Page 60 of Fated to the Lone Shifter
How did they know?
Bode’s got a shit-eating grin on his face that gives me a clue.
But there’s no time to work through the details.
Sera enters the room.
The shift is instant. Bode’s body language sharpens. Possessive. Too interested.
She smiles, recognizing him from their previous encounter. And Bode…
His smile deepens. Like a predator recognizing a prize.
“Well, she is a special one,” he offers.
My hands curl into fists. My wolf snarls in the back of my throat.
I step between them like a human shield.
The Captain watches me closely.
So I say nothing.
But inside, I am on fire.
Chapter nineteen
Into the Flames
SERA
Ispy on conversations in the common room from the comfort of my bunk, the earbud snug in my ear like a secret tucked in tight.
The current voices have me intrigued—Noah’s low and steady with a slow simmer underneath it, another unfamiliar voice, his Uncle’s I presume, bold and charismatic, the Bensons, caring and helpful, blissfully ignorant of the darkness in the world. It’s strange, listening in on someone else’s reunion. Stranger still when that someone is your recently discovered fated mate.
I sit on the edge of my bed, fingers knotted in my lap. Part of me wants to burst out and declare myself and make a first-handassessment. The other part—the seasoned, jaded undercover agent—tells me to wait. Stay hidden. Wait for the right moment.
That moment comes sooner than expected.
A knock at the door. “They’d like to meet you,” the Captain says, peeking in with a small, encouraging wink.
I pull out my earbud, smooth my shirt, grab the closest hair tie to pull my curls into a quick ponytail, and step into the hallway. My pulse hammers in my ears.
The Bensons are warm, immediately ushering me in with outstretched hands and kind smiles that screamwe already like you. I look at Noah. What has he told them about me? And when?
I offer a shy but sincere greeting. Their kindness wraps around me like a welcome breeze.
Then there’s Bode.
He steps forward like he’s walking onto a stage, all swagger and slow grins. “Sera, right? We met at the grocery store. Of course I remember you.” His eyes flicker with something too knowing. Too hungry.
I barely suppress a shiver.
He takes my hand in his, and for one horrible moment, I think he might kiss it. But before he can, Noah steps forward and laces his fingers with mine.
Possessive. Protective. Good. I guess he and I are coming out to the crew, although I suspect the Captain already knew. His wink made me feel he was rooting for me.
I lean into Noah’s side, squeezing his hand. His wolf energy pulses hot through our bond.
