by L. P. Dover
I take off on the trail, and Colin follows, and luckily, he stays a reasonable distance away. The last thing we need is him showing up on Reed’s cameras and shifting into his human form. When I get closer to the tree line with the field just behind them, I pick up my pace. The sooner I get out into the clearing, Colin will have to keep back. My heart beats so fast I feel like it’s going to explode, and my legs get heavier the further I run away from him. It’s as if the wolf side of me wants me to turn around and go to him while my mind is pushing for me to continue.
Once I make it into the field, I rest my hands on my knees, sucking in a much-needed breath. Reed is by the finish line waiting by four empty chairs, watching me. I jog the rest of the way, and he presses the timer the second I cross the last two blue flags.
“Very impressive,” he says, writing down my time in his notebook. He sets his notebook down on the fence post. “Your speed is remarkable. I watched you on the video feed.” He motions toward one of the chairs, and I sit down. “How did you climb the rock facing so fast?”
I look up at him. “I do a lot of rock climbing in Montana. My family is very outdoorsy.”
Reed chuckles. “I see that.” He comes over and sits down next to me. “Next week, we’re going to work on gun skills. How do you think you’ll do with that? The others are expert marksmen.”
Honestly, I have no clue. With my excellent vision, I can see the target just as easily without a scope. “I don’t know,” I admit. “I wasn’t brought up with guns. Hopefully, I’ll catch on quick.”
He smiles. “I think you’ll do fine. I’d like to see you kick Chris’s ass at it. He has the right mentality for what I want, but he’s a little bit of a prick.”
“Yes, he is,” I agree. But then his words get me thinking. “If he has the right mentality for what you want, then how do I compare to that? I don’t think I’m anything like him.”
Reed nods. “You’re exactly right. You’re not. I don’t want all of my agents to be the same. If you accomplish here what I believe you can, I think you’ll be more lethal than him in the long run. One of my most dangerous agents is a female. People underestimate her, and she uses that to her advantage. I feel like you’ll be the same way.”
Hearing that gives me all the confidence I need. “Thanks, Reed. I want to do well here.”
He pats my shoulder. “You will. Now go rest and take it easy. You deserve it. I’ll take you all back once the others get here.”
I get up and walk toward the building while Reed stands by the finish line. When I stop at the door, I can feel Colin’s eyes on me again. A part of me wants to look at the woods, but I can’t do it. Instead, I open the door and disappear inside.
Once training is done and I’m back at Amelie’s house, I take a shower and get ready for the evening. Amelie agreed to go with me to the bar, and while we were on the way, I had a strange feeling in my gut. I still have it now. The bar is in downtown Jackson Hole, and I had to park a couple of blocks away. As we walk down the street, I keep waiting to feel Colin close by, but nothing comes.
“You okay?” Amelie asks, stopping with her hand on the bar door.
I nod. “Fine. I think I’m just tired from today.”
Her eyes narrow. “You sure about that?” The way she looks at me makes me smile. She’s definitely a mother hen. I feel like I can say anything to her, but I don’t know if I’m ready to tell her about Colin. They’re a part of the same pack, so she knows him well.
“Yep. Now let’s go. Chris and Anthony are dying to meet you.”
She shakes her head and laughs. “Oh, joy.”
When we get inside, I see the guys at a table in the corner. “Do you ever date humans?” I ask her, keeping my voice low.
She shrugs. “I’ve been on a date here and there, but nothing intimate. With Faith and Laila moved out of the cabin and mated, it does get kind of lonely sometimes.” Bumping me with her shoulder, she looks at me and smiles. “I like that I’ll have you around for the next eight weeks.”
“Me too. I like it in Wyoming.”
Sawyer notices us by the door and waves for us to join them. Chris and Anthony’s eyes both widen when they see Amelie. “This should be fun,” she says sarcastically.
I snicker. “Thank you for coming with me.”
We walk over to the table, and Anthony pulls a seat out for Amelie while Sawyer does the same for me. “Your two beers behind us, Grayson,” Sawyer jokes. “You need to catch up.”
Shaking my head, I sit down beside him while Amelie has no choice but to sit between Chris and Anthony. The what the hell did I just get into look on her face is priceless. The waiter comes over and asks what Amelie and I want, so we give him our order. A couple of minutes later, he brings us our hard apple ciders.
“So, you’re a friend of Kami’s, huh?” Anthony asks Amelie. “Are you single?”
Amelie’s mouth gapes, and she laughs. “Wow, you get right to the point.”
He spreads his arms wide. “Can you blame me for asking? I’m not trying to get in a bar fight with your boyfriend.”
Amelie pats his arm. “You’re safe. Don’t worry.”
Chris doesn’t like her giving him attention, so he tries to talk to her, and both guys go back and forth, asking her questions. It’s a train wreck, but yet I can’t seem to look away. Amelie seems to find it enjoyable talking to them.
“They really don’t have any manners, do they?” Sawyer says, taking a swig of his beer.
I shake my head. “Not at all. It’s kind of sad.”
Sawyer chuckles. “That it is. You’d think they’ve never been around a beautiful woman before.”
I turn my body toward him. “What about you? Are you seeing anyone in California?”
His jaw clenches, and he focuses on his beer bottle. “I was, but it didn’t work out. She found somebody else. When I got the call to come here, I jumped right on it.”
“I’m sorry, Sawyer.”
He shrugs and meets my gaze. “I’m not. Being here was the right move. Joining the FBI has always been my dream.” A few seconds pass, and he nods at me. “What about you? Dating anyone?”
A laugh escapes my lips. “That part of my life is a little complicated right now.”
He smiles. “I understand that. Hopefully, the guy knows how bad ass you are.”
I bring my bottle to my lips. “If Colin doesn’t, he will soon.”
And just then, I feel him close by. I can sense his need with a strong hint of jealousy mixed in. He knows. He’s never been this way before, even when I’ve been around other male wolves. Something has changed. Amelie turns her attention to the door because she can feel Colin’s power as well.
“I wonder what Colin’s doing here?” she says, glancing over at me.
Sawyer looks behind him. “Who’s Colin?”
I’m terrified to see him. I’m so afraid that when our eyes meet, I won’t be able to look away. Being mates is a powerful thing. I don’t know why the Great Luna couldn’t have paired me up with someone I didn’t want to kill every time I was around him.
As much as I don’t want to look, I peer over my shoulder to see Colin walking toward us. My heart rate spikes, but I clench my fists together. Calm your emotions. I can’t let the ridiculous bond we have control my life. It would be different if the man in my dreams was the real Colin, but unfortunately, he’s not like that. The real Colin isn’t gentle and passionate like the mate in my dreams.
“Colin’s a friend,” I say quickly, getting to my feet. Colin’s piercing blue eyes meet mine, and I repeat the words calm your emotions over and over in my head. My wolf stirs inside of me, knowing he’s her mate. I push that side of me into the deepest depths of my soul. If I give in to those emotions, Colin will feel it. Chris and Anthony tense when Colin gets closer, which makes Colin even more on edge.
Sawyer stands up with me, and I wish he hadn’t. Colin glares at him but then shifts his focus back on me. “We need to talk.”
; My heart wants to speed up again, but I slow my breathing, hoping it helps. Usually, I’d quip back with a smart-ass comment, but I can’t do that tonight. Wolves are territorial when it comes to their mates, and by the way he’s acting, he already knows I’m his.
“Sure. We can go outside.”
Sawyer grabs my wrist. “Do you want me to come with you?”
Colin’s anger spikes. “What the hell do you think I’m going to do to her?”
I step between them, and Sawyer still has his hand wrapped around my wrist. Colin won’t do anything to him with me in the way. Sawyer slowly removes his hand and I smile so he knows I’ll be okay. “Colin’s a friend. In a couple of weeks, when we have to fight against each other, you’ll see just how strong I am. No one, not even him, could hurt me.”
Sawyer backs up. “Okay.”
Chris and Anthony glare at Colin, but they keep their distance. Mouth gaping, Amelie stares back and forth from me to Colin, understanding flashing in her eyes. “I’ll be right back,” I say to her.
She nods. “Go. I can’t wait to hear this when you do.”
Colin steps back and waits for me to lead the way. I walk past him toward the door, wishing my heart wasn’t in my throat. I replace my hesitance with anger; it’s the only way I can deal with him right now. When we get outside, there’s a couple of men smoking cigarettes, so I move to the side of the building.
Once we’re out of sight, I jerk around and face him. His eyes search mine, and for a moment, I find myself lost, not knowing what to say or do. My wolf tries to fight against me, but I latch onto my anger.
“What is your problem?” I snap.
Colin’s jaw clenches, and he huffs. “I’m sorry. I just needed to talk to you, and when I saw you with that guy, it pissed me off. Why does he think he can touch you?”
I throw my hands up in the air. “Because he’s trying to protect me. That’s what he does for a living. Any man with balls who sees someone like you storming toward a female, they’re going to intervene.”
Colin winces at my words. “I would never hurt you, Kami. You know that.”
“I do, but they don’t. I’m impressed Sawyer stood up to you.”
He scoffs. “He’s lucky I didn’t punch the shit out of him.”
Lifting my chin, I stare right up into his eyes. “And if you did, I’d be punching you right back. Those men are trying to make a difference in the world, just like me. I have a lot in common with them. They may be only humans to you, but they deserve our respect.” I wouldn’t mind hitting Chris a few times though.
Colin averts his gaze and sighs. “I’m sorry. I didn’t come here to fight. This isn’t the way I wanted tonight to go.”
For the first time in my life, I don’t think I’ve ever heard Colin apologize for anything. “Why are you here?” I ask.
He steps toward me as if he wants to touch me, but then he stops. “Tell me you feel it.”
I shrug. “Feel what?”
He motions between us. “This. I’ve always wanted you, but this is different.”
“Wanted me?” I laugh, staring at him as if he’s lost his mind. “I guess that sentiment was lost on me with all the countless women you’ve been with. It seems you want a lot of things.”
With a heavy sigh, he hangs his head. “Okay, I know I’ve made a lot of mistakes.”
“You think?” I cross my arms over my chest, unwilling to back down. I have to see this through.
He lifts his gaze to mine. “I’m not like that anymore, Kami. I know you don’t believe me, but I need you to. You’re my mate. All I want is you.”
And there it is. He does know.
Colin reaches for my hand, but I jerk away. “I’m not your mate, Colin. I don’t know what you think you feel, but you’re wrong.” The hurt on his face pierces my heart, but I ignore the pain. I can’t give in.
“You don’t feel anything for me?” he asks.
I snort. “Yeah, you’re a pain in my ass. We’re two different people, Colin. There’s no way you could be my mate.”
I’m not used to seeing him so serious. His eyes blaze, and he looks away. “What if we were?”
“From what I’ve heard about mates, both parties usually have the signs at the same time. I’m pretty sure these feelings you have are because you want something you can’t have.” He jerks his attention back to me, his anger so electric it makes my arms break out in chills. “I don’t know why you’d want to be my mate anyway. I don’t even like you. Quite frankly, you’re an arrogant asshole.”
“If you knew the real me, you wouldn’t say that. But something tells me you don’t want to get to know me.” He laughs, but there’s no humor to it. “Am I really that bad?” When I don’t answer, he turns away from me. “Guess I am.” Still keeping his back to me, he blows out a sigh. “I have to go out of town to meet some clients, but I’ll be back in a couple of days.” He turns his head to the side but doesn’t meet my gaze. “Do you mind if I come to see you after your training so we can talk?”
My chest tightens. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I need to concentrate on what I’m doing.”
“Okay,” he says, this time lifting his heated blue eyes to mine. “But once your eight weeks are done, I’ll come find you. Maybe you’ll see things differently then.”
Holding my breath, I watch him get into his car and drive away. With him gone, I’m hoping the feelings warring within my body will go away. The longer I don’t see him, the better. The only problem now is my dreams. I need to get rid of them.
I walk inside, and Sawyer stands when he sees me. “Everything okay?” he asks.
Amelie stares at me curiously, and I smile at them all. “I’m fine. I just had to clear up a misunderstanding.”
Chris slaps a hand down on the table. “Thank fucking God. I thought I was going to have to kick some ass.”
Amelie laughs, and I grab my cider, wishing like hell the alcohol could dull my senses. The guys talk about their times on the job while Amelie stands and nods toward the bathroom. “Want to go with me?” she asks.
“Sure.” I stand and follow her.
When we get to the bathroom, she shuts the door and leans against it. “What was that with Colin?”
I wave my hand as if it wasn’t a big deal. “It was nothing. We’re good now.”
Her gaze narrows. “He’s acting like a mate, especially when Sawyer touched you.”
“He’s just being Colin,” I retort. “He’s a jackass.”
Amelie shrugs. “Yes, he can be that at times. However, the guy who walked in here tonight was not that. He was a man who saw another guy touching the woman he wants. I don’t know why this is such a surprise to you. Colin’s wanted you for a long time now. I’ve seen the way he’d look at you at our parties.”
“I thought he only did that to get on my nerves,” I confess.
She giggles. “I think Colin enjoys giving you a hard time. Maybe it’s the only way he knew he could get close to you.”
This is a surprise to me and not exactly something I wanted to hear. Amelie stares at me, waiting for me to say something, but I can’t. I slide my phone out of my pocket and pull up mine and Tia’s text messages.
“What are you doing?” Amelie asks.
I type out a message to Tia.
Me: This is important. I need the tea ASAP. Something happened tonight, and I don’t think I can handle going to sleep.
“I’m sending a text to Tia. She knows of a way to help me.”
Amelie sighs. “Finding your true mate is a gift, Kami. Not all of us are that lucky.”
My stomach clenches, and I lean against the wall. “Am I being cruel?”
She holds up her hands. “I’m not going to tell you what to do, but I think you need to approach this with an open mind. The goddess of the moon isn’t going to pair you up with just anyone. She has her reasons, and honestly, I think your fire matches Colin’s perfectly.” She steps closer and smiles. “Maybe the bantering back
and forth with him was your way of getting close to him too.”
Her grin widens, and she winks before walking back to our table. I don’t know what to think anymore. There were plenty of times I enjoyed being bitchy to Colin because I liked putting him in his place, but it doesn’t mean I did it to get close to him. Or does it? My phone beeps and I look down at Tia’s response.
Tia: I have everything you need. I’ll head your way tomorrow. Just get through tonight.
There is no getting through tonight. I don’t plan on sleeping. It’s the only way to ensure I don’t dream about Colin. I rub the spot on my neck where Colin bit me in the dream. It’s as if I can still feel it. If he drank my blood, then that means …
Clutching my stomach, I lean against the wall. “Oh, God.”
I don’t know how real my dreams are in the physical sense, but if there’s even a slight chance the bite actually happened, he would be able to hear my thoughts right now, which means he’s heard everything.
Holy fuck, I’m screwed.
Those are the last thoughts I let run through my mind before I shut off completely. Mates can block each other from their minds, and that’s precisely what I’m going to do. I can’t take any chances.
10
Colin
Holy fuck. It killed me to walk away from Kami. I had never done anything so hard in my life. I thought I wanted her before, but now it’s multiplied tenfold. She is my mate, and I know for a fact she knows it too; I could hear her thoughts, and I’ve been able to listen to them ever since I bit her. That is until she realized there could be a chance the link opened. The last words I heard in her mind were holy fuck I’m screwed before I got shut out.
I’ll give her the time she needs, even if it drives me in-fucking-sane in the process. I have to do it for her. I can’t force her to complete the bond with me, even though I know deep down she desires me; she just hates me too.
When I get home from the bar, I pack my bags. Zayne and I have clients to see in Seattle and Portland. We’ll be gone for three days, and already I'm not too fond of the thought of being separated from Kami. Not that she needs any protection because I know she can take care of herself, but I have the connection to see if she needs help. It’s the thought of being away from her and knowing she hates me. That’s the worst part of all. I want to be close to her, to make her see I’m not the douchebag she thinks I am. Granted, I haven’t given her a reason to think otherwise until tonight. I gave her a glimpse of the other side of me, but I know it wasn’t enough. If eight weeks of space is what she needs, I’ll give it to her. After that, it’s game on. I’m not giving her any more chances to push me away.