Page 17 of Jake

“Oh, I bet she does. We aren’t getting anywhere near that woman. No way.”

“But she can help me,” Kai insisted. “Keep me safe.”

“I’ll keep you safe.” His eyes pierced through her, his tone serious.

Kai’s heart tightened at his words. No one had ever offered to protect her, to keep her safe from the evil that would take her life. Hunter Livingston knew she was supernatural, had promised her refuge on his land, but never offered anything else.

“Jake, I need you to help me find my sister…”

“Yeah, yeah. Got that bit. But you, Kai? I’ve protected you. You are the one I care about. Don’t ask me why, because right at this moment I’m goin’ on nothing but instinct. Something about you…”

“You don’t owe me anything. It’s just your wolves…they might have her.”

“No way my wolves have her. Not Acadian. Not Anzober. I can do some askin’ around anyway, find out if anyone knows anything.”

“Please. I have to see the witch.”

“Ilsbeth? Jesus Christ already. Do you know what she’s capable of?”

“I know she’s dangerous.” Kai recalled trading her own blood to Ilsbeth in exchange for the spell. “But I’m exposed. Tonight at the ball, I could have been killed. I could feel everyone. It’s just a matter of time. After all, I’m in New Orleans.”

“What are you?”

“I’m a creature that others want,” she confessed, not ready to disclose her true nature. A partial truth would have to sate his curiosity. “They think they can use my power if they drain my blood.”

“And what power’s this? What you did to me in the woods?”

“Yes.” The lie rolled off her tongue like a bitter pill.

“That’s it, huh?” he asked, his tone skeptical.

“I’ve been hidden for a long time. The witch…”

“I don’t want to talk about her tonight.”

“She hurt you?” Kai detected the anger in his voice.

“She hurt a friend.” He paused. “No more talk of her.”

“Alpha, all I can promise is that when this is all over, I’ll tell you everything. I know I have no right to come to you. You have no reason to help me. But my kind, if I’m taken, something bad could happen.”

“Tonight in the courtyard.” His eyes drifted to her lips and back to her eyes.

The kiss.Kai knew it had been trouble. Something had stirred within her, and she struggled to shake it.

“I’m not wolf,” she began. I’m not his. I could never be what he needs.

“I think we established that.” Jake smiled.

He released her wrist, and Kai sighed, desire threading through her as his fingers trailed down her arm.

“I’m gonna be honest here, sweetheart. I’m not sure you and I should be startin’ anything, but after kissing you tonight, well, I’m not sure I can resist you here in my bed. I think I oughta be coverin’ you up.”

“No,” Kai breathed. Bared, her skin burned for the wolf’s touch. “Alpha.”

“I’m not your Alpha. I’m not anyone’s Alpha.” He brushed the back of his hand over her cheek.

“You don’t recognize who you are,” she breathed. Alpha. Her pulse raced as he continued his slow path, his knuckles grazing over her collarbone, then slowly down her chest.