“What if she’s working with the witch?”
Canyon leaned against a tree, his entire mated life flashing before his eyes.I can change her,he said, still searching for a sign of her through the windows.
Timber got between him and his view. “You had the reaction?”
Not yet,Canyon said.Gotta get closer.
“You gotta touch her,” Timber said. “Jaggar said it happens like a gunshot the first time you see her, but an explosion the first time you touch.”
Canyon stiff-armed his brother out of the way, left the forest and marched straight to the front door. Timber followed, laughing like always. He leaned on the railing while Canyon pounded on the door.
No answer. He pounded some more. Canyon opened his mouth to say something, when the door finally opened and the female stood there, hostile and angry, staring into his eyes. Canyon faltered at the hostility but couldn’t help but smile. She was gorgeous. He took a deep breath, enjoying her sweet glazed-orange scent.
Hi,he said inruhi.You’re Sage White, right?
She didn’t respond, only stared at him, challenging him with her eyes.
Did she not speak ruhi? Or was she not answering him?
Canyon switched it up, saying “Miss White, I’m Canyon Wheeling.” He dug in his pocket and flashed his badge with a smile just for her. “We’ve got a situation.”
Her mouth dropped open. Her scent flared wildly. She rushed him, and he was so dumbfounded that he didn’t defend himself. She stood on her tiptoes and punched him right in the face—a roundhouse with all her weight behind it, then she whirled through the backswing, into her house and slammed the door.
Canyon smacked a hand to his face and turned around to look at his brother, shocked.
Timber looked as shocked as he felt, then he laughed. “That's your mate, all right.”
Canyon shook his head.No, she's not.No reaction at all.
Timber rushed to the door and shoved him out of the way. “She's my mate, then.”
Canyon allowed himself to be shoved, feeling a deep emptiness in his gut. He lumbered to the porch railing and took his turn leaning on it.
Timber pounded on the door. The porch light turned off, leaving them in darkness.
“Sage White,” Timber called, throwing his arms wide. “Come out and meet your destiny, woman!”
Canyon snickered.You're gonna be embarrassed if she's not your mate.
“I'm never embarrassed,” Timber said. He stepped away from the door and leaned against the railing next to Canyon. They mused for a minute.
“She'sfoxen, right?” Timber said.
She scents human.
“Maybe it's not her.”
It’s her.
“Okay, then. She's half-angel, and half-foxenbut she scents all-human.”
Canyon shrugged.
“Sage White, you’re a One True Mate.” Timber shouted at the house. “You’re my mate, now come out here and lay a big fat one on me.” He made kissy noises.
The door didn't open. Canyon laughed but it felt hollow in his gut.Was that your only idea?
“Weird. That should have worked,” Timber said. “Females love that shit.”
