Page 14 of Jake

Jake raised an eyebrow, silently questioning her intent.

“I swear it.”

Logic told him not to let her go, but she appeared traumatized. Freeing her from his hold, Jake held her hand as she placed her feet onto the cracked herringbone patio. As she stood, she wavered, and Jake slipped his arm around her, ensuring she didn’t fall.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I just don’t have much interaction with so many supernaturals. Their power. It’s overwhelming,” she confided.

“Hold onto me,” Jake instructed, supporting her. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”

Kai did as he told her, laying her face against his chest.

Jake fought desire as her delicious scent drifted into the air. His wolf whined, and he shook his head, warning him away. What the hell does my beast want with this creature?

“What are you?” Jake asked, his voice soft.

“I…I need your help. My sister,” she began.

“That night in the woods. You glowed. Not just glowed. You were golden. Like the sun. I know what I saw. And you stopped me. What are you?”

“Shilan. They took her,” she continued, avoiding his question.

“I can’t help you if you don’t tell me what you are. What is your connection to Quintus? You smell…Goddess.” Jake struggled to respond coherently as she tightened her grip around his neck. His lips brushed her hair and he resisted the urge to bury his nose in her silken locks. Again his beast rose, circling, and Jake forced him to the back of his mind.

“They’re coming. They want me. If I can find her, I’ll disappear again. She’s in California. But Alpha,” Kai lifted her chin, raising her gaze to meet his, “you. You’re my last hope. You led Anzober Wolves. Please.”

Jake’s pulse raced at the mention of the pack that had once been his responsibility. There was no way anyone from the pack could have kidnapped her sister. All had been in order when he’d left them. And while it was true there hadn’t been word from Alexander, none of Chaz’s wolves remained in the pack. His mind swirled with concern but as his eyes drifted to her lips, he began to lose focus.

“There’s something about you,” he told her, all too aware of her fingers brushing the back of his neck.

“You’ve had much good fortune. But so much death,” she said, her voice calm.

“What are you?” he asked. “What did you do to me last night?”

“I’m sorry. I can’t control it. I’d been poisoned…it wasn’t me.”

She averted her gaze, but he slid his hand gently over her chin, keeping her focus on him. He tunneled his fingers into her thick dark mane, and she closed her eyes, breathing slowly.

“I can’t help you if you don’t tell me the truth.”

“I can’t trust anyone,” she responded.

“You’re not wolf.”

“No,” she whispered.

“Whatever this is with you. Your sister. I cannot help you if you don’t tell me our connection. What you are.”

“I have to get out of here. She’ll find me. Please,” she pleaded.

Jake’s head told him to call for Logan and Dimitri. The creature in his arms could likely be a danger to every wolf in his pack. If she’d immobilized him while she was injured, he couldn’t fathom what she’d be capable of doing when well.

“You can trust me. I won’t hurt you,” Jake assured her. She parted her lips, her chest rising and falling as he leaned toward her. Don’t fucking do it, Jake. Something about her, the attraction was too strong to resist. One kiss. One fucking kiss and then call Logan.

“Alpha,” she whispered.

As his lips met hers, his wolf howled in response. She sighed into his kiss, and he quickly tore his mouth from hers, realizing what he’d done. His forehead pressed to hers as he attempted to thwart his misguided craving.

“I can’t do this. I don’t even know who or what the hell you are. You’re dangerous. And Quintus…” Jake couldn’t believe he’d kissed the woman who walked into the party with that fucking vampire. What the hell am I thinking?