Page 22 of Mated in Darkness

“While you’re here, if you need to work off some of that aggression, I’m here for you.” He winked, and I blinked at the gall of him. I hadn’t even realized I had stepped forward, a human growl escaping out of my throat.

“You think this is the time or the place?” I asked, and Kaylee let out a huff of breath behind me.

“You’re a human in a wolf’s world. I think I’d learn my place.”

And then Tristan walked off and Kaylee snorted behind me. “I can take care of myself. Especially against overbearing, arrogant men.”

“I didn’t realize he was such an asshole,” I grumbled.

“I don’t know if he really is. He might not like humans for some reason or another, but we’re all hurting. That’s what happens when you lose someone you care about.”

“I’m sorry. That you lost someone.”

“I’m sorry too. We will avenge him. We will find out the reason. But don’t stand up for me like that. I may be a woman, but I am a dominant wolf. And you’re lucky I wasn’t growly just then. I’ve already thrown you on your back in the dirt once. I’ll do it again.”

And why did that turn me on? Maybe I’d hit my head when she’d done that.

I sighed. “So we’re going to a search for this murderer then?”

“There’s no we about it. You’re going to find out what this monster is, and you’re never going to go out hunting.”

“Excuse me?” I asked, figurative hackles raised.

“You heard me. You’re human. And I realize that my father is human as well, and he can fight better than some of the wolves I know, but I don’t know anything about you. I don’t know what you can do. However, everyone else says you’re brilliant, so let’s use that. Seriously. Use that. Find out what is causing these mutations or whatever the hell they are, and we’ll find out who murdered him.”

“Because Spencer wasn’t rogue.”

She shook her head. “He wasn’t. Someone lured him out here and murdered him. I don’t know why. But I’m going to find out. And then I’m going to end them.”

I met her gaze, her eyes glowing gold.

“And what if it’s connected to whatever is going on with the black bite marks?”

“Then we’ll take care of that too. Protect the people here and anyone who’s close to my Pack. We lost Spencer. I refuse to lose anyone else.”

“Even if you get hurt in the process?”

“I’m a wolf, a Tracker. I’m going to get hurt. But I hurt them right back. And I’m not going to let anyone hurt you, Jason.”

I blinked. “You’re so sure of that?”

“I’m not sure of anything right now, but when I make a promise, I keep it.”

And then she turned on her heel, and I couldn’t help but watch her away.

Riaz came up to me, followed my gaze, and sighed.

“Be careful.”

“You’re warning me away from her?”

“No, but everyone’s going to be high on adrenaline for a while, and she’s a dominant wolf.”

“And what, I’m just a weak little human?” I asked with a growl.

“I’m not saying that. But if you’re going to play, make sure you hold on for one hell of a ride.”

Riaz shook his head, then moved over to talk with another set of wolves, and I just stared at the others, wondering once again why I had been invited and why the Pack seemed to surround me.

---