Chapter 6 – JAX #2
Good. This gives me the chance I need. I’ll tell him about Camille being my mate, explain why I need to stay away. Neither of us wants to explain to the council how my wolf went wild and marked her without her consent during another blackout.
The walk to the training grounds takes only minutes, but I use every second to rehearse what I’ll say.
Camille is my mate. For her own safety, we need to be kept apart.
He’ll pull me off the case. Maybe even send me to another pack until the Games are over.
I round the equipment shed, words ready on my tongue, and freeze.
She’s there. Crouched beside the weapons rack with Dean, examining something on the handle of a practice sword. The morning sun turns her hair to gold as she gestures at whatever they’ve found.
My carefully planned confession dies in my throat as she tilts her head and looks up at me, sunlight dancing across her pretty features. One eyebrow raised in challenge, and I nearly swallow my own tongue.
She’s so beautiful.
“Finally,” Dean calls without looking up.
Camille rocks back on her heels, her expression unreadable, as she regards me.
My wolf rushes forward, and I grit my teeth, fighting back the urge to cross to her in three long strides and toss her over my shoulder.
“Jax, this is Camille. Camille, Jax. He’s the best tracker we have, and he’ll be at your disposal for as long as you want him.”
Her lips curl in amusement. “Fantastic.”
My feet remain rooted to the spot, not trusting myself to move any closer. Immediately, my wolf’s protectiveness kicks into gear. The culprit could be here, watching.
“Well, Jax. Why don’t you get over here and tell us what you think?” When she blinks up at me, I can’t resist doing what she asks. Her scent on the breeze lures me closer, even though I know I should be keeping my distance.
Especially when she tilts her head, mischief sparkling in her eyes, and adds, “Maybe a thief can give me some insight into catching one.”
The smart comment hits exactly where she intended, and I halt my approach, trying not to smile at her feisty attitude. My wolf is shameless though, loving her spirit, and that she’s not afraid to call me out.
And that she doesn’t look all that pissed off about it, merely intrigued.
“Thief?” Dean’s head snaps up, looking between us with sharp interest, his eyes imploring me to please keep the peace here and not mess things up. “You two know each other?”
“We’ve crossed paths. Or, should I say, his wolf and I have,” Camille says coolly, standing with fluid grace. “Your brother was lurking in the woods near my cabin.”
My hands clench into fists. She’s baiting me, trying to get a reaction. And it’s working. My wolf wants to fuck that bratty attitude right out of her.
“I was patrolling the borders,” I explain through gritted teeth. “It’s my job.”
Forcing myself to move closer, each step is an exercise in control. When her scent surrounds me, arousal and anger mix with something that makes my wolf whine with need.
“Your job involves sneaking onto my porch?” she challenges, and I press my lips into a thin line, staring down at her while she glares right back, hands on hips, pure defiance shining right back at me.
She’s furious and, gods, I just want to kiss her so badly.
The tension between us is thick enough to choke on. Dean watches us, clearly trying to piece together whatever he’s missing, before deciding he has other more important things to worry about. A criminal, one who might target Camille if they realise why she’s here.
“Well,” he says slowly, “whatever this is, put it aside and work it out later. Right now, I need you both to focus on the investigation. That’s all.“
I lean toward the weapons, pretending to examine the magical trace while my entire being is distracted by her. This close, I can hear her elevated heartbeat, smell the heat rising from her skin.
There will be no excusing myself from the investigation. Far from it. I’m going to be her shadow, make sure she can work safely and protect her while she’s on our land.
My wolf has other ideas, much more intimate, and shows me exactly what he wants to do. The images are so vivid that I have to dig my fingertips into the dirt to keep from acting on them.
When I finally speak, my voice comes out rough. “Just solve the case. I can do that.”
Camille shifts slightly away from me, fury in her eyes, but I don’t miss the flash of hurt that flickers across her face. “Then so can I.”
“I meant…” When Dean stares at me, warning me not to start an argument, I press my lips together, instantly wishing I could take the words back. I’ve insulted her by pretending I can ignore our bond and work together like nothing’s going on.
But what else am I supposed to say?
“Come on, Jax,” she says, my name sounding like a swear word from her lips.
“Let’s get this over and done with.” Tipping her head toward the packhouse, she strides off without looking back.
“And get me a list of who had access to that rack last. Which training session and whether these weapons were all there or brought from a storeroom.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Her bossiness is so fucking sexy.
My wolf accepts the invitation with a rumble of anticipation, eagerly trailing along behind those hips as she storms away angrily, head held high. He doesn’t care that she’s pissed off, he’s just happy to follow her like an adoring puppy.
Dean gives me a curious look, wondering how I’ll handle being ordered around, but I just shake my head and wave him off.
“Go. I’ll give her whatever she needs.”
He hesitates, but then eventually shrugs and walks away, thankfully deciding he doesn’t want to know what’s going on.
But I have a feeling that when he does find out, and he will, he’s not going to be pleased that I didn’t warn him about the shit-show that’s inevitably going to go down.