Page 18 of Howl For A Kiss
Elena narrowed her eyes. The way he shut down—like a door slamming in her face—itched at her instincts. There was something he wasn't telling her. Something significant.
But pushing him now would probably only make him retreat further.
She let it drop, turning back to the map. "We should go tonight. Just us. More recon."
Damon nodded, his gaze lingering on her for a heartbeat too long before he stepped back. "Let's eat now. You haven't had a real meal in over a day."
"I'm fine."
"You're not." He held out his hand to help her up.
She took it, ignoring the spark that shot up her arm at the contact. His grip was firm and warm, and when he pulled her to her feet, they were suddenly too close. Inches apart. His breath ghosted over her lips and his scent wrapped around her like a claim.
Her wolf surged forward, hungry and wanting.
Kiss him.
The thought was reckless and stupid. But the way he looked at her—like she was the only thing in the world worth seeing—made her wonder if he was thinking the same thing.
She jerked back before she could find out.
"Let's go," she muttered, striding toward the door before he could see the flush creeping up her neck.
Damon didn't follow immediately. But she could feel his gaze on her back, heavy and knowing.
And damn if that didn't make her want him even more.
EIGHT
DAMON
The moonlight carved silver paths through the snow-covered pines as Damon and Elena made their way toward the eastern ridge of Tidewater territory. Every step brought them closer to the human operatives' main hub, and every breath Damon took filled his lungs with Elena's intoxicating scent—wildflowers and something uniquely hers that made his wolf stir restlessly.
She moved beside him with lethal grace, her tactical gear hugging curves that had been haunting his thoughts since yesterday. The fitted black cargo pants molded to her curvy hips and the fitted black jacket stretched across her full breasts, making his hands itch to touch her body. But he forced himself to focus on their surroundings instead.
Control yourself. She may be your mate, but she doesn't know it yet.
The internal reminder did nothing to quiet his wolf's demands though. The beast wanted to claim her, mark her, and make it clear to every male that she belonged to him. But Elena was already drowning in emotion. Not just because of the surprising revelation about her true hybrid nature, but also because of the recent traumatic events that had occurred.Adding the shocking revelation about their mate bond to that chaos would shatter anything that was building between them.
And he couldn't risk losing her.
"Guard post, two o'clock," Elena whispered, dropping into a crouch behind a fallen log.
Damon settled beside her, close enough that her body heat warmed his side. "I see him. Thermal scope, scanning in a predictable pattern."
"Predictable how?" Her breath misted in the cold air as she turned to face him.
He pointed through the trees. "Twelve-second sweeps, left to right. Pauses for three seconds at each end. We can slip past during his pause if we time it right."
Elena studied the guard's movements with the intensity of a predator sizing up prey. "You're right. How did you—" She stopped, her brow furrowing. "You're either extremely observant or you've done this before."
Too many times to count."Both."
Her eyes narrowed slightly, and for a moment he thought she might push for more details. But then the guard began another sweep, and her attention shifted back to the mission.
"On my signal," she murmured.
Damon watched the rhythm, counting silently. When the guard reached the far left of his sweep pattern, Elena's hand touched his shoulder. The contact sent electricity racing through his system, and he had to bite back a growl.
