Therian Prize(74)
Jake touched her arm, his expression revealing his concern. “What’s wrong? You look sort of pale.”
She nodded. “Each step I take with you guys leads me further away from everything I’ve known. It just feels strange.”
He didn’t patronize her with a superficial reply. He just gave her arm a gentle squeeze.
The basement was small but orderly. They walked across a well-lit washroom, through the unfinished portion of the basement and up a set of wooden stairs. A door at the top of the stairs opened between a kitchen and a casual dining room.
Ian Douglas stood in the kitchen, filling a coffee mug. The towering blond seemed even larger in the compact space. He watched the visitors emerge from the stairwell, his gaze nearly glowing as he looked at his mate. “I was just about to sneak a piece of chicken. I’ve been tortured by the smell of Erin’s cooking for over an hour.”
Heather’s stomach growled at the appealing smells, so she understood Ian’s complaint. He acknowledged her with a raise of his chin then went right back to teasing his mate.
“Why doesn’t your food taste like your mother’s? She’s one of the best cooks I know.”
Devon glared at him then laughed. “That’s the problem. Every time I cook everyone complains about it, so I just stopped trying.”
“Everything’s ready and Erin sends her regrets. Her errand was unavoidable.”
“Go ahead and sit down.” Devon motioned them toward the table then helped Ian gather the food.
Fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, and steamed vegetables. Heather’s stomach gave another hungry growl.
“I heard that.” Jake chuckled. “Guess I need to feed you more often.”
“I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I walked into this kitchen. Ian’s right, that food smells good.”
Ian and Devon joined them at the table and they all filled their plates before the conversation began in earnest.
“It’s obvious you two are together now, but have you decided to let Jake define you?” Devon asked Heather.
She’d originally decided to have sex with Jake as a way to sabotage her father’s plans, but the bond between them was rapidly growing into something much more intimate than casual sex. Still, it felt odd explaining her feelings to Devon when she hadn’t really talked things over with Jake.
“It’s complicated.” She wasn’t sure what else to say.
Devon accepted the vague answer and moved on. “How’d things go with Dr. Garran?”
“He confirmed that I’m not defined and that my father injected me with some form of the formula six years ago.”
“Really?” Ian spoke in between bites of chicken. “If the formula caused no side effects in the past six years then—”
“What happened to Carlos was a pretty significant side effect.” The tragedy had left an indelible stain on her soul.
Ian set down the drumstick and nodded. “You’re right. I’m sorry. A lost life should never be disregarded.”
“Dr. Garran is running all sorts of tests to make sure there isn’t anything wrong with me. If there haven’t been any symptoms in six years, it’s unlikely he’ll find anything. Still, we want to be sure.”
“Then you’re still considering joining me in this adventure?” Devon smiled, obviously trying to lighten the mood.
“I’m considering it. In fact, I’m seriously considering it.”
Jake reached over and squeezed her hand. “Regardless of how we feel about it, the choice is yours.”
“I know.”
They ate for a few minutes in reflective silence then Ian asked, “Did the tiger—what’s her name—tell you any more about where she came from?”
“Her name is Serra and unfortunately she shut down on me.” Jake was obviously frustrated by the fact. He looked at Heather and shrugged. “I don’t know what changed.”
“Your scent,” Ian suggested. “She probably sensed the connection between you two and didn’t want to piss off your mate.”
“Our link feels like a mating bond?” Heather hadn’t meant to sound so hopeful but the ability to fool her father would solve so many problems.
“Newly formed links tend to feel similar. I don’t think you’re in sync yet but you’re definitely close.”
Heather’s heart lost its rhythm for a moment. She and Jake were in sync? It had been little over a day since he formed the connection. Could it really happen that quickly?
Disappointed? Jake used their private link to push the words into her mind.
No. Just surprised. I didn’t expect it to happen this fast.