Page 14 of Rhett

I stopped midchew. “Then why am I here?”

“I told you. I can’t have you running around town when I don’t know why you’re here.”

Swallowing my mouthful of donut, I placed my elbows on his desk. I was done wasting time with the sheriff. I needed to find my estranged grandmother, ask her all the questions I’d waited years for answers to, then hightail it out of Alien Town.

“I’m here to see Bonnie King. I’ve been told that she can be found at Panthera Onca Fine Art Gallery.”

He drummed his fingers against his desk. “Do you mind my asking why she’s so important to you?”

“Bonnie is my grandmother. I found a letter from my estranged father with directions on how to get here to meet her. I’m here for answers. Nothing more. Nothing less.”

“I see.” His eyes scanned my face. “Hold on a second. I know someone who can straighten this out.” He pulled out his cell, swiping his finger across it. “Hi, it’s Rhett. You need to come down to the station. There’s a Nova King here to see you.” He paused. “Yes. I’m sure. Okay. We’ll be here.”

When he ended the call, he said, “I guess it’s time to get your answers.”

CHAPTER5

RHETT

My world spun out of control when I inhaled deeply. Her scent was unmistakable.

Nova is my fated mate.

I almost felt dizzy with the need to leap over my desk, clutching her against me.

Her scent. It’s the most wonderful thing I’ve ever experienced,my jaguar asserted.

I couldn’t dispute his assessment. Nova’s scent reached out to me, pulling me toward her like nothing else had in my lifetime.

Her scent was a delicious combination of a sweet apple, creamy vanilla, and oranges that conjured up thoughts of a sunny day.

I watched Nova sitting in the chair, staring at nothing in particular. “You’re nervous,” I noted. The sounds of her heartbeat thumping rapidly strummed in my ears.

“How did you know?”

“Your adrenaline rose, and so has your heart rate.”

Her eyes widened. “You can smell my adrenaline?”

“Yes,” I replied. It made no sense evading the truth, given the fact that she was mine—and a hybrid, from her scent of human and shifter blood.

“And you can hear my heart too?” she asked.

I nodded.

“If you aren’t an alien”—she leaned forward, pressing her palms against my desk—“then what are you?”

“Other.” I rose, coming over to her.

She stared up at me. “And what does that mean?”

“I’ll let your grandmother explain that.” I extended my hand to her.

She hesitated.

“I don’t bite… much,” I joked, hoping she’d appreciate my attempt to lighten the mood. I held my breath, waiting for her to place her hand into mine. When she did, a static shock pulsed against my skin.

She yanked her hand away. “Did you feel that?”