My nostrils flared at the familiarity in Joanna’s tone. “It seems you two have spent some time together.” My wolf snarled as I waited for one of them to explain.
“Yesterday, the Bureau threatened me and James.”
Hill shook his head. “We didn’t threaten—”
“You said you went dark,” I interrupted, trying not to get upset.
Joanna merely shrugged as she fiddled with one of the two braids running down her scalp. “We did go dark. I just didn’t tell you it was involuntary.” She continued, ignoring the grit in my voice, “Hill and his boss want us to stop the uprising. But they don’t trust that you’ll fight for us when we’re up against the wall.”
I leaned on the back of the couch, the cold leather against my palms keeping me grounded. “I take it you didn’t tell them about the blood pact,” I muttered.
Joanna’s jaw dropped, and I had my answer.
Hill pulled his hands from his pockets. “Blood pact?”
I clenched the leather, using my other hand to jab a finger at Joanna. “You were really going to let the Bureau believe I could break my oath? That I’d be willing to cease our alliance when I know the hell I’d suffer because of it?”
“You two are blood-bound?”
Joanna stomped three steps forward. “I told them you were trustworthy. I told them you were a fair alpha who wanted peace between humans and werewolves.”
“Excuse—”
Joanna’s gaze darted to Hill, stopping his interruption. “Yes, Agent. To get the rest of the Blackwood Pack to trust me, I formed a blood bond with the Alpha. I’m sure you need to add that to my file…” She dropped her gaze. “But please don’t tell James.”
Hill shifted his footing. “You don’t think he deserves to know that, Joey?” For the first time since he interrupted my pleasant morning, I sensed genuine concern from the agent. His voice was low and soft… and it made my wolf furious.
Telling the Bureau was one thing. What the hell did James have to do with me and Joanna?
Joanna pulled at a loose thread in her pajama shorts. “I’ll tell him soon. It just… it hasn’t been the right time,” she mumbled.
Hill gave her a slow nod. “Okay,” he conceded, clearing his throat as he put on his suit jacket. “Like I said, I felt I owed it to you to tell you about the club in person. And I’ve done exactly that, so…” He walked toward Joanna, causing me to straighten. “I’ll be on my way.”
Joanna flung the front door open. “It wouldn’t hurt to call first next time, Hill.”
Hill smirked, but when he turned to me, a frown took up his entire face. “It was nice meeting you, Marcus.”
I crossed my arms. “I’m a grown man, Agent. You don’t need to lie to spare my feelings.”
Hill chuckled and walked through the open door.
I listened to his retreating footsteps until Joanna closed it.
She faced it for a few moments without saying a word. Then, she turned. “Do you live here, Marcus?”
I blinked in confusion.
She chuckled, but I sensed the anger seeping through her pores. “Who gave you permission to open my fucking door?”
I paused, searching for the strength to use a calm and even tone. “You were asleep, and I thought it was James.” Joanna’s eyes remained cold, freezing over any self-restraint I’d mustered. “You told me you never brought men home.”
She folded her arms across her chest. “I said I never broughtanyoneinto my home.” Her venom spread through my body. “You’re already so good at choosing your words. I’d appreciate it if you’d refrain from twisting mine to fit your narrative.”
She stormed away from the door, toward the kitchen.
I surveyed her quick movements, trying my best to decode the level of her anger.
“Thank you for breakfast,” she muttered under her breath as she dropped onto a barstool and shoveled some eggs into her mouth.
