Page 37 of Wild Games

Other males track her movement, and my vision edges red. Before yesterday, they looked at her with casual interest. Now, they’re evaluating her as either a threat or an opportunity. And my wolf doesn’t like it.

My low growl builds, getting louder and more aggressive before I can stop it.

Zane’s eyes narrow, taking in my rigid stance and the way my hands shake with the effort of not shifting.

I need to leave. Now. Before I do something that ruins the investigation for Camille, and the rest of the Games for Dean, who’s willing me to get it together and not lose it in front of the one man who has the power to sign off on putting me to sleep permanently.

Camille’s eyes finally meet mine across the room, pleading. Just for a second. Long enough for me to understand.

Go. I’ve got this.

She’s right. My presence will only complicate her mission and draw the wrong kind of attention.

I force my feet to move. One step. Two. Each step away from my mate feels like a betrayal. My wolf fights me, desperate to return to her side, to stand guard over her now that she’s put herself in danger.

But she’s better off without me, in every sense of the word.

At the door, I pause. I can’t help myself. I look back to find Zane watching me with brows drawn down low, standing now, hands on his hips.

The dark haired shifter at his side, tilts his head, looking from me to Camille and back again. Then, he pushes off from the wall and starts moving. Not toward me. Toward her. Taunting me into reacting.

Every muscle in my body locks. My wolf roars denial, demanding we stop him, protect her and claim her before this enforcer gets close enough to...

Zane’s eyes find mine again, waiting to see what I’ll do.

I bare my teeth briefly but force myself through the dining room door, hurrying down the hallway as my skin ripples, my wolf fighting for control.

I just need to make it outside…

Rushing into the mudroom, I cross to the rear exit, chest heaving. The wood splinters under my hands as I shove through it, leaving a hairline crack in the heavy door. I’m already shifting as I hit the grass, clothes shredding. Four legs are faster than two, and I need speed to create some distance, fast.

The forest swallows me, but even here, I can’t escape. Her scent clings to my fur. The memory of her warmth haunts me.

She’s put herself in the firing line, and now, I’ve no choice but to sit back and wait to see what happens.

My howl echoes through the morning air, equal parts rage and despair. All he knows is that if anyone hurts her, even if it means Zane Williams locks me up and throws away the key, I’ll kill them.

17

CAMILLE

The dining hall feels different after Dean’s announcement. Conversations have shifted from normal breakfast chatter to hushed speculation about me. Ryan Williams’s father loudly doubts my ability to search out anything more than a bargain in a sale.

It’s hard to eat with every set of eyes fixed on me, burning into the top of my head every time I try to take a bite of food. Especially those belonging to the last enforcer I wanted to see sitting at Zane’s side.

Raven.

Jamie locks eyes with me and gives me a sympathetic smile. She seems to know exactly how anxious I feel, but whether that relates only to the case or to her brother-in-law, who just stormed out, I’m not certain.

“Investigator Black.”

I turn to find Zane Williams waiting, lips curling in a smile as he uses the very formal title Dean gave me. We tend to be a little more casual than that.

The head enforcer stands relaxed but alert, coffee mug in hand. I knew he’d come to find me once Dean identified whoI was. Technically, he’s not here at the Games in an official capacity. This is supposed to be a top-secret operation after all, but once Dean reached out, he couldn’t help himself. The man has no off switch. Or life.

“Head Enforcer Williams. I wasn’t expecting you.”

With his brother through to the last round, I thought he’d steer clear of this one, but he’s been following my stolen artifact closely. He might have other reasons for taking an interest that are well above my pay grade.