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“Focus, Paxton.” She tilts her head up to look at me with her eyebrows pinched together in annoyance, but I don’t miss the undertone of humor in her voice. She’s a tease. She clearly likes my attention, even if she’s not willing to give in to it.
I’m tempted to bend her over the desk and spank her for teasing me, but I’m too worried about what will happen if I push too hard too fast. I stay where I am with my body curled around hers in the chair, but I try harder to pay attention to where she’s pointing
“What else does it say? I don’t know how you can read this.”
She runs her finger across a sentence mid-page and then stops near the end of the line. “It looks like it was the same wolf all three times. I don’t recognize the name, do you?”
I squint until I can make out the letters well enough to guess at the name. Shannon French Henry. I’ve met a lot of people over the years while traveling the country, but I’m pretty good with names. I can tell Tasha’s disappointed when I shake my head.
“Let’s keep following the thread. There has to be a way to figure out who that is, right? Especially since she would have been sanctioned for those run-ins. Or maybe worse, considering it happened three times.” There are so many shifter traditions I think are bullshit, but even I understand why we can’t expose ourselves to humans.
Tasha sighs heavily. “This could take forever. With only the two of us, finding answers could take weeks, if not longer. At this rate, we need help, Paxton.”
“Help?” My voice is flat. I don’t want to bring anyone else into the temporary bubble we’ve built here. Tasha may have marked me, but she isn’t treating me like a mate yet. We don’t need outside interference while we’re figuring this shit out.
She leans into me, but her lips are pursed and she stares off into the distance. I’m not even sure she realizes she’s doing it. She feels so damn good. I swear my wolf is ready to turn into a cat and purr for her.
“What about Cupid’s Pack? You have a relationship with them, right?” She turns in her chair so she can look up at me easier. “This mentions there were issues between Shannon French Henry and her mate. Maybe Cupid’s Pack would have more information about that without us scouring this whole library. Do you think you could make a call?”
“We can call together.” It wouldn’t be such a bad thing to make sure Quinn knows our mate bond has been solidified. I hate to think about what kind of ideas she got about me from that whole initial mess I dragged Mason into. It can’t hurt to clear up some of that confusion. Cupid’s Pack might not be the biggest or strongest, but they’re well respected. And Quinn herself has earned respect from some of the most impressive packs in the country.
If things get worse before they get better, we’ll want her on our side.
Tasha’s lips part, but before she can say anything there’s a slamming sound from the back of the house.The back door. My wolf is instantly on guard. Tasha jerks out of her seat, and I grab her around the waist to stop her from rushing out of the room.
“Go to the closet,” I whisper close to her ear.
She raises her chin and glares at me.I’m not hiding. This is my house to protect.
Fuck. Of course she’s not going to be the kind of woman who hides and lets me protect her. I might be pleased by her independence if it wasn’t putting her in potential danger right now.
At least stay behind me until we see what we’re dealing with.She’s still glaring so I add an exasperated,Please.
Fine. But go. I don’t want an intruder coming into this room.She slips out of my arms and moves behind me, pushing at my back to rush me along. I don’t like it, but I move silently toward the doorway. We have the benefit of having spent a few days here, so I’m able to avoid the worst of the squeaking floorboards. Our uninvited guest isn’t so lucky. The wood flooring right outside the kitchen makes a telling creaking sound that lets me know we have a few seconds left before they’re right on top of us.
I would rather be on the offensive than defensive normally, but I hesitate with Tasha at my back.
You’re a fighter aren’t you? Why are we hiding?Even across mind link I can hear her annoyance. And she’s right, it’s clear fate didn’t give her to me as a mate because she needed my protection. It’s because my woman can hold her own.
I reach back and squeeze her hand once before stepping out into the hallway.
The light-haired guy that stares back at me isn’t at all familiar. His eyes widen at first and then narrow as he takes me in. “Who the hell are you?” He jerks his head from side to side like he’s looking for something. It gives away more than he realizes. He’s obviously here looking for Tasha… and didn’t expect me.
How is it possible the news hasn’t spread that there’s a male with her? I don’t have time to think about it as the stranger squares up like he’s preparing to fight.
His stance is trash. I can recognize a weak opponent from a mile away.
“Who are you?” he asks again.
“No.” Tasha steps up beside me, ignoring my attempt to nudge her safely back behind me. She rests her hand on my arm, which does little to reassure me. “Who areyou?”
His grin looks like something off a movie villain. “I’m Luca, the Anchorage Lake Pack’s Beta. Your sister asked me to bring you to her. She doesn’t think you’re safe here.” He takes a step toward me, but I release a growl that stops him in his tracks.
Tasha snorts.
“You’re not Luca. I’ve met the man several times. What are you really doing here?” Tasha’s voice is strong and demanding. I’m struck by the sudden realization of what she is. Tasha is every bit the Luna Sovereign she was chosen to be.
The guy works his jaw back and forth. “Shit. I told the guy his plan was fucking stupid.” He takes a hesitant step back. “Look, I don’t want to cause problems. There’s a lot of money on the line, and I can’t work another fucking welding job.” He raises his pant leg slowly to show off mangled skin running up along one side of his leg.
