The Mating(79)

“Me?” Elise squeaked in surprise. “I don’t smell like Ryne, do I?” She looked to the others for confirmation.

“No, it’s not Ryne’s scent but...” Thomas seemed to be searching his memory. “It was there at the same time as Ryne. I’m sure I remember both scents.”

“Hmm...” Kane sniffed at Elise. “You’re wearing that new perfume that Marla gave you. But why would Ryne have been wearing it?”

Elise thought rapidly. Marla said the perfume disguised scents so that would explain Ryne wearing it, but if she told Kane this, he’d want to know why she was using it. Then she’d have to explain about seeing Bryan... Out of the corner of her eye, she took in the assembled group. Confessing in front of the pack was less than ideal but... She opened her mouth to explain only to realize that no one was expecting an answer from her. They’d all continued to talk while she’d been thinking.

“Maybe Ryne was trying to hide his scent from us by overpowering it with perfume.” John suggested.

“Could be,” Kane concurred. “But it didn’t work, since Thomas still knew he was there.” He ran his hands through his hair and huffed in exasperation. “Who knows what Ryne is thinking anymore? None of this makes sense to me.”

Looking at his watch, Kane brought the impromptu meeting to a close. “If anyone still wants to go for a run, they should head out now, before it gets much later.”

Murmuring in agreement, the others phased into wolf form. Like shadows they melted into the night, leaving Kane, Elise, Thomas, and Julia standing at the tree line. For a moment, the two couples looked awkwardly at each other. Finally, Kane broke the silence.

“Thomas, I’m sorry I overreacted a few minutes ago.” Kane gruffly apologized, shoving his hands in his back pockets. “But when I saw Elise on the ground and you growled, well...”

“No need to apologize. Any mate would have done the same; it’s your right.” Thomas dismissed the incident with a shrug. “I shouldn’t have reacted so strongly, but like I said, that scent had me flashing back. I was sure I could even hear the click of the gun. While on some level I knew it wasn’t real, I couldn’t stop myself. Sorry. It won’t happen again.”

Kane nodded and Thomas stuck out his hand. With a grin, Kane shook it. There were no hard feelings on either side and the two couples chatted for a while longer before parting amicably.

“Do you still want to go for a run?” Elise asked.

“No, not really. There’s a bench over there. Could we just sit and enjoy the moonlight?” Kane indicated a spot a short distance away. With a nod, Elise agreed and Kane took her hand, leading her towards the secluded niche. The bench was surrounded by pine trees on three sides and gave the illusion of being in a private little room.

Sitting down, Kane tucked Elise to his side and sighed. “Elise, there’s something I have to say.”





Chapter 23





Kane put his arm around her shoulders, his thumb gently rubbing over her upper arm. When he spoke, his voice held a tinge of regret and self-reproach. “I can’t believe I reacted that strongly to Thomas knocking you down. I acted without even thinking and I never do that. I’m the Alpha, the one that’s supposed to be in control. But when I heard that growl, I lost it. My only thought was to protect my mate. I’m sorry if I frightened you.”

“I wasn’t frightened—not exactly. Surprised, worried, wondering what the hell was going on... But frightened of you? No.”

“I’d never hurt you.”

“I know.”

He tightened his arm around her and she turned in towards him, leaning her head against his chest. They sat there silently for a while, absorbing the warmth and essence of the other.

Elise savoured the moment. This was what she wanted. Time when they were just together as a normal couple. The sex between them was great, but in truth Kane could get that anywhere. She wanted an actual relationship, where they talked and shared their ideas and feelings. Maybe Kane wanted that, too. The intense emotions of a few minutes ago seemed to have loosened his tight self-control. While she was reluctant to ruin the companionable silence between them, she didn’t want to let this opportunity go by. Gathering her courage, she wet her lips, then spoke softly. “Kane, this afternoon—”

Simultaneously, he began to speak as well. “You know—”

They both stopped and laughed self-consciously. Kane laid a finger on her lips. “Let me, please? I’m not good at sharing stuff and I’ve finally got my nerve up, okay?”