Page 48 of Jace's Mate
She moved into the room and set the food down, then muttered something else while she bustled out.
Jace barely heard her.
His gaze locked on Anikka.Gods, she was stunning—even in that hideous, flowered dress.It was practically a crime against fashion, but it couldn’t hide her warmth, her strength, or the curve of her jaw when she lifted her adorable, stubborn chin like that.
“We’re running tonight,” he said to her.
Her expression froze—somewhere between confusion and reluctance.She didn’t understand.Not yet.
And whydidshe wear such awful clothes?
Another mystery he planned to solve.
But the bigger truth?She didn’t know what she was.Not fully.Butheknew.His instincts had never been wrong.Every part of him—wolf and man—knew she was his mate.And there was no way in hell he was letting her walk away just because no one had ever explained her true nature.
He’d teach her.Gently.Slowly.Let her come to understand what she was and what they could be together.
Three months.That’s how long he’d give her.Maybe.That was all his wolf would allow.
Even now, the need to make her his woman clawed at him.Even now, he could smell her arousal—not that she realized what it was.Pressing her knees together wouldn’t stop the scent from reaching him.
“I need to get back to my uncle.”
Jace turned sharply.
She hadn’t said the words aloud.
“After tonight’s run,”he replied in her mind, watching the shock flash across her features.“You’ll love it.”
“I won’t!”she protested aloud.“My uncle is waiting for me.I’m supposed to cook dinner every night.”
Jace shook his head.“If your uncle is a shifter, he’ll understand.You won’t be cooking for him anymore.”
“I love cooking,” she snapped, this time using her voice.“It’s the one thing he let me do that I enjoyed.”
There was defiance in her eyes now, her chin lifted again like a dare.
“You can cook anything you want,” Jace replied smoothly.“For me.”Then, softening just slightly, he added, “And for the rest of your new pack.”
Ragnor, still typing, gave no indication he was paying attention to the argument.But a second later, he slid his phone back into his pocket.“The run is set for two hours from now,” he said.
“Good.”Jace nodded.Then he turned back to Anikka.“Why don’t we eat while we wait?”
“The rest?”she echoed warily, stepping farther into the room.“Who’sthe rest?”
“The rest of the pack,” Jace replied.“We went for a run a couple nights ago, but apparently most of the members are restless again.We take vans and buses, depending on how many want to come along.”
Anikka sighed, her shoulders slumping.“I don’t need a run tonight.I ran through the city yesterday, and right now all I want is a long shower and…” She looked down at herself, lips twisting in dismay.“Something else to wear.I smell awful and this dress is a disaster.”
Her fingers threaded through her hair with a soft huff of frustration.“I probably look a fright.”
“You look beautiful,” Jace said without hesitation.“And yes, I can smell the sweat on you—among other things—but tonight’s run won’t be like yesterday’s.It’s not about escaping.It’s aboutconnecting.I promise.”
Before she could argue, the door opened again and the last two of the three big, burly men she’d seen briefly the day before strode into the room, both grinning like eager wolves on the scent of a challenge.
Anikka instinctively took a step closer to Jace.
He noticed.
