She wasn’t so hidden when she was skinny dipping.
Last night I tried to get inside her home. I had to speed up the bond, to have it heal me so I could become human. Killing the intruder was justified. It was only fair that as an animal, a shifter, she should shelter me and let me sleep next to her in her nest. I even saved a trophy of his hand. Any female from the old ways would be enthralled with such a gift being won from their enemies.
My endeavors, however, were just met with a pat on the head and an old sub sandwich.
My mate was human. I had to remind myself of that. Just like the other rogues, I would need to be patient. But, an alpha’s patience only goes so far, and I was sick of not being in my human body. I had not only my mate to conquer, but a club to run.
There were other ways to gain her attention, and I was to find out soon enough how to win her over besides an intruder’s hand.
Chapter Eight
Locke
Ifollowed my mate through town. She went in and out through several shops until she made her way to a small park with a playground. Emm continued to pay attention to her surroundings without making it painfully obvious.
Children ran past her, screaming happily. She watched while they headed toward the swings as mothers and fathers went along and played with them. She gazed after them, with a sad look in her eye. A twitch of jealousy sparked inside me.
She didn't have a male, did she? Or a child she has left behind? The child would become mine, but the male would have to be dealt with swiftly. Any male that let their female wander away from them was, of course, an idiot.
Emm could handle herself, it appeared, but with a mate by her side she would be unstoppable. A male like me would fill that role.
Because I was fucking Locke—who was better than me?
My mate strode to a park bench which sat back toward a thicket of trees. It was cloudy today, and the air was crisp, carrying a faint scent of rain. I sat hidden behind her in the brush, my eyes scanning the playground as children laughed and played. Emm leaned against the wooden bench, her loose hair cascaded behind the wood backing and gave me the perfect spot to nuzzle my snout into it. The warmth of her body sent a wave of contentment through me, while she had no idea of the predator that was just inches from her pretty little throat.
My mate wasn’t one to sit idle. I’ve noticed that about her in the days leading up to this. My wolf felt conflicted as she sat here. Why was she sitting? We continued to scan our surroundings, our senses were coming in stronger. Our hearing and sight strengthened as long as we stayed near her.
Emm ruffled through the plastic bags from her purchases and pulled out a phone. She ripped the packaging away swiftly, pulled out a portable charger and hooked it up to the block. She tapped on it several times, her leg bouncing up and down as she waited.
A child screamed in excitement in the distance. My mate looked up and smiled when she saw the little boy jump off the swing and land into the mulch. She shook her head and when the phone turned on, she took a heaving breath and quickly began dialing.
Standing tall I pushed my face through the leaves of the brush and watched as the numbers filled the screen. I committed them to memory as she dialed and when she pressed send, I fell back into my hiding spot.
“Hello?” a tired voice came from the other side.
“Elena? Are you alright?” My mate’s voice said, laced with concern.
“I’m fine, just exhausted. Luis finally fell asleep after a marathon tantrum. How are you holding up?”
My mate’s head turned to so I could see her features softened, and a hint of relief flashed across her face. “I’m doing okay, just needed to hear your voice. It’s been a strange few days.”
Elena chuckled lightly over the phone. “Strange, for the great Emmie? Do tell.”
Emm glanced around the park once more before leaning in closer to the phone. “I think I’m being followed, maybe even hunted,” she whispered, her eyes darting to a squirrel skittering across a nearby branch.
There was a brief silence on the other end of the line before Elena spoke again, her tone shifting to one of concern. “Followed? By who?”
Emm hesitated. Her lips rolled in and out of her mouth. “I... I’m not entirely sure. But I can feel eyes on me, Elena. It’s like someone is watching my every move.” Her hand subconsciously moved to her hip. I could smell the powder of the gun that was concealed beneath her jacket.
Elena’s voice lowered to a serious tone. “Get out of there, Emm, it isn’t worth it. We are fine down here. I don’t know why you keep doing these jobs. We haven’t been bothered in years.”
Emm grunted and shook her head. “No, I need to do this. Besides, I can’t go anywhere for at least two weeks. Someone slashed my RV tires and I’m not about to abandon the thing.”
Elena gasped on the other side. “Is it another bounty hunter?”
My eyes widened in surprise.A bounty hunter?This was getting more and more interesting.
“Maybe, but, what if it isn’t? Maybe it is you know who? There is something else, Elena, and I need you to ask Abuela about a name.” Emm reached into her pocket and pulled out the ID ofthe male I’d ripped to shreds. She fiddled with it for a moment before Elena answered.
