Page 15 of Hawke

I rolled my eyes, both finding it humorous, yet worrisome, because Grim would kick my ass if he found a bruise on his woman. I stalked over, eyeing her darkly and pulling her up by her biceps.

“Considering all you guys are big, bulky men, you sure act like a bunch of pussies,” Journey snapped.

“Excuse me?” I asked, surprised.

“Yeah, you heard me!” Journey puffed out her chest. “You act like a bunch of pussies. You guys hold grudges worse than a woman. You don’t believe in anything Grim told everyone in that meeting, do you?”

The way the woman glared at me like I was to be moved by such an announcement made me chuckle darkly.

“Of course I don’t. Why would the goddess listen to a human? It was just a coincidence that you guys are mates, that youprayed.”I put my fingers up in air quotes. “Trust me, we are all thrilled for you both. Grim’s my brother.” I paused, realizing the light had turned green so we could cross the street.

Was I beginning to accept the idea that Grim and Journey were mates? Maybe, possibly, but it was only through sheer luck it was true. If they were mates, it was by coincidence, if they even were.

Journey claimed she prayed years ago to the moon to find someone to love her, to save and protect her. She didn’t pray to the goddess; she prayed for something imaginary she didn’t believe in.

“Why don’t you think so? Why is it so unbelievable that the Goddess wouldn’t come to help me?” Journey asked.

I stopped again once we reached the other side of the street. “Because the goddess doesn’t come a runnin’ when one of her children is hurt. She leaves them and lets them rot. Her children can only depend on themselves to climb out of the hole they find themselves in.”

I pulled on her arm and tugged her along the street. We went to the back of Sizzle and Grim’s tattoo shop, and I unlocked the door so we could climb the stairs to the apartments.

As I approached their apartment, I found the door heavily scented. I knew Grim could scent, that he had control over the ability since the first day Journey came to us. But hell, it was pungent. It was a mating smell, one that I quickly recognized from when I lived with my parents all those years ago.

It held Grim’s musk, but it was also tainted with another smell. A smell that reminded me of a small pup before their transition. It was so faint, I nearly didn’t smell it.

My nose was my strongest ability—a guard and a tracker was what I’d been in my past life—and being able to smell… This scent meant that my own abilities were breaking through.

What the hell was going on with me?

And what was up with the pup smell?

“He’s scented the entire door and everything inside. I won’t be able to follow you in. I’ll remain here and wait for his return.” I gripped the handle of my gun.

Journey stood by the door, pausing before going in. I lifted a brow, ready for another blunt question, and it wasn’t long before she replied.

“You didn’t answer my question,” she said, crossing her arms.

I scoffed. “Little human, you shouldn’t put your nose in another shifter’s business. Now prance on in there and wait for yourmatebefore he has my head, because I didn’t follow through with my orders.”

Because now, I was starting to believe it. That they really were mated.

“No, I will not.” She stuck her finger out at me. “From what I gathered, you both are mates, whether or not you tell me. You look at each other, you secretly sniff her hair, and god knows how many times I’ve seen you look at her ass when she walks by you.”

I felt heat rise to my cheeks.

“She looks at you like you hung the moon each time you walk into the bar. And shit, you do the same when she hands you a pint of beer. There’s something there, I see it. And I would bet my left tit you’re both mates, but you don’t have the balls to pray to the goddess for your second chance. And when I bet my left tit, that means a lot because Grim likes that one!”

I was taken aback, and my mouth hung open in disbelief.

Despite her size, it was clear that this petite human and her voice should not be underestimated. She was an observer, a quiet observer, and I had to give her credit. She was smarter than she looked. Sneaky little shit.

“Do you kiss him with that mouth?” I smirked.

“It does a lot more than kissin’. Now spit it out, or you’ll be making a grave mistake that’ll haunt you for the rest of your days.”

I didn’t know if she was my mate. Or just a powerful attraction or yearning for what I’d always wanted.

I rolled my eyes. “I’ll tell Grim to keep you out of the bar. Your language is atrocious.”

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