At the mention of Hannah’s name, Malcolm frowned.“What was she saying?”
“She was…sowing discord,” Larissa said, her lips pressing into a thin line.“Questioning Nick’s leadership, implying you and I are too caught up in our own rivalry to notice what’s really going on in the pack.”
A low growl rumbled in Malcolm’s chest before he could stop it.The thought of Hannah manipulating their pack members, especially the younger ones, made his blood boil.But beneath the anger, there was a flicker of something else.Guilt, perhaps?
“I’ve been thinking about investigating what Gregory and Hannah are really up to,” Malcolm said.“Their return can’t be a coincidence.They’re planning something, I’m sure of it.”
“I agree.We need to work together on this.The pack needs us united, not divided.”
The irony of her words wasn’t lost on him.
United.
If only she knew how much he wanted that, in more ways than one.
“You’re right,” he said.“We should start planning.I’ve got some maps and notes in the living room.We can spread out there and start strategizing.”
As they moved through the house, Larissa’s scent filled the space between them and stirred his wolf, made him want to pull her close and never let go.
But he couldn’t.They had work to do.
They settled on opposite ends of the couch, a map of Sunburst spread out on the coffee table in front of them.
Malcolm tried to concentrate on Larissa’s words as she pointed out potential locations where Hannah and Gregory might be meeting their supporters.But his gaze kept drifting to her lips as he remembered how they’d moved against his own during that stolen moment on patrol.
“Malcolm?Are you even listening?”Larissa’s irritated tone snapped him back to the present.
“Sorry,” he muttered, shaking his head.“I was just…thinking about the implications of all this.”
Larissa’s eyes narrowed slightly, but she nodded and continued.As she spoke, outlining a plan to gather information from trusted pack members, Malcolm leaned closer.He told himself it was to get a better look at the map, but deep down, he knew it was more than that.
Their hands brushed as they both reached to point at the same location on the map.A jolt shot through Malcolm at the contact, and Larissa stiffened slightly.The tension in the room thickened.
Malcolm’s wolf was restless now, pacing just beneath the surface of his skin.It wanted to claim Larissa, to mark her as his mate.The human part of him wasn’t far behind, longing to pull her into his arms and confess everything he’d realized the day before.
But they had to focus.The pack needed them.
“We should start by talking to Anders,” Malcolm suggested, his voice slightly hoarse.“He’s got a good read on the pack dynamics, and he might have noticed something we’ve missed.”
Larissa nodded.“He’s got the respect of the older pack members, and the younger ones trust his judgment.”
“If we can get him on board…,” Malcolm began.
“The rest will follow his lead,” Larissa finished.She stretched, rolling her shoulders to ease the tension.
Malcolm’s gaze followed the movement, lingering on the graceful line of her neck before he caught himself and looked away.“Want some coffee?”he asked.
“God, no.I’m wired enough as it is.”Larissa rose, gathering their scattered notes into neat piles.Her fingers brushed his as she handed him a stack of papers, and that electricity jolted through him.
“We make a good team,” he said quietly, not moving away.“When we’re not trying to tear each other apart.”
Larissa’s lips curved into a wry smile.“Who says we’re not still trying?”But there was a roughness in her voice that hadn’t been there before.
Malcolm took a step closer, drawn by that hint of vulnerability.“Is that what this is?Another competition?”
“Isn’t it always with us?”Her breath hitched slightly as he moved closer still.The scent of her made his head spin.
“Maybe,” Malcolm said slowly.“But lately I’ve been thinking…” He trailed off, distracted by how the sunlight through the windows caught the gold flecks in her eyes.
