What?The word came out sounding stark, harder than she intended.
There’s a pack gathering tonight.On Sunburst Mesa.He gestured toward the sacred site visible in the distance, where scattered lights already dotted the landscape.Anders and Etta’s official mate recognition ceremony.
Nadine’s wolf twitched restlessly beneath her skin at the mention of mate recognition, responding to both the concept and Conall’s proximity with an enthusiasm that made her teeth clench.
Congratulations to them,she said, turning back to her equipment.I’ll be in my apartment if anyone needs me for the investigation.
You should come.
The suggestion stopped her cold.She straightened slowly, meeting his gaze with what she hoped was cool professionalism instead of the confusion that was eating her alive.
That’s not a good idea.
Why not?His tone carried genuine curiosity, as if he couldn’t fathom why a woman who’d spent weeks hunting his pack for murder might feel uncomfortable at their gathering.
Because I don’t belong there.Because half your pack still thinks I’m a threat, and the other half is only tolerating me because you vouched for me.
That’s not true.
Isn’t it?She shouldered her bag, using the movement to create distance between them.Your brother can barely stand to be in the same room as me.Anders watches me like I might bolt or attack at any moment.And the rest of them…She shrugged.They’re polite because their alphas ordered them to be.
Conall stepped closer, and her traitorous senses noted the way the desert heat had intensified his masculine musk.
You’re not giving them enough credit,he said quietly.And you’re not giving yourself enough credit either.
I’ve helped with one investigation,she said, forcing her voice to remain steady.That doesn’t make me part of your pack.
Doesn’t it?His dark eyes searched her face with uncomfortable intensity.You’ve shared intelligence that could save lives.You’re putting yourself at risk to help us identify the real enemy.
I’m protecting my own interests.
Is that all?He moved closer still, close enough that she could see the flecks of gold in his brown eyes, feel the heat radiating from his skin.Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’ve been protecting this pack from the moment you led those operatives away from me in the ravine.
That was different,she said weakly.
Was it?His voice dropped to that rough whisper that always made her wolf surge forward with desperate need.
The space between them seemed to shrink without either of them moving, the air growing thick with possibility and the dangerous pull of recognition.
This is exactly why I shouldn’t come tonight,she managed to say.Because every time we’re alone, this happens.
Maybe that’s not entirely bad.
It is when your brother thinks I’m manipulating you through an artificial mate bond.
Conall’s expression shifted, something like pain flickering across his features.Quinton’s concerns aren’t—
Aren’t what?Valid?She laughed, but there was no humor in it.He’s trying to protect you from someone he sees as a threat.That’s exactly what a good brother should do.
You’re not a threat.
How do you know?The question came loaded with all her own doubts, all the fears that had been eating at her since Dr.Chen’s revelations about neural interface technology.How do either of us know what’s real anymore?
For a moment, neither of them spoke.The mate bond vibrated between them, insistent and warm and impossible to ignore, but underneath it ran currents of uncertainty that made her throat ache.
Come tonight,Conall said finally, his voice gentle but determined.
Conall—
