Page 97 of Savage Games

That it includes my mate is a source of immense pride.I don’t know what I did to deserve her, but I’m not going to question my good fortune.

She's due back in an hour, but I'm not sure I can wait that long.My skin feels too tight; the urge to claim her grows stronger by the minute.We've been dancing around it, both knowing what needs to happen, yet understanding the timing hasn't been right.I’m not marking my mate in a hospital bed that smells like disinfectant.

I'll do it right, with the reverence and respect she deserves.A true mating bond, not just a physical claim.Not the ownership that Brad wanted.

A soft knock interrupts my thoughts.Too early for Naomi.Too hesitant for my mother, who considers knocking an optional courtesy at best.

"Come in," I call, hoping it's Jamie with another contraband coffee.

The door cracks open to reveal Callum, who scans the room first to see what he’s disturbing before he steps inside.Behind him, Jax slips in, closing the door with a careful click.Something about their coordinated arrival sets my wolf on edge.And that Jax is out and about willingly during daylight hours.

Jax looks tense, his gaze darting around the room like he'd rather be anywhere else.That he's here at all speaks volumes.

Callum nods in greeting."Feeling better?"

"Well enough to leave," I say, crossing my arms."If someone would tell Maggie that."

Jax snorts."Good luck with that.She's still pissed at me for letting you compete with that knife wound."

"Which possibly saved my mate."I point out.

Jax shrugs, his usual restlessness oddly subdued today.He exchanges a glance with Callum, which confirms my suspicion.This isn't a casual visit.

"What's going on?"I ask, cutting to the chase.

Callum's posture shifts subtly."Blake and Dean are starting formal interviews tomorrow.About the hunt.About Brad."

My jaw tightens."Good."

Jax moves to the window, peering out, before turning back to face me."Brad's been busy.Building his own version of events."

"So I’ve heard.Not surprising," I mutter, the memory of the knife sliding into my back still vivid."Hard to explain away a wolfsbane attack, though."

"He claims you threatened him first, that he felt his life was in danger," Callum says flatly.

I laugh bitterly."And he just happened to be carrying around wolfsbane and silver weapons?"

Callum’s eyes flash.No respectable wolf would even own those things.

"He's saying you were unstable.Feral."Jax's expression darkens.It’s a slur he’s been on the receiving end of and clearly doesn’t appreciate."That the wolfsbane was already in your system before he encountered you, that someone else had poisoned you and were lashing out at anyone nearby."

The absurdity would be comical if it weren't so dangerous."And people believe this shit?"

"Some do."Callum's voice is carefully neutral."Others don't.But it's complicated by the fact that he's an established alpha, and you're..."

"A rogue."I finish for him."I'm aware of my reputation."

"You're not just a dangerous rogue anymore," Callum says."The way you fought through the poison, the way Dash and Eli stood up for you, people are taking notice."

I study the beta carefully.He seems sincere, but I'm not naïve enough to think everyone's suddenly on my side.

"What's the real reason you're here?"I ask, sensing there's more to this visit.

Jax and Callum exchange another look.

"Blake's going to use his alpha command to demand truth," Jax says finally."For the interviews.It’s not going to be pleasant."

The news lands like a stone in my gut.My wolf will not like this.Alpha wolves already have a powerful ability to detect lies through scent and heartbeat fluctuations alone.Using a command to demand the truth is used only in the most serious pack matters because it suggests a break-down of trust, and can be extremely taxing, even painful, for a wolf being forced to do something against their will.

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