Mating Games

by Nikki Jefford

  Hudson needed time. He’d come around, and if he didn’t, his resentment was on his shoulders. He’d worn it like thick fur after Rebecca had been turned mad. Jordan hoped she hadn’t added to his hostility with her rejection, but she knew, even if Hudson didn’t, that she would never have made him truly happy. They’d been drinking buddies, and they’d humped, but there’d never been anything between them on a deeper emotional level.

  No, there was only one shifter for her. No matter how much she’d resisted initially, their claiming had been written in the stars—the same ones shimmering over the lake’s surface.

  After dinner, Raider took Jordan’s hand and escorted her here. They walked hand in hand to the lake’s edge, where the water reflected two midnight lovers bonded by fate.

  While everyone ate stew, Jager had announced the end of patrol partners on night duty, returning to the smaller number of shifters who stayed awake all night listening in case there was need to call up an alarm.

  Single shifters went back to sleeping in small groups with their closest friends. While everyone else branched off, Raider had led Jordan to the lake.

  “Are we here for a swim? If you wanted me to take off my clothes, you know you only have to ask,” she teased.

  But Raider didn’t laugh. His body went rigid, and his hand turned clammy. He dropped onto one knee, in front of Jordan, clasping her hand in both of his. His eyes burned, and he gazed into her face as though worshipping the moon. “Jordan, daughter of Palmer—”

  “Ugh, don’t remind me.”

  Raider glared at her for interrupting.

  Jordan snorted. “Sorry, please continue.” The large, muscular male kneeling in front of her looked so out of place. And adorable. But what the heck? She knew what he was doing. Her mother had read enough romance novels aloud for Jordan to recognize the proposal. Shifters didn’t propose, they claimed. But Raider looked intent on doing this.

  “The words you spoke to me at the river touched my heart, and now I want to say a few words to you, here by the lake where my eyes were first opened to your beauty.”

  “It was my breasts, wasn’t it?”

  “Hush. Let me finish.” This time Raider smiled in amusement. He pulled in a deep breath and released it in one long, heavy exhale. “You’re the only she-wolf I’ve ever loved, Jordan. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do, nowhere I wouldn’t go to bring you home safe. I’d find a way to the moon if that great glowing orb managed to spirit you away.”

  “So poetic. Don’t tell me you’ve been reading?” This time, when Jordan tried to tease him, her breath came out raspy. She got down on her knees and pressed her forehead against his. “I’m yours, Raider, and I’ll love you until my last breath. You don’t have to propose to me or recite fancy words. I don’t care about any of that stuff. You don’t need to win me over. I love you the way you are.”

  “I don’t want to just win you. I want to keep making you happy for the rest of your life.”

  “Then take off your pants.”

  Raider rumbled with laughter. “Oh, I see.”

  “You can sweet-talk me later.”

  “Or I could make love to you again.”

  “Or that.” Jordan smiled cheekily.

  Raider got to his feet, pulling Jordan up with him. He let go of her to rest his hand on the waist of his jeans and brush his thumb over the fastening. “I did promise to make you happy.”

  His grin was infectious. As soon as his hand moved, Jordan yanked off her jeans as though they’d entered a race to see who could get their clothes off first. It was a tie. Two winners, entwined at the lake’s edge, rocking together like waves crashing and joining, falling back and rising again.

  For now, there was nothing more to say. Because really, it wasn’t Raider’s words Jordan loved. It was him. All of him.

  acknowledgements

  As much I enjoy spending time in fictional worlds, real life people have made this book a reality.

  To Seb, my heart and soul, thank you for always having my back, and for your unwavering concern for my health and well-being. I never believed love at first sight existed outside of novels until I saw you in the My Goodness pub in Amiens wearing those emerald green Dr. Martens boots. You are the full package and my everything, always.

  To Cosmo, the sweetest, most loyal, and compassionate companion. I love reading, writing, and editing books with you—and exploring nature, or sometimes simply the neighborhood. You are my little joy and I can’t wait to explore new worlds and territory with you by my side.

  To Jordan Rosenfeld—extraordinary author and editor—and all around wonderful human being. Thank you for helping me transform this book and for pushing me to dig deeper into the characters and story. I also want to thank you for working with me on adding more diversity to the pack.

  To Najla Qamber and Nada Qamber—or as I like to call them—the dream team sisters! Thank you, Naj, for another gorgeous cover design. Thank you, Nada, for the formatting and beautiful interior paperback designs. And thanks to both of you for being a joy to work with every time, from your friendly, upbeat attitudes to your professionalism and organization. I always love working with you.

  To Kate and Kristina at Red Adept Editing—aka “The Cleanup Crew.” Thank you for polishing, and for the early praise.

  To Roxanne Willis for being my final set of eyes on this manuscript. Thank you for your phenomenal attention to detail, and years of support!

  To my mom, my best friend and first reader. I must have been born beneath a lucky moon to have ended up with such a loving, supportive, adventurous, and fun “mama wolf.” Thank you for being there for me whenever I need you, for opening my eyes to new experiences and opportunities, and for making me laugh.

  To my most treasured author and reader friends. You are my tribe, my pack. I continue to be motivated, heartened, and inspired by you all. Your insights, suggestions, and words of wisdom make me a better writer and person. Thank you for caring. Keep fighting the good fight!

  And finally, thank you for purchasing this book. I hope Mating Games has entertained you and that you will take a moment to leave a review and recommend the book to your reading friends. I can’t wait for you to see what the Wolf Hollow Shifters have been up to in book three, Born Wild. In the meantime, look for the beauty, take good care and run forever free.

  about the author

  Nikki Jefford is a third-generation Alaskan now living in the Pacific Northwest with her French husband and their Westie, Cosmo. When she’s not reading or writing, she enjoys nature, hiking, and motorcycling. Nikki is the author of the Wolf Hollow Shifters series, the Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter series, and the Spellbound Trilogy.

  To find out more about her books and new releases, check out her website, www.NikkiJefford.com.