Is it our mate?the wolf asks.
The urge to snarl at the animal inside of my head is almost too strong to stifle.
No, it’s not Juliet.Probably some other pack member wanting to get a request in before I leave.She doesn’t want us.
The look on her face when I brought up just the idea of mating makes me want to tear at my skin. Fear. Pure, unfiltered fear. She was horrified at potentially being connected to me for the rest of her life.
So, I left her.
I lost her.
The pencil I’m holding snaps in half under my punishing grip, and Ross’s eyes widen at the hint of my hidden agitation. Meanwhile, I’m reminded of the first day Juliet came to my office, all righteous indignation, chucking pencil pieces out my open window. The first day I acknowledged my infatuation with her. What I wouldn’t give to go back to that day.
During that interaction, I was the calm one. Fully in control of my reactions.
How I acted at Juliet’s, I wasn’t myself. Or, more accurately, I was a rare, emotionally raw version of myself. Blood still thrumming with magic from the full moon, trying to ignore the wounding reminder that I’d exiled my mother, and relatively fresh off a confrontation with the first woman I’d loved who rejected me out of fear.
When Juliet aggressively dismissed the idea of mating me … I fucking broke.
Three days have passed, and we haven’t spoken, which means I’m listening to my wolf growl and grouse on a constant loop. The beast and I want her so much that I can practically scent her lemon-paper smell in the air.
Then I realize that’s not a conjuring from my memory. The steps stop in my cracked doorway.
She’s here.
A knock on the door, and then Juliet steps into my office.
The sight of her steals my breath. Doesn’t matter that she’s wearing a thicker coat that hides her figure. I just want to peel it and her jeans off until I can run my tongue over her tender flesh.
Ross turns, putting his eyes on my woman, and she stares back at him, seeming surprised to find anyone other than me here with the way she hesitates.
“Miss Adair,” Ross says. “Hey.”
How the fuck does he know her?
“Hi, Ross. Sorry to interrupt.” She gives him an apologetic smile.
Him. Him she smiles at.
Challenge him!
Instead, I clench my fists and breathe evenly, showing that I havesomerestraint.
“Nah. We’re done. Alpha’s all yours.” Ross tosses a nod my way, then strolls out the door. Leaving Juliet and me alone.
I can’t decide if this arrangement is better or worse.
Because now all I can focus on his her, and my mind tries to play out every intimate moment we’ve ever had.
“Roderick,” she says by way of greeting.
Her stiff tone brings me back to myself, and I lock down my lust-soaked reaction.
“Juliet,” I respond. “You know Ross?”
Gods, I sound like a fucking jealous teenager.
“He comes to the library sometimes.” She shrugs, and her mildly dismissive tone probably saves the wolf’s life. Juliet steps closer, and I suddenly feel like I’m being stalked. “I wanted to talk to you.”
