Page 6 of Cage Me

My body recoils at her accusation. “I have no reason to lie to my mate.”

“I said stop calling me that.” The growl that accompanies her words feels broken as she rubs her palms over her face.

“What should I call you then?” I ask, not giving her the space I can only assume she wishes for. She’s stopped trying to run away, so I’m at least making progress.

Her fingers slide down her cheeks, and her eyes go flat along with her voice. “Nothing. You’ll call me nothing, because we’re done here.”

It seems I’ve spoken too soon, but that doesn’t mean she’s right.

“Mate, please.” My words have their desired effect, and she freezes with her back to me.

“For fuck’s sake,” she mutters, then faces me again. “Spencer. My name is Spencer. Does that earn me some time alone?”

Defeat is etched into her fair skin, and the vision of her unhappiness has my chest tightening another notch. As much as I intend on fighting for my—Spencer, I don’t want to hurt her, either.

“Yes, I will leave you be for now,” I tell her sincerely, “but I won’t be far. I deserve a chance to prove myself, and whether you want to admit it or not, we are mates. Where I come from that means something and that’s not anything I intend to walk away from without fighting for you.”

Her shoulders sag, but I don’t believe it’s in relief—not after what I’ve just confessed. Still, she nods. “Fine. Just don’t be some creep and try to watch me sleep. I will cut you without even an ounce of remorse if I find you in my…room.”

“I believe that’s an acceptable request,” I tell her, stepping closer until I’m able to brush the back of my fingers over her reddening cheeks. “I’ll be seeing you, Spencer.”

She can’t hide the shiver of desire that moves through her body from the contact—at least, that’s what I allow myself to believe—but she does maintain her attitude.

“Unfortunately, it seems so.” This time when she gives me her back, I don’t chase after her.

Instead, I inhale deeply, allowing the hints of vanilla and cinnamon to further mark me, then grin widely.

This woman will be mine. I will show her that I’m worthy, and then, I will get my vengeance.

As much as I need that witch dead and my wolf back, no one will ever come before my mate. Not now, not ever.

Chapter 3

SPENCER

No, no, no. This isn’t happening. Not to me. Not now. A mate isn’t what I need. Especially one seeped in that ominous energy I’ve been sensing from the portal. But even worse, one who can see through my camouflage.

He knew right where I was in that alleyway, and he shouldn’t have been able to. I mean, maybe if he scented me thanks to the mate bond, but he could see me. My real wolf. He didn’t see the dull brown one others usually did or the brick I should have been blended into.

That alone freaked me out, but then he remained so persistent. My rejection should have made him furious—at least, I would have assumed—but instead, he became almost desperate for my approval.

Worse, I somehow found that incredibly sexy.

Not only his pleading, but his dark eyes and the tortured-soul vibe he’s rocking and the taut muscles… I can’t focus on those things right now.

I’ve gone my whole life avoiding those who have spent too much time dabbling in the darker side of our magical worlds, afraid they would find out about my wolf and only want to use me.

I can blend in anywhere, hide from anyone—well, I could until Drake Cage stumbled out of that damn portal—and my blood can create spells unlike any other supernatural, allowing my abilities to temporarily be given to another. At least when the witch knows what she’s doing like Natalia.

Now, though, I’m being seen, and I don’t like it.

Walking back to Kasha’s, I look over my shoulder at least a dozen times. His smokey amber scent with light layers of musk have infiltrated my senses, making me think that Drake is right behind me, but every time I look, I’m alone.

By the time I turn onto my street, I’m practically running. This is absolute madness. This is what I get for not leaving when I originally said I would.

Except even thinking that if I had taken off a month ago, I wouldn’t have met my mate… My chest aches from that reality and my wolf’s energy is sorrowful. Though, none of that is enough to change my mind and find him.

When I walk through Kasha’s yard, I have every intention of going straight to the shed and hiding there for the rest of the day, but it seems she has other plans.

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