Page 35 of The Alpha's Shattered Bonds

“Sure,” I said, “why not. I’ve got a little more to do here. How does nine p.m. sound?”

“Perfect.” The smile she flashed me had me already regretting my acquiescence. But surely being on civil terms with the healer would only help me investigate the infirmary that bit more easily. After all, she was on my list of suspects.

Linda’s house was a short ten-minute walk, and just before nine, I trudged along the snow-dusted path, taking in the few wolf prints in the snow and the bird prints on the lawn before her house. I couldn’t help but think back to the days when I visited Linda’s house years ago.

Linda opened the door before I had a chance to knock. Her expression was relaxed. Her long blonde hair framed her heart-shaped face, falling in waves against her shoulders. Her gray eyes were guarded, and another swirl of guilt went through me as I wondered how much hurt lingered beneath the surface.

Dressed in a cozy, oversized sweater and jeans, she looked comfortable and laid back. Something eased as I saw that she wasn’t trying too hard. In the past, when she’d tried to make advances, she’d always dressed in tight-fitting, low-cut tops, but tonight, she seemed more relaxed.

“Hi,” she greeted. “Come on in. G&T all right?” she asked, making her way to the open-plan kitchen opposite the living room. She’d already poured a splash into a couple of glasses. It was her drink of choice. When we’d dated, she’d tended to drink gin.

I’d always preferred a bourbon but acquiesced, “Sure, thanks.”

The log burner was lit, and the warmth was welcome after the inefficient electrical heater in the office. The small living and kitchen area was snug, and I shrugged off my coat, setting it on one of the stools by the breakfast bar.

“Have a seat,” she said, gesturing to the couch in the living area. The small living area was decorated in a minimalist style. It was a bit sparse for my liking, but the two-seater sofa sat before a huge picture window, and I settled myself down in the seat furthest from the fire.

I had always liked this view. The night had settled in. The bright white of the lawn at the back of Linda’s property was unspoiled and peaceful before the faint shadows of evergreens behind.

Both fruity and spicy notes were strong as she handed me my glass. I took a sip. The robust flavor caught me by surprise. I coughed. “That’s…spicier than I was expecting.”

Linda chuckled. “I’ve been experimenting with different cordials,” she said. “This one’s got chili and passionfruit in it.”

I nodded, thinking there was too much going on in it, but said politely, “It’s nice. Different.”

“Glad you like it,” she said with a smile, taking a sip of her own and gazing out at the night.

“The new wall at the Council Chamber looks good,” Linda said.

“Thanks,” I replied, relaxing a little at the neutral topic. “It’s been great to see everyone back on their feet and able to pitchin,” I agreed. I took another sip of my drink and glanced at Linda. For the briefest of moments, I thought I saw a spark of desire playing on her face, but she merely said, “It’s great to get a little R&R, too.”

I smiled. “It is, but I know that doesn’t come particularly naturally to you or me.”

She nodded, looking out the window, a smile lifting her lips. I admired Linda for her hardworking ethos. She often worked long hours in the infirmary—as frequently as alpha duties kept me busy. But those responsibilities never seemed too much.

“Did your father mention the new mine?” I asked.

“Yeah,” she said. “Tom’s found a deep vein of ivis in the glacier to the south.”

Elder Tom was a specialist in ores and oversaw our mines. Elder Carl was much more into research in both herbalism and ores, while Elder Darius specialized in running our pack’s ceremonies.

I took another sip of my drink, the lingering heat in my chest leaving a warmth that didn’t feel quite right. It did feel like drinking bourbon: a very strong one.

“I don’t think you’re here to talk about council duties, though, are you?” Linda suddenly asked.

As the strange heat flooded my chest, Linda’s hand traced lightly along my arm. “Do you remember the nights we spent here together?” she murmured, inching closer. Her words curled like incense around me, the lilt of her voice sounding suddenly more appealing, and my gaze wound to her heart-shaped face. Herskin looked soft and her lips full. The strange heat in my chest made me feel as if I wanted to reach out to touch her cheek.

Oh, goddess, thishadbeen a mistake.

She reached out, her fingers brushing mine, sending adrenaline racing through my veins. I frowned, confused by my body’s reaction to her mere touch.

I thought she was reaching for my hand, but she only took the glass from my hand. The glass, I realized, had been angled precariously as I gazed at Linda. The heat running through my body had made my surroundings recede. All I could think about was the fire in me and the spark of electricity that her touch produced,

I yanked my hand back from her, the world spinning. Startled, I realized there’d been somethingmorethan herbal cordial in that drink. It was something that made an alarm bell blare in my mind as this heat spread rapidly out of control, again making me far too aware of Linda’s soft fingertips lingering on my arm.

“What are you doing, Linda?” I demanded.

Her lips twitched, an unsettling glint in her eye that sent a chill racing down my spine. “Just helping you relax. It’s been too long since you let go,” she insisted, her thigh touching mine as she leaned closer toward me. Heat roared through me at the feel of her.

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