Page 63 of Jace's Mate
Mating heat—untouched, unfulfilled, and inflamed.The bond had awakened, and now it roared through her blood with no place to land.She didn’t even understand what was happening yet.Her inner wolf was lashing out from the denial, the ache, the confusion.It was primal.Raw.Necessary.
But it wasn’t about hurting him.
If it had been—if she’d truly wanted to do damage—she would have shifted.Those soft human fists would have become claws, and he’d be bleeding.
Instead, she stayed in his arms, wild and human and wrapped around him with everything she had.Her legs locked around his waist, thighs pressing into his sides as if she couldn’t bear to let go even as she tried to fight him off.Jace groaned softly and slid one large hand beneath her bottom, anchoring her against him with easy strength.
His body ached too.The need thrummed through him like a struck chord, vibrating through muscle and bone.She smelled like heat and honey.He buried his nose in her hair, breathing her in as she pounded weakly against his shoulder.
“You’re killing me, sweetheart,” he murmured.
Her body shook with silent sobs now, the fury melting into anguish.She sagged against him, and he cradled her closer, one arm around her waist, the other cupping the back of her head.She was soft and vulnerable and entirely his, and he hated that she didn’t understand what was happening to her.
Jace growled softly and pressed his lips to her temple.“I got you,” he whispered, stroking her back with long, steady passes of his hand.His fingers tangled in the silky waves of her hair.“Let it out, honey.I’ve got you.”
Anikka’s face was buried against his neck, her sobs muffled against his skin.Every tremor in her body echoed through his chest.She was unraveling in his arms—and he couldn’t stand it.
“I’ll fix it,” he promised, voice low and firm.“As soon as we get back to the city, I’ll make it better.I swear to you, Anikka.I’ll take care of everything.”
His words must have slipped past the chaos inside her because she suddenly jerked back, glaring up at him as she disentangled from his hold.Her eyes were huge and wet, her cheeks streaked with tears.She looked like a storm about to break.
“I’m fine,” she snapped, voice hoarse with emotion.She scrubbed at her cheeks with trembling hands.“I don’t need your help.There’s nothing you can do to make me feel better, so just… just take me back to the city.”
He didn’t argue.Not yet.
Instead, he eased her back gently, hands firm around her waist until he felt her find her balance.She stood on shaky legs, her arms folding tightly across her chest as if trying to hold herself together.
“We’re heading back now,” he said quietly, more to ground her than anything else.“Are you okay for the drive?”
“I’m fine,” she said again, sharper this time.
Jace nearly smiled.She wasn’t fine at all—but damn, he respected her grit.
He didn’t push.Not yet.She was hanging on by a thread, and he wasn’t going to be the one to cut it.Not when he had a plan.
He needed to get her home, then he’d explain everything.
And after that?
He’d finish what nature had started.
But not until she was ready.
Jace turned toward the car, his mind already shifting into Alpha mode.He had messages to send.Orders to give.Intel to gather.Whoever had dared to tamper with his ships, his people—histerritory—was about to learn what happened when you crossed the wrong wolf.
But first, he’d make things right with Anikka.
“Let’s go then,” he said, pressing the key fob to unlock the doors.
She stomped toward the sedan, but he reached it first and opened the door for her.Jace nearly groaned as Anikka slid into the passenger seat, her long, slender legs making his pulse throb with urgency.She was so damn beautiful—and she smelled divine.
With a sigh, he closed her door and moved around to the driver’s side.
They drove in silence for about half an hour before she finally spoke.
“What’s the alliance?”
Jace’s head jerked toward her.“Excuse me?”he snapped, his voice edged with surprise.
