Taming Kiera (Therian Agents Book 3)

by Chantel Seabrook

  “Why not?” Her voice was barely above a whisper. “Whose rules are we breaking?”

  “Mine.”

  “Yours?” She ran her hand over the long length of his cock, and it twitched beneath the thin material. “I see the way you look at me. Why deny it?”

  He muttered a harsh curse, gripped her wrist and pulled her hand away.

  In a hoarse voice he said, “I’m not going to fuck you, Kiera. No matter how much I want to.”

  She blinked up at him in challenge. Her cheeks warmed, but despite her frustration, she managed a small, seductive smile. She wouldn’t let him see how much his denial had hurt her pride. She grabbed her shirt and pants off the floor.

  “You know where to find me when you change your mind.”

  Chapter 12

  Jacob didn’t come to her. Except for his scheduled training sessions, he kept his distance, and even then, he remained aloof.

  Kiera was beyond frustrated, mentally and physically. She growled at the blank canvas in front of her, picked up a paintbrush and ran an ugly red line down the center. Not even her art could ease her growing agitation.

  Her lion rumbled close to the surface, but she no longer concerned herself about it making an unannounced visit. Despite Jacob’s best efforts, she couldn’t shift.

  Jacob thought she wasn’t trying hard enough, that she was letting fear hold her back, but he was wrong. No matter how hard she tried, the lion stayed trapped inside of her.

  A knock on the front door jolted her back to the present. She dropped the brush and mumbled under her breath.

  A woman’s voice travelled down the hall.

  Curious, Kiera rubbed her eyes and stood. She paused when she turned the corner.

  Jacob had his back to her, his arms wrapped tightly around a tall, auburn-haired woman.

  The embrace was natural. There was no awkwardness between them, as if they’d shared many similar moments.

  Kiera moved back behind the wall quickly.

  Was this woman the reason he’d refused her? Why hadn’t he just come clean and told her he was seeing someone?

  Kiera peered around the corner and glared at the woman who still hadn’t released her hold on Jacob. She had strong features, almost masculine, yet striking.

  Jacob pulled back, his brows drawn down. “You’re shaking. What’s wrong?”

  “Hunter’s back.” The woman looked up at him, dark eyes misty.

  “Hunter Sinclair?” Jacob dropped his hands and took a step back. A snarl twisted his lips.

  “The one and only.” The woman crossed her arms over her well-endowed breasts and frowned. A small sliver of vulnerability crossed her expression.

  “Shit.” Jacob rubbed his forehead. “Has he contacted you?”

  “No, but I thought you should know that I heard about the wolves. If Hunter is still rogue…”

  “You think he might still be working with them?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “I’ll take care of it.” Jacob placed his hand on her shoulder, his expression far gentler than Kiera had ever seen.

  Kiera cringed. There was a clear bond between the two.

  “Thank you.” The woman exhaled a shaky breath, then shook her head. “Okay, enough of that. Is it true you have Riley’s sister here?”

  Kiera stiffened. She pulled back and leaned against the wall. Shit. Was she going to demand Kiera leave? If she was a lover, or even an ex, had she come here to confront Kiera, or worse, have Jacob kick her out?

  “Yes.” Jacob’s voice went tight.

  “Interesting.” There was no anger in the woman’s voice, only curiosity.

  “Don’t give me that look. It’s not what you’re thinking. She needs someone to take care of her while she adjusts to everyday life.”

  “Chase said she’s a bit of a handful.”

  Seriously?

  “That’s an understatement.”

  “He also said she’s quite pretty.”

  “Chase should learn to keep his mouth shut.”

  “So is she?”

  “What?”

  “Pretty?”

  Kiera closed her eyes and held her breath, waiting for his response. There was a long moment of silence.

  “She’s my responsibility, that’s all.”

  Kiera clenched her teeth, humiliation burning her pride.

  God, she was an idiot. All this time she thought he was just scared or struggling with some deep dark intimacy issue. But the truth was worse, he belonged to someone else.

  She turned quickly and caught her baby toe on the edge of a chair. Her breath came out in a hiss. Damn it, who put chairs in the middle of a hallway?

  “Kiera?” Jacob growled her name.

  A long series of curses ran silently through her head.

  She straightened her shoulders, locked her jaw and turned the corner.

  The woman smiled and held out her hand as Kiera approached. She ignored it, giving a small nod instead.

  “I’m Jenna.” She tucked her arm through Jacob’s and leaned into him. “I’ve being hearing all about you.”

  Kiera glowered at Jacob, then back at Jenna. “Can’t say the same about you.”

  Jenna’s eyebrows shot up and her mouth dropped open. A second later, she shook her head and smiled, her eyes twinkling with humor.

  Jacob scowled. He opened his mouth to say something, but stopped when his cell rang. “It’s Turner. I need to take this.”

  Jenna continued to smile while Jacob moved to another room.

  “You’ve known Jacob a long time?” Kiera asked, crossing her arms.

  “You could say that.”

  Jenna moved into the living room.

  Kiera didn’t know what else to do but follow.

  “Is Jacob treating you all right?”

  “Other than the lack of company and cold shoulder treatment, I can’t complain. Don’t worry, he keeps his distance.”

  Jenna chuckled. “I wasn’t worried.”

  “Well, if you want me to leave, I’ll go. I didn’t know about you. If I did–”

  “Why would I want you to leave?”

  Jacob came back into the room, his expression darker than before. “Can you stay with Kiera? I need to go into the agency for a couple of hours.”

  “I don’t need a babysitter,” Kiera snapped.

  “I was hoping to stay for a bit anyway,” Jenna said, her expression apologetic. “I need to use Jacob’s internet. Mine’s down.”

  “Right.” Kiera rolled her eyes at the obvious lie and turned on her heels. If he had plans to take this woman to bed while she was in the house, wolves or not, she was out of there.

  Jacob’s sigh followed her down the long hall, followed by a woman’s soft laugh.

  Humiliation burned Kiera’s cheeks. She almost made it to the solarium before Jacob grabbed her arm.

  “What’s wrong with you?”

  “With me?” She snapped her arm back and he released it. “What do you care? Go spend time with your girlfriend.”

  “Girlfriend?” A multitude of expressions crossed his dark features before returning to the stoic one that he reserved especially for her. “I have to go. We’ll talk about this later.”

  She turned on her heel, feeling the cold prick of tears behind her eyes. Damn it, she wouldn’t cry. Not over a stupid man.

  A rumbling growl of displeasure sounded behind her.

  “Kiera.” The command in his voice made her stop in her tracks.

  She hated the effect that he had on her.

  Slowly, she turned back to face him. She knew what she had to do, but her throat constricted and her stomach twisted.

  “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me, but it appears I’ve worn out my welcome. I think it’s best for both of us if I go back to the agency.”

  With all the composure she could muster, she turned and walked into the solarium, shutting the door behind her.

  Chapter 13

  Jacob sat down at the
head of the long rectangular table and raked his gaze over the other men in attendance. Turner lounged in his chair scowling at a document in his hand. Chase paced the small room, arms crossed. The other agents glanced nervously at each other, unwilling to make eye contact with him.

  “Would someone tell me what’s going on,” Jacob growled. Irritation flooded through him.

  “Hunter Sinclair is back,” Turner said, slapping the file he held on the table.

  “I know.”

  Chase stopped pacing and narrowed his eyes. “You know?”

  “Jenna came to see me just before I came here.”

  “Did he contact her?” Chase placed his palms on the table and leaned forward.

  “Not yet.”

  “He will.” Chase stood and resumed pacing. “When he does–”

  “I’ll deal with him,” Jacob said, scratching his jaw. The man had been their friend, and a vital part of the agency. Rogue or not, Jacob would give him the benefit of the doubt. “If Hunter is working with the wolves, he has his reasons.”

  “You don’t know that. How many years has it been? Five, six? People change.” Chase crossed his arms and shook his head. “If he’s working with them, then that means he’s after Kiera. What’s stopping him from using Jenna to get to her?”

  He hadn’t thought of that possibility. Hunter would never harm Jenna, not intentionally, but it didn’t mean he wouldn’t use as her as leverage.

  “Fuck.” Jacob’s throat constricted and uneasiness washed over him. He pushed his chair back and stood, a primal growl resonating in his throat.

  The other agents, who had remained silent during the exchange, began to mumble amongst themselves.

  He was losing it, and his men knew it.

  “Where are you going?” Chase’s harsh voice followed him out the door.

  In the hall, Jacob dialed his home. When no one answered, he tried Jenna’s cell. Again, no answer.

  “Bloody fucking hell.” He slammed his fist into the wall making a dent in the drywall.

  Chase caught up with him as the elevator door opened. “What’s going on?”

  “I left Kiera with Jenna.” He stepped into the elevator.

  Chase followed, but remained silent.

  “Just say it.”

  “What?” Chase cocked an eyebrow.

  “Whatever the fuck you’re thinking.”

  Chase shook his head and exhaled. “Is Kiera your mate?”

  Jacob winced. Whatever he’d expected Chase to say, that wasn’t it.

  The elevator doors opened and Chase continued to follow him through the parking garage.

  “I take it that’s a yes.”

  Jacob grunted, got into the SUV, and bit off a curse when Chase joined him.

  “Here.” He handed Chase his phone. “Try the house again.”

  Chase dialed, then shook his head. “No answer.”

  “Damn it.” Jacob slammed his palm against the steering wheel, then peeled out of the parking garage. In his gut, he knew something was wrong.

  Kiera wanted to go back to the agency. But there was no way in hell he was letting anyone else protect her. She was his responsibility.

  She was his, alone.

  “Yes,” Jacob said reluctantly.

  “What?” Chase glanced over at him.

  Jacob breathed out heavily, and said the three words he never thought he’d say.

  “She’s my mate.”

  Chapter 14

  Through the solarium windows, lightning flared across the night sky, followed by a deep crack of thunder. Kiera sat in the large wicker chair with a quilt draped across her shoulders and watched the patterns of raindrops as they slid down the glass.

  Her lion stirred restlessly. She knew she’d made the right decision to go back to the agency, but it didn’t mean she had to like it. She sagged into the chair, her shoulders slumped in defeat, as she blinked back tears. Dammit. Stupid emotions. And stupid animal hormones for making her desire a man who clearly wasn’t available, or interested.

  “Want some company?” Jenna stood in the doorway, holding two mugs.

  Kiera shrugged and looked back out the window.

  “I thought you might like some tea.” Jenna crossed the room and offered her one of the cups.

  “Thank you,” Kiera grumbled, taking it.

  “Quite the storm.” Jenna sat down in the chair opposite her. She sighed when Kiera didn’t respond. “So you like my brother?”

  Kiera blinked at her. It took her a moment to realize she meant Jacob.

  “You’re his sister?”

  “One of them.” Jenna’s lips quirked up in a sympathetic smile.

  “I thought…” Kiera closed her eyes, her cheeks burning. “I thought you were his girlfriend.”

  “I figured.” Jenna chuckled. She leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “So what’s going on between you two?”

  “Nothing.” She took a small sip of tea.

  “Didn’t seem like nothing earlier. I can tell he has feelings for you, and you obviously feel something for him.”

  Kiera snorted. “Trust me, Jacob’s made it perfectly clear that nothing can or will happen between us. He likes to remind me that I’m his responsibility. Nothing more.”

  Jenna frowned. “He’s always taken care of everyone. It’s his way. Who he is.”

  “I’m not looking for someone to take care of me.”

  “What are you looking for?”

  “I don’t know.” Kiera shook her head. “Sometimes I wish I could close my eyes and everything would return to the way it was. I didn’t ask for any of this.”

  “I learned a long time ago that you can’t erase the past.” Jenna smiled sadly and looked out the window. “No matter how hard you wish to change it.”

  There was a sorrow in the woman’s voice that made Kiera’s heart clench.

  Jenna glanced back at her, eyes once again light. “I hope my brother smartens up. He could use a little fire in his life.”

  “I wouldn’t put money on it,” Kiera said dryly.

  Jenna smiled and shook her head. “We’ll see.”

  Another sliver of lightning lit up the sky and cast shadows across the backyard. Something in the yard caught her eye. The shadow moved and a soft light flickered.

  “Did you see that?” Kiera asked, sitting straighter. The skin prickled at the back of her neck.

  “What?”

  Kiera glanced back at Jenna. A small, red circle dotted her forehead.

  “Get down,” Kiera screamed, dropping her cup and lunging for her.

  They hit the ground hard as glass shattered around them, and rain poured violently into the room.

  An alarm screeched above them and a series of howls sounded from the darkness.

  “Wolves,” Jenna hissed.

  “What do we do?” Kiera’s throat had gone dry, and her limbs felt heavy, useless.

  Jenna’s dark eyes grew hard, focused. “Can you shift?”

  Kiera shook her head as panic itched its way up her chest.

  Glass crunched underneath heavy footsteps. Whoever had taken the shot was in the room. Through the slits in the overturned wicker chair, she could see the man. Two large, dark gray wolves flanked him on either side.

  “When I attack, get out of here.”

  “No.” Kiera reached for her, but Jenna moved too quickly.

  Jenna lunged at the man, shifting midair. For a moment, Kiera forgot her fear and watched in awe at the ease and fluidity of the transformation.

  The man was taken off guard, and Jenna’s lioness sunk its teeth deep in his jugular. The two wolves didn’t hesitate to attack.

  Jenna’s command to run echoed in her brain, but she couldn’t move. Even if she couldn’t shift, she had to do something. She looked desperately around the room for a weapon. The man’s gun was still clutched in his lifeless hand. If she could get to it, she could help Jenna.

  An anguished sound wrenched from the lioness’ throat as
one of the wolves bit into her hind leg.

  Fear pulsed through Kiera’s veins. She crawled across the room. Her hand was inches from the gun when a roar vibrated through the air. She grabbed the gun and spun around, aiming it at the massive male lion that bounded through the broken window.

  It made quick progress with the remaining wolves.

  Kiera scrambled towards Jenna, who had shifted back to human form and lay unconscious and bleeding on the floor.

  With the wolves dead, the lion stalked towards them. She didn’t know how, but she knew this wasn’t Jacob.

  “Stay back.” Kiera pointed the gun. Her breath trembled as she tried to draw air into her lungs.

  The lion crouched low, then slowly retracted back, shifting in the form of a man. Even compared to Jacob, the man was enormous. Long, dark blond hair hung past his shoulders, and his intense hazel eyes glowed like copper in the dim light.

  He grabbed the quilt from the chair and wrapped it around his waist before kneeling beside Jenna and running a hand over the fresh wounds on her body. His hand stilled when it reached the crisscross of old scars on her abdomen.

  He exhaled slowly.

  “Who are you?” Kiera whispered, lowering the gun.

  “Hunter Sinclair,” Jacob’s voice roared from the doorway, a weapon trained on the man. His eyes blazed with fury. “Step away from my sister.”

  Chase moved in behind Jacob, his expression just as lethal. “I knew I smelled a rat. I knew you went bad, but I never thought you’d go this far.”

  “I’m not your enemy.” Hunter put his hands up in surrender. “I’m not working with them. I followed Jenna here. I didn’t intend to make contact.” He swallowed hard. “You know I’d never hurt her.”

  Jacob glanced at the bodies on the floor, then turned his cold gaze on Hunter. His finger twitched over the trigger.

  Darkness slashed at his features and there was murder in his eyes.

  “He’s telling the truth,” Kiera said, dropping the gun on the floor and placing herself in the line of fire.

  “Get out of the way, Kiera,” Jacob said through clenched teeth. A soft rumbling rattled from his chest. When she didn’t move, he gripped her arm and forced her behind him.