Page 43 of Jake

“You look stunning,” he told her.

“Thank you,” she replied. Kai was afraid to meet his gaze, terrified she’d run into his arms. Determined to erect a wall and seal her emotions away, she focused on Quintus. “Is it still all right for us to go?”

“If you mean, ‘is Kade okay with it?’, then yes. But pet, Jonathon’s volatile. There is no telling what he wants in exchange for the Kris.”

“We don’t even know he has it,” Jake said.

“I need you both to know that if something bad happens tonight, I think…I can’t be sure, but I’m afraid I might shift. My beast. It wants out. I could lose control. It’s only a matter of time.”

“You will need your master,” Quintus commented, brushing lint from his lapel.

Kai glared at him at the mention of the word. “Whatever will be will be. But I’m telling you…this thing inside me. She wants…” She wants her Alpha. “She wants her freedom.”

“If you shift, you will control it,” Jake told her, confidence in his voice.

“You’re a wolf. You don’t know what will happen to me. Have either of you actually ever seen one? Anything could happen,” she challenged them.

“I’ve seen pixiu,” Quintus said, his words barely audible.

“What?” Kai asked, shocked at his claim.

“I have seen her. I’ve known her master. You will learn. Together you will learn.” His eyes flickered red, then settled quickly back to their amber hue. Sadness flashed over his face, his lips drawn tight.

“Now wait a damn minute, Quint. You can’t just tell me after all this time you’ve seen one,” Jake said, his eyes wide.

“I have. And I’ve just provided you both with the information I’m willing to share. There is nothing more.”

“And the Kris?” she asked.

“I do not know of its existence but there are many things in this world that reveal themselves in due time. Perhaps this is one of them. If it doesn’t exist, we will find another way to keep you safe.”

“Damn straight about that. Look, it’s almost ten o’clock and it’s going to take some time to get there.” Jake approached Kai, his eyes on hers. “We’ll talk about this later. Let’s go.”

As they drove along the dark rural highway, Kai silently contemplated Quintus’ revelation. He knew a pixiu. As in past tense. She sensed that whoever it was, they’d been close. Grief radiated off him and she suspected Jake felt the waves of sadness as well. Kai’s mind raced with questions, wondering who she’d been. Had he been her master? Why hadn’t he known about the Kris?

Jake spoke to the driver through a speaker, bringing her attention to the Alpha. He repeated his instructions, insisting he leave in case of trouble.

As Jake flicked off the switch, her hand brushed his. Drawn to the Alpha, she couldn’t resist his energy. His fingers lingered over hers, and her body tingled in awareness. She fought the warmth between her legs, refusing to look across at the vampire, who’d easily scent her arousal. A rush of emotion seized her chest at the realization it would crush her to give up the Alpha. He’d told her they’d never be together. He was dating several other women, and none were mates. She was one more romantic interest on his list. The end was inevitable.

“It’s going to be all right, Kai,” he said, his voice soft and reassuring.

“I didn’t mean to put you in so much danger.” She continued to stare out the window, afraid tears would fall if she looked at him. “I promise once I find my sister, I’ll leave you be.”

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.” Jake brought her hand to his chest. “Right now, let’s focus on you.”

“I’m fine.”

“I can feel you, Kai. Don’t ever lie to me.”

“It’s impossible. Whatever you sense is no more than a human would. I’m not wolf.” The words burned a hole in her stomach. The bitter truth was undeniable.

“Not true. I don’t know…you and Quintus, you know about how I’m changing.”

“You’re Alpha. I feel it,” she told him.

“But that’s the thing. I’ve kept it quiet. Logan and Dimitri now know. And Jax? Hell, he knew right away. But me personally? It’s like I’m a little bit like you. It’s been a long time coming. I tried to deny it, to keep it hidden…but now?”

“Now what?” she asked, noting how Quintus sat quietly facing them, his eyes closed. She suspected he wasn’t asleep, yet he didn’t pay them any mind.