Never Cry Wolf (Night Watch #4)(7)
Author: Cynthia Eden

“I’ve got a pact with the coyotes. They stay out of my space and I stay out of theirs.” Hard. Angry. He wasn’t slumping against the wooden frame any longer. His body stood at full attention, his broad shoulders filling the doorway.

“I hate to tell you,” she murmured, “but that truce is pretty much worthless.” To Hayden, anyway. “Hayden found out that John was onto his plans and he put a price on his head.”

“Like the price that’s on yours?”

Unfortunately, yes. That was the way the coyotes liked to play. A price would be put on prey. Then the hunt would begin.

She took a quick breath. “John thought his best chance of survival was coming here, telling you what was happening . . .”

“And getting my pack to watch his ass.”

The way she hoped they’d watch hers. “Yes.”

He strode toward her. “And where do you fit into all this? Why are they after you?”

“Because I know the attack isn’t just coming from the coyotes.” Bad enough, but . . . “Hayden is working with wolves—they are coming for you, too.” Wolves she knew. Wolves she’d trusted, once.

Then she’d seen their true nature.

“A war is coming to this town, Lucas. You’re going to get slammed from both sides.” This time, she sucked in a deep, gulping breath. Confession. “I know the wolf who’s leading the charge.”

“Know him?”

Not going to lie. A lie wouldn’t work with him. She stepped away from the stairs and headed closer to him. “He was my lover.” He’d also used her to spy. At first, she hadn’t minded. Not like spying was new for her. Besides, she’d been so happy to find someone who didn’t think she was some kind of freak.

And he’d been a wolf. It had seemed so perfect. As if he were made for her.

Then the killings had started.

She’d realized he wasn’t so perfect after all.

Sarah had gotten away from him, barely, but he was out there, and closing in—on her and Lucas.

“Your lover.” A growl. “You like to play with wolves, do you?”

Sarah kept her chin up even as her hands clenched into fists. “John died trying to save your ass.”

Black brows rose. “Sounds like he died trying to save his own ass.” He walked around her, circling like the wolf he was as he closed in on his prey. His gaze raked her, head to toe, lingering a bit too long on her br**sts and hips.

Sarah was all too aware that they were alone and that Lucas could rip her apart with one swipe of his claws. She knew first-hand just how strong a wolf shifter’s claws could be. The mark on her back had only healed a few weeks ago.

He circled her once more, then stopped just behind her. His breath stirred the hair near her ear as he said, “Tell me the wolf’s name.”

Not yet. Because wolves had a tendency to stick together, and she didn’t want to find herself on the outside, with two packs sizing her up. “Do you believe me?”

“I believe you’ve managed to piss off the coyotes.”

Not close to being good enough. She turned her head a bit and met his stare. “I’m a charmer. I can read the minds of wolves.”

“Then read my mind.” A taunt, one laced with sensual menace.

Her eyes narrowed. “I can’t read you when you’re in human form, you have to shift first.”

“I’ve heard there are only a handful of charmers in the world who can read a shifter’s mind.” The doubt was obvious. “Most charmers stick to real animals.”

“Shifters are real animals.” The insult burst out automatically, but she’d seen too much to think otherwise.

His lips curled, revealing the sharp tips of his canines. “That we are.” He leaned closer and she caught the soft inhale as he scented her hair.

Sarah held her body very, very still as his mouth came close to her throat. His lips feathered over her, pressing lightly against the side of her neck.

If he wanted, he could rip her throat open. But she knew what this move was about. Damn pack rules.

Dominance. Submission. Lucas was the freaking alpha, her only hope for living out the next forty-eight hours. So she had to play the game.

Sarah tipped back her head, baring her throat in a gesture she knew he’d understand.

A rumble slipped from his mouth and seemed to vibrate on her skin. She felt the light nip of his teeth, and, damn it all, a shot of heat streaked through her body. Can’t want him. Can’t trust him. Can only use him and walk away.

His tongue swiped over her throat, licking the small wound. “His scent’s not on you.”

It took a second for his words to register, a second too long, because Lucas caught her arms and yanked her around to face him.

He bent toward her, bringing his eyes close to hers. “Babe, I know wolf shifters. If we’re f**king, we’re marking our partners. If you had a wolf lover, his scent would be all over you.”

Bastard. “Only if we’d been together in the last month. It’s been four months since I got the hell away from him.” Partial truth.

His nostrils flared. Smell a lie . . .

“I’m telling you the truth.” If she said it, maybe he’d buy it. “You’re in danger, your pack’s in danger and—”

“We’ll see.” His hand lowered and snagged her wrist. “I think a little test is in order.” He pulled her with him.

What? A test? “Lucas—”

But he didn’t stop. His grip was freaking unbreakable, because she really did try every way possible to break it. He led her through the house, dragged her outside, hauled her down the hill—and ignored her shouts to explain what the hell he was doing.

When they burst through the brush and into the small clearing and four wolves—huge, furry beasts with saliva dripping from their teeth—lunged toward them, Sarah finally understood her little “test.”

The wolves circled them. She couldn’t help it. Sarah inched closer to Lucas. Two of the wolves were black. Two were solid white. All looked like they’d been taking some kind of shifter steroids. Way too large for normal wolves. She swallowed.

“Let’s see what part of your story was true,” Lucas said, “and what part was bullshit.”

He freed her wrist. Then the guy stepped away from her. Far away. He left her in the middle of that circle of wolves and the animals closed in.

“The bitch made contact with Simone.”