by Jackie May
His voice sounds so normal that I gasp and push him back. There’s a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, but no glow. “You’re you right now!”
He chuckles and steps back. “Have been for a while. I was just enjoying the moment.”
I gasp again and slap his chest. He catches my hand and holds it to him. “Maybe Peter’s right. Maybe you’re good for me.” I try to pull my hand away, but he keeps a hold on it. “Maybe I’m good for you, too. For a woman who abhors most physical touch, you just let me put my hands all over you, and you barely thought about it.”
Not true. I thought about it a lot. I just didn’t hate it. He has a point, though. I did let him touch me. A lot. I let him wash me. And I had no reservations about it. No fear, anyway. I didn’t panic or feel the slightest bit of anxiety. Maybe he, Parker, and Oliver are helping me as much as I’m helping Rook.
“It’s something to think about,” Rook says softly, finally releasing my hand and stepping back from me. “For now, we have something more important to focus on.”
Change of subject! He’s throwing me a life preserver. I can almost forgive him for being a possessive brute. “Yes!” I jump on the topic. “We still need to figure out who will be attacking with Axel. I didn’t get any idea about numbers or what kind of outside help he plans to use.
“From the way Evan made it sound, I’d bet most of his pack doesn’t have a clue what’s going on. It sounds like they all fear him. Maybe we could tell Evan what Axel is planning and have him sniff around for us. He said I could ask him for anything since I saved his life. And the way he hates Axel, he’d probably love to help us. He could probably rally half his pack to take our side in the fight.”
All three men exchange meaningful looks. “That could work,” Toth agrees. “If we let Axel’s wolves—the ones who aren’t loyal to him—know what’s going on, and we offer them clemency if they fight for us when the battle comes, we could trick Axel into thinking he’s got the numbers he needs and then surprise him when his own forces turn on him.”
“Evan would have to be very subtle, though,” Nick says. “We can’t tip Axel off at all. We don’t know what kind of outside forces he’ll have or how many of his wolves are loyal to him. We’ll need surprise on our side.”
“Evan can handle it,” Rook says. “I used to be pretty close to him before Lilly died. I know him well. He’s a very intelligent wolf who cares a great deal for his pack. He’ll know who the loyalists are, and he’ll be willing to help.”
“You’re sure?” Alpha Toth asks. His brow is creased with anxiety.
Rook nods, and so do I. “I’m positive Evan will be on our side,” I say.
The men grow quiet again, thinking about the upcoming battle. After a minute, Nick shakes his head. “There are still too many unknown factors. You’ll want to be ready for the attack. You’ll need to know the time and place, if you want to ensure the least amount of casualties.”
My brain trips on the word casualties. I know we’re talking about a hostile takeover, and I know they’re talking about a fight, but I guess I didn’t think it would be a fight to the death—except for maybe Axel and Jeffrey. My stomach churns at the idea of Alpha Toth, Rook, and Evan fighting for their lives. And if this involves the whole pack, how many other innocent people could be caught up in it?
Rook startles me from my worries when he blurts out, “A mating ceremony!”
All eyes turn to him. “We want to control the time and place, and we sure as hell don’t want to give Axel until Christmas to solidify his plans and gather his allies, so we force his hand.”
Alpha Toth’s eyes light up with an eager gleam. “He doesn’t want the two of you to be mated.”
“Exactly,” Rook says.
All three men turn their excited gazes on me. My stomach rolls. I know exactly what they’re thinking, and I don’t like it. “You’re the one who told us everyone’s already thinking it,” Nick says when I start to shake my head.
“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean I—”
I yelp, startled, when Rook’s hand slips into mine. “We won’t really have to go through with it.”
He says that, but his thoughts beg to differ. His wolf really likes the idea. I can feel his longing. I can also feel Rook’s conflict. He knows I don’t want to, but he’s starting to like the idea as much as his wolf. He doesn’t want to be alone anymore, and he knows he can’t ignore his wolf’s instincts forever. He’s getting tired of fighting it, and he thinks I’d be a good mate. He thinks I’m beautiful, I’m dominant, and he enjoys my company.
I tear my hand away from Rook’s, not wanting to hear any more. He flinches at my rejection, but soon realizes I’ve been listening to his thoughts. He smiles sheepishly and shrugs. “All we have to do is fake it long enough. Axel will never let it happen. He’ll attack before the ceremony can take place.”
“Make it soon enough, and he’ll be forced to attack at the actual ceremony,” Toth says. “When the whole pack is together and has their guard down? It’ll be too tempting.”
Once again, all three men look at me, waiting for an answer. Nick smirks. “Come on, little spitfire. Don’t wuss out on us now.”
He has a point. There’s really nothing to be afraid of. I won’t really be mating with anyone. It’s just a ploy. And it’ll help Alpha Toth’s pack so much. Both he and Rook are staring at me with such pleading, hopeful expressions. How can I refuse? “All right.” I sigh. “Let’s do it.”
Alpha Toth lets out a huge breath of relief and takes my hands in his. “Once again, I owe you everything. My pack will forever be in your debt, Ms. Jacobs. Anything you need. Ever. If we can help, we will. We are your allies—your friends—for life.”
I wait out his handshake and force an awkward smile. At least he didn’t try to hug me. “Thanks. I’ll remember that.”
“We should get back out there,” Nick says. “We don’t want Axel to think we’re plotting something, and no doubt the guest of honor is already being missed.”
I groan. This has been such a nice break. “All right, back to the stupid party.”
All three men chuckle as we head for the door. Before I can exit the room, Rook pulls me close to his side. “Showtime.” He slides me a sideways glance and a crooked smile. “You ready?”
“You look a little too ready,” I say flatly. “You do understand that this is fake, right?”
He shocks me then, by grinning and letting his wolf surface. His eyes start to glow faintly, and he growls a low, rumbly purr that makes the hair on my arms and neck stand up. My heart speeds up when he locks his eyes on mine. His smile turns predatory. He leans in, takes a deep breath, and nuzzles his cheek against mine. “I consider it a delicious challenge,” he whispers. His lips brush my ear, sending a violent shiver down my spine.
Seeing my reaction, his smile turns smug, and he tangles my fingers in his. “I have a week to convince you,” he murmurs, dragging me back down the stairs into the crowd.
We make our way to the bar, where Parker and Oliver are still talking to Wulf and, no doubt, waiting for me. Panic seizes my chest when all three men’s eyes fall to my hand in Rook’s. “Rook,” I whisper so softly I can barely hear myself. “What about Oliver and Parker? And Terrance?”
A soft growl escapes him, and his grip on my hand tightens ever so slightly. “What about them?”
I elbow him. “We have to let them know what’s going on.”
He lets go of my hand and slides his arm low around my waist, pulling me tightly against his side. “I think they can see just fine what’s going on.”
“ROOK!”
If he’s going to act like such a possessive ass, I’m not going to go through with this crazy plan. It would devastate both Parker and Oliver, and I refuse to do that. I care too much about both of them.
As if he can read my mind—or maybe he just senses my rage—Nick murmurs, “I’ll talk to them, Nora. I’m sure they’ll understand.”
“Talk to who? Understand what?
” a smug voice chirps from behind us. We all turn to see Jeffrey. His smile is more of a sneer. He zeroes in on Alpha Toth. “You all were gone for quite a while. Pack meeting I missed? Something I should know about?”
“Actually, there is.” Alpha Toth puffs out his chest proudly. “Nora has agreed to a mate pairing with Rook.”
Both Oliver and Parker both gasp. I can’t meet their gazes. If I do, I’ll give myself away, and Jeffery is standing right here, gaping at Rook and me. We need him to believe us. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Parker step toward us, but Nick grabs his arm, holding him back.
“You’re taking another mate?” Jeffrey blurts, blinking wide-eyed. Before Rook can answer, he turns his stupefied gaze on me. “You’ve agreed to be turned?”
I can’t find my voice. Rook, however, has no such problem. “My wolf didn’t really leave us much choice. He’s already claimed Nora.”
“Nora, you don’t have to do this,” Parker says. It looks like Nick is really holding him back now. I hate seeing the worry on his face.
Oliver’s expression is even worse, because mixed in with the worry and heartbreak there’s also a loving smile. “Are you sure?” he asks.
For some reason, I want to cry. It’s all fake, but I’m hurting him. Hurting them both. I need Jeffrey to leave so I can explain it to them. “Do you trust me?” I ask. I direct the question at Oliver, but glance at Parker, too.
Parker’s eyes are pleading, begging me not to do this. I can’t look away from his stare until Oliver whispers in a small voice, “Yes. I trust you.”
My heart hurts. Oliver has so much faith in me. He’s so loyal. Though he’s never told me he loves me out loud, he’s thought it before, and it’s plain as day on his face. What’s surprising is that I feel the same way. Oliver’s found his way past my walls and into my heart so much that I don’t think I could ever live without him.
I meet his gaze again and try to convey how much I love him and am grateful for him. “Then trust me, okay?” My voice is soft and pleading. I have to choose my words carefully, because I’m trying to convince Jeffrey, and, as a wolf, he can sniff out any lies I tell. “This is the right thing for me to do,” I say. “I’m sure of it.”
Truth. Helping Alpha Toth is absolutely the right thing to do.
Oliver studies me for a moment and then slowly nods, accepting my decision. “I just want you to be happy. If Rook is the man who does that, then I’m happy for you.”
My eyes start to burn. He’s going to make me cry. “Thanks, Ollie.”
Parker still hasn’t said anything. His jaw is clenched tight, and his hands are fisted at his side. My heart does another somersault in my chest. For all that I love Oliver, I care about Parker, too, and this is hurting him. When he meets my gaze, there is fear in his eyes. Fear of losing me. There’s also need. The man gave up his clan for me. “You don’t have to do this, Nora. Just because his wolf has claimed you doesn’t mean you have to accept him.”
Rook growls and earns himself a nasty glare from Parker. “Are you really so selfish?” Parker asks. “You know Nora isn’t ready for a commitment this big. Would you really push her into something she’s not ready for? Ask her to give up her humanity?”
“Parker.” I say his name so softly his eyes snap to me. He takes one look at me and deflates. I offer him a smile. “Thank you for looking out for me, but he’s not making me do anything. I promise.”
“You really want to become a wolf?” Jeffrey asks.
I have to stop myself from glaring at him. I don’t like the way he’s looking at me. He’s too eager. I don’t know how to answer his question without lying. Thankfully, Rook steps in. “My wolf has accepted her as she is now, so there is no need for Nora to jump into such an important decision without taking as much time as she needs to consider it.”
Jeffrey’s eyes bulge, and he looks at Alpha Toth. “And you’re okay with this? With Rook mating a human?”
Alpha Toth places a hand on Jeffrey’s shoulder and gives him a placating smile. “Rook is my dearest friend. He deserves his happiness. And I’m hoping that, given a little more time to think about it, Nora will choose to be turned and join our pack.”
I notice Alpha Toth didn’t directly answer Jeffrey’s question, either, but I am a little surprised that he said he hopes I join them. It can’t be a lie. I’m touched that he thinks so highly of me.
Jeffrey seems to be waiting for me to say something, so I return Alpha Toth’s smile and say, “Like you said. That’s an important decision. But I thank you for the offer, and am glad that you find me worthy of joining your pack.”
Jeffrey gapes at the three of us. His eyes dart back and forth in a frenzied sort of panic. They quickly still and narrow in a calculating way. He pulls his shoulders back and gives us a smarmy smile. “So when’s the big day, then?”
“Next weekend,” Alpha Toth says. When Jeffrey’s eyebrows climb up his forehead, he adds, “You saw how Rook was when Nora danced with Evan and Alpha Day, right?”
Jeffrey’s jaw clenches, as if he didn’t particularly like me dancing with them, either. Considering he wants me for himself, I’m not surprised. “I saw,” he admits through clenched teeth.
Alpha Toth shrugs. “This is a volatile situation. The sooner we get it taken care of, the better.”
“Agreed,” Rook says. “Next Friday would be perfect.”
“Why not?” I add, because Jeffrey is looking to me to say something. “I don’t know how mating ceremonies work, but I don’t need anything big and fancy, and I already have the perfect dress, don’t you think?”
I pull at the skirt of my dress, forcing Jeffrey’s attention to my outfit. His eyes rake over me, and his gaze fills with heat. Rook’s jaw clenches at the sight of Jeffrey’s leer, and he pulls me just a little closer to him.
“It is a lovely dress,” Jeffrey admits with a smug smile that seems unjustified. He sweeps his gaze over Rook and me, then nods to Alpha Toth. “Next weekend, then. I look forward to the ceremony.” He dips his head in a bow to me and flashes me another unnerving smile. “If you’ll excuse me, Ms. Jacobs, I believe it’s time for me to say goodnight. It’s been a lovely party. I appreciate the invite.”
“Of course. Thank you for coming.”
I force myself to shake his hand without cringing. His thoughts are on Axel. He’s running off to tell him about the mating ceremony and thinking of the wolves he’ll have to get ready in less than a week.
Once he’s out of earshot, I tug Rook to a more secluded corner of the room. I’m not surprised when Alpha Toth and all my guys follow us. They gather around me, waiting for me to speak like I’m the quarterback in the team huddle. I give Rook, Nick, and Alpha Toth a knowing look. “He’s running off to tell Alpha Day right now. You’ll want to watch him like a hawk this week. He was thinking about wolves he’ll have to get ready this week. He must have a few in your pack loyal to him that are in on the plan.”
Alpha Toth’s jaw clenches, but he nods calmly. “Thank you, Nora. Rook, please reach out to Evan. Discreetly. Let him know everything, and warn him he only has a week.”
Parker can’t hold back any longer. “What’s going on?” he demands. “What are you guys up to? Because there is no way Nora agreed to be mated to Rook so suddenly.”
Rook’s eyes narrow, and he balls a hand into a fist. I elbow him lightly. “Oh, calm down, Rook. He’s not insulting you. He just knows me.”
Oliver steps forward, eyes wide. “So you’re not being mated? I didn’t want to believe it, but you said to trust you.”
Rook huffs again, but I can’t help pulling Oliver into a tight hug. His thoughts are full of hope and relief. “Thank you for trusting me, Ollie.” My voice cracks from emotion, and I squeeze him as tightly as I can. “I promise I’ll explain later.”
As I sit on the couch in Rook’s house, waiting for Rook to get dressed, my eyes start to close. I’m exhausted all the way to my bones. It’s been a very long week, and though I’m apprehens
ive about the mating ceremony and impending fight, I’m just glad it’s almost over.
To say that Parker and Terrance were pissed when they learned of my involvement with Alpha Toth’s pack would be a gross understatement. Oliver, amazing man that he is, was proud of me and only worried for my safety. Once they all settled down and realized they couldn’t talk me out of the fake mating ceremony, they demanded they be in attendance in order to protect me. Normally, a mating ceremony is strictly a pack thing, but Alpha Toth agreed, happy for the extra help. He said their presence would be easy enough to explain because I wasn’t pack yet, and of course I’d want my closest friends to see me mated.
To keep up with the ruse, I spent most of the week on the pack compound with Rook. He personally introduced me to almost everyone. I vetted as many wolves as I could and helped Rook and Alpha Toth figure out who were Toth’s most loyal supporters and who I thought might be in league with Jeffrey. I’ve never used my abilities so much in all my life.
I pull my eyes open and rub my face when Rook clears his throat and says, “You about ready?”
He looks damn good in his suit, and he’s shaved off his normal five o’clock shadow for the occasion. It’s almost a pity this isn’t a real mating ceremony. I look at the garment bag lying over the arm of the couch and sigh. I’m supposed to meet with the top-ranked women in the pack and let them get me ready for the ceremony, sort of like bridesmaids in a human wedding. I’m not really looking forward to it. “Can’t I just get ready here?”
Rook smiles and holds a hand out to me. “It’s tradition,” he says, pulling me to my feet. Once I’m standing, he slips his arm around my waist and pulls me to him. “You’ll break their hearts if you don’t go,” he murmurs, combing his fingers through my hair.
I gulp. He’s acted so differently this week. His wolf has been calmer, but he’s been more aggressive. I can’t decide if he’s doing it on purpose because he likes me, or if he’s just losing the battle against his wolf’s desires. I asked him that very question yesterday, and he told me the two things are one and the same.
