He slowly circled me, his pupils dilated as he inspected every inch of me—a predator stalking his prey. Jaxson’s power pressed against me, and his signature filled my senses. But there was something more than magic. Heat. Desire. An unseen force that drew me toward him like a magnet to its opposite pole.
I couldn’t ignore the chemistry between us. Just being near him made the rivers of my body meet.
He had to know.
Did he enjoy his effect on me, or did I disgust him? His pack hated me and my family, and I had a sneaking suspicion they probably had many reasons to.
Finally, I couldn’t take the awkward silence anymore, or his attention boring into me. “I’m sorry I sprayed you with wolfsbane yesterday,” I blurted. “I was terrified, and I didn’t know what was in the bottle.”
His eyes blazed. “Wolfsbane is a chemical manufactured specifically to hurt our kind. Never use it again.”
I shook my head. “I’m really sorry about everything. The wolfsbane, your sister, the fair. Everything.”
He tensed. “We’re not going to talk about my sister.”
Obviously, that was the wrong thing to say. I looked at the ground. “Look, I’m not great at apologizing, and I’m not familiar with the rules here or your history with the LaSalles. But I’m here, and I want to help. So can we get past what happened last night?”
He narrowed his eyes and stepped closer so that I had to look up to meet his gaze. “I appreciate that, but you’ll have to work for the pack’s forgiveness before you get mine.”
“Fine.” I never backed down from a challenge.
The air vibrated between us for just a moment before he stepped away. “I’m sorry I scared you. Our meet shouldn’t have happened like that. I shifted so I could protect you, but then my wolf took over and demanded to meet you.”
Meet me? Sam had said the same thing. An unsettling fear crept into my chest. “Do you understand how creepy and weird that sounds? Is your wolf different than you? Like, is it something that lives in you, or a split personality?”
There was so much I didn’t know about werewolves—about any of this world, for that matter. I was so in over my head, it was scary.
“We don’t really talk about it with outsiders. Suffice it to say we’re two sides of the same coin. When I’m in wolf form, I think differently, and different aspects of my personality are heightened. We’re one, but it’s easier to talk about that part of me as my wolf. We all speak that way.”
Sam had talked about his wolf being in control when he’d shifted, but what did that even mean? “Why would your wolf want to meet me? You’ve already met me.”
“Its senses are stronger than mine, and scenting you would yield deep insights into what you are, your character, and what you need. That would be enough, but my wolf is also drawn to you, for some reason—it’s intrigued. Always has been.” Jaxson’s voice was low, almost a growl. Was that his wolf talking to me?
Something tugged in my breast, and heat began to pool in my center. My skin flushed, and I could suddenly feel every movement of my clothing across my skin. I had the overwhelming urge to sweep my hands over Jaxson’s strong chest. What the hell was happening to me?
I took an uncertain step forward, and Jaxson’s expression hardened. Anger? Distrust? But also something else—desire.
His heightened signature made me lightheaded, and I faltered a little. He stepped closer so that he was just a breath away, like we’d stood in the alley two nights before. Then, I’d been trembling, too scared to run, but now I wanted to be trapped between him and the wall.
Why was he looking at me like he wanted to taste me?
Everything about this was wrong.
I tore my gaze from his and slipped around him, suddenly desperate to get control of the situation. Stopping in front of the couch, I hugged myself. “Look, I know you have heightened senses and can read my emotions. Don’t make assumptions. I don’t understand these feelings I have around you, and I’m not comfortable with them. So please give me a little space, no matter how intrigued you…or your wolf…are.”
Jaxson tensed, and the honey color left his eyes. He regarded me for a long moment. “I can respect that.”
My heartbeat slowed, returning to normal. “We want the same thing—to track down those bastards—and that’s why I’m agreeing to work with you. This is a business arrangement and nothing more. Is that clear?”
“Yes, I understand.”
“And one more thing, Jaxson. I appreciate your wolf saving me, but don’t you ever let him try to sniff me or meet me without my permission.”
That was definitely on my list as one of the weirdest requests I’d ever had to ask a man before.
His jaw twitched, and something flashed in his eyes, but he nodded.
“Good. Now that that’s settled, what’s the plan?” I asked, feeling a modicum of control return.