Page 19 of Their Mate
Jamie stepped forward slowly, eyes reflecting intelligence and a touch of humor, almost teasing. “Aye. The chase wouldn’t feel like this otherwise.”
My breath rasped unevenly, heart thundering, trapped between fury and this rising, unwanted attraction.
Logan’s voice cut through the quiet again, every word tinged with raw dominance. “You’re ours, whether you accept it yet or not.”
They moved forward as one, united by instinct and desire. Every nerve in my body screamed at me to run, fight,resist, but another unfamiliar part of me whispered something dangerously tempting.
Maybe they were right.
Maybe it was inevitable.
Maybe this was a fight I couldn’t win.
Edward moved first, quickly and efficiently, stepping into my space and twisting my wrist expertly. Pain flashed hotly through my forearm as the blade slipped from my grasp, clattering loudly onto the pavement. Jamie closed in swiftly at my side, his grip firm and unyielding as he stripped the rifle from my back, eyes dancing dangerously, a mischievous smirk curving his lips.
“Easy now, love,” he murmured. “No need for weapons anymore, yeah?”
Logan stood directly before me, unmoving, expression intense as his dark eyes burned into mine. His nearness sent my pulse stuttering unevenly, a primal and traitorous warmth fluttering low in my belly. My heartbeat roared in my ears, fight-or-flight instinct clawing desperately against an undeniable pull of desire.
But even now that I was disarmed and trapped, they made no further move toward me. They didn’t seize or force me down, didn’t tear into me with the brutality I’d always been told wolves were capable of. They simply stood close, watching me with heated interest, as if waiting for my permission—or for my inevitable acceptance.
I didn’t know.
My mind raced wildly, confusion and suspicion mingling together in a fraying tightrope of fear. Why hadn’t they already claimed me and forced me into submission as I’d expected themto? The part of me that was a hunter—a professional, trained assassin—was thrown, irritated, and utterly confused by their hesitation.
Another part of me—one I fiercely wanted to deny—was more unsettled. A strange mix of irritation and arousal tightened low inside me, hot and uncomfortable, at odds with the adrenaline still surging through my veins.
I lifted my chin defiantly, trying to control my rapid breathing, meeting Logan’s gaze squarely.
“Well?” I snapped, trying to mask my inner turmoil with false bravado. “Isn’t this the part where you rip me apart?”
Logan’s lips twisted into a faint smirk, eyes glittering dangerously beneath the moonlight. “If we’d wanted you dead, you’d be dead already.”
Edward’s cool voice came softly from beside me, confident and calm. “That’s not what we want.”
Jamie chuckled, gaze lingering appreciatively, his voice teasing but sincere. “No, killing you wouldn’t be nearly as interesting as what we want.”
I fought the shiver that trailed down my spine at their words, resistance, arousal, and confusion warring within me. Who the hell were these wolves, and why had fate bound me—of all people—to them?
I was losing control.
I was in deeper trouble than I’d ever imagined I could be.
“I think you know what happens now, little mate,” Logan growled softly, each word dripping with possessiveness.
Defiance flared hot and wild within me, igniting the ferocious spark of rebellion that had kept me alive this long. I tilted my chin up again, locking gazes with him.
“Fuck you,” I spat, breath trembling with fury and fear. “I’m not your mate.”
I knew I was lying—could feel it like fire deep within my bones—but I’d never surrender without a fight.
That wasn’t me.
Logan smirked threateningly, as though he could sense the lie beneath my courageous insult. He opened his mouth to speak, but Jamie stepped forward smoothly, his confident Scottish drawl cutting through the tension.
“Easy now, lass,” he murmured, the teasing note returning to his voice as he reached out a cautious hand toward me. “We’re not monsters. Well, not entirely.”
My fingers tightened instinctively around the small, hidden Taser concealed within the lining of my jacket sleeve, one of the few weapons still on me that they’d missed.
