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Evan’s lips twist. “Your mate is a vamp? Seems a bit untraditional for a shifter all hell-bent on tradition.”
“Fuck you,” I say without heat as I tuck the spare dogsled blanket around Riyah on the pallet. “I have a favor to ask.”
“Beyond lending you my prizewinning dog team and flying you to the big city? These dogs won the Iditarod last year, you know. And if she bleeds on my leather seats, that’ll be a bitch to get out.”
I shake my head. Some things never change.
“You need to take over renovations while I’m gone.”
“I’m a silent partner, remember? You promised.”
I hold up a hand. “And I’m swearing you in as sheriff while I’m away. Sleepy Briar’s got a big problem. The succubus is nesting again.”
For probably the first time, my brother is speechless. His jaw hangs open in a way that makes him look more like a caveman than the Mensa member he is.
I step on the back of the dogsled, ready to kick off. Riyah is snuggled securely in front of me so I can keep an eye on her as we travel.
“Word of advice,” I call back over my shoulder. “You’re gonna need to shift to get back to the cabin, or your cock will freeze off.”
From the depths of her blankets, Riyah giggles. “Now that would be a real shame.”
My mate giggled. Yeah, she needs medical care urgently.
“Hike, hike!” I call to the sled dogs. There is no time to spare.
Chapter11
RIYAH
I’m not too sure what happened next. Later, Jax tells me I’ve gone in and out of consciousness. Probably a good thing, considering how much my head hurts and how fucking cold it is.
What I do know is that when I open my eyes, I’m in a brightly lit hospital room. Outside the window, everything is dark and frigid. Inside smells like antiseptic... and sweaty wolf?
Slowly I turn my head. Jax pops out of his chair. He looks different. I frown.
“Hey, beautiful, how are you feeling?”
I frown. The skin on my face tightens painfully. “Like shit.”
Jax’s lips twitch. “That’s my girl.” The backs of his fingers stroke my cheek. “Hurray for consciousness. You had me fucking sweating bullets for way too long.”
“Has the review board been here?” Panic clutches at me. I only want Jax to be near and my life to continue on so I can find all that happiness they like to showcase in those Hallmark movies.
He takes my hand and I pull him closer. Something like threads has me needing him close. I guess that’s how the mate thing works. I never want to be separated from him.
“Relax. I’ve got Brody filing all kinds of lawsuits against them. I’m not sure the red tape will last forever, but if he has his way it’ll be for at least my lifetime. You’re safe with me, mate.”
I am his mate. We will be together, come what may. I couldn’t ask for a better gift.
Jax drops his hand from my cheek, instead using it to wipe the sweat off his brow. Studying him more carefully, I notice sweat dampening his temples. My glance travels down. Jax is wearing a long-sleeved button-down shirt, a tie, narrow-leg pants, and leather chukkas. A navy wool peacoat is draped over another chair. Has he just come from aGQphoto shoot?
“That’s why you look so different,” I say slowly. “You’re dressed.”
Jax slips a finger inside the neck of his shirt. “You can thank my brother for that. The clothes are his. If I didn’t think they’d arrest me, I’d be dressed more like a shifter.”
“You mean naked.”
“That’s my preferred attire. I don’t know how my brother not only stands it but also, judging from the volume of his wardrobe, appears to enjoy dressing this way.”
