His eyes flared, his mouth opening before he took a second then closed it. Reluctant acceptance locked down his face, but I noticed the way his throat worked and the faint tremor in his fingers like he was holding something inside.
“It’s going to… take me time to get used to.”
There it is.That edge of pain he was trying to hide. And I, god help me, wanted to smooth it away. To tell him everything was going to be all right, that I could help him see the benefits tobeing a wolf. The urge to lay my head on his chest, feel his heartbeat against my cheek and tell him I was here now, rode me hard. But I didn’t. Couldn’t. Not right now.
“Right,” I said instead, voice too tight. I tried to step back, the universal signal that this was done, but my body refused to move the way I wanted.
“Well, see you around.” I forced myself to turn before my voice could betray me further, cheeks flaming, pulse still stumbling over itself.
“Or at the fight, remember?” he called after me, getting up off the ground.
The words stopped me cold. Right. The fight tomorrow. With Nick, Conrad,andZeth. My stomach dropped. Perfect.
I’d never been in a situation like this before. Did I just play it cool? Ignore their stares? Ignore their questions?What would Aniyah do?She had much more experience in that department than me.
Her teasing voice ghosted through my mind.I’d make this one blush. Maybe mention how good he felt, then tell him I’m already looking forward to round two. Maybe ask if the other two could join?
Nope. Absolutely not.
Instead, I pivoted, smirking just enough to hide the chaos bubbling inside me. “Right. Now that I think about it, do you need a suit?”
His brow furrowed, hands finding his hips. “You need a suit for a fight?”
“It’s a legendary fight,” I teased, taking slow backward steps. Each one made the air between us hum. His eyes darted down, then snapped back up, guilt and desire warring in them. He was trying so hardnotto look at my naked body. “It’s going to be televised. Famous people are coming and everything. You gotta look sharp.”
When he still didn't say anything, I added, “I’ll send you something.” A grin curled my lips. “Can’t have one of my boys looking like a slob when he’s representing me.”
“You don’t have my address,” he said, his voice rough yet almost amused.
That made me laugh. “I got it, Nick. There’s nothing in my territory I don’t know about or can’t get when I want it. Remember that.” I pointed at him, making sure he knew what I meant.
When his smile wobbled, I winked at him then shifted and ran away before I could change my mind.
The forest blurred around me, but the rush of wind on my fur was barely enough to cool the heat he’d left under my skin. No matter how far I ran, that scent,his scent, lingered, clinging to my skin.
Getting closer and closer to my house, I realized I’d have to face Zeth even though I didn't think I was ready. Just thinking about it gave me an uneasy feeling. Did I yell at him? Berate him with questions? Ask him why he lied to me? Did he lie to me?
All of it was just too much, especially with the big fight being tomorrow. I just didn't have the luxury to be freaking out right now. I had shit to do.
Watching the windows, I waited until his back was turned to brew his coffee, then I carefully slipped onto the deck and snatched the clothes I’d set on the chair before I left. For a split second, I felt bad, knowing that I should talk to him, but then I played it out.
Morning, Z! Had a nice fuck with Nick. Wanna talk about us?Yeah, nope. That sounds like a disaster in the making.
Standing on the side of the house, I slipped on my jeans and shirt before tugging on my boots as quickly as possible. Heading to the garage, I fumbled a text to Zeth about a last-minute video meeting with a lieutenant.A lie to buy time,I told myself.Just need to buy myself a little space to sort it all out.
My wrist burned when I glanced down, that now-familiar ache prickling under my skin. The heat Nick left was different—steady and slow-building—reminiscent of a piece of coal that kept glowing no matter how much air you gave it. Zeth had been all wildfire and flames. His heat licked at everything until reason burned away. Conrad’s pull felt like a tease, a simmer that could flare into a bonfire with the right spark. Names and flavors of longing crowded my head until I felt like I was going to explode.
There was no time for this. Looking down at my watch, I saw I had an abundance of emails to get through. People needed to figure out last-minute details about tomorrow’s event. A text from Glen came through, saying he couldn't find anyone ordering the chemicals on Calix’s list in large quantities, which reminded me what had to be priority.
The poison on the street, leads that need to be followed, a televised fight that could put me on the map. This territory was mine to sharpen and make great. Mates could wait. They had to.
I grabbed the jacket off the hook in the garage and slipped it on, covering that warm wrist as if the leather could seal it away. Then I silently rolled my bike out, pushing it through the trees until the service road opened. Only then did I kick it to life, heading toward the gym.
A buzz came from my wrist, a reply from Zeth, but I ignored it. Out of sight, out of mind… at least that was the plan.
Gideon was waiting in the back lot, arms crossed and foot tapping. His scowl was loosened into that particular brand of worried fury that meant actual problems. Seeing him made my pulse steady. Pile on the work. I needed the distraction from my life.
“Nova,” he barked the second my boots hit the asphalt. “I told Lucy, and now I’m telling you. She’s not allowed to date anyone in the Syndicate.”
