I was his prey.
CHAPTER 32
EMME
In my daze, I yanked the curtain back, intent on returning it to its original setting before Slade dragon-fried my ass for snooping. This wall might have shown me his stalkery ways, but it didn’t tell mewhyhe stalked me. For my protection, or was this evidence that he still didn’t trust their newest pack member?
As the curtain settled back in place, I heard a very slight rustle that I should have ignored, butfuck,curiosity got me. A curiosity that would no doubt kill a shifter if I kept it up.
Ducking my head behind the curtain, I took in the new facet of his stalker game, and when it fully registered, my gasp was loud enough to alert half the city.
Pinned to the back of the curtain were photos of me.
Dozens of them.
In chronological order from when I was quite young, to more current ones taken in Golden Claw. Almost all of which came from what looked like security footage in the city where I’d lived with Mom and her pack. Though, there were quite a few from my time here with the Reeves pack.
When did Slade take photos of me?
I was asleep in some of them, and others were candids from moments I couldn’t even remember.
With a shake of my head to clear the confused thoughts, I stepped out from behind the curtain, checked it was all in place, and raced back to his computers. When I collapsed in the chair, my chest heaved and my head spun.
Slade had always seemed indifferent toward me, his actions born from pack obligation.
But thewall of Emmerevealed another side. I just didn’t know how to feel about it.
A part of me hated this level of invasion into my life—he’d unraveled every broken piece and secret I’d ever kept. While another part was thrilled that he felt strongly enough to keep an eye on me. For whatever reason.
A therapist could step up at any point and sort out my mental state.
“Emmeline…” I jumped about a foot off his chair.
I hadn’t heard the stealthy dragon return, and as he strode toward me, my gaze darted briefly toward the curtains to double check everything was in place. Slade paused, and the green of his eyes deepened as he too glanced at his stalker wall.
I braced myself for his next comment, but he just held up the new black mouse, as calm and cool as ever. “Got the replacement.”
“Oh, yes,” I said breathlessly, internally screaming at my lack of poker face.Get it the fuck together.“Sorry, I got tired while waiting and used your chair.”
Slade brushed past me, our bodies almost touching. “Understandable.”
“So,” I squeaked, still notgetting itthe fuck together, “is that all you needed from me?”
He nodded, and I tried to breathe evenly, all the while knowing my scent and elevated heartrate would clue him in onmy uneasiness. “I’ll keep tracking the history of that shifter and let you know what I discover. The council has also requested a meeting on Monday for a formal statement of events. Hunter was vetoing, the last I heard, still pissed off that they aren’t pushing harder against Silver City. I’m not sure where it will end up falling.”
“Right. Thanks.”
Unable to handle the tension for a second longer, I spun to leave, Slade’s shirt swirling around me. I didn’t even make it two steps before a steel band wrapped around my wrist and I was yanked back to stare into the eyes of a predator.
I hated that instinct had me frozen in place rather than fighting for my life. “Did you snoop while I was gone, Snow?”
His voice, low and lethal, dripped down my spine and into my soul. His pupils flared as the green of his irises burned me, and I could see dragon flames in their depths.
“I… I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Nails on a board would have been less high pitched than my voice as I choked that out.
Slade tugged once and I was unable to resist falling into him. When the hard planes of his bare chest collided with my softer curves, I was scorched. “I’m a dragon, Snow. I ferociously guard what is mine, and right now,you are my possession. Iownyou. I watch over you. There’s no part of you that will remain separate from me. Do you understand?”
Was the air thinner in his room? Why couldn’t I breathe?
