Dark Fates (A Paranormal Anthology)(69)

Torin nodded, not really paying attention. He watched Cora as she sat in the chair next to Alec. “Is that Ashwood?”

Alec pointed to the last screen on the left. “Satellite image of the whole area, yes. The one next to it is MoonRiver. Luna and Blaine thinks it's a good idea to include the wolf den in the security design plan.”

“I’d have to agree with them. You could utilize the tunnel system. Were you planning to bury wire around the outside perimeter? It could be a major PITA, but, with a small team, it could be done in no time.” Cora stopped talking and glanced first at Alec, then over her shoulder toward Torin.

Her cheeks pinkened and added to her beauty. He closed the distance between them. “Those are great ideas. You can lead the team and work with Alec on the technical stuff.”

“What? No….”

She shook her head. Torin felt her wolf withdraw a little more.

“But they’re your ideas. I heard the excitement in your voice as you spoke.” He squatted between her and Alec. Taking her hand in his, he softened his tone. “I believe you can do this. I can sense you want to do this.”

She swallowed, but didn’t tug free, which left him and his wolf grateful. “Who…who will be my team?”

Alec smiled and nodded. “Tanner.” He held his hand up to silence both Torin and Cora. “One, you’ll need a sentry who knows the area well. Two, you get to boss him around.”

A shy smile formed on her full, kissable lips.

Torin rose to his feet and added, “Tanner is good to work with. He actually takes direction better than he likes to let people know.”

Another beautiful, smile lifted her lips. “Who else?”

“Ana.”

Alec nodded. “Yes, Ana will be great. I’m thinking it would be good for Gina to help also.”

Torin snapped a narrow-eyed glare at the leopard Marshal. Gina was a mutant and only allowed to live in the den because of the enchanted collar she wore. He worried what kind of stress Gina’s presence would place on Cora. Torin opened his mouth to protest, but Cora spoke before he could.

“Gina and Ana are good. Is that it?”

“No. I was thinking Robyn would be great with infusing the magic triggers along the way,” Alec suggested.

“Robyn will be perfect. I don’t know her, but she’s settled into the Pack well, I think.” Cora glanced up at Torin, sending a shockwave of desire straight to his cock.

Reaching out, he lifted the end of one of her strawberry curls. She stiffened briefly, then gently tugged her hair from his fingers. Amusement lit up his wolf’s attention. Alec shook his head and turned toward to the monitors.

Torin ignored the leopard Marshal/acting Beta and offered Cora his best attempt at a gentle smile. “Come, Cora, have breakfast with me.”

She studied him for a long moment before dropping her gaze to her lap. “Oh. I’ll need to change. I…”

Tracing a finger down her cheek to her chin, he gently lifted her face to his. “You look beautiful.”

Her cheeks colored once more, and she eased out of his grip. Standing, she turned her attention to Alec, “Can I have access to the files so I can look them over and draft up a plan tonight?”

The leopard smiled wide, scribbled something down on a sticky note and handed it to her. “Have fun. I can’t seem to narrow down one option. I can’t wait to see what you come with.”

She carefully folded down the sticky part of the Post-It, then folded it in half before slipping it into the pocket of her sweats. “Thanks.” Then she paced to the door, not bothering to wait on Torin.

His lips lifted as he followed her out the room, attention riveted on the way her hips swayed. He was going to unleash her wolf if it was the last thing he did.

****

Cora exited the room with her heart pounding in her throat. Pressing her back to the wall, she closed her eyes. Every nerve sparked like a live wire under her skin. Torin’s presence was too intense in large doses. Now she was going to have breakfast with him.

She opened her eyes the moment he followed her out into the hallway. He stopped in front of her and braced one hand beside her head. Not exactly trapping her, but close enough. Remembering to breathe, she tried not to shake. His cool, mint scent enveloped her, taunted her, and made her ache in all the right places.

When he dipped his head, she held her breath. Kissing him would be too much, would break her more than she was already broken. Because it’d been too long since she allowed skin-to-skin contact with a male—or any contact with anyone except the occasional casual touch between friends.

“What is your favorite food?”

She let out the breath she held. “Pizza.”

Good one, Cora. How old are you again?

“I love pizza.”

She met his desire-hazed stare, but was able to hold it for only a moment before her wolf whimpered. “No, you don’t.”

Her eyes widened, and she slapped a hand over her mouth. Before this, she’d only sassed off to her brother in a show of play between his cat and her wolf. Tears stung as they pooled, then spilled over her lashes. She squeezed her eyelids shut. Jason.

Torin’s warm fingers stroked her cheek, then swiped a tear that escaped. A moment later, she was pulled into his arms, and she buried her face in his shirt.

“Hey.” He cupped her face, forcing her to look at him. She lowered her lids because it hurt too much to meet his stare, his power. “Cora, look at me.”