Page 38 of Their Mate
I rolled my eyes, fighting an uncomfortable warmth at their banter, the easy camaraderie between them. It stirred a longing inside me, an ache for a closeness that I’d only last experienced with my dead brother.
Logan’s voice turned serious again, tension returning as he spoke, “We have less than twenty-four hours to find Declan, just in case he’s been bitten. We can’t waste a second. Every minute counts.”
Edward nodded grimly, clearly already formulating a tactical plan. “Agreed. We regroup fast, arm ourselves fully, then move out to hunt this Elder Lycan down before it’s too late.”
Aidan limped forward a little faster and Logan glanced back at him, concern flickering briefly across his expression. “You going to be okay, Aidan?”
Aidan met his gaze steadily, stubborn determination clear in his features. “I’ll be fine. I’m not losing Declan too—not after everything we’ve been through.”
His quiet words sent an uncomfortable twist through my chest, the raw emotion in his voice tugging at the feeling of grief deep within me. I’d lost family too. I understood that pain intimately. Maybe these wolves weren’t as different from me as I’d always believed.
Logan seemed satisfied, nodding slowly before turning back toward me, his eyes softening slightly when they met mine. “You good?”
I bristled immediately at his concern, pride demanding a snide retort, but the earnestness of his expression tempered my response. I exhaled slowly, forcing myself to relax slightly beneath his concerned gaze. “I’m fine.”
Jamie snorted softly, clearly not convinced. “Fine, aye? You look ready to chew your way free at any moment.”
I glared sharply at him. “Keep pushing and maybe I’ll biteyoufirst.”
He laughed, completely unfazed. “Sounds promising.”
I shook my head slightly, chuckling low in my throat despite myself. Somehow, Jamie’s easy banter loosened a knot in my chest, even as it irritated the hell out of me.
As we moved steadily through Dublin’s streets toward their pub, I couldn’t help the restless anxiety rising within me. I’d be facing their full pack soon, wolves I’d once considered enemies. Allies now—if fate and these stubborn wolves had their way.
Edward’s quiet voice pulled me from my thoughts. “Once we’re back at the pub, you can put on some clean clothes. We’ve got clothes that should fit you—might be a bit big, but they’ll do.”
I glanced at him, startled by his pragmatic kindness. “Thank you,” I murmured, oddly appreciative despite myself.
He nodded briefly, a faint warmth flickering in his eyes. “We’re not your enemy anymore, Sera. Whether you believe it yet or not, we’re here for you.”
My stomach twisted uncomfortably, frustration simmering hot beneath my skin as Logan guided me forward. I hated that even his gentle grip felt like a shackle, like a leash pulling me deeper into their dangerous orbit. I knew exactly who I was, who I’d always been—an operative of the Watch. It was my sworn duty to protect humanity from creatures like them. These wolves were my targets, dangerous threats who needed to be neutralized before they could do more damage. Nothing more.
My jaw tightened with renewed resolve, defiance flaring bright inside me again. I had to hold on to that truth, grip it witheverything I had. I’d already allowed myself to weaken, allowed them to cloud my judgment. It couldn’t continue.
“Why don’t you tell us more about yourself, lass?” Jamie asked casually from ahead of me, his tone deceptively light. “We’ve barely scratched the surface, and it looks like we’ll be stuck with each other for a while.”
I scoffed, irritation surging suddenly. “There’s nothing to tell. I’m not here to bond or make friends.”
Edward glanced at me, one eyebrow lifting slightly in dry delight. “Bit late for that, love. Seems we’ve already bonded plenty.”
I scowled fiercely, hating the heat that flooded my cheeks at his implication. “Temporary setback.”
Logan moved closer, his voice calm, but quietly authoritative. “Temporary? That’s what you call a mate bond? You felt it just as clearly as we did. You can deny it all you want, but you’re our mate. Permanently.”
I pulled against his grip, resentment twisting bitterly inside me. “I’m Sera Moore, an assassin for the Watch. My mission is clear. Just because you’ve managed to get a temporary hold on me doesn’t change who I am or what my mission is.”
Aidan studied me carefully, his voice calm. “So you’d still kill us, even now, after everything?”
I forced a cold, indifferent mask onto my face, meeting his gaze evenly. “In a heartbeat. It’s my duty. You’re all dead men walking; you just don’t realize it yet.”
Logan shook his head slowly. “I don’t trust them. I don’t think you should either.”
I hesitated, my pulse quickening at the uncomfortable truth hidden behind his words. I shoved it quickly aside, holding tight to stubborn defiance. “The Watch protects humanity. It always has.”
Jamie snorted softly, shaking his head. “So you’ve never questioned them, lass? Never doubted these missions they send you on? Seems to me there’s a lot your Watch might be keeping from you.”
Anger flared hotly at his casual insinuation. “You don’t know the first thing about the Watch, me, or my missions,” I snapped. “Don’t pretend like you do.”
