Page 49 of Jace's Mate
“Anikka, you saw my men yesterday, but I didn’t get the chance to introduce you properly,” Jace said, his tone shifting—something between formality and pride.“These are my betas.They run point when I’m not available.”
He gestured to the three men now standing near him—Ragnor, who gave her a subtle nod, and the two newcomers, who looked like they’d be just as comfortable in a back alley fight as they were standing in a luxurious office.
“They’re in charge when you can’t find me,” Jace continued.“If you ever need anything—anything at all—you go to one of them.”
One of the newcomers gave her a warm, if slightly wolfish, grin.“We’ll take care of you, Luna.”
Her eyes widened at the title, but before she could ask about it, Jace’s hand landed lightly at the small of her back.A steadying touch.A reminder.
Not just of his presence—but of his claim.
And she didn’t move away.
Chapter 14
“Iwon’tbelookingforyou, Jace,” she said defiantly, folding her hands neatly in front of her to keep them from shaking.
He chuckled, stepping forward to block her view of the rest of the room—and his betas.“I like that you think you can challenge me, Anikka,” he murmured, voice low and rough with amusement.“It’s a turn-on.”
She stared up at him, unsure how to respond.“You wouldn’t do anything to me,” she whispered.Her voice was mostly confident.Well…kind ofconfident.
Okay, maybe not confident at all.
She’d only met him yesterday.Despite the long, meandering conversation they’d shared through the night, she barely knew him.And yet… she felt like she’d known him forever.
That thought alone startled her.
“Feel it?”he asked, his voice now velvety smooth.
“Feel what?”she asked, even though something deep inside her already knew.Shedidfeel something.A pull.A hum beneath her skin.A heat that built with every breath he took.
She tried to tamp it down.Reminded herself again that he was a stranger—an infuriatingly attractive, dangerously compelling stranger—but still someone she wasn’t sure she could trust.
“I feel nothing,” she lied.
He laughed softly.“Liar.”
His hands slid gently up and down her arms, and she was instantly grateful for the hideous, long-sleeved dress she still wore.If he’d touched her bare skin, she might have melted right there.
Why hadn’t she gone home to change?She’d woken up tangled against his body, realized where she’d been all night, then bolted, hiding in the kitchen as if she could bake away her confusion.Her uncle’s likely fury at her absence hadn’t even entered her thoughts until hours later—and even then, she hadn’t left.Hadn’t gone home to check on him or to grab clean clothes or get away from the intensity that was Jace.
Instead, she’d stayed.Sweaty.Disheveled.And completely unprepared.
Still, she couldn’t help the flicker of interest when Jace mentioned the run again.What did he mean by that?How was it different from yesterday’s chaotic sprint through the city?
It sounded… exhilarating.Tempting.A thrill she wasn’t sure she could resist.The thought of going for a run made her feel itchy and impatient to do it.
Jace must have caught something in her expression, because he leaned closer, his eyes locked on hers.“Can you hold on just a little longer?You need to feel it.Running in the woods—it’s different.It’s safer at night.”
“Run atnight?”she repeated, startled.“But it’s not safe to be outside after dark.”
She felt the betas’ surprised glances land on her, their expressions unreadable but clearly amused.
Jace’s brow furrowed.“Is that something else your uncle told you?That the night isn’t safe?”
“Yes.”Her voice was quieter now, wary.She looked between the betas then back to Jace.“Are you saying that itissafe?That there aren’t people out there who would hurt someone just for stepping outside after sunset?”
One of the betas actually chuckled.Jace, meanwhile, reached for her, drawing her gently into his arms.His embrace was warm and protective—and for some reason, it irritated her even as she snuggled closer to all of those delicious muscles.
