“That’s not…” Björn’s words trailed off, his sea-blue eyes locking onto me. “That’s not true, sir... is it?”
My throat tightened, but no words came. My silence was damning.
“Told ya,” Hawk said to Björn, his smug look cutting into me. “We’re tucked away in here because his bear’s nose is open, but he doesn’t want to make a maul. Especially with us.”
“Maul,” Björn mumbled, glancing to the side. “That’s all the Ayaska stuff with the three guys having to date one woman.”
“One female,” Hawk corrected, his gaze refusing to leave me. “But other than that, yep.”
A troubled look crossed Björn’s face, confusion battling shock. But then he re-gripped the bars and directed his plea at me. “Listen, I don’t know—well, anything about this maul stuff the Ayaska are into. But if this is true—if she’s ours—both of ours—then you’ve got to tell me what to do. And you’ve got to let at least me out of here.”
“There is no ours,” I replied, voice tight. “She’s human, and you’re both delusional.”
Hawk chuckled low, the sound curling in the air like smoke. “Delusional, huh? Same kind of delulu that’s got you clenching your fists and refusing to look either of us in the eye?”
I hadn’t realized my hands were balled into fists until Hawk pointed it out.
“C’mon, sir.” Björn’s knuckles turned white against the bars. “If we’re supposed to be in some kind of three-way together, you’ve definitely got to let me out. I’ll do whatever you want. Follow whatever orders you give me. I just want to be with her. I’venever felt anything like this in my life. It’s like my heart is about to explode out of my chest!”
“Enough!” My voice came out harsher than intended. But I couldn’t take this anymore.
I turned on my heel and headed toward the station door, gritting out, “You’ll get a phone call and the opportunity to post bail tomorrow during official station hours.”
That quieted them. For a few seconds.
Just as I reached the door, Hawk called out, “Can’t outrun your nose, Horse.”
I hated that nickname that the Iron Claw MC had pinned on me just because I preferred to use my horse, Sentinel, as my main mode of transportation. But I let the station’s heavy winterized door slam shut behind me without responding.
Outside was quiet. Too quiet.
It gave me too much time to think—about what Hawk had said.
And about that human’s scent.
It had hit me like a freight train the moment she walked into the station, freezing me in place. Sweet, warm, maddeningly tempting.
I’d never been one for sentimental holidays, but Hawk had described her perfectly: an entire box of Valentine’s Day chocolates had walked into my station without warning.
Big brown eyes, dark, creamy skin, a self-deprecating smile, and curves that defied the confines of her wool city coat. She was heavier and chattier than her younger sister. Still, I’d recognized the connection even before she introduced herself as the siblingof the female my brother and his maul had taken as a mate last December.
However, Holly Winter’s effect on me had been much, much different than Noelle’s.
That scent.
Talking to her had felt like trying to keep my composure while quietly drowning.
After I’d sent her away, my mind flickered back to Cody parading Noelle around the Bar & Grill on New Year’s Eve, just before hibernation began. Supposedly, he wanted to show her the businesses he co-owned with his grizzly brothers—this place and the Bear Mountain Inn, the town’s only hotel, which was located a little further up the road. But really, it had been a trophy display.
Noelle had reeked of Ash and Mak, as if they’d marked her all over before letting their third maul take her to a place just a couple of kilometers down the road.
I’d burned with indignation before Cody even brought her over to the booth I was sharing with Björn. And when I’d looked up to issue a terse hello, I’d felt… nothing. No jealousy. No anger. Just mild annoyance at the interruption. Her scent had done nothing for me.
But Holly? Whatever she stirred in me wasn’t cold. And it wasn’t indifferent.
Also, her car was still parked outside the station.
Goddamnit.
