“Megan is a shifter.”
“What are you talking about? A shifter? As in she can change into a wolf or something?”
“A white lioness, actually. Or she will at some point. She hasn’t shifted yet.”
Josh stared at her for a long moment. Finally, he cleared his throat. “Then how do you know she’s a…a shifter?”
“Seth and Levi told me. They scented her animal the moment they met her.” She held Josh’s gaze. “They’re shifters too. So is Rafe.”
Chapter 15
Rafe woke with a smile on his face and reached for Jasmine. Cold sheets met his fingertips. He sat up and looked from the floor where Jasmine’s clothes had been to the door. He parted his mouth and inhaled.
She was gone.
His inner animals paced, growling their displeasure. He ignored them and dressed. Then he stood there, unsure what to do. He felt as if somebody had kicked him in the gut. His whole body hurt.
His female had left him. Why? He couldn’t come up with a reason. She’d allowed him into her body. Twice. Slept with her head pillowed on his chest.
No matter. Whatever the reason for her leaving, he’d soothe her once he had her in his arms again. It’d be fine.
He ran a hand through his hair, then reached for his phone to call Kade. It too was gone. He swept his gaze over the room, looking for some clue. The bathroom door stood partially open. The scent of shampoo and Jasmine drifted from it.
His phone was lying on the counter. He grabbed it and left.
The elevator took forever to travel three floors. It opened once. The two men waiting to get on took one look at him and told him they’d catch the next one.
Rafe slammed the button and paced the confines of the square enclosure. It finally opened. He rushed out, nearly knocking over an elderly human. He righted the woman, mumbled an apology, and jogged into the lobby.
Smells assaulted him. Quite a few people had been through the room but Jasmine’s fragrance was strong and familiar. Because of the scent-claim he’d added to the spot on her neck where he’d nicked her with his fangs, his scent was twined with hers. Smelling himself on her had eased the possessive edge of his persona.
One whiff and all shifters would know that Jasmine was a shifter’s beloved human. They’d also understand what it meant. He’d kill for her.
He took in another deep lungful. Another scent reached him. It stirred his primal side.
Josh.
She’d run to the human.
Rafe curled his fingers and bent his head so the strands of his hair hid his glowing eyes. He pushed back his anger. Giving in to it with innocents close was unacceptable. Once colors replaced the grays, he strode to the desk. The woman there was a different one from the night before. This human had kind eyes and lines etching her face. Hopefully she could help him.
“I’m looking for a woman. Blonde, beautiful, gorgeous gray eyes. About this tall.” He motioned to his chest.
The clerk nodded. “Yes, she was here a little while ago. Thought I was going to have to call security.”
“Excuse me?”
“One of the other customers was giving her a hard time, but her boyfriend showed up and the two of them left. Nice-looking man. Seemed very protective too. Not many young boys these days are.” She gave a little shake of her head. “Shame really. In my day—”
He snapped his teeth together. “Thank you.”
Rafe strode across the room and stepped outside. The phone in his pocket vibrated. A quick look at the display showed Devin’s number.
Megan.
“What’s wrong?” Rafe asked as soon as the call connected.
“I was going to ask you the same thing. I thought something might’ve happened to you.”
“Something has. I lost my female.” To a human.
Silence stretched. Finally, Devin cleared his throat. “Well, I found her. She and the human, Josh, just picked up Megan and are heading toward her house. What do you want me to do with her?”
“Stop them.” His guttural voice betrayed his loss of control. Thankfully there weren’t any humans close by to hear him.
“Are you sure that’s wise? Megan might freak. She hasn’t been around adult shifters in years, if ever.”
As much as he wanted Devin to intervene and get Jasmine away from Josh, Rafe couldn’t, not if it stressed a child. There was no reason beyond his own jealousy to justify it.
“You’re right. Follow them. I’m headed out there.”
And when he got his female back, he was going to make sure she knew to whom she belonged and that leaving him was no longer an option.
Chapter 16
While Josh drove, Jazz stared at the passing landscape without seeing it. The rhythmic swoosh of the wipers and splatter of rain hitting the SUV were the only sounds. Megan slept in the backseat, and Josh had barely said a word to her since they’d picked up Megan. That left Jazz with plenty of time to think. The more she did, the more she wondered if she hadn’t jumped to the wrong conclusions.
She’d called Mr. Wilkins, and he’d assured her they were safe. He didn’t know why Seth and Levi were frightened, only that they were locked away in one of the bedrooms. He’d said Kade had introduced himself, apologized for frightening the dogs, then taken up a spot on the porch. He hadn’t even asked to come inside.
She blew out a breath and forced her fingers to unclench. Yes, she’d been warned to be wary of shifters. Actually to run if she ever saw one.
But was Rafe really a threat? He could’ve left her sleeping in the hotel room and taken her boys, along with Megan. He hadn’t. Neither had Kade. He’d done exactly what Rafe had told her Kade would do—watch over her boys.
So they didn’t go missing like their sister had.
Jazz dropped her head into her hands. Of course. That was reason enough for Rafe’s protectiveness. He’d even said as much.
She’d overreacted. Learning Rafe
