Jeff Hunt was afool.
Mark led with the grace of a gazelle, but the expression was one of a lion who saw something interesting to hunt. "I must apologize for the actions of our wolf, Katie. The Lupin pack has honor and breaking our word leads to consequences. You can rest assured Jeff Hunt will pay for the embarrassment heaped upon your pack thisevening."
A smile peeked from the corner of my mouth. "We don't have packs. Justfamily."
"A pack is a family. And we do not take kindly to those who pledge to someone and turn their backs onthem."
I sighed and let him guide me across the dancefloor.
"Would you share why?" he asked me, his steps perfectly in time with thebeat.
I blinked and looked up at him,surprised.
"I know it's intrusive, but I am curious why someone would leave a radiant beauty like yourself. You have poise and grace, and your family seems wonderful. I cannot fathom why Jeff would throw all of thataway."
I had already performed the spell so Jeff would no longer remember what I was. He would remember me, our relationship and the events inside of it, though he would have some...gaps when he thought about times where my gift was broughtup.
"I -" I started and sighed. Werewolves could smell lies. I wasn't sure what to tellhim.
Mark, sensing my hesitation, smiled. "I am the Alpha of a pack of 600 werewolves, Katie. The secrets I carry are both deadly and world shattering. There is nothing you can tell me that would make me think any worse of you. I give you my word as Alpha. If I spill your secret, I will step down as Alpha of the Lupin pack and leave Midnight Coveforever."
I sucked in a breath. That was not a light promise to give. "Mark, don't saythat."
His eyes glittered as the disco ball flashed over us. "Tell me, Katie. So that I may understand and punish Jeffappropriately."
Where tostart?
He spun me around again and pulled me a littlecloser.
“Do you know what Iam?”
His eyes glittered with curiosity. “You’ve always smelled a little funny to us, but none of us could figure itout.”
I snorted. “Thanks.”
“You have to understand we can smell everything. It’s intense.” A smile ghosted across his generous lips. “You and certain members of your family smell...exotic. Nothing we’ve ever scented during our time inAmerica.”
Our kind was not from here, though we’d been here for as long as I could remember. My mother and her mother before her were born here. “I’m aJinn.”
Mark’s eyes widened. “Oh.” He let out a little exhale. “Let me guess whathappened.”
A smile that didn’t reach my eyes flickered across my face. “It’s pretty obvious, isn’tit?”
“How do you plan on protectingyourself?”
I wasn’t sure I wanted to tell him I’d bespelled his wolf, but I couldn’t see how to wiggle out of it either. “Jeff no longer remembers what Iam.”
“Ah,” his hand tightened just a fraction on mywaist.
He didn’t like it, but I think he understood. “And the other men who’ve left you? All for the samereason?”
I winced. “Ouch.”
“Katie, you have a gift people would kill for. I can only assume you’ve been used. If I were in your situation, I would do everything in my power to protect mysecret.”
I nodded. “Few people know thetruth.”
Surprise crossed his face. “You own theMagical Brew!” He chuckled. “I would have never guessed. Your Ditzy Blonde brew is the best ale I’ve everhad.”
