Page 68 of Wolf Hunter

It would be so much easier to argue with him. To tell him there is nousand there never will be. Because I have to try to live—

And he has to die.

If not now, then soon. I signed a contract, and it has to either be his life or mine.

“What about the pack?” I ask weakly. “I can’t just go. I’m the sacrifice.”

“It’s the duty of the alpha to utilize the sacrifice and her magic in whatever way he sees fit,” Reid says.

“And you saw fit to have me open my legs.”

Except there is no hint of bitterness in the statement. I wanted to and I accept it.

Reid pads up to me on nearly silent feet to tug me against him again, and I melt.

Oh boy.

Ohhh boy, not good.

I crumble at his touch and the sweetness there. He breaks down all of my walls without even trying.

I don’t know this man outside of what he has shown me. I don’t know what’s real and what’s an act. Same goes for me. I’ve given him bits and pieces of myself, and none of them enough to form a complete picture.

How can I have such feelings for him? Or him for me?

It makes no sense.

“I just don’t see why it matters so much, what I think,” I tell him. “What is it about me?”

I am no one special. He has to understand.

“Because it matters. You matter,” he replies, making it sound so simple.

Go ahead and break my heart,why don’t you?

I push against him. “Shit, you are such a good liar. Did your father teach you that trick?”

He winces at that, and I instantly regret bringing his father into this. All he says in return is, “I’ve done what I have to do to survive. Something you understand.”

“Better than most,” I agree.

“But I’m not lying when I tell you how special you are to me. I’m glad we didn’t kill each other.” He takes hold of my hand and carefully pries open my fingers from the fist I was making. Then he places my palm flat against his heart. “Tonight or the first night.”

“The first night, I had better weapons in my arsenal.”

His smile widens further. “The first night you hesitated.”

“Ugh, don’t remind me,” I say, rolling my eyes. “A temporary lapse and nothing more.”

“I happen to have a feeling that what we’re trying to do here will not only help each other but help both of our respective clans. And that’s something I know you want to do.”

“I just want to find my sister,” I insist.

“And you don’t want anyone else getting hurt either. It doesn’t matter how much of a prickly exterior you want to show, or your devil may care attitude. I see you, Tash.”

I scoff. “Except that’s the problem. No one sees me. I will make sure of it. I will make sure to stay invisible.”

“That might be true when your powers are working, but right now… maybe everything really does happen for a reason.”

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