Page 71 of Jace's Mate

Jace turned back to her and placed his hands gently on her arms.His touch wasn’t rough, but firm enough to ground her.

She couldfeelsomething different in him.His energy.His heat.It rolled off him in waves.Was it anger?No.That was ridiculous.She couldn’t smell emotions.Could she?

“I need to meet with my team,” Jace said.“You’ll stay here until I’m sure it’s safe for you to move around freely.”

She opened her mouth to argue, but the slight tightening of his fingers silenced her.A quiet warning.

Fine.She thought,You don’t have to tell me anything—I’ll just read your thoughts.

His jaw clenched.It would be better if you didn’t.Not yet.Soon.When we know each other better.

Better for who?she challenged.

“Do I need to be here for this?”Megin asked, half-laughing, half-nervous.

Both Jace and Anikka turned to glare at him.

He raised his hands in surrender.“I’ll just be outside.You two can mind-speak and glare all you want.”

He slipped out and shut the door behind him.

Jace stepped closer, not bothering to speak out loud.They don’t know how deep this bond runs between us.

Anikka didn’t move.What are you going to do?

Exactly what I said.But you don’t need the details yet.If you know too much too soon, it could put you in danger.Once you know our ways—and trust the others—I’ll tell you everything.But right now, my job is to protect you.You’re my mate, Anikka.I’d die to keep you safe.

She stared into his eyes, a strange flutter rising in her chest.It wasn’t love.Not yet.They hadn’t spent enough time together for that.

Had they?

It felt like she’d always known him.That same low-level heat began to simmer deep in her belly.

No!She straightened.Shewould notfall into that trap again.Not the need.Not the heat.

But the triumphant smirk on his face made her heart stutter.

Turning away, she fled back into the main room.Most of the pack had finished breakfast.The food was gone, the tables cleared, chairs tucked back in with pristine precision.

Anikka focused on the carpet instead—counting the fibers, grounding herself.

Behind her, a low chuckle rumbled.

She didn’t turn around.You won’t win,she told him silently.

He grinned at her over his shoulder.“You’re here, Anikka.As far as I’m concerned, I’ve already won.”

Then he was gone—striding out of the conference room like he hadn’t just lit a fire under her skin.

Anikka stared after him, unsure what to make of that smug, infuriating statement.What did he mean, “won”?She wasn’t some prize to be claimed.

Her gaze swept the room.The three men at the far end of the table weren’t speaking to her—weren’t even looking at her now—but they weren’t ignoring her either.She remembered what Jace had called them.Not deputies.Not guards.Betas.

She’d always thought of betas as second-best, weaker.But nothing about these three seemed “less.”They leaned over the table, heads together, studying a large map spread across the surface.Their postures were casual but alert, like predators in conference.Yes, they were smaller than Jace—but only slightly.And something about the way they moved… it pulsed with quiet authority.

“I think we should start here,” one of them said, tapping a spot on the map.

As if sensing her attention, all three lifted their heads and glanced her way.