Page 34 of Wolf Hunter

“Then are you any different from me?” I refuse to flinch. I throw his own deadly smile back at him and push aside the horror that tries to creep into my soul.

Not horror at what Reid did or what kind of a monster his father chiseled him into, based on all the stories of the previous Holden alpha. No, it’s horror at how I sympathize with his story. Because he is me, in reverse.

Someone whose circumstances dictate the course of their life without any chance for deviation.

“We both understand what a cruel place the world can be,” Reid says a little gentler this time. “We’ve shared it in our different ways. You should stay here, workwithme, and I will do whatever it takes to help you find your sister.”

I shake my head in immediate refusal, prepared to tell him exactly what I think about the deal.

Until he grabs my hand, guiding me closer to him until my heart stutters, and I end up staring up into eyes I desperately want to hate.

But I can’t look away after I’ve seen a piece of him that lives within me.

“You’re not what I expected,” I mutter, tilting my head to the side as I take him in.

“Oh yeah?” His brows knit together. “That doesn’t exactly sound like a good thing.”

“I haven’t decided yet.”

A reckless part of me awakens when he dips his head down, his fingers on my chin to keep me in place. His brazen touch sparks a fire, and even though I know a kiss with him is like an invitation to trouble, I can’t seem to fucking help myself.

I rise on my tiptoes and cling to the hint of passion between us. Our lips brush together once, twice.

Reid groans, his arm looping around me and keeping me firmly against his chest. His heart jumps as furiously as mine, and that same part of me Ihate, wishes there was a chance for us. Or at least a chance to see what we might make of this if the circumstancesweredifferent.

Because chemistry like this doesn’t happen every day.

Not in my experience.

The coven will kill me if I fail.There’s so much riding on this.

My mind whirls through the kiss; I need to finish this job.

I’mtheWolf Hunter, for Pete’s sake.

I need to kill Reid.

ChapterTen

Tasha

The restless feelings he’s awakened inside me war with the sense of duty and the oaths I took when I promised Carmen I’d avenge her.

I’m not sure a good way out of this situation exists, but I’ll find one.

“You’re going to hate what I have to say next,” Reid murmurs against my mouth.

“I’ve hated almost everything you’ve said so far. Why would this be any different?” I ask breathily.

I was hoping to make him chuckle and am pleased with myself when he does.

“Keep up the ruse of being my… ah, my—”

“Go ahead,” I interrupt. “You can use the word. I won’t punch you for it.”Yet.

He chuckles again. “Pretend to be my escort, we’ll say. It will give you a certain bit of leniency with the others and allow you to move within our ranks without harm.”

Okay, so a larger piece of me than I care to admit is actually curious what being Reid’s lover entails. I’ve had a tiny taste of him with the kiss, and it was enough to lodge the taste and feel in my memory for good. Most men don’t kiss like Reid.

---