Page 23 of Malcolm

“It looks like a lot has changed,” Malcolm said as they passed under the high gate that read,“McLaren Land.”

“Well, it’s all thanks to our Alpha, though he’s only agreed to hold the position till the nexta-sgeithefestival.” Robert explained as he turned down a street towards what looked like a few houses that hadn’t been finished. “He’s been pushing for the clan to use more modern technology and integrate it into our daily lives. The old ways are all good, but if you want our people to live well truly, they should be able to easily live and exist between this world and the human one.”

Malcolm scoffed. “I’m sure the Elders weren’t happy to hear that.”

“Who cares if they liked it or not,” Robert said, his tone holding a note that caused Eliza to look at him. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but something in how Malcolm’s uncle spoke felt like he had power over the Elders.

“Here we are,” Robert declared as they stopped at what looked like a cabin. Leaning over, he opened the truck dashboard. He reached inside, pulled out a key, and held it out for Malcolm. “Make yourselves at home, and then come to the meeting hall. We eat dinner together, well, most of us.”

Malcolm took the key and opened his door. “What time?”’

“Seven.”

“Okay, we’ll be there,” Malcolm said as he got out and opened the door for Eliza; he reached in and helped her out. She wanted to tell him she could leave alone, but he’d already grabbed her up by her waist and helped her down. Causing them to be close enough that she could feel the beat of his heart.

“Ah, sorry,” she said when she realized she’d stepped on his foot.

He took a step back, quickly dropping his hands from her. “Don’t worry about it,” he offered her a cheeky grin as he made his way to the back to grab their bags. He handed her just her duffel bag. Eliza focused her gaze on her feet rather than on him as he said a few more things to Robert before the man drove off.

She looked up when she heard him walking towards her. When she met his gaze, she smiled softly. “I’m surprised that you were okay talking about your family so openly.”

He shrugged as he walked past her towards the door. “What’s the point of hiding it? I wouldn’t be a Jackal if I didn’t have a story to tell.”

She followed him. “That’s true. Not many in Veil City have led a perfectly charmed life—at least no one I’ve met.”

He placed their two suitcases down. “I can say the same thing; none of the men who work for Tiller had easy lives.” He straightened, pulled the key from his back pocket, and opened the door. “It’s not really like I can hide it when we’re here.” He half-turned. “Plus, I don’twantto hide things from you.”

Taken aback by his words, she stared at him blankly. He didn’t want to hide anything from her. She frowned, oddly comforted by his words but still confused. She’d only known him for what, a week, it felt like he was putting too much trust in her.

“You shouldn’t trust anyone too much,” she said, her past dictating her words more than anything. “Those closest to you are the most likely to betray you, even when they themselves know it’s wrong.”

“Well, then I’ll just take the knife to the back and see it as my fate, " he answered, his eyes darkening as he grabbed the suitcases and entered the cabin.

She stared after him, wincing at the sharp pain that stirred up suddenly in her chest; she pressed a hand against it.

“Yesh, I guess it’s fate.”

She lowered her hand and followed him inside.

Veil City Shadows

Malcolm

The minute he entered the cabin's bedroom, Malcolm realized he should have asked his uncle if there was more than one bedroom. He’d only slept with Eliza in his apartment when she’d asked him to stay, but not every night. It had already stretched his nerves when he’d been in bed with her at those times, but now he was staring at the king-sized bed, and it was clearly the only bed in the cabin.

Malcolm could smell her when she entered the room behind him. She gave a small hum as she walked around him. “Lookslike there is only one bed.” She sat her bag down and gave a short look around the room. “Well, I guess it will do.”

“I’ll sleep on the couch?—”

“Why bother?” Eliza asked, clearly not aware of his strong attraction to her. She pressed hand on the surface of the bed. "It feels a whole lot more comfortable than that leather couch,” she clicked her tongue. “Let’s share it; it’s not like we haven’t shared a bed before.”

His brow creased; Malcolm wanted to tell her why sharing a bed with her was both a hell and heaven for him. Beginning and ending with his need to claim her, and mark her over and over, but he didn’t want to overwhelm her. Eliza had just been freed from God only knows what, and the last thing she needed was him panting after her.

Yet, seeing her comfortable and at ease with the idea of sharing a bed with him pleased him. He wanted her to be at ease with him, and okay with sharing her space with him. He bit back a curse and gave a short nod, “If you’re okay with it, so am I.”

She laughed, giving him a mischievous look. “Well, I promise to keep my hands off you.” She gave him her back, missing the pained look he sent her. “I’m going to take a shower, ah.” He felt more than saw the Magic work as her appearance returned to its original form. “Can’t keep it up forever.”

“I just want you to know, you don’t have to hide your appearance from anyone here.” He hadn’t meant to say the words aloud, but from the look on her face, he felt confident it was what she needed to hear.

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