Page 27 of Predator (Stope Packs #4)

Emily clutched the seat belt in the helicopter, fingers tightening every time the craft hit a gust of wind. Jackson piloted them from Copper territory to Granite, the hum of the rotors vibrating through her bones. It was already well after dinner time, and darkness pressed in from the snowy night.

Thane sat in the back, flipping through ledgers with an ease that made her stomach twist. He had flown the older craft to pick them up, but Jackson had insisted on taking them back. The cabin smelled like fuel and metal.

“Take a deep breath,” Jackson said beside her, his voice low and steady.

“I’m fine,” she muttered, though her pulse told a different story. The slight sting of whisker burn still warmed her skin. “We got shot down last time we flew, you know.”

His hands appeared more than capable as he maneuvered the small craft with a swirling snowstorm battering them. “I know. But I had my security team review satellite feeds from the past year. I don’t think the Ravencalls have any more missiles. It would’ve been hard enough for them to get their hands on two.”

Her gaze slid toward him, her voice tinny through the headset speakers. “They must’ve really wanted you dead.”

“Most people do.”

Thane snorted from the back seat. “We’re fine now, but in about thirty minutes, the storm is going to be too strong to fly. So, your timing is perfect.”

The first huge winter storm seemed intent on taking down the helicopter.

Emily tried to calm, inhaling slowly through her nose. The hum of the rotors and Jackson’s steady presence beside her helped, but her grip on the seat belt didn’t loosen.

“Emily,” Jackson ordered.

She nodded and inhaled, her face still pale. He closed his hand over hers, warm and solid against her thigh. He must not care if Thane saw from the back seat. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you. All right?”

Her gaze briefly met his, and the truth she saw there relaxed her. A little. “I know,” she whispered.

The helicopter touched down smoothly on the landing pad where the other bird had once sat. Jackson powered it down, and the craft went dark. “I need a new helicopter.”

“Already on it,” Thane said. “I have several available options, and all are newer and faster. I’ll email you a complete report.”

They jumped out, the wind from the rotors kicking up snow around their boots as they crossed through the night to a nearby work truck. Jackson slid behind the wheel, Emily settled beside him, and Thane took the back seat, his eyes already back on his ledgers. He used the flashlight on his phone to illuminate the stack.

Emily glanced over her shoulder. “What are you always looking at?”

“Printouts from our online accounts. I’m just tracking the money,” Thane replied without glancing up. “That’s what I do on Tuesdays.”

Amusement sparked through Emily, and she shared a smile with Jackson. “What do you do on Wednesdays?”

“Security and satellites, as well as scouting the territory for threats.” He looked up and his eyes focused.

Absolutely fascinating. Jackson’s best friend was a happy nerd. “And Thursdays?”

Thane smiled, showing even white teeth. “Special projects, like maybe this farming community you’ve been talking about.”

“I see.” Emily studied him briefly. He had to be a few years older than Jackson but not by much. The man seemed to live with one foot in a ledger and the other watching the world from above. “So, you’ve been working with Jackson his entire time as Alpha?”

“I have,” Thane replied. The wolf was tall with horn-rimmed glasses that seemed at odds with his predatory nature. Emily had rarely seen a wolf wear glasses before.

She could use some of his skills. “It’s nice that you’re so organized.”

“Well, almost organized,” Thane said with a half-smile. “Compared to Raya, nobody is.”

Probably, true, but still, the guy seemed shockingly efficient. Emily had to admit that Jackson surrounded himself with people who knew their jobs inside and out. “Are you a decent fighter?” she asked.

“I am. Thought I might be an Enforcer someday, but efficiency called.” Thane shrugged. “Still, I’ll step up if Jackson needs me to protect and defend.”

Jackson drove around a downed tree as the snow flew sideways at them through the darkness. “You’ve defended my ass more than once.” He slowed down to cross over more branches. “When I get mated, I’ll need Enforcers. If you’re not interested, I should probably start putting out some feelers.”

“Sure.” Thane made a quick note on a yellow legal pad.

Emily’s mind drifted to her pack’s structure. They had a pack administrator, but Mrs. Flowergate wasn’t anywhere near as efficient as Thane and Raya.

“When you talk about satellites and surveillance, what exactly do you mean?” she asked, curiosity sparking through her.

Jackson groaned. “Why? Why would you ask him that?”

Emily blinked. “What?”

Thane leaned forward, his eyes lighting up. “Okay, so when it comes to satellites, here’s what we’ve found and how we can hack into them?—”

He launched into a detailed explanation that lasted a solid fifteen minutes. Emily tuned out somewhere around the five-minute mark. Half of what he said sounded like a different language, but Thane didn’t seem to mind what had to be her glazed expression.

Jackson barely hid a smile.

She wondered why her father had never considered updating their pack’s technology. Wolves seemed to get stuck in the past sometimes. Jackson was different. Maybe stepping up as Alpha so young had made him more open to modernization.

Her stomach growled as the hour stretched even later. Jackson glanced at her. “I need to swing by the office for a few minutes, then we’ll grab something to eat. You’re staying at my place tonight.”

Emily should argue. She should remind him that, according to Thane, two of his potential mates were already in town at the hotel. But the idea of one more night with him was too tempting to resist. “I know it’s late, but our healer often works odd hours. Is there a chance one of your doctors is around?”

He took his phone from his pocket and shot off a quick text. An answering ding came almost immediately. He looked down to read, his hand sure on the steering wheel. “Yep. Doc Gwen is there tonight.”

Hope ticked through Emily. “Could you drop me by the doctor’s office? I’d like to speak with her.”

“Absolutely. I’ll drop you off, then swing back to pick you up to get a very late dinner.”

She wanted to spend more time with him before she left for good. “Sounds like a plan.”

“What’s up with the doctor?” Thane asked, leaning forward again.

She glanced back at him. “Nothing important. Just…female stuff.”

Thane blanched and immediately leaned back in his seat. “Got it. Sorry. Didn’t mean to pry.”

Jackson sped up. “Thane, you patrolling tonight?”

“Depends. Do you need me? I was hoping to look at some of our investments in Japan.”

Jackson clicked the heater on higher. “I also need you on patrol.”

“Okay,” Thane replied cheerfully. “It’s been a while since we’ve had a good fight.”

“You don’t think the Ravencall wolves are going to attack, do you?” Emily asked.

“I do,” Jackson said. “I just don’t know when.” He glanced at her, then back to the road, where snow drifted slowly down, barely covering the ice.

Awareness had her instincts humming. “What?” Emily pressed.

“Nothing.”

“Jackson,” she said, her tone sharper. “I can usually tell when someone’s lying to me. What aren’t you saying?”

He hesitated, then said, “If the Ravencalls attack anyone, it’ll be the Slate Pack. I think your people are in danger. Your father says you’ve got enough resources, soldiers, and patrol squads, but I’m not sure I believe him.”

“We do,” she said, though doubt scratched at the back of her mind. “I don’t know if we’re as well-trained as some of the other packs, but we’ve got the numbers. And while Victor’s an ass, the guy can fight. He’s trained many of our younger members.”

“Any unrest?” Jackson asked. “Word’s got to be out that other packs let their young wolves leave to experience the world.”

A very good point. Was there unrest? “Not that I know of,” she said thoughtfully. “But it’s something we should look into. It would make sense.”

“You know,” Jackson said with a glance her way, “you could let them have a life.”

They passed beneath the granite archway marking the town’s entrance.

She glanced around. “Everyone has decorated for the holidays.” Sparkling lights were everywhere, as were placards of Jackson and her in the middle of a wreath. “Wow. That picture must be off the Internet?” She was dressed in a white gown. Where had she worn that?

Jackson stopped near the doctor’s office where a light glowed beyond the reception area. A tree sparkled happily, framed perfectly in the windows. “Need me to come in?” he asked.

“No, I probably only need fifteen minutes, maybe half an hour.”

“Great. I’ll be back.” He nodded, and she hopped out, boots scuffing on snow as she crossed the sidewalk. The door swung open with a soft chime, revealing a vacant waiting room and the hum of a heater kicking on in the back.

Emily looked up as footsteps echoed down the hallway. A shorter male appeared, looking to be around fifty, with salt-and-pepper hair and sharp green eyes that hinted at a quick mind. “You must be Emily Nightsom.”

“I must be,” she replied with a grin. “And you must be Dr. Moore.”

“I am.” His smile was warm but brief. “What can I do for you?”

She clutched her backpack. “I was hoping to see Dr. Gwen.”

“She’s on the phone, but I’ll let her know you’re here.” He glanced toward the door. “Jackson with you?”

Why would he be? “He went to the office.”

“Okay. Thanks.” With a nod, Dr. Moore disappeared back down the hallway.

Emily wandered over to a chair, flipping through a magazine about mining, until she heard approaching footsteps and a familiar voice.

“Hey, Emily. Come on back.” Dr. Gwen still wore light pink scrubs and had a stethoscope draped around her neck.

“Thanks.” Emily adjusted her backpack as she followed the doctor into a different lab room from the last time. This one had shelves of labeled vials, cabinets with neatly arranged medical tools, and equipment she couldn’t name aside from a few microscopes.

“Nice lab,” Emily said.

“Thanks.” Gwen back slightly on her tennis shoes. “What do you have for me?”

Emily handed over Luna’s blood samples and test results.

“Interesting.” Gwen studied the papers, her brow furrowing slightly. “I think I may have a hypothesis.” She glanced up. “I need an hour or so.”

Anticipation with an edge of hope licked through Emily. “Yeah, that works. I’m grabbing a late dinner with Jackson. Will you be working that late?”

“Yeah, come back after you eat. I often work well past midnight, so I’ll be here.” Gwen had already turned away, her mind clearly elsewhere.

Emily shrugged and returned to the waiting area, where Dr. Moore was tidying the stack of magazines.

“All good?” he asked.

“Yes, thank you,” Emily replied.

He glanced at her, a smile tugging at his lips. “Rumor has it you’re trying to find a mate for Jackson.”

“I am.” The admission twisted in her stomach.

He straightened to his full height. “The pack is hoping you’ll stay. Is there any chance?”

“I don’t see how.” She forced a smile. “Did you sign the petition?”

“Everybody I know signed the petition for you to make a home here.” He winked before disappearing down the hallway.

For some reason, the gesture lightened her mood. It was comforting to be wanted. She stepped outside, spotting Jackson already waiting at the curb, his truck running and snow dancing across the headlights. His gaze flicked to her, lingering for just a second too long before he hopped out of the truck and opened her door.

Several teenaged boys came running up, and Jackson pivoted to put his body slightly between them.

The tallest, a kid with green eyes and black hair, handed her a high school Letterman’s jacket.

She accepted the leather coat, glancing at the back, which read Tryne .

Jackson sighed. “You’re giving her my jacket?”

“Yeah. We took it down from the wall at the high school. She should have it, man.” The kid nodded, turned, and ran off with his buddies.

Emily smiled, touched. “It is nice to be liked.”

“I would think so.” Jackson’s hand grazed her waist as he helped her inside, the warmth of his touch sparking awareness across her skin.

“I didn’t know you were waiting for me out here. Sorry.” Her pulse kicked up.

“It’s fine.” His voice rumbled awareness beneath her skin. He shut her door and circled the truck before sliding into the driver’s seat. As they drove past the hotel, tension hung heavy between them.

Part of her wanted to jump him right in the truck.

The other part wanted to savor the moment and attack him later back at his place. So she smoothed the dark blue jacket over her legs.

“Tonight was the fried chicken special,” he said, the shift to casual conversation not quite masking the heat still thrumming in the air. “I’m hoping there’s some left—even this late.”

“Sounds good.”

When Jackson parked at the curb by the diner, Emily hopped out, and he followed suit, meeting up with her at the front of the restaurant. His fingers brushed the small of her back as he held the door open, and she had to fight the shiver that chased down her spine. The warm scent of fried food and fresh bread wrapped around them as they entered. The clatter of plates and the hum of conversation faded slightly as her gaze landed on Abilene Ironclaw and Xandra Millstone seated together at a nearby table.

“Well, hey there,” called a woman with white hair tucked into a bun as she bustled toward them. “You must be Emily Nightsom.”

“I must be,” Emily replied with a smile. “This place is packed. It’s so late.”

The woman wiped her brow. “The miners have been working double shifts, so we have a late dinner offering every night. I’m Laura. Gus and I own the place.” Her gaze flicked toward the two females at the table. “Well, your competition’s here. I think they waited for an invitation around the normal dinner time and just showed up here a couple of minutes ago, giving up on Jackson for the time being. Why don’t I sit you with them? Other than that, the wait’s about an hour.”

The restaurant truly was bustling with every table taken, and Emily’s pulse stuttered as she glanced toward the two women, both watching her with interest.

“Oh.” Jackson glanced at her, and panic flickered in his eyes, quick and sharp.

“Of course,” Emily said, her stomach sinking as heat crept up her neck. The two females had already spotted them, and leaving now would only seem awkward. For better or worse, there was no easy escape. “We would love to join the ladies for a late dinner,” she added, her voice steadier than she felt.

Her gaze caught on Thane and Raya sitting at a two-top against the wall. They both seemed to be trying very hard not to laugh.

She couldn’t be entirely sure, but she thought she heard Jackson mutter, “Fuck,” under his breath.