Page 13 of Jake

“I’m sorry,” she breathed.

“It’s okay. You wanna tell me what’s going on?” An eerie silence blanketed the night. Jake casually glanced to the empty terrace, ensuring no one had followed them. Cradling her, he sat down on a brick ledge.

“Alpha, forgive me.” Her eyes fluttered open, and she jolted to stand, but he held tight. “I’m so embarrassed.”

“Look sweetheart, you’re confused here. I’m not the Alpha. I told you. My name’s Jake. Who are you?” He took a deep breath as she tested his patience.

“Kai.” Panic flashed in her eyes but the corners of her lips tugged upward.

“Kai,” he repeated, pleased she’d trusted him enough to answer. “Are you okay? You almost took a spill.”

“Yes, it’s just…”

As she licked her lower lip and stared deep into his eyes, Jake inwardly cursed as his dick twitched in arousal. Jesus fucking hell. No, boy.

“Just sit up a little here and rest, before you start to run about again,” he instructed, supporting her back with a firm hand.

“I’m okay. It’s just all the people.”

“Tends to happen at a party.”

“Supernaturals,” she whispered, her eyes wide.

“Ah, yeah.” Jake cocked his head and gave a small grin. He couldn’t imagine what was going on with her. She clearly had abilities and he found it hard to believe this was her first time at the rodeo. “You do know where you are, sweetheart? This is New Orleans.”

“You don’t understand…”

“Then help me understand. What’s going on with you?”

“I’m okay, really,” she insisted, ignoring his question and straightening on his lap.

“Hold on now. You aren’t going anywhere.” Jake wrapped his arms around her waist, and gave a smile. “I can see the color’s coming back into your cheeks, but your eyes? That’s fear. I don’t see anyone comin’ after you just yet. Your arm though…” Jake slid his palm over her forearm and revealed her healed wrist.

Kai’s cheeks flushed. “It wasn’t my doing. None of it.”

“I can sense your magick. Are you a shifter?” Jake asked, narrowing his eyes on her. “No, I don’t think so. You aren’t wolf. I don’t sense any other animals. Maybe you’re a witch?”

“I’m not a witch.” Kai shook her head and looked away toward the far corner of the patio. A three-tiered fountain bubbled in the distance, an arrangement of black roses draped over its precipice.

“If you’re not a witch or a shifter, it doesn’t leave too many other options. Shall I keep guessing?” He ran the pad of his thumb over her wrist.

“Why does it matter?” Kai yanked her arm from his hands and held it to her chest.

“Are you a vampire?” She gave a defiant stare in response to his question. “No? Is there something going on with you and Quintus? Are you an item?”

“No, we’re absolutely not an item,” she replied, her tone cold.

“Hey, I get it. He’s a good-lookin’ guy. You scrub his back, he scrubs yours.”

“I wasn’t with Quintus,” she insisted, moisture brimming her lashes.

“Did he hurt you?” At the sight of her tears, anger shot through him, displacing the irrational jealousy that threatened.

“No. I…he took me. But he didn’t hurt me.”

“Then what’s going on between the two of you?”

“Please, Alpha, just let me go. I’m fine. I won’t run,” she promised, avoiding his question.