Once his bare feet stopped slapping against the cold ground, he turned and kept his voice low. “Has she ever said anything to you?”
I matched his volume. “Why would she? I’m a nobody. She barely knows me.”
He hesitated. “Has she said anything to Marcus?”
I shook my head and noticed Jerome shift uneasily. “Is this because she’s kind of like your boss?” I tapped his bicep, trying to lighten the mood. “I assure you, Marcus doesn’t care. He wants her to be happy.”
He peered into the distance. “She wouldn’t be happy with me, hunter. I don’t know what she’s waiting for, but I havenotbeen waiting the way she has.” He noticed my blank look andblew out a frustrated gust of air. “I’m a werewolf, Joey. Name a single creature on this rock that can match our sexual needs.”
“Vampires.” I shrugged with a wry smile.
He grimaced in disgust. “That’s not funny.”
I huffed. “Look, are you worried that she’ll judge you because you sleep around? Newsflash: She’s already aware you sleep around. The only time it’ll become an issue is if you two commit and you still can’t keep your dick in your pants.”
I don’t know if it was how I said it, but Jerome clenched his teeth. “Has the Alpha ever—”
“Weare not in a relationship,” I said in a panic. “We’re only…” My words trailed off, getting swept up by the Alpha’s aura as it buzzed through the air.
Marcus’s power was as tangible as a brick wall. He was still a good distance away, but his fucking scent called to me like a siren’s song leading sailors to their doom.
As he grew closer, my senses went off like fireworks—in real time and from memories: Warmth. Pine. Fucking spearmint toothpaste. The way he groaned my name whenever his dick was buried inside of me. The sound of every breath that escaped his lungs.
The very thought of him made my entire body ache…
But when the werewolves were close enough, and my gaze locked with a pair of orange eyes… the only ache that remained was the dull pain in my chest.
Chapter Twelve
Marcus
Only three things mattered the moment Joanna’s head whipped in our direction.
One: The instant I came into view, her body temperature spiked. I smiled, the memory of her bent over my desk flashing before my eyes.
Two: The moment lasted a mere second, for when Joanna’s gaze darted to her sister, the light in her eyes dimmed. I held back from strangling the rogue whose heady scent was making my head spin.
Three: I wasn’t the only one who noticed the sudden sag of Joanna’s shoulders. Her ex walked toward her until he stood directly in front of her. He blocked my view of her face, but I saw as he shoved his knife into her hand.
“Uh-oh,” Latoya sang from behind me. “Alpha doesn’t like a bit of caramel with his chocolate, I see.”
I spun around, Maya knowing well enough to pull the rogue back and away from my grasp. “I’m only going to tell you this once,” I growled, trying to limit my breaths. “Unless I tell you to speak, keep your fucking mouth shut.”
Latoya smiled innocently, lifting her shackled hands and sealing her lips with an imaginary lock and key.
Maya fixed her lead gloves and grabbed Latoya’s forearm, pushing the rogue forward.
Joanna, Jerome, and Malik met us halfway.
“Thanks for cutting your run short, J,” Maya said smoothly.
My eyes left Joanna’s frown in time to see Jerome nodding to his gamma, his gaze veering from her face.
Latoya let out a low purr. She leered at Jerome, licking her lips.
Maya released a slow, steady breath.
“Love the outfit.” We all turned to Malik, who was grinning as he regarded Latoya’s prisoner tunic. “The shit stains really bring out your eyes.”
