Page 5

But I was fine with it. This place had been in desperate need of extra management. Knox had been doing a pretty good job, but the hounds weren’t much into crunching numbers. We worked well together, even though the male was gruff and blunt as hell, but most of the hounds had that in common. I was used to it now.

Maybe I should tell Warrick about Draven’s weird obsession with me? I’d held off saying anything because so far, he’d kept his distance, and I didn’t want to mess with the agreement the wolves and hounds had come to over territory. They got on, and if I went tattling to Warrick, that might end, and that wouldn’t be good for anyone.

It was near closing, and the bar had been packed most of the night. Usually, I’d be exhausted, but tonight I was wired.

Rose was on my mind. She was always on my mind. My sister’s sickness had taken a stronger hold on her the last few months. I honestly didn’t know how she was still with us but thanked the goddess every morning that she was.

And, of course, there was the mother and when she would finally call on me, and the fear that I wasn’t strong enough to pass my coming task, let alone the magical combat trial that would follow. After all Willow had gone through to ensure our coven kept the gifts we were given, it was a constant worry. I couldn’t even contemplate failing and letting them all down.

I strode to the back of the bar and down the short hall to the office. We were running low on a few things, and I wanted to write them down before I forgot. The lights were off, and I leaned over the desk to switch on the lamp—

Something moved in the shadows, and the door clicked shut behind me. I flicked on the light and spun around, but somehow I already knew who it would be.

Him.

My audience of one.

The Silver Claw pack’s alpha stood with his long legs braced apart, his arms crossed over his wide chest, and those eerie green eyes locked on me.

This was it, he was going to make his move, whatever that was.

“What are you doing in here?” I said, trying to keep my voice even when my heart was trying to pound right out of my chest.

One moment he was on the other side of the room, and the next, he was in front of me. He took hold of my arm, his grip tight, fingers pressing deep into my flesh. His icy gaze clashed with mine.

All animal. All predator.

“You need to leave,” I said and tried to yank my arm free.

He said nothing, and he didn’t let go. Instead, he stared deeper into my eyes, like he was trying to see something, pull something from me.

“I don’t know what the hell your deal is—”

“Yes,” he growled, “you do, and this act of yours has worn thin.”

“Act? Seriously? You’re the one watching me like a freaking serial killer sizing up his next victim.” I tried to pull free again. “If anyone’s acting, it’s you. The sane routine you’ve been trying to pull off needs some work. I’m sure as hell not buying it.”

“Sane?” he growled. “My sanity was lost a very long time ago.” His gaze searched mine, and again it was like he was waiting for me to say something more.

His penetrating stare had my stomach twisting in a way that wasn’t good, but not totally bad either. It was messed up, but my body went haywire whenever he was close. It was confusing and addicting in equal measure. “I don’t know what you want from me, alpha, but I’m pretty sure whatever it is, you’re looking at the wrong woman.”

The sneer was back. “Oh, I have the right female…beautiful and fucking treacherous.”

I blinked up at him, dumbfounded. “You think I’m treacherous…and beautiful?”

“Am I wrong?”

“Yes, on both counts.”

I didn’t understand what was going on here. I was confused and aroused, and even though my instincts told me to get the hell out of there, I didn’t want him to stop talking to me either.

“Those sweet lips can convince a male to make all kinds of bad decisions, I know that much. And that beautiful face, so fucking innocent, it fools them into believing the lies you spill.”

I laughed, and it wasn’t a very nice sound. This guy was seriously delusional. As for my beauty, half my cheek was black, a star shape of cold, lifeless flesh. The guy was full of it. Even more messed up, I didn’t care what he thought or why he was looking at me with all kinds of lustful hatred in his eyes. All I knew was, for some insane reason, I liked it. Needed it.

A year and a half ago, I’d thought dating the sweet boy next door had been playing it safe. Only Brody had turned out to be a monster. I wasn’t interested in love or relationships anymore. But right then, I needed what I saw in those cold green eyes looking down at me.

Truth.