Page 56 of Between Imminent Fates

Jax’s belly laugh caught her off guard. “I have a much better idea.”

Running his thumb along her cheekbone, a flare of desire sparked within her at the heat in his eyes. He turned away after a moment, dragging his eyes to the door. The wolf grabbed his keys from a hook and tossed them in the air before he caught them.

“Come on, I’m taking you on a real date.”

***

Key couldn’t help grinning as the cotton candy melted on her tongue. The waffle under it added the perfect crunch to the sweetness. Around them, sights and sounds amazed her, and it was the first time she could recall havingfunwith someone other than Nero, Key, or Luna.

It was a night that she would never forget—not only for the activity, but the company. Jax beamed beside her. He’d stolen her away to a foodie paradise: the annual Washington Waffle Festival. It was held every April, and it was the perfect getaway on a not-too-chilly night. Partially held outside, the outdoor portion had a variety of carnival rides Key had never seen before.

“I never would have thought a food festival could be this much fun!” she gushed. “All those Hallmark movies weren’t lying.”

Winking down at her, Jax motioned to the Ferris wheel. “I suppose you’ve never been on one of those?”

“Nope. Looks dangerous.”

“Good thing you’ve got your very own personal U.S. Army Captain to keep you safe.”

His arm cinched around her waist. Key cocked her head up to give him a sidelong look. He often forgot he was an immortal, keeping it a separate part of his nature instead of something that defined him. Other than Eden, Nero’s mate, Key had never met such a young werewolf. She wondered if the way they thought about their identity changed over time.

Key had always thought of herself as a Raeth first. A woman and a foreseer, certainly, but she’d never been human. Jax defined himself as a Captain in the Army first, and the wolf that lived beneath his skin was nearly ignored. That could be dangerous.

Perhaps itwasbest to get him into a pack. Ava had certainly thought so, and Aidan had reiterated the same point when he’d spoken with Key recently.

Finishing the last bite to her waffle, she followed him toward the towering steel ride. As soon as the door closed on the Ferris Wheel, Key’s subtle fear was forgotten in favor of the scene that skittered past her foretelling senses. Flashes of the conversation ahead wormed their way into her consciousness, and a brief note of apprehension snaked around her throat.

“The alpha of the werewolf nation has reached out to me on your behalf, Jax,” she said. “He’d like to meet you.”

“The alpha? How did he find out about me?”

“Ava, the werewolf you met the night you brought us Barlow, spoke to Aidan about you living without a pack. She asked that he at least meet with you to discuss next steps.”

Jax sighed heavily, and the corded arm across her back tightened. For a moment, she simply let the gentle rocking motion of the Ferris wheel exist in the space between them.

“Do you think I should meet with him?”

“Aidan is a good man, and I think it might be a good idea,” Key answered, snuggling into Jax’s side, and letting his spiced leather scent invade her senses.

“Okay. But what does he want from me?”

“Most likely,” Key shrugged slightly, “he wants to get a feel for your wolf, ensure you’re secure in a pack structure of some kind. As Ava said, alphas need a pack to ground them, and it can be dangerous to go it alone.”

“Would I become like one of those wolves at the facility?”

“I can’t answer that for you, but I do know that werewolves crave the stability and hierarchy of a pack. Zeus, unfortunately, won’t cut it.”

“And what about you?” He pressed his lips into her forehead where she leaned against him. “Can’t you be my pack?”

“I’m not a wolf.”

“What about Eden? The one mated to your sovereign?”

Key was startled as he repeated something she’d thought he hadn’t caught. “Eden’s circumstances are different. She’s mated—bonded—to an alpha of sorts, and he keeps her grounded.” Swallowing harshly, her eyes darted to the lights outside their seats. “You and I: we aren’t mates, Jax.”

As much as it hurt to say it out loud, it could never be. Key’s fate had already been decided, and such a bond was not in her future. A beat of silence stretched following her decree.

“What am I to you, then, Key?” His voice sounded tight. “What are we doing here?”

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