Jared (River Pack Wolves 3)(5)

“Why were you running?” He wanted to come closer, to reach out and touch her soft skin… but that was ridiculous. And besides, his hands were busy covering his junk—the idea being that he was trying not to freak her out and make her think he was some kind of predator.

She shook her head and darted a look at the edge of the forest again.

Shit. He was spooking her.

“Look, it’s really not safe out here for you.” He glanced around at the darkened trees. “I don’t scent any other wolves at the moment, but we’re in open territory. It’s always possible someone could be lurking. And I’m assuming you’re unmated.”

“Unmated?” She wrinkled up her nose in a way that was painfully cute. “That’s something you wolves do, right? Taking a mate? I mean, I’ve heard the stories.”

“You wolves?” Jared frowned. “You don’t know anything about us, do you?” Of course. She’d probably kept this secret her whole life. He wasn’t sure how that was even possible, but she must have.

She looked pained. “I didn’t mean… I just meant… I’m sorry.” She bit her lip, and it was a good thing he was covering up his cock because it twitched when she did that. Fuck. What was that all about? It was like every little thing she did… he pushed that thought away and searched his memory for her name. He’d researched the Senator before coming to kill him, of course, but he couldn’t recall it. She hadn’t been important—not until she turned into a wolf.

And started giving him hard-ons without even trying. “My name’s Jared. What yours?”

She laughed, a clear bell sound that rang of innocence. It left behind a smile that glowed in the moonlight. “You tracked me into the forest, but you don’t know who I am? You’re spying on my father, but you don’t know my name?”

“I don’t always do all my homework.”

She let out a hiccupping laugh this time, bubbly and young-sounding, then she advanced toward him in light, quick strides, her hand outstretched to shake hands. “I’m Grace Elizabeth Dawn Krepky, daughter of Senator Timothy Krepky. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Jared Wolf.”

His face heated—he would have to remove one of his hands from covering his privates in order to shake her hand. It was absurd that this embarrassed him, so he gritted his teeth and forced himself to do it. “Ms. Krepky.”

She was sneaking looks at his barely covered erection, which only made it harder.

This was wrong. All of this was wrong. He shouldn’t be talking to Grace Krepky, daughter of Senator Krepky. Jared shouldn’t have followed her. He was going to kill her father, and here she stood, blushing at the hard-on she’d caused and worse… causing it in the first place.

She looked away, the red creeping up her cheeks obvious in the moonlight.

He cleared his throat. “I left my clothes… well, back where I started. I’ll shift and escort you back to the house.”

She shook her head in amazement. “Why are you looking out for me?”

He just stared at her. He had no idea how to answer that question. “Just don’t come out here by yourself anymore. It’s not safe.” Then he shifted before his nakedness could cause any more embarrassment for either of them. He turned to trot toward the estate, glancing to see if she was following.

He couldn’t talk to her this way, which was better. Much better. But in wolf form, her blueberries-and-cream scent called even stronger to him. He loped ahead, putting distance between them, but taking the most human-friendly path through the underbrush and fallen pine trees. When they reached the edge of the forest near the back side of her house, he paused. No need to let the guards know a wolf had breached their perimeter.

Grace turned to him before she reached the edge. “Will I see you again? I have…” She clamped her teeth together, looking uncertain and glancing between him and the house. Then a look of resolution came across her face. “I have questions.”

Would he see her again? No. Or at least… he shouldn’t. He wanted to shake his head or turn and disappear into the night, but instead, he found himself giving her a single dip of his snout. Yes.

Her answering smile was as natural on her face as sunshine. His wolf responded with an impulse to step forward and touch her, but he held it back. This was wrong—all of it was all kinds of wrong. The type of wrong that would end up with people hurt. And possibly dead.

But he stood still and did nothing that might diminish her smile.

She turned and snuck back to her house.

What in the name of magic was he doing?