My Wolf’s Bane(71)

Daniel growled.

“Careful.” Zack angled his body to better dodge an attack. “I’ve been a werewolf my entire life. Which means I’ve had eighteen more years than you to build up strength.”

“I’ll take my chances.” Daniel backed up ever so slightly, like he was about to spring.





CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

“I’m disappointed in you, Daniel.”

From the cover of the tree, I scanned the vicinity for the body belonging to the vaguely familiar voice. The next moment, he appeared beside Daniel — the man we’d seen at the dealership dressed in black. But today, he wore faded jeans and a T-shirt. Zack had said he was a scout and had probably been the one to bite Daniel. By his presence now, I guessed Zack was right.

“There’s a time and place for everything but I say when and where.” The scout held perfectly still just before his hand struck out. The force of the blow lifted Daniel off the ground, sending him crashing into a tree trunk. “I could end you as easily as I made you. Do not force me to remind you again.” He motioned for Daniel to come, then turned on his heel and strode away.

Daniel rose and followed, his eyes shooting daggers at Zack over his shoulder. When I was sure they were long gone, I dropped to the ground.

“It’s getting crowded around here,” Zack told me silently. “We need to find a new place to run,” Zack said as we headed back to my house.

“So you’ve been morphing since you were born?” I asked, pretty sure I’d heard Zack tell me a different story.

“No, just the last couple years.” He moved a branch out of the way for me.

I hurried past him, avoiding the end of the branch. “That’s not the impression you gave Daniel.”

“I told him the truth. He can take it however he wants. I learned that from you.” Zack flashed me a grin. “But I’d probably still be stronger, because I’ve got two years on him.”

“You think that makes a difference?” I sidestepped to avoid an overgrown tree root.

He shrugged. “I would think so.”

We arrived at the field and took off running to my house. Once home, I wasn’t sure I had the energy for anything but a quick shower and maybe a few pages of reading. Zack retrieved his blanket and pillow from the closet while I disappeared upstairs.

Energized after my shower, I changed into a tiny pair of flannel shorts and a spaghetti strap tank, then headed downstairs for water. The scents of soap and shampoo wafted from the bathroom and tickled my nose. Zack was lying on the couch, his hair wet and disheveled. Yum.

Propping his top half up on his elbows, he eyed me as I hit the landing.

“Everything okay?” I asked, wondering what the chances were of making out with him again.

“Yeah, sure. Just winding down.” Zack looked around the room, anywhere but at me. “I was about to call it a night.”

“Is the couch okay? Need anything?” I passed through the living room toward the kitchen doorway.

“I’m fine, thanks.” Avoiding my gaze, he reached to the floor and picked up a book.

I was about to step into the kitchen when I caught him staring at my legs, so I paused.

His eye twitched. “Do me a favor and put on some real pajamas, okay?”

Biting my lip, I pretended to mull it over, then scrunched up my nose. “I have to cover up and you get to run around with that six-pack exposed?”

“I get hot at night.”

I couldn’t have agreed more, which made me want to throw myself at him. Jolting back to reality, I trudged to the kitchen and poured a glass of water. Not wanting to appear desperate, I did my best to keep my eyes off him.

Who was I kidding? He looked too good not to get my fill. I wanted to drink him up. Glass in hand, I stood in the doorway between the kitchen and living room and observed him while I sipped the cool liquid. He studied me, leaning against a pillow with his hands behind his head. From where I stood, I could hear his breathing change, his heart speed up.

My veins hummed just looking at Zack. Instinct told me that if I pressed, he wouldn’t resist. But I didn’t want him that way. I wanted him to want me without reservations. Most of all, I didn’t want to be rejected again.

“Well, sweet dreams.” Gulping the rest of the water, I set the cup on the counter and sprinted up the stairs.

† † †

Zack dropped me off at his house the next day after school and went to work. Once I finished my homework, I asked Cara and Favianne if they needed help with anything. They didn’t. Bored, I rifled through Zack’s backpack in search of notes that would tell me his assignments. I found them and did all his homework, fairly sure he’d get an A on everything. I checked in with Cara again and she asked me to set the table. As I placed the last plate, I heard Zack arrive in the Mustang.