CHAPTER SEVEN

SANI

Fear and desire.

Sani had never smelled the two opposing scents in such massive amounts and together. He replayed the encounter over and over. Tereza wasn’t afraid of him, but she was terrified of something. Or someone. Protective instincts rose in him. His wolf prowled under his skin, unhappy to be leaving Tereza alone.

Under the fear and desire, he’d smelled something else. Scents of winter and magic, a heady combination that made his head swim.

Fated.

The thought took him by surprise, yet was the only thing that made sense. Could it be? Tereza looked human, and until he’d pressed his nose right against her neck, she’d smelled human, too. Whatever magic she used to hide was powerful, but what was she hiding from?

Then she’d kissed him, and that decided it for him. It hadn’t been passionate, or out of control — hardly more than the barest caress of their lips, but no other woman, and no other kiss, had made his body and wolf come alive like that.

He wanted more kisses. Wanted to do it again and again, soft and light until he’d kissed away that haunted, hunted look in Tereza’s eyes.

Who had put that look in her eyes? Scared her right to the bone? Because even when she lit up at his kiss, she was afraid. The thought had his wolf straining at its bonds. He wanted to keep her close. Keep her safe. Make her his.

Fated. Fated. Fated.

The word echoed in his head. It was all he could do not to rush back to her.

But there was the matter of the moth. Sani studied the creature’s eyes, the quivering tongue. It looked delicate in his big hands, yet still menacing. It fluttered within its cage between his palms.

It had turned completely white, nearly translucent now — the color of mage magic. With the Wolf Mage living nearby, could this creature be a spy? Had the mage found the sanctuary, or discovered the pack was searching for him?

The moth had been in the library of all places. Looking for Tereza? The scent of her fear had spiked when the moth was fluttering around. Was she on the run from the Wolf Mage?

In any case, Mika needed to know about the potential danger, and Sani had to alert the patrols to be even more vigilant. Rather than try to drive with the moth in his hands, Sani hurried across the ranch toward the Council House on foot.

Visions of a willowy woman with chestnut-colored hair swirled in a bun persisted. He wanted to muss that upswept hairdo, and find out just how long and silky her hair was. He’d never had a librarian fetish before, but he understood the appeal now. His fingers itched to touch her, to feel the silk of her hair, the smoothness of her skin.

Tereza was tall. One little dip of his chin was all it took to kiss her. Her eyes were a cinnamon color he’d never seen. And toned arms stretched out from that sleeveless sundress, well, those belonged around him. There was something about her. She wasn’t a shifter. He’d be able to tell that even if he didn’t know exactly what kind. The air around her tasted like magic now that he had smelled through her disguise.

Fated. The word hammered into his soul. His heart pounded like he’d run the length of the mountain range searching for his mate.

He stumbled over nothing, nearly losing the moth as he flailed for balance.

Anyone who doubted destiny could look at Mika and Madison to see proof.

Except Sani… Well, he wasn’t Mika. On the rare occasion that destiny came knocking at the ranch, it brushed straight past him. The second son wasn’t destined for much. That, or he was captain of his own destiny and could damn well steer his own course.

He wasn’t sure which option unsettled him more. He only knew that this woman had stirred him. He couldn’t get her out of his mind. Before he’d even seen Tereza, her presence had drawn him, well more precisely, his wolf, toward her cottage.

Fated.

That’s what scared him. His wolf had never claimed a woman before. Usually, the beast sampled anything on offer and moved on. Over the last two days, though, his wolf had suddenly developed an opinion, and it was all about Tereza. Only her. All the time.

Fated.

But what the hell did a wolf know? Sani wasn’t meant to settle down. He wasn’t the one called by fate. Just because he spent day and night wondering about her, didn’t mean he was in love. The wind taunted him all the way across the ranch.

Sani reached the center of the ranch and strode to his brother, who was standing outside the Council House next to Madison.

Mika didn’t look away from his mate, but a low growl meant he didn’t appreciate the interruption. The rumble was cut off as Madison elbowed Mika’s stomach and turned a bright smile on Sani. “What have you got there?”

Madison looked good. Not like she’d almost died recently. Mika had nearly lost his mind while she’d hovered near death. It was understandable he was a little overprotective now.

“I found it in the new library.” Sani spread his fingers to allow Mika and Madison to see his captive. The moth beat its wings furiously against his palms. “It started out small, then grew bigger and turned white.”

Mika finally looked interested, peering intently between Sami’s fingers for a closer look.

“What do you think? A scout?” Sani kept his voice low. Why, he wasn’t sure. As far as he knew, a mage couldn’t hear through a spy like this. Maybe see through its eyes, which was bad enough.

Mika cocked his head left, then right, examining the moth. “Hard to say.” He scooped the moth into his hands, careful not to crush it. Yet. “Let’s show it to Father.”

And the day had been going so well. He’d found an excuse to talk to Tereza, got her to smile. Kissed her. Now everything was sure to go to hell.

“Sani!” a female voice grated on his nerves.

He groaned.

Abigail was hell in high heels. She staged an overly dramatic wobble, and launched herself into his arms, making sure to heave her oversized boobs into his chest. Sani caught her awkwardly, trying to keep her upright but not touch her. He bumped into Madison. Mika reached instinctively, reaching for his mate.

The moth escaped, circled over their heads once, and burst into flames.

Mika sent a litany of curses directly into Sani’s brain. That got him another elbow from Madison, although she looked equally as annoyed with Abigail’s presence.

“Oh, I’m so sorry! Was that important?” Abigail purred, not sounding apologetic at all as she fondled Sani’s neck.

Her talon-like nails trailed over his skin, sending a disgusted shudder down his spine. He peeled her arms off him and stepped back, keeping a grip on Abigail’s wrists so she couldn’t touch him again.

“We’ll never fucking know, will we?” Mika stomped off. That was probably just as well, given how he was broadcasting his intense desire to strangle Abigail with the purple bra under the scrap of material she wore as a shirt.

It was Abigail who had given Madison the false information that nearly resulted in her death.

Madison offered a shrug and followed after her mate.

Abigail gazed up at Sani and parted her red lips.

He didn’t wait to hear what she intended to say. “Gotta go!” Sani fled toward the security office. With the evidence up in flames, at least he didn’t have to see his father.