Therian Prize(24)

“What made you think about it now?” His dark-green eyes smoldered yet his emotions were too complex to unravel. Was he angry with her or with the situation that upset her? “You were terrified tonight. You felt helpless and abandoned. Why did those feelings take you back to your definition?”

It was obvious he had no intention of letting her go, so she snuggled back into his warmth and rested her head on his shoulder. This particular story was more easily told if she didn’t have to watch others react to the tale.



Jake held his breath as Heather wiggled against him. Was she trying to get comfortable or punish him for his persistence? She was soft and warm, with supple curves that he was anxious to explore. It took all his effort to keep his mind focused on her well-being. He really wanted to sweep her beneath him and pull the t-shirt off over her head. He’d kiss her slowly until her inhibitions melted. Then he’d…

“My father is determined to strengthen the Canine network any way he can.”

The misery in her tone yanked him back to the present and away from the desire percolating inside him. She was traumatized. Only a callous bastard would think of seduction while she was so clearly conflicted. “So he used your definition as a political bargaining chip?”

“Basically. Rather than having our pack’s strongest hunter define me or allowing me to choose which pack I wanted to join, Father determined that our pack would benefit most by establishing an alliance with a pack of alpine wolves.”

She said nothing more and her hand stroked over his chest in a slow, tantalizing pattern. Did she realize she was petting him? Probably not. Even so, her absent caress was making it damn hard not to return the favor. “That approach is outdated but it’s certainly not unheard of. Why does it still give you nightmares?”

“Carlos, the alpine alpha, knew his people would benefit from the alliance, but he only agreed to define me after Father agreed to let him form a mating bond as well.”

He tensed and lowered his hands to the bed. If she were bound to a mate, even an unwanted mate, he should be able to sense the link. Unless he was subconsciously filtering the signal because of how badly he wanted her. He knew her fiancé was dead, but what about Carlos?

“Was this before or after your engagement to… What was your fiancé’s name?”

“His name was David. And my father didn’t approve of our involvement, so it wasn’t an official engagement.” She fiddled with the hem of her t-shirt, looking anywhere but at him.

“Why didn’t he approve?” Jake wasn’t sure why he cared about her ex-fiancé. After all, the man was dead. But he suspected the stories were entwined.

“David was young.” She shrugged. “We both were. He hadn’t had time to establish a name for himself among the other hunters. His family was well respected but less aggressive than my father preferred.”

Jake spent enough time with Landon to realize pack life wasn’t all that different from life in a feline clan. Therian females, regardless of the animal they manifested, instinctively gravitated toward strong, successful males. Not only did they want a fierce protector and good provider, they sought out men with qualities they wanted to pass on to their children. Nate Fitzroy might not have considered David worthy of Heather, but Heather had obviously found qualities in David that her father hadn’t recognized.

“How did you meet?” He knew he should just let it go but the question just slipped out.

“In high school.” Her chuckle was soft and sad. “David was two years ahead of me, so he was a junior in college when I turned nineteen. Dad referred to him as the frat boy and refused to even consider him as my mate. Carlos was older and had more of the qualities my father appreciates.”

“Such as?”

“Ruthlessness, ambition and an extremely wealthy pack.” She released her breath in a ragged sigh and scooted to the bed beside him. She was still within easy reach but he missed her warmth and the slight weight of her pressed against him. “Carlos promised he’d define me and then return a few months later to form the mating bond.” She glanced away and her breath shuddered out. “He didn’t survive the night. Do you realize the only two men I allowed to share my bed are both dead? Wanting me is dangerous.”

Unable to resist his need to touch her, he traced her jawline with his knuckles. “I’m not afraid of a little danger.”

She looked at him, unshed tears shimmering behind her long lashes. “I think being dead is more than ‘a little’ dangerous.”

“You must have thought I could handle it or you wouldn’t be here.”