed the fragrant trail, like a hunter stalking its prey.

Probably the sweet smell of your pussy, baby. I can’t wait to taste you again.

I’m serious, Alaric. It’s unusual, but I know it from somewhere. It’s almost…

I trailed off, stopping in my tracks and sucking in a quick breath, hoping my instincts were wrong.

Ash.

Bar basement.

Hybrid.

Same odor.

Similar to the one on Kristen’s body, too.

All the details assaulted me at once, my hackles rising.Shit.

Makayla? What’s wrong? Are you all right?

Hybrids. I smell hybrids.

What? Where are you? Where’s Enrique?

I glanced around, assessing my surroundings. I couldn’t see the predators, but I knew they were there.

About a mile east of my spot by the lake. Near the border of Silver Lake territory. Not sure where Enrique is. We separated as soon as we arrived.I hadn’t thought much of it because I usually worked alone. But now…

Branches rustled on my right, and I whipped around to see a large gray-and-brown wolf lumbering through the underbrush, his yellow eyes fixated on me. A human followed him. At least, helookedhuman.

There’s a big wolf here that I don’t recognize. Brown and gray fur. And his snout is bent at a weird angle. Hmm, I wonder if any other part of him is bent.

Alaric remained silent, but I sensed through our connection that he was not amused.

The other man with him resembles a human… but also doesn’t.

Explain.

He doesn’t smell entirely human. Like there’s something’s off about him. He’s the source of the ashy scent. You know, like the hybrid. A, uh, Vex Junior, I guess?Seemed like a good name for him. He even had the same dark hair and bulky build to him.

Fuck! I’m coming. Don’t engage unless you have to, Makayla. Wait for me to back you up.