Enticing Their Mate (Pack Wars #6)(36)

“Chris is working on that, but Ford said Bailey thought that he was one of the doctors who’d been at the clinic. That’s why I’m calling. When you see Sarah tonight, could you ask her?”

Riley must have mentioned that Sarah would be staying with them. “Sure.”

“Let me know what you find out.”

“Will do.”

Once he disconnected, several thoughts raced through his head. One was that if the buyer had forced Statler’s hand by requiring the women to be taken care of, no one would be safe around him—especially Sarah. The second was that if Sarah did spot Jay following her, he could always say he needed some intel on Dr. Elkhart.

When he reached the park entrance and found her car, he smiled. Stepping out, he inhaled, but with the wind blowing, he couldn’t pick up her scent. There was only one path into the forest, so Jay jogged in until he was out of sight from the lot before shifting. Instantly, he caught her delicious signature that seemed to have been woven into the fabric of his being.

His goal was merely to keep her in sight and to make sure none of Statler’s men came after her. Jay wouldn’t be surprised if her boss gave Russ the go ahead to do what he wanted to her. Just the idea of anyone harming his woman caused a growl to almost escape, and the urge to go after Russ almost forced him to turn around. Doing so, though, would derail his mission, which was making sure Sarah remained safe.


As he cut through the forest along a ridge, he saw Sarah below and slowed. Her grace and strength appealed to him on so many levels, which was why he needed to be cautious around her. He was falling for her in part because of her ambition. Unfortunately, that might be the one thing that came between them.

For the next half hour, he kept at a good distance behind her. He could sense from her gait and the way she was always looking down that she was working hard to rid herself of demons.

As she neared a copse of trees, she stopped then planted her hands on her knees, her back heaving. Perhaps it was the rush of running water nearby that caused her to pause at this spot or else all of her worries had caught up with her. Sarah eased her way back up before glancing around.

Jay was a good two hundred feet downwind, so he doubted she would even notice him, especially since his coloring helped him blend in with the surrounding forest. She must not have sensed him or anyone else for she peeled apart the branches on a tall hedge and stepped behind it, blocking her from his view.

Jay didn’t like her being out of sight and moved closer, not caring if he made noise because the water crashing on the rocks would cover his approach. As he nudged his way through the leaves, he was treated to a fantastic sight, but it was immediately ruined when she turned around. Her eyes grew wide and she covered her naked body the best he could.

Oh, shit.





Chapter Fifteen





Don’t move!

A scream was on the tip of Sarah’s lips, but if she gave into her urge, the wolf might attack. She’d always recognized the possibility that Statler might send one of his men to take her out for failing to care for the women, but then she dismissed that idea when she believed he still needed her.

The wolf cocked his head then sat down, almost as if he were mocking her. He was mostly gray with dark patches of brown woven in his hindquarters, a contrast to Russ who was black and gray.

“Go away.” She made a shooing motion, hoping to scare the critter, but he opened his mouth and panted, as if he’d run a long distance.

As she stepped toward him, fur suddenly flew and the animal spun. Seconds later, Jay stood in front of her. Sarah didn’t know whether to cry for joy or beat him for scaring her. “What are you doing here?”

He held up his hands. “Don’t be mad. I need your help.”

“Bullshit.” She bent down, grabbed her clothes, and clasped them to her chest. It didn’t matter that she’d made love with him; being naked in the open didn’t seem right. “Is anyone else here?”

He rushed toward her, and she didn’t back up. “Fuck no. I would have made sure they left. I swear I didn’t mean to scare you.” The man did appear contrite. “To be honest, I was so taken by you that I forgot to shift back. I know our abilities might be amazing to you humans, but if I had one wish, it would be that I could be invisible when I wanted to be.”

Her shoulders relaxed. “Why’s that? So you could sneak up without me noticing?” She chuckled.

“Maybe.” He grinned.

“I forgive you, but what was so important that you had to follow me out here? You could have called.” His eyes turned dark for a moment, and she wondered if that was his body’s way of reacting when he was caught in a lie.

“I do have a question for you, but I also wanted to make sure you were safe.”

Any lingering anger disappeared. “I’m fine.”

“For now, maybe, but Connolly called and gave me some information.” He told her about Statler receiving a call and then him calling a Dr. Elkhart. “What do you know about him?”

“He’s a shifter, but I don’t think he’s enhanced—or rather, I assumed he wasn’t since I didn’t think he’d have a need to be. He used to work at the lab taking care of the women, if doing experiments on them is considered taking care.”

“That’s what we figured. Because Statler is probably pissed about having to shell out more money for these women, I wanted to come here to make sure you were okay.”