Page 47 of Jace's Mate
But then the scent hit him.
He breathed in, steady and silent.Relief loosened the knot in his chest.It was them.The teenagers from earlier.Young and impressionable, still carrying the scent of street and fear—but something else had been added.Soap.Clean clothes.A full meal.
They were a part of his pack now.
He could hear the faint shuffle of their paws as they moved deeper into his loft.They were quiet—trying to be invisible.But they hadn’t scented him yet.That would have to be addressed.These three boys needed to learn a few more stealthy moves if they were going to survive in a fight.
An enemy would’ve already had all three of them bleeding on the floor.
Still, they padded toward his bed, expecting him there.But when they didn’t find him, he heard the moment one of them caught his scent and redirected.
Three furry heads turned toward the couch.
Jace didn’t move.He let them come.
When they reached the edge of the room, they hesitated for a heartbeat—then bowed, low and humble.One by one, they circled him and Anikka, taking up positions with slow, deliberate steps.Not challenging.Not threatening.
Guarding.
They’d come to protect their new Alpha.And his mate.
That gesture, silent and instinctive, hit Jace harder than anything else that day.They’d lost their Alpha, lost their place in the world—but they hadn’t lost their loyalty.Or their need to serve something greater than themselves.
Beside him, Anikka stirred.A sleepy hand patted his chest.The tips of her fingers brushed his skin through the fabric of his shirt, then curled back against him.
She’d heard them too.
She didn’t panic.
She didn’t question.
She simply drifted off again, trusting him, trustingthem, and somewhere in that quiet moment, Jace let himself relax.
His wolves had come home.And so, it seemed…had his mate.
Chapter 13
Thefollowingmorning,Jaceyanked open the door to his office, already tense and on edge.Ragnor was standing just outside, about to knock.
Jace was ready to snap.
He’d already handled a dozen issues that morning—redirected patrols, sent two guards to surveil Gustov’s territory, and—most important—convinced Anikka to stay one more day.He’d suggested she cook for the pack, tapping into something she loved, and she’d agreed.For now.It was the only reason she hadn’t bolted back to the so-called “Uncle Wilton,” who definitely wasn’t her blood relative.
So who the hell was he?
From the stories she’d told him last night, the bastard rubbed Jace the wrong way—too controlling, too possessive, and far too comfortable issuing orders to Anikka like she was property.There was something off.And Jace was starting to suspect that Wilton might be connected to the broader threat they were facing.
Understanding that he was too agitated to think clearly, Jace pushed away from the door.Time to burn off some energy.Since Anikka wasn’t ready to release it with him in bed—yet—a long, hard run through the woods would do the job.
And tonight might be the night.It would be Anikka’s first shift.She didn’t know what she was yet, but her wolf was there, just under the surface.He’d seen the signs.And he wanted to be there when she experienced the shift for the first time.
“Who needs a run?”he asked suddenly.
Ragnor’s grin was instant.“I know we just went out a few days ago, but everyone would love to get out again!”he said with a chuckle.
Jace nodded once.“Send out the call.If anyone’s feeling the itch, we’ll meet and go for another run through the woods.Tonight.”
At that moment, Anikka appeared in the doorway with one of the kitchen staff.The other woman held a tray, smiling warmly.“Are you hungry?”she asked.“Your mate suggested tonight’s dinner menu, and I brought enough for everyone.She can stay and eat with you, Alpha.”
