Page 86 of Jace's Mate
She loped into view, pausing just outside the barn doors.She didn’t cross the threshold, not yet, but she was ready.Her wolf form radiated tension and anticipation, her golden eyes locked on the betas inside.Waiting.
Jace exhaled slowly and forced himself to remain focused.The sight of her there, powerful and loyal, only reinforced his fury toward the woman who had tried to sever their bond.
“You’re a pathetic excuse for an Alpha!”Janice suddenly shrieked, spinning to face Gustov again.“Jace’s pack has businesses!Infrastructure!Real wealth!Every member has a home with actual windows and a yard!They’re rich, Gustov!Rich!”
“Money isn’t everything!”Gustov bellowed.“We have what we need!”
Janice laughed bitterly.“Do we?”she sneered.“BecauseIwant more!”
Her bravado cracked as Gustov advanced on her, eyes glowing with rage.She flinched, backing away.
“You don’t lie and cheat to get it,” he snapped.“And youdamn welldon’t interfere with another Alpha’s mate!”
Janice’s expression flickered between fear and frustration.“But they’re stronger,” she hissed.“YouknowJace’s powers have increased since he found her.You feel it.I was trying to give us that same edge.But you’re too blind to see the future.”
“We don’t interfere in other packs’ business!”Gustov snarled, eyes narrowing on Janice.
Janice’s chest rose and fell as she fought to stay calm.“I wantmore, Gustov,” she said, her voice cracking under the weight of desperation.“I want power.And I cangiveyou more power—if you’d just let me help you!”
She took a tentative step forward, hands outstretched in a placating gesture.“Our pack could grow.We could be stronger.I have a plan—it’s a good one.”
Only moments earlier, her arrogance had radiated off her like perfume.Now, she was shrinking in the face of Gustov’s growing fury, her confidence dissolving into defensiveness.
Jace watched the exchange closely, his muscles tense.This argument was about to cross a line.A dangerous one.
Janice was a beta—second only to Gustov in raw power within the pack.And while she might be playing submissive now, it wouldn’t take much for that façade to crack.If she lashed out, things would escalate fast.And violently.
More scents began to filter into Jace’s nose—dozens of them.Wolves.He didn’t turn, didn’t twitch.But he knew what he was sensing: pack members.Gustov’s wolves were gathering.And they weren’t happy.
He couldn’t tell whose side they were on.That alone made it worse.
“Enough!”Jace’s roar echoed through the barn like a gunshot.
The shouting stopped.Even the wind outside seemed to still.The energy in the space shifted as more wolves slunk closer, their growls low and uncertain.Their presence now undeniable.
Neither Gustov nor Janice noticed them.And that was a very bad sign.
“Don’t you dare interfere with my pack business,” Gustov hissed over his shoulder, spinning away from Janice.
Bad idea,Jace thought grimly.
The moment Gustov turned his back, Janice struck.
In a blur of movement, she shifted, fur exploding from her skin as her body twisted into wolf form.With a snarl, she launched herself at her Alpha, claws sinking into his back.He didn’t even have time to shift.Her jaws clamped down on the back of his neck, drawing blood as she drove him to the barn floor.
The attack was vicious.Efficient.Calculated.
Gustov collapsed with a howl of pain.
Janice stepped back, panting and wild-eyed.Then her gaze locked onto Jace—and without hesitation, she turned to face him.A new challenge in her eyes.
Jace shifted instantly, massive muscles contorting as fur replaced skin.His paws hit the floor with a thud, his growl like rolling thunder.She was fast.She was strong.But he was bigger.More dominant.And more enraged.
Janice crouched low, preparing to spring—
But she never got the chance.
Out of nowhere, Gustov surged to his feet again, bleeding and dazed, but not out.Confused by the pain and betrayal, he lunged—not at Janice, his attacker—but at Jace.
