Page 8 of The Mating Need
Yeah, I know. I never did fit in withLupines.
“Her scent. It seems strong, but off.” Dalefrowned.
“Yes, I’ve smelled this before… let her be,” Aiden said, his manner suddenly different. He seemed less tense, more alert and downright puzzled, the groves between his dark browsdeep.
“If she’s athreat…”
“She is not. I can’t tell you how or why I know, but her scent… she’s not a threat tous.”
“If they become one, I’ll deal with it. In Skin or as wolf.” Dale snarled, scanning thearea.
Jennyshivered.
“In case the male needs a reminder whose land this is…” Aiden turned, unzipped and she smelled the alpha’s scent evenstronger.
Marking histerritory.
The two walked off, their backs turned toward her. She did not relax, not even when Troy appeared several minutes later carrying two largesacks.
Brown hair tousled, he looked more cute than rugged. Lean, muscled body covered by worn blue jeans hugging his firm butt, and a blue and white baseball shirt beneath his gray hoodie. Hiking boots looked well-worn, so if Skins wondered what he was all about, well, there was youranswer.
Troy knew about disguising himself in the Skin world. He looked to be in his late twenties, but Jenny sensed he was older. He’d seen toomuch.
Unlike her, the 22-year-old naïve wolf who once thought the world was kind. Nolonger.
A shiver raced down her spine as he studied her with his searing brown gaze. Wolf eyes. Everything lurking beneath his skin was purewolf.
Jenny felt pure wolf as well. She knew how to take care of herself and being in wolfskin instead of human form meant she couldn’t use the terrifying powers she’d had since turning 21. But it sure was nice having someone watch her back on theroad.
His sunny smile vanished as he sniffed the air and the blank look turned into a menacing scowl. Damn. He’d scented themales.
Amber flashed in his eyes, signaling the rise of his wolf. Hands shaking he seemed to fight to control it. She wondered if Troy could beat the alpha in a fight. The alpha, Aiden, was bulky with muscle, while Troy waswiry.
Like a finely-tempered thin steel blade, while Aiden was abattleax.
Huh. Why did she always like comparing men to swords? Had done it since she reached adulthood and began noticing themmore.
Troy set the bags on the ground, his gaze normal. “You’re filthy. You had to cover up your scent. You ok?” The deep timbre of his voice sent another shiver of need skating down her spine. Troy could make a simple greeting soundsexy.
Jennynodded.
“Whathappened?”
His thumb gently grazed dried blood on her cheek, touching the almost healed cut caused by her mad dash and subsequentfall.
“Just a stumble. Hit my face. I’m fine.” She breathed in his scent of wood smoke and spices, uniquely Troy, wild ashim.
This protective, gentle side of him she would miss if he left. No, she’d miss muchmore.
Unable to bear the thought, she rubbed at the mud covering her jeans. Embroidered with blue flowers, they were the nicest pair she owned. Troy had coaxed her into buying them at a shop in South Dakota. He’d liked the way she’d swirled and twirled for him after she’d tried them on with the white tunic top with the blueroses.
Troy said it brought out the blue in hereyes.
She blinked back moisture and opened one bag. “I’ll go swim in the creek and wash off. What did youbuy?”
“Vegetables.”
Jenny stared. “No steak? Chicken or even a porkchop?”
