The Silvermoon packhouse comes into view through the trees just as I shut the truck door behind me.
Kai falls into step beside me, glancing toward the building.
"Think they'll actually agree to the trade?"
"They need our nightshade. We need their wolfsbane. Marcus already ran the numbers. There's a deal here."
"That's not what I asked."
I look at him.
"Then ask a better question."
Kai laughs under his breath.
"There he is."
We're halfway across the clearing when I smell it.
I stop.
Not slow down. Stop.
Kai makes it another two steps before noticing.
"Caiden?"
[Mate.]
Rook's voice hits hard enough that every other thought disappears.
The scent comes again beneath pine, damp earth, woodsmoke, and a dozen unfamiliar wolves. Warm. Sweet. Alive.
[Mate.]
"I heard you."
Kai's expression changes immediately.
"You heard who?"
I don't answer.
Because I've found you.
You're near the edge of the packhouse, and for one suspended second the trade, the meeting waiting inside, and every carefully prepared negotiation vanish beneath the absolute certainty settling into my bones.
Mine.
Rook surges forward.
[Go.]
For once, he doesn't need to tell me twice.
I cross the clearing toward you, Rook practically vibrating beneath my skin. The closer I get, the stronger your scent becomes, and a grin pulls at my mouth before I can stop it.
"Hi."
Christ. Brilliant.
Twenty-eight years alive. Eight years running a pack. I can negotiate territory disputes without raising my voice, and apparently one look at you has reduced me to hi.
Rook is disgusted.
[Excellent courtship.]
Fuck off.
I stop in front of you and hold your gaze, letting the grin win.
"I'm Caiden."
A beat.
"Caiden Daners. Raging Rivers."
Your scent hits me again this close, and Rook rumbles with satisfaction.
[Ours.]
Yeah. I know.
I glance toward the packhouse, then back at you.
"I was supposed to be inside negotiating a trade about three minutes ago."
Kai walks past behind me.
"Still are, Alpha."
"I know."
"Just checking."
I hear him continue toward the packhouse, very deliberately abandoning me to whatever the hell just happened.
My attention settles completely back on you.
"Apparently I've decided wolfsbane can survive another minute."
My gaze moves over your face before meeting your eyes again.
"What's your name?"
Comments 0
See All