Page 29 of Savage Blood (Den of Shadows #6)

Chapter

Nineteen

After returning to my human form, I rested against the pine tree, sweat glistening on my skin under the silvery moonlight. My chest heaved and heart crashed against my ribs while excitement hummed in my body.

I peered around the thick trunk at the last few moments of Saint’s transformation, which left him standing beneath a shaft of light.

Completely naked.

The moisture evaporated from my mouth.

His muscles coiled and stretched as he stood and dragged his fingers through his wild hair. While sharp onyx tattoos and scars covered Fane, rainbows of colorful swirls and designs inked Saint’s tan body.

A few blemishes spotted his form, but they were nothing compared to Fane’s.

Had no one challenged Saint for the alpha position? Or was he just so good that few had the chance to scar him?

As if he felt me watching, those silver eyes swiveled to mine, a grin curving his lips .

“I see you.”

Heat flooded my cheeks as I jerked back around the tree, Saint’s silky laughter cutting through the shadows.

Shit.

I snatched my underwear out of the pile of clothes and fit my legs through each hole before grabbing my sports bra.

Most shifters didn’t care about nudity, but I sure as hell did.

And Saint respected that. He always gave me time to dress before approaching after we shifted in Silver Ridge’s mystical forest.

A few weeks had passed since I revealed who my real parents were and spilled my guts about the dangerous demon amulet in Barric’s possession. The Infernal Sol was still a hushed subject, and the leaders of most packs kept that information to themselves.

But word of my identity spread like wildfire.

Fane had barely been at Silver Ridge lately, haunting my nights in his ghostly form to ease the separation anxiety. He’d visited for real only a handful of times and didn’t hang around.

I wasn’t sure what hurt more—what he did to Hawk or him practically throwing me at another man.

“So, Tate, since you got a peek, it’s only fair if I get one.”

Saint’s nearby voice startled me, and I edged around the tree to find him leaning against the other side in only a pair of black sweatpants. His smile broadened when he saw me.

“I didn’t… I mean… I wasn’t… trying to look.”

He chuckled at my stammering and skimmed his thumb across my cheek. “You’re adorable when you blush.”

My lips pressed together. “I’m not blushing. And I’m not adorable.”

“Denying it while you pout only makes you cuter.”

I groaned and pressed my back against the rough bark, the scent of pine and sap—and Saint—filling my nostrils. “You’re insufferable. And no, you can’t have a peek.”

“I’m only kidding,” he said as he politely remained on the other side of the tree. “Of course, I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing you naked.”

More heat spread over my skin as I shimmied into my leggings. “I’m sure you wouldn’t.”

“Feel free to watch me naked all you want.” Humor laced his words, but there was no mistaking the flirty hint to them.

Saint was teaching me how to fight and hunt in my shifter form, and simply spending all this time together made me feel better already. Those black veins had only appeared once, and I’d had just a few dizzy spells.

I felt the fated mate bond growing every day. Saint claimed it couldn’t deepen unless we actually mated, but nothing about my existence was normal, so why would this be?

Sharp, unpleasant tingles rippled through my neck tattoo as if it knew I was getting closer to someone else. Saint would probably receive a nasty electric shock if he touched me there.

I threw on my sleeveless hoodie and searched the ground for my sneakers.

“Here.” Saint appeared from around the tree, dangling my sneakers from his long fingers. He’d also tossed on his red t-shirt, covering up that beautiful torso.

Hiding that work of art was such a shame.

“Thanks.” I took the sneakers and shoved my feet into them.

“Anytime.”

When I stood, Saint reached forward and drew a leaf out of my hair, his knuckles brushing the bare side of my neck. As his searing gaze lingered, my heart fluttered like hummingbird wings. He licked his lips slowly, and if I asked, gave him permission, he’d kiss me.

Knowing I wouldn’t, he dropped his hand. “Let’s get something to eat. I hear your stomach growling like an angry shifter pup.”

I playfully punched his rock-hard abs, thankful he broke the tension. “Shut up.”

As we walked through the house, warm wood and leather everywhere, several shifters nodded in our direction while others scurried away.

Could I really blame them? I’d be wary of Barric’s offspring too.

“Hey, little Alpha Tate.”

Charla Campbell wiggled her fingers as she descended the curving staircase into the living room.

I flipped her off. “My first duty as alpha will be to demote you to toilet-cleaning duty for a year.”

Charla gave a dramatic gasp and gripped her chest. “You’re already becoming a tyrant. Saint, get her in check.”

He chuckled. “There’s no subduing her. She’s feisty.”

“True.” Charla pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose and smoothed a lock of blonde hair back into her ponytail. “If you’re looking for food, there are plenty of leftovers from the cookout last night.”

I peered over my shoulder at the blonde shifter as she passed by. “How do you know we’re getting food?”

“Because I can hear your stomach growling.”

Saint’s head tilted back as laughter poured from his mouth. “See! I told you.”

I rolled my eyes and grabbed his shirt to tug him forward. “Whatever. Let’s eat because apparently, I’m dying of starvation. ”

Marcel had already laid out the platter of barbecue chicken, roasted vegetables, and macaroni and cheese on the white marble counter. My stomach gave an angry growl, loud enough for the shifters in the next room to hear, and he grinned.

“Yeah, I’m hungry,” I muttered.

At least my appetite had returned, probably thanks to Saint.

My gut twisted, wishing Fane was the one responsible. But then I remembered he’d tossed my best friend into my father’s psycho clutches, and he thought hanging with my fated mate just to heal was a good idea.

Saint was a great guy, obviously, but he wasn’t my actual mate. And he never would be.

“What else do you want?” Saint grabbed two plates from a rich mahogany cabinet and started filling them.

“I can make my own.” When I tried to grab one, he used his elbow to block me.

The young alpha winked and jerked his chin toward a stool at the other end of the island. “Just take a seat.”

Marcel raised his eyebrow at Saint’s very mate-like behavior. Male shifters—good ones—were always concerned with their mates’ well-being and overall comfort.

“So, Tate, did I thank you for saving my ass that night?” Marcel loaded his plate and turned his back to pop it into the microwave above the counter.

Instead of sitting, I grabbed two glasses from the cabinet and filled them with ice. “Just a couple dozen times, Marcel. I got it. You’re welcome.”

He shrugged as his dark gaze fell to the floor. “I want you to know how grateful I am. And that I’m sorry for how I acted before—you know, with Torin. ”

I was surprised they were friends, considering Marcel was a bitten shifter. How much had Wes influenced his son? Did Torin even want to be in the Underworld with The Collective Nosterium?

“It’s water under the bridge.”

“So, about Torin, he’s pretty much gone off the deep end, right?” Marcel grabbed his food from the microwave, set it on the island, and lifted the chicken leg.

“You could say that.” The guy went way past the deep end.

I poured lemonade into my glass—I’d never be able to kick the habit—and fruit juice into Saint’s.

“Here you go.” Saint set the plate in front of a stool for me. “Eat up.”

Before I could sit, a familiar, masculine voice, one I hadn’t heard in over a year, sounded through the kitchen.

“You look a lot different without that orange jumpsuit.”

My head rose as Knox cast a broad grin in my direction.

“No way.” I strode across the kitchen to hit Knox’s fist as he held it out. “Seeing you outside of prison is wild.”

He chuckled and brushed back thick strands of his sable hair. “Being outside of prison is wild.”

Alicia appeared and wrapped her arm around his. “Wild or not, I’m just glad you’re here.”

I almost hugged her, but my arms remained at my sides. “Glad to see you without all those cuts and bruises.”

“You too.”

Saint crossed the kitchen, hugged her, and then shook Knox’s hand. “Have you decided to return to Silver Ridge for good?”

Alicia shrugged, tossing her golden-brown curls around. “Not yet.”

Knox’s penetrating green gaze roamed over me, taking in every detail, every freckle. “I can see Tamara, but Barric is nowhere to be found.”

“Thank God for that,” I muttered.

Marcel motioned toward the leftovers. “Grab some food. There’s plenty.”

Knox patted his abdomen. “I’m always up for eating, especially after years of that crap in Heldrok.”

As we ate around the island, easy conversation filled the kitchen, but Knox’s eyes continued to flicker in my direction. Lines dug into his brow as he scrutinized me and then Saint. Eventually, a scowl developed across his mouth.

“Where’s Fane?” he finally asked.

Alicia elbowed his ribs and then silently communicated something to him through their mental link.

“In Mohan Wilds or at Wrath’s,” I mumbled, pushing macaroni around on my plate.

Noticing my mood change, Saint rubbed my back. “I’m here for her.”

“I bet you are.” Knox’s words held a sharp edge. “Tate and Fane were inseparable in Heldrok. Nothing kept them apart, and they hadn’t even claimed each other yet.”

“So I’ve heard,” Saint said, unbothered by Knox’s sudden attitude. He continued eating, inhaling another chicken leg.

“Why isn’t he here?” Knox asked. “What’s changed besides finding out you and Saint are fated mates?”

Alicia kicked him under the counter. “Cut it out.”