He’s a wolf shifter–alpha stock, judging by his size, and even if I were at my best, he’s bigger and stronger than me. Dangerous.
An enemy.
My stomach chooses that moment to growl. My mouth is watering, reminding me that I’m smelling steak. I glance at the cast-iron pan on the small stove.
Noah’s grim look softens when he catches my glance, and I see the glimmer of a smile. “Stick around, and I’ll feed you.”
I ease myself up off the couch. It’s a good sign that I’m still dressed in my shift–if barefoot–and allowed to move around freely. I’m not chained in a dungeon. I’m not being brutalized.
Yet.
My wolf wants me to hide how weak I am, but I can’t keep my legs from wobbling as I take my first steps towards the bathroom. A wave of dizziness sends my head spinning, and I lose my balance and have to grope for the couch to hold me up?—
Noah’s warmth hits my back and side as he catches my elbow, supporting me with a hand at my back and my arm. His touch sets off a fresh burst of colors in my Sight, and I gasp.
I twist so he can see my lips. “I’ve got it,” I choke, but I definitely don’t.
“It’s okay, Seeress. We all need a little help sometimes.”
Seeress. Just hearing my title makes me stand a little straighter. I control the visions, banishing them for the moment. I nod with queenly grace and let him escort me to the small room.
Once inside, I grip the edge of the sink and give myself a pep talk. My eyes look sunken. I scoop water into my hands and drink it, then give up and drink straight from the faucet. Damn Aiden and the Warden for weakening me like this.
Damn, if this strange wolf isn’t treating me better than I’ve been treated by my pack, except for Liora.
Noah is waiting for me when I open the door. He offers his arm as if it’s the 1800s, and I need an escort to help me cross the street.
Respect. It feels nice. And maybe he’s just softening me up before he turns on me and starts an interrogation, but for now, I’ll play along.
This time when I touch his arm, I brace against the visions, but they don’t start. Instead, I feel the low thrum of a pulse between my legs.
What is this? Sexual attraction?
It can’t be. I sublimated all sexual desires to augment my Sight. That’s why the Seeress must remain a virgin. We lose our powers if we have sex.
I look up at the alpha wolf as we walk. He’s achingly handsome–more handsome in real life than the man in my dreams. His square jaw is lightly dusted with stubble. His sandy hair falls across his forehead in a way that softens the troubled storm behind his blue eyes.
“Noah.” Thunder rumbles outside, like nature is punctuating this moment.
He nods.
“You’re a Blackthroat.”
He shakes his head and pulls out a chair for me.
Okay. We’re playing Twenty Questions.
I sink into it and look at the place setting on the simple wooden table. Filled water glasses. Two placemats. Two plates. Cloth napkins with forks and steak knives resting on them. It seems like a consideration that a kidnapper wouldn’t take. I mean, he’s presenting me with a weapon.
But he told me not to run, so I’m definitely a prisoner. Rain descends in a sudden burst, pelting the roof and windows.
I glance at one of the windows, and he follows my gaze then flicks his brows.
“Are you kidnapping me?”
He doesn’t answer, and for a moment, I think he’s stonewalling until I realize his back is turned to me as he picks up the skillet. I wait for him to fork a large steak and drop it in the center of my plate and try again. “Am I your prisoner?”
Golden light rolls over his irises again, and I feel the prickle of danger. “For now.” He forks a steak onto his plate and serves us each a portion of broccoli drizzled with fresh lemon and salted butter, judging by the scent.
