Page 26 of Wolf's Winter

I’d been trying to avoid Jackson, but I quickly came up with an excuse. “I think our whole party is here, so maybe we can open the buffet line?”

The taco and burrito bar was already set up in the main dining area with sterno flames under the chafing trays.

Max checked the kitchen over his shoulders. “Let me check the progress on the tortillas and we’ll get things rolling for you.”

“Thanks.” I smiled.

Before I could turn around a gravelly voice said, “Winter?”

My pulse surged. I swallowed and did my best to steel my emotions as I spun to face him. “Hi, Jackson.”

His chest rose as he took a deep breath. The food smelled amazing to me too, and I didn’t have the heightened senses he did. “Have you been getting my messages about the missing witch?”

I couldn’t admit to listening to some of the voicemails more than once just to hear his voice. “Yeah. Sorry, I’ve just been swamped.”

He looked around the room. “You did a great job.”

“Your mom helped. The mistletoe was all her idea.” The words were out before I cold reel them back in. Damn it.

He chuckled. “Sounds like her.” He tipped his head back and I followed his gaze to the light fixture.

A green sprig of mistletoe hung down over our heads. This couldn’t be happening.

“Looks like we’re in the right place again.”

I frowned my eyes snapping to his face. “Are you serious?”

Maybe I’d given him too much credit before, or maybe werewolf instincts weren’t as strong as I’d been led to believe. He found his one true mate. He shouldn’t be flirting with me under mistletoe.

Confusion flickered in his eyes. “Are you pissed at me?”

“I just didn’t expect you to be flirting with me.” I glanced across the room at his mother and back to him. “Your mom told me you found her.”

“Ashleigh?”

Now I was confused. “Is she your mate?”

“No.” He blinked. “You asked me to find her, remember?”

“I asked you to search for a woman who might not even know she’s a witch. I didn’t know she’d be your mate.” I groaned and rubbed my temples as the beginnings of a headache throbbed. “Never mind. This is exactly why I asked you to give me some space. I knew you had a mate out there somewhere. I just didn’t expect you to find her so fast.”

His finger slid underneath my chin, the tender touch sending a spark through my body like a live wire. When my gaze locked on his he whispered, “Ashleigh’s not my mate.”

Why was he looking at me like he cared? Pity? I stepped away from his touch. “I’m not either, so let’s not pretend.”

I spun around to get away, but he caught my wrist. “Winter, wait.”

Clenching my jaw, I looked over my shoulder. “I can’t do this with you.”

“Just let me explain.”

I rolled my eyes and pulled my hand free to place it on my hip. “Fine.”

“You’remy mate.”

It took a second for his words to permeate my brain. Gradually I shook my head. “No way. You touched my hand, and nothing happened.”

“That’s not true.” He rubbed his chin. “My wolf howled from deep in my soul and if we hadn’t been sitting down, I would’ve fallen over.”

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