Page 14 of Mated in Darkness

I shook my head as I met Rio’s gaze, then Dane’s. I quickly lowered my eyes, as I didn’t want to assert dominance. I was a human, and I honestly didn’t know exactly how that worked. Would they try to push me down and prove that they were stronger than me? Because there was no need to do that. I knew where I would rank on the hierarchy, and it wasn’t high. But I was smart, and I protected those that I loved. That had to count for something.

And now I was rambling. That’s what happened when I was in situations that I didn’t understand or quantify with math or science. I didn’t know what had happened here, didn’t know how I was supposed to fix things. And I didn’t know what I was supposed to say around this woman. She made my brain short circuit, another thing that had never before happened in my life. I didn’t think with my dick. I didn’t even think with my heart. I thought with my mind. That was how I was supposed to be.

And yet, I couldn’t focus.

It was all about her, those strong muscles, those curves that didn’t quit.

Who the hell was this woman? And why couldn’t I focus?

“This is Jason. He’s a geneticist at the lab outside of the Pack. He’s not part of our Pack, but he is a friend.” Dane looked at me then, tilted his head in that wolf-like gesture again. “Though I don’t know why he’s out here alone without talking to us. You’re on our territory, boy. There better be a damn good reason.”

I swallowed hard. “I’m a geneticist. People are dying around here from a black blood cancer that we can’t figure out. It’s either forcing people to go rogue, or affecting their magic, or doing something. At least, that’s what my colleagues think. What happens is it looks like a wolf bite, but with black marks. So I’ve been searching, trying to figure out exactly what’s happening. I didn’t think I’d find a rogue or this man.” I swallowed hard. “I’m sorry. Was he your friend?”

The woman didn’t say anything. She just stared at me. “I think I’m going to need to have a little more information.” She turned to Dane, giving me her back. As if I wasn’t a threat. And I wasn’t, but it didn’t make me feel any better about myself. “You’re going to explain to me exactly what’s going on down here.”

“I don’t answer to you, wolf.”

“No. But our Alphas are trying to form an alliance. Do you think that keeping secrets is going to help that? I know the strength of your Pack, Dane. You don’t want to make an enemy out of us.”

The other wolf bristled. “Excuse me? You’re all alone here, little girl. Watch it.”

The woman moved so fast I could barely breathe. Rio was in front of me, as if protecting me from what was going on, but then Dane was on his back, his hands up, and the woman hovered above him, her claws outstretched. This time she had pricked the other man’s skin, a slight trickle of blood sliding down his neck. “You knew who was going to win that dominance challenge. And it wasn’t you. We aren’t Packmates. I understand that. I thought we were close to becoming allies. What the fuck is going on?”

“Let him up. Riaz told us we couldn’t tell you unless something happened. And I guess this counts,” Rio said, and I frowned, looking between them as if I was missing things.

“You don’t get to tell me what to do, Rio, or you’re going to be on your back too,” the woman snapped.

“Kaylee, please,” Rio whispered.

Kaylee. Her name is Kaylee.

I liked that.

And I wondered what the hell I cared about that for.

“Fine, for now, I’ll let you up.” She stood up, then held out her hand, and Dane let out a sharp laugh before taking it and letting her help him up.

“Well then, I guess you’re not that much of an asshole if you’re just going to help me up like that.”

“I’m not an asshole at all. Nor am I a bitch. But you want to play dominance games? You deal with them. I might be small, but I can still kick your ass. All of your asses.” She met my gaze, but this time I didn’t pull away. Unlike with the guys, I didn’t need to assert anything. There was nothing to pretend with her. I didn’t know who she was or what was going on, but something was happening, something I needed to know more about.

Not that I had time for that.

“What about a blood cancer?” she asked as she nodded at me.

“I don’t know what’s going on with rogues. That’s something that’s another part of the problem. I’m searching for someone around here who is leaving black blood marks all over dead bodies. Something is killing witches and wolves, and I want to know what it is. I don’t think it has to do with the rogue problem, other than someone’s taking advantage of it. I think it’s a two-pronged approach. I’m trying to find the root cause of it. Meaning, I aimed to come out here and try to see if I could find any answers. I didn’t mean to find your man. I’m sorry. Was he yours?”

Kaylee raised her chin. “He was Pack. He was Spencer. And now he’s dead. And you’re covered in his blood.”

“As I said, I was trying to save his life. I didn’t realize I’d be too late.”

“He’s telling the truth. I don’t smell a lie.”

She tore her gaze from me and looked at Rio. “I can smell it just the same as you. But okay, I need to get Spencer home. I need to get him to his Pack.”

“Wait,” I cut in, and then cleared my throat as everybody stared at me. “I mean, I need to study him.”

“Excuse me?” Kaylee asked, her eyes narrowing to slits. “He is not a lab specimen. You do not get to play with his body so that you can find out the secrets of our wolves. I don’t know who you think you are or whatever pact you have with this Pack. You are not touching a hair on this man’s head. He is Redwood. He is mine. You will walk away.”

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