Joanna
Istopped struggling, my body going limp beneath the giant beast. I imagined he was trying his best not to crush me under his weight.
With my submission, the piece of shit began to rise. As the gray wolf pushed himself off me, I scurried back, my eyes never leaving his.
I watched as the enormous wolf shifted. Bones cracked and reformed, fur receded, and within just a few moments, Marcus Blackwood stood nude before me. I swallowed hard, my eyes widening as I took in the sight of him.
He was a towering figure, his body a landscape of hard muscle, with fewer scars from silver weapons than I’d expected. But it wasn’t just the size of his chest that held my gaze. I couldn’t help but notice that he was, indeed… above average. My cheeks flushed, and I forced my eyes back up to his face, determined not to let him see the effect he had on me.
His amber eyes met mine, anger swirling in their depths. “You have five seconds, Miss Sullivan. Before I force the truth from your pretty mouth.”
I scoffed, pushing myself to my feet. I was acutely aware of his nakedness, of the raw power that radiated from him. It made my heart race, my body responding in ways I didn’t want to acknowledge. “He’s a murderer, Blackwood. He deserves to be put down like the rabid dog he is.”
Marcus ran a hand down his face, his biceps flexing with the movement. “And here I thought he was‘sick’and needed help,Joey.”
Shit.
The way Marcus said my name made me step back.
I instinctively reached for my knife, forgetting it was not on my hip. I cursed again. I’d left my loft in a hurry and hadn’t brought any other weapons with me… I didn’t think I would need them. But looking into the Alpha’s eyes at that moment, I wasn’t so sure that assumption wouldn’t get me killed.
Even from where I stood, I could feel the heat radiating from his body. It was clouding my judgment. Because despite his anger, I felt a pull toward him. A primal, undeniable attraction that made my body ache with need.
Marcus paced back and forth, his feet slapping against the hardwood floor. He paused, turning to face me, his eyes darkening. “You and Ethan know each other.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. There was no reason to deny it now. I nodded, keeping my expression neutral. “We knew each other.”
Marcus shook his head, disbelief coloring his voice. “He’s been my best friend since we were kids. I should’ve known about you.”
“Not with the spell I placed on him.”
Marcus stilled, his eyes widening. “Spell…?” He paused, trying to put two and two together, his brow furrowing in confusion. “Why?”
I walked over to my knife on the floor, feeling the werewolf’s eyes track my every step. “So that no one would find out about us.” I sheathed the knife at my hip.
Marcus stormed toward me, his gaze burning into mine with an intensity that made my knees weak. “You were fucking him,” he growled, his voice a low, dangerous rumble that sent a shiver down my spine.
My traitorous pulse quickened as I lifted my chin, daring to meet his gaze. Hell would freeze over before I backed down.“For a short time, yes.” I was pleased with how steady my voice sounded. “He was helping me… with a case. And one thing led to another.”
A snarl curled his lips.“These murders… Did you know it was Ethan all along?”
My body tensed at the rising aggression in his tone. “You need to understand, Blackwood,” I spat, as I massaged my temples. “I decided to work with Ethan despite what he is. What you both are.” I took a deep,calming breath. “But I misjudged his pitiless nature, and your boy got attached.”
I paused, my thoughts drifting as the memory of Ethan’s rough hands commanding my body sent heat skimming across my skin.
“Did I know he was a monster…? Yes.” I closed my eyes, collecting my thoughts, but the grit of Marcus’s breath caused them to snap open a mere second later. “Did I know he wasourmonster?” I shook my head.“I wasn’t sure until tonight. Until I realized even you, an alpha, couldn’t see his identity.” My lips curled into a proud smile.“That’s when I knew my spell was still masking his scent.”
According to James, wielding true magic was a rare gift that very few hunters possessed. Fortunately for me, I was one of the lucky ones, though my magic was feeble—nothing compared to the power harnessed by my hunter’s mark. But the spell worked… only… “It shouldn’t have worked this long. It activates with extreme arousal—mental, emotional, physical.”
“Why is he doing this?”
I shrugged, working hard to avoid meeting the shapeshifter’s gaze.“To get under my skin, probably.”
Marcus punched through the nearest window, unfazed by the shards of glass piercing his skin.“This doesn’t make any sense. Are you trying to tell me that my best friend, my beta, is running around committing treason because of you?”
Again, I shrugged, making sure I remained calm.
“No human’s cunt is that good.”
