~ RIG ~ I was in the kitchen staring into the fridge and considering a beer—maybe that would ease this relentless tugging in my chest—when the doorbell rang. Jack opened the door, and the wind that blew inside sent the hair on the back of my neck to attention again. Natalie. She’d been a lot more quiet since all of this began. A lot more like the old Natalie who could be authentic, and sweet, and funny as hell. But my neck still itched every time she was near. I knew we needed to keep up appearances—I’d told her to make sure we didn’t go more than a day without seeing each other. But it still rankled. This wasn’t the female I yearned for, and that was becoming harder and harder to hide. I grabbed a coke instead of the be

~ CARA ~I’d barely followed any of the discussion. My mind kept replaying that phone call and the tension in Rig’s voice, the edge of desperation.Was he really that good of an actor? And what did it mean if he wasn’t?Charlie’s words in the car came back to me. That little speech about Rig being different with me—and my conviction about that same thing. I’d seen the shift in him. Noticed it.I could feel myself wavering, and that scared the hell out of me.Natalie, I reminded myself. The sparks that flew between them whenever they were close—the way he touched her without even thinking about it. The way she was fearless around him and completely undisturbed by his touch. As if it we

~ CARA ~ Natalie stood on the sidewalk behind me dressed in an elegant sweatsuit, her hair tied back and arms folded. My chest heaved with the rush of adrenalin from not knowing she was there. I should have scented her… shouldn’t I? “How did you—” “The wind was blowing the wrong way,” she said bluntly, then looked down at Ralf. “Who’s your friend?” “He’s just…” I trailed off, frowning. “None of your business,” I said quickly. “What are you doing here?” “I was looking for you.” “Oh? Why?” I let go of Ralf’s head and folded my arms to mirror her. “Because I need to talk to you.” She wasn’t smiling, but her tone wasn’t sharp. She l

~ RIG ~I'd realized Cara was close before the others. I'd been slow closing my side of the noose around this Night Walker because I was watching for her. But the wind was running in the wrong direction, and I got distracted by the creature. We finally cornered him. I could feel Cara was close, but after the guys called me to join the hunt, I wasn't paying enough attention. It wasn't until Charlie shifted and I heard Cara’s sharp intake of breath nearby that adrenaline flooded my system. I whirled, intending to get to her side, to calm her... Ralf always calmed her. But she was already running. And I could feel the jittering terror driving her forward. It was instinct. My mate was in need. I didn't even think. As my brothers shifted and raced afte

~ CARA ~“Mates?” I asked breathlessly. He nodded. “Like… a couple?”“A pair,” he said quickly, wetting his lips with his tongue. “Among wolves it means that we’re always regarded as being a unit… Loyal. Committed. We belong to each other. That’s what you’re feeling, Cara. That’s what I’ve been feeling. I was so dumb—I didn’t want to accept it at first because of everything it could mean. But I couldn’t deny it. Once I realized…” He trailed off, clearing his throat. “When… when we accept each other and complete the bond it will get even stronger. Can you imagine it, Cara?” His hand was still extended towards me. It trembled slightly. He wanted me to take it. Even though he hadn’t said anything, it felt significant somehow. Like taking his hand was some kind of declaration.I wanted to touch him so badly I twitche