Page 40 of Jace's Mate

“I’m not afraid,” she snapped.“And you don’t get to tell me not to care.”

He stared at her for a long moment.Then, without a word, he stepped in front of her.

“Let me handle it,” he said quietly, his tone pure Alpha.“Watch.Learn.Then, if they don’t bolt, you can talk to them.”

She opened her mouth to argue—but Jace shoved her behind him, his arm a firm wall across her body.

“Come on out,” he barked.“Now.”

That voice again.Commanding.Dominant.Dangerous.

Anikka’s fingers twitched at her sides.Was it normal to want tobitea man just for the sound of his voice?Melt into it—or tackle him to the concrete?She wasn’t sure if she wanted to punch him or pounce.

Probably both.

She caught movement in the shadows.Three messy heads peeked out from behind the dumpster.Wide eyes.Hollow cheeks.Anikka’s heart clenched.

Jace snapped his fingers and pointed to a spot directly in front of him.

She almost scoffed.Seriously?Like three hungry teenage boys would obey that kind of dog-trainer signal?

And yet… they moved.Cautious.Shoulder to shoulder.Their steps were hesitant, but they came forward.Right to the spot Jace had indicated.

They stopped a few feet in front of him, their bodies stiff, eyes wary.Anikka could see their ribs through their shirts.They reeked of desperation and dirt and lingering fear.

She didn’t realize she was holding her breath until Jace’s voice echoed inside her head.

“I know.”

She jolted and nearly punched him in the kidney.

“Stop doing that!”she snapped silently.

“Then stop thinking so loud,”he shot back, without looking at her.

“Who is your Alpha?”Jace demanded aloud.“What pack are you from?”

The boys dropped their eyes, casting quick glances between them.

“We… don’t have one,” the middle one mumbled.“Not anymore.”

Jace’s jaw flexed.His voice dropped to a growl.“Explain.”

Anikka shifted uneasily beside him.Her instincts begged her to speak, to soften this.“Jace—” she started in a whisper.

He lifted a hand, cutting her off.

He didn’t even glance her way.

She froze, biting her lip.It wasn’t what he did—it was how he did it.That raised hand wasn’t dismissive.It was loaded with the weight of someone who carried too much already.And maybe… didn’t know how to carry it all without shutting people out.

She looked at him again.

Broad shoulders.

Unshakable presence.

And yeah… annoyingly attractive.