Her ears go back.
The male bends down and cups my chin, forcing my eyes to meet his.
When he touches me, I don’t feel sparks like people say, but there is a flood.
His sharp jawline flexes, and his eyes bore in. “You shouldn’t be here.”
I gulp. I tell myself not to be so nervous, and to remember this is someone Colin thought was worth protecting. But jeez, this male is intimidating.
He won’t hurt us. He’s one of the good ones,my wolf reassures.
Here’s hoping Colin was right.
My voice quivers when I ask, “Are you Caleb?”
“You know my name?” Caleb transitions his grip from my chin to my hair. He pulls my face to his, roughly. He grits his teeth as he searches my face, squinting. “How?”
I hiss under the pain. “I was a friend of Colin’s.” Hoping to find recognition of the name, I search his eyes.
I immediately regret saying anything.
Caleb scowls, and the men circling us break out into murmurs. They know the name, and unfortunately for me, it doesn’t appear to be a good thing.
One glazed look from Caleb, and their murmuring stops.
Their mindlink reminds me of people gossiping, like when you don’t know what they’re saying, but youknowthey’re talking about you. I don’t like feeling out of the loop, but I’m grateful Caleb silenced them.
Maybe there is some hope for him, after all.
Caleb inspects me.
I cross my arms and rub my biceps. The slight movement alerts me of a tender spot on my torso. I wince.
Ow. They got me good.
“Is this her?” Grabby asks him.
Caleb’s piercing gaze scans my naked form. Under different circumstances, I might like the way he’s looking at me. “No.”
His mouth forms a hard line, and his jaw ticks.
What is it about a guy looking all pissed off? Why is it so hot?
Behind his sexy smolder, I see pain. He’s probably been looking for her. I can only imagine how much pressure he’s under...
I kick myself for feeling even a slight bit of empathy. Pack wolves are privileged beings. What did they have to complain about? He may not have his mate, but unloved, he is not.
“Should we execute her?” Grabby asks.
I glimpse Caleb’s flashing gold eyes before he quickly closes them, breathing in deeply. They’re back to their normal color when he opens them again. With his stare fixed on me, I notice his eyes aren’t just blue but resemble clouds before a downpouring storm, hues of polished steel circle his pupil like a hurricane.
A storm is a perfect way to describe him. The signs of a natural disaster can be subtle if you aren’t paying attention. The boyish charm of his perfect, straight teeth, the sun-kissed skin, and his clean-cut, preppy appearance is all so inviting. It’s almost enough to forget about his immense stature, veined arms, slabs of muscle, and other masculine features. Intriguing to look at but dangerous to be near.
When Caleb doesn’t respond, Grabby tries again. “Sir? What do you want us to do with her?”
“I’m thinking,” Caleb snaps.
Caleb’s back is turned, so he doesn’t see Grabby’s fictional tail tuck between his legs at the public lashing he just received.
