Page 9 of Predator (Stope Packs #4)

Emily settled into one of the guest chairs in Jackson’s office, crossing her legs and smoothing the front of her sweater. He could have at least dressed up a little, but she had to admit he had a point. His usual jeans and dark T-shirt suited him more than any suit ever would.

A knock sounded on the door.

“Come in,” Jackson said from behind his desk, where several ledgers lay open. He had been working for the past hour on mining business while Emily typed out a chapter on her phone. She preferred her laptop, but she could write this way when necessary. The tension between her and Jackson still hummed beneath the surface, a constant thrum she tried to ignore.

Raya poked her head inside, looking pretty and competent, her dark eyes sharp with unspoken thoughts. “Do you have a minute?”

Jackson glanced up and then gestured for her to enter. “Yeah, come in. What’s on your mind?”

Raya stepped fully into the office and closed the door behind her. She wore a smart black silk suit and lovely Louboutin heels today. Her gaze flicked to Emily, lingering for a beat too long before returning to Jackson and handing over a stack of papers.

“What’s this?” Jackson read the top page and then burst out laughing.

Raya wrung her hands together.

Emily looked between them. “What?”

Raya cleared her throat. “It’s, ah, well a petition for you and Jackson to be formally married this Christmas in a celebration for the entire town. The Lady’s Craft Crew needs that much time to decorate and plan.”

A petition?

“You signed it?” Jackson snapped, flipping over a page.

Pink climbed into Raya’s face. “The matchmaking scheme isn’t a good idea, you know. Bringing in a potential Alpha female without fully vetting her pack is reckless. And this whole setup—” Raya’s eyes shifted toward Emily again, her expression guarded. “It’s asking for trouble.”

“I appreciate your input,” Jackson said, his voice even. “But I know what I’m doing.”

“Do you?” Raya’s smile was tight. “Because the pack has decided on Emily. We like her.”

Jackson handed back the papers. “You don’t even know her.”

Raya’s chin lifted. “We’ve all been reading her books, and we feel like we do. The Lady’s Craft Crew loves her, and they hold weight.” She turned on her heel and quietly left the office.

The door clicked shut, leaving the air between Emily and Jackson thick.

Emily blanched. “We’ve given everybody the wrong idea.”

Jackson just growled and returned to his work.

They worked in silence for another fifteen minutes until Raya reopened the door, all efficient. “You have a Ms. Abilene Ironclaw here to meet you.”

“Send her in,” Jackson replied, his jaw tightening slightly. His gaze flicked toward Emily, who tried to hide her amusement.

The door swung open, and Abilene swept in with a grace that seemed more choreographed than natural. Emily blinked several times. The woman had to be at least six feet tall, with long, cascading curls as black as night and amber eyes that seemed to glow against her golden skin. Her bone structure was delicate, her waist impossibly narrow, and her curves perfectly placed.

Jackson stood. Emily did, as well, though far more reluctantly.

“Ms. Ironclaw,” Jackson greeted, stepping around his desk and holding out a hand.

“Alpha Tryne,” Abilene replied, her voice smooth and cultured as she placed her hand in his. Jackson gave it a brief, firm shake, and Abilene blushed slightly as their hands parted.

“Let’s sit over here.” Jackson gestured toward the sitting area near the wide window. The space was furnished with an old leather couch and two matching chairs that had probably been there since his grandfather’s time. The coffee table in front of them bore scratches as though marked by restless hands over the years.

Jackson seated Abilene on the couch with care, which made Emily want to roll her eyes. For Pete’s sake. Still, she followed and took one of the chairs across from them.

“Hi. I’m Emily Nightsom.” She kept her tone pleasant. She might as well introduce herself before Jackson forgot she existed.

“Nice to meet you in person,” Abilene replied, her smile revealing perfect white teeth and a single dimple that added an infuriating touch of charm. “Um, a couple of younger wolves stopped me on the way into the building and said you two had decided to mate each other?”

Heat flushed through Emily’s torso. “No. Not at all. I’m facilitating this process for Jackson.”

Abilene snorted. “All right. This is an interesting situation. I didn’t know there was a matchmaking service for wolf shifters.”

The joke didn’t seem so funny now. “I’m new at this. It’s a brand-new enterprise,” Emily replied with a smile she hoped looked more professional than forced.

“It’s kind of fun,” Abilene said with a soft laugh, her gaze flicking between Jackson and Emily.

Jackson lowered himself into the chair beside Abilene and leaned back, all casual confidence. “Can I get you anything? Coffee, water…bourbon?”

Abilene’s amber eyes warmed. “No, I’m fine. But thank you.”

Emily forced her smile to stay in place, though her fingers curled slightly. She hated her already. Of course, she wasn’t to blame for the stomach ache that plagued Emily daily.

Abilene glanced over, her amber eyes curious. “You’re the matchmaker. What happens next?”

“Well, we just wanted to meet you,” Emily said quickly.

Abilene turned back to Jackson, studying him with open interest. “Why are you having the Alpha female of the Slate Pack find you a mate? I’d think you could manage that without any help.”

“I’m rather busy,” Jackson replied, his tone easy. “So, why are you here?”

“Possibly to become the Alpha female of this pack.” Abilene smiled.

Jackson’s gaze flicked over her, assessing. “I’d imagine you could find any mate you wanted.”

Oh, for goodness’ sake. Emily caught the glimmer of amusement in Jackson’s eyes—and interest, too. Not that she could blame him. Abilene was gorgeous.

“Finding a mate is not as easy as you’d think,” Abilene shrugged delicately. “Most packs keep to themselves, and I’m related to many of the eligible wolves in mine.”

“Which pack are you from?” Jackson asked.

Abilene perked up. “We’re the Redridge Pack. From southern Utah,” she replied. “We’re more into snow and painting than politics.”

“Painting?” Emily asked, surprised.

“Yes. We’re pretty much a pack of painters.” Humor lit Abilene’s eyes. “We attend festivals and sell our work worldwide. We don’t mingle much with other packs. We’re too free-spirited, I suppose.”

Jackson frowned slightly. “If you mated an Alpha, that freedom would end.”

“I don’t see why it should,” Abilene replied smoothly. “I’d still paint, and I’d probably travel occasionally. Once I had children, I’d stay closer to home, but painting is part of who I am.”

“I understand that,” Emily said. “I write romantic suspense and thrillers. I sell them from home.”

Abilene leaned toward her. “Do you ever go to signings?”

“No. I’m not interested in that. I suppose I could if I wanted to, though.”

Abilene nodded. “You should think about it. I love traveling to showings.”

“Traveling would be off the table, and I want you to know that up front,” Jackson said, his voice firm. “If you became the Alpha female of this pack, the role would keep you here, and your safety would be our top priority.”

Abilene lifted her chin. “How so?” she asked, her tone smooth but her eyes sharper now.

“An Alpha and his family have many duties,” Jackson said. “We’re involved in everything within the pack, which takes a lot of time. Although we do let our younger members go off to college and learn skills they then bring back to the pack,” he added, his tone carrying a subtle emphasis.

“I understand,” Abilene replied.

Emily tilted her head slightly. “As a free spirit and a painter, I assume you’re a romantic. A contractual mating might be uncomfortable for you.”

Abilene shrugged, her gaze sweeping Jackson’s frame with an appraising slowness that tightened Emily’s chest. “I admit it would be different, but again, I’m related to everyone in my pack. I’d like to have children someday. I’m in my early thirties, so I have time, but I think I could do well as the Alpha female of a pack. I’d like to see the packs become creative with painting, sculpting, and learning more about the world around us. It’s time some of your packs stop warring with each other and start exploring the outside world.”

“I agree,” Jackson said. “But the pack has to come first. Always.”

Abilene’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I agree,” she replied, but something in her tone rang hollow.

Emily went with her instincts. “What are you hiding, Abilene?”

Abilene’s shoulders stiffened slightly. “Excuse me?”

“That’s not the only reason you’re here.” Emily kept her voice calm. “What is it?”

Jackson shot her a sharp glance but stayed silent as Abilene’s gaze shifted toward the window. The pause stretched just long enough to confirm Emily’s suspicions.

“We’re low on males,” Abilene admitted finally. “To be honest, we need protection. Other packs have tried to take us over, and while we value our freedom, we need the security of a much larger and stronger pack. If I mated Jackson and we reached such an agreement, I’d want my entire pack brought into yours.”

Jackson’s gaze narrowed slightly. “Who’s in charge of your pack?”

“We have an Alpha,” she replied. “His name is Glenden. But he’s more than two hundred years old and has no direct descendants. I’m a distant cousin, and I do have Alpha blood in me.”

“How many members are in your pack?” Emily asked, curious.

Abilene shifted, her posture still graceful, but a tightness appeared around her mouth. “About fifty,” she said finally.

“Do you have any skills besides painting?” Emily asked.

Abilene’s smile sharpened slightly. “I can negotiate. I’ve helped secure trade agreements with human communities near our territory, and I know how to lead when necessary. Being creative doesn’t mean being weak.”

Emily laughed, though the sound came out weaker than she intended. Her head throbbed with a hollow ache that seemed to pulse behind her eyes, and her arms felt weak. She rolled her shoulders back to hide the tremor, but the sensation clung stubbornly. “I totally agree with you.”

Abilene visibly relaxed. “We’re a good group, and we’re hard workers.”

“All right.” Jackson stood, his movements smooth and certain. “Thank you for meeting with me today. Why don’t you set up a meeting between Glenden and me? We’ll talk about bringing your pack in.”

Abilene rose gracefully, but her eyes widened slightly. “So, you do want to mate?”

“You don’t have to mate me to join the pack,” Jackson replied evenly. “If I like your Alpha, we have room. A lot of it, actually. We own a good portion of this area of the entire state. But I would require an oath of allegiance from every member, and I’d need to meet with each of them first.”

Emily pushed to her feet, her legs heavier than they should be. Her pulse fluttered oddly in her neck. “You’re taking in new members?”

“Sure.” Jackson shrugged as if it was the simplest thing in the world. “I’ve got three mines. We could use more workers, and new blood wouldn’t hurt.”

Emily’s stomach turned, her headache pulsing harder. Had she already found a mate for him? Part of this had started as a joke, but now that thought twisted in her chest. What had she been thinking?

Jackson stepped forward and took Abilene’s hand to shake. “So, arrange that meeting, and I’ll meet with your Alpha. Then maybe you and I can go on a date and see if we actually like each other. But you don’t have to mate me to protect your pack.”

Abilene’s smile softened, and Emily swore she saw the exact moment the female fell in love.

“I’d really like to go on a date with you,” Abilene said.

“Excellent.” Jackson glanced at Emily, dare and more than a hint of challenge in his too-blue eyes. “I’m sure Emily can set that up since she’s taken over as my matchmaker. I greatly look forward to it.”

Emily forced a smile, though her head throbbed harder. How in the hell was she supposed to sabotage this when she could barely stay upright?