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He closed the space between them, hauling her close to him and capturing her mouth in a fiery, passionate kiss that was as brief as it was intense.
“That’s all right. I’ll believe enough for both of us until you catch up.”
He strode away and only began to breathe again when he heard her fall in step behind him. He wasn’t sure what the next few days would bring, but he was damn sure they wouldn’t be boring. Colby felt as though he was standing at a fork in the road. One of those forks would lead him down the road he had always traveled. But the other felt like something new, dangerous, and different. Only time would tell which path his destiny lay on.
CHAPTER 8
COLBY
From the moment they entered the dining room, Colby could feel a tension in the air. Normally, having meals together was a time when his people relaxed and recharged. As he scanned the room, he realized all eyes were on him and the woman just to his right and slightly behind him—Brie. It wasn’t as if she was a stranger here. His people had seen her and other members of the Shadow Sisters here before.
Colby also knew that rumors were rampant about what had happened in Seattle and whether or not Colby was finally going to force the issue with his fated mate. Colby struggled with that issue as well. On the one hand, he was an alpha lynx-shifter who knew Brie to be his fated mate; on the other, he knew that to force her hand would be to jeopardize the life they could have together. There were times when he envied those alphas who were so convinced they were right that they would do whatever was needed. However, the best pairings he knew of were ones where the mates were partners and where more subtle coercion and coaxing had been used as opposed to downright conquest.
He looked at his head table and had to smile.
“That has to make you happy,” said Brie, “seeing Kyra here at Windsong again.”
“It does. I have to admit that pulling one over on Ash and Jax was kind of like when we were kids, but lying to Kyra…”
“Broke your heart,” she finished for him.
“Yes, but please don’t tell her. She already wants to feel guilty about not figuring things out and saying some of the things she did.”
“She worries that she hurt you.”
“Actually, she didn’t. My sister’s not much of an actress. Kyra is one of the most honest and straightforward people I’ve ever known. I knew if I couldn’t make her believe, I’d never be able to do the things I needed to do.”
“The man behind the curtain, pulling all his levers and pushing all the buttons.”
“It had to be like that.”
“On that we are agreed. The Shadow Sisters have been able to do more with your support than we ever could have done without it. More than once, because of you, we were able to outmaneuver the League and others. Regardless of what happens between us, the Sisters will always be grateful for what you’ve done and those we’ve helped.”
Colby stopped in his tracks and turned to her. “That may well be the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
“Well, don’t get used to it. I still think you’re a sneaky, manipulative sonofabitch.”
Colby laughed. “And I still believe you are the most glorious she-cat a lynx-shifter ever hoped to take to mate.” His expression turned serious. “Never doubt, in the end I will have my way. You will be mine.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers.
“As I said, ‘sonofabitch.’ Now let go of my hand before I punch you in the nose.”
Colby chuckled and watched as Brie tried to scowl, couldn’t manage it, and then laughed with him. The music of her laughter had the power to lift him up even from the depths of his darkest despair.
When they arrived at the table, Colby held out a chair for her. He thought for a minute she might refuse, but in the end, she took it and sat down. Sitting between Brie and Kyra, he turned his head to say something to his sister when a kind of hush fell over the room. He looked up to see what the disquiet might be.
It was Adriana.
From the moment she looked up, Brie stiffened beside him, and Colby was certain he heard a low growl emanating from her. Colby looked at Adriana and while she was certainly a lovely woman, there were always dozens of beautiful, available women at Windsong. Did Brie question where his interest and loyalties lay? She knew him better than that, or at least, she should.
Seeing that no one else was reacting, he surmised that it had rolled down the link and not been made out loud. He couldn’t decide how best to respond to Brie’s silent display of jealousy. He could laugh at her, as the idea that he wanted anyone other than her was ludicrous. Or he could be outraged that she questioned his commitment to her. Colby decided on a third course. He purred softly down the link to soothe her ruffled fur. It would seem Adriana had been right, and Colby began to think of ways he could use that to his advantage.
“Adriana, I’m glad you decided to join us,” said Colby as he stood to help her with her chair. “When I didn’t see you, I was afraid you were unwell.”
“How could anyone be unwell in your beautiful home,” she said, placing her hand on his arm and gazing up at him. What the others couldn’t see from their vantage point was there was a hint of mischief in her eyes. “I’m beginning to wish I’d been turned by a lynx-shifter instead of a wolf.”
“Being turned and claimed without your consent should never be condoned regardless of the outcome,” Brie snorted.
“Colby, you sent for Kyra and me,” said Scott. “Are you thinking we might hide Adriana with Graeme?”
