Page 18 of Jace's Mate

Jace lifted his head, breathing deeply again, trying to absorb every nuance of her.His entire body was tense with anticipation, every cell tuned to her frequency.

She wasn’t right outside.But she was in the city.

Within three miles.

His eyes scanned the cracked windows along the warehouse walls, taking in the quiet street.Just a few of his men stood guard, disguised as loiterers near other “abandoned” warehouses.

One of them stirred—tilted his head and sniffed.

Jace narrowed his eyes, watching.The man paused but didn’t react strongly.He hadn’t caught the full scent.

Good.

Jace didn’t want to fight one of his own, but he would.

He’d tear apart anything or anyone who stood between him and the woman who washis.

His instincts were stronger than anyone else’s in the pack.That was the mark of an Alpha.Where his men could scent a few hundred yards out, maybe a mile at best, he could scent over three.He didn’t question it.It was how things had always been.

And now… she was near.

His mate.

He could almost picture her—sharp edges and softness, wildness and warmth.The spice of her scent suggested stubbornness.Fire.Curiosity.

Maybe a hint of strawberry.

She was young.Mid-twenties, no more than thirty.

Perfect.

Shifters lived for several centuries.Vampires longer still.Witches?He never asked Sorcia her age.He valued his limbs too much for that.

But this girl?

She was human.Or shifter.Or maybe something more.He didn’t know.

Yet.

But he would.

Very, very soon.

“Are you coming in?”a feminine voice called out behind him.“You’re the one who called this meeting, after all.”

Jace ignored her for a moment longer.

His eyes narrowed as he scanned the street again.

She wasn’t within view—but she wasclose.

His mate.

The word echoed in his chest like a drumbeat.

He was about to step into the room when another sensation swept over him—strange, subtle, but powerful enough to make him pause.

A song.