One more minute and I would have had her.
I stand at the edge of the woods and look up at her window as rain soaks me to the bone. It’s time for that overgrown boy and the sex demon to die, so I can recoup my losses and take back what’s mine. First, they attacked my shipment. Now, they’re keeping her, myproperty,away from me like they have some right to her.
If I had known those two enclave fools were going after my men earlier, I would have taken her while they were gone. Instead, I wasted the best chance I’ve had in years. Rage boils inside me at the missed opportunity.
I’m growing tired of this hunt. The storm does nothing to cool my fury.
I want to charge into that house and grab her, but I didn’t get to where I am today by making hasty decisions. No, my victory will have to wait until another day.
Backing slowly into the woods, I shift into my wolf form and return to my hideout. I shake the rain from my fur and curl upunder the overhanging rock as I consider my options. I’ll get another chance, and when it comes, I’ll be ready.
She’ll be mine again soon.
CHAPTER
ELEVEN
GIDEON
Fuck rain.
It's still gross outside, so instead of climbing a mountain, I’m stuck inside running on the treadmill like a hamster on a wheel. The spinning belt is a cheap substitute for what I really need, but I’m hoping a good workout will make me feel more settled. I have the machine set to simulate running in the mountains.
The difficulty changes every few minutes, but it’s not really working for me. Sheena’s nightmares, the mate secret, the traffickers, the cell phone—it’s all starting to get to me.
Sheena walks into the gym wearing sweatpants and a black sports bra. The pace and incline on my treadmill kicks up a notch at the same time she bends down to stretch, and I literally miss a step. She looks so good I stumble, almost falling off the back of the belt.
Sheena pretends not to notice. With a small wave and a poorly disguised smirk, she climbs on the elliptical... Something I’m pretty sure she hasn’t done since she’s been here.
What’s she playing at?
Determined not to drool, I push harder, trying and failing not to watch her workout. There’s just one problem. Her new phone is resting in the little cubby on the machine, taunting me, reminding me of her refusal to accept it as a gift.
Why won’t she let me make her life easier?
Seeing her hand over a huge chunk of the money she scraped together to survive makes me mad as hell. I know Cal didn't like it either, but he didn't fight her on it. Still, something about it makes me feel unsettled.
If she doesn’t need me, how can I convince her to stick around?
I want to slap myself for thinking like a caveman. Now that I’m getting to know her, I can’t imagine rejecting the mate bond. She’s important to me, but she could leave. I could lose her, and the very idea makes me sick.
My strength as an omni-shifter has always been a selling point for me in the dating pool, but Sheena doesn’t care about that. If anything, my position in the enclave and the supernatural world is a red flag after her experiences on the run.
I’m starting from behind, and I don’t like it. Somehow, I’ve got to get her to fall for me without all the bullshit... The problem is I don’t have the first idea how.
After about ten minutes, Sheena steps off the elliptical, sweat glistening on her face and lower back. I watch as she clumsily rolls a clean set of boxing wraps around her hands. She stops and starts over a few times, glancing down at her phone repeatedly.What is she doing?Then it hits me. She’s watching a video tutorial on how to wrap her knuckles.
Fuck. Why didn't she ask me?
I want to help, but this is the perfect opportunity for me to show her I’m not a lunatic. I can resist breathing down her neck. I can. I keep my running pace steady as she slides her hands intothe gloves. When she struggles to fasten the left one with the right one already on, I swear I don't even think about jumping off the treadmill to help. Sheena approaches the heavy bag and throws a punch. Her stance is all wrong.
I can't take it any longer. She could hurt herself with form like that. Before I even decide to move, I’m launching myself across the room.
“Let me help. Please.” I cringe at my strangled demand.
When she turns around, the triumphant grin on her face stuns me.
“I’m amazed that you held out so long,” Sheena says. “I would love to have your help, Gideon.” She glances back at the treadmill belt, which is still spinning like a top. “If you're finished with your run, of course.”
