Page 87 of Red

“Yes, it’s beautiful. Thank you for showing me.”

“You’re as beautiful as the painting. I’d say gorgeous doesn’t do you justice.” Merik grabs both my hands in his, then leans down with a hint of mint on his breath and closes his eyes. His lips almost touch mine before I withdraw from his grip.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” I say.

“Are you not looking for a mate? I’d love to honor your heroics.” His smile and voice are so warm.

I didn’t expect this. He’s an Alpha of a cohort. Most women would be lining up at the door to be his mate.

“Even though I’m not a werewolf?” I ask.

“I’m not like a lot of the others. It doesn’t bother me.”

My body stills. “Oh . . .”

“So?” He steps closer, his body heat radiating toward me. His hands slide up my arms, and his hands are large but firm. There are no unexplained tingles from his touch.

“Sorry, I’m just not in the right place.” I ease away enough to be out of his reach.

“Don’t be. If you ever change your mind, I’d love to get together sometime. Let’s join the others.” He moves to take my hand again and leads us back to the crowd. “Where’s your Alpha?”

He’s not mine.

“Outside, I think?”

“We’ll find him.” Merik walks us outside onto a stone patio.

Most of the snow is gone here, and I’m sure home is similar with the sun out the last while. Stark stands with Kiya, Jocko, and one other man I don’t know. His eyes flick toward Merik and I walking toward them, and he says something to Jocko before retreating to the side of the house.

“Where’s Stark going?” Merik asks, letting my hand go when we reach them.

“Just needed to get something from his truck.”

Jocko flicks his eyes between Merik and I, raising his eyebrows. I mouth “Later” to him, and he nods. Kiya and Merik get into a conversation about attack plans. I tune them out and eventually take a seat on one of the patio chairs. Jocko moves to sit next to me.

“What’s that about?” he asks, staring at my hand.

I wave it. “Merik? He just took me to see a painting. I went to look at the one in their meeting room.”

“Oh, it looked . . .” He sounds almost worried. I wonder what’s wrong with Merik.

“Yeah, well, I’m not exactly interested in finding a mate right now.”

He scoffs. “Come on, Aloka.”

“What does that even mean?”

“We’re leaving.” Kiya walks over to us. Stark stands a few feet over with Merik.

“I thought we were spending the night?” I ask.

She shrugs. “I guess Stark doesn’t want to be here anymore. He’s been off this whole time, if you ask me.”

“He won’t tell me anything. Did he say anything to you?” Jocko eyes me.

“Say anything? He hasn’t said more than three words to me since we left. I walked up to him an hour ago, and he turned in the opposite direction.” He should be thanking me for making sure he doesn’t do something he will regret for the rest of his life. Not avoiding me.

Jocko and Kiya exchange a glance, then nod.