Page 32 of The Mating Need
Jenny stood, nodding at everyone. “Nice to meet all of you. I think we’ll take a walk now. Thanks fordinner.”
She grabbed Troy’s bicep, feeling tensile muscle beneath her fingers, and urged him up. He pushed away from the table and grabbed her hand, as if fearing to letgo.
What the hell happened between him and this Tristan? She almost hated toknow.
For the first time since meeting him, Jenny feared for herfriend.
Every time Tristanshowed up around the ranch, Aiden knew he’d have a challenge. Not long ago the challenge was much harder – when a rogue Lupine stole one of Tristan’s twins. That was not a goodday.
But life at the ranch had settled down after he’d kicked ass and made every single Lupine swear a new oath of loyalty. Or at least he thought itdid.
Aiden waited until they reached the forest’s edge. A pathway led to several tents set up on platforms overlooking the river. Out of earshot, he folded his arms. Jenny and Troy were leaving, taking a different pathway back to theranch.
“Why are you here, Tristan? This isn’t a familyvisit.”
“No, though Niki adores her twin and always craves time with her. I did want to meetJenny.”
“Why?”
“I need to know what you think of Jenny. The truth Aiden. It isimportant.”
“Why is itimportant?”
“Tell me,” Tristaninsisted.
Aiden rubbed his beard, frustrated. That was the tough part about having a powerful wizard as your brother-in-law. Tristan did not confide in him, remained as cryptic and mysterious as he had always been, but now had greater expectations because they were related bymarriage.
“I like her. There’s something tough but vulnerable about her. I don’t know enough about her, but my gut says she wouldn’t harm the pack. She doesseem…”
He groped for the right word. “Lost.”
“Convince her to remain here with yourpeople.”
“Why?”
Tristan shook his head. “I cannot tell you. Only this – Jenny must remainhere.”
“Again with the damn fortune telling. Can’t you see into the future and tell mewhy?”
Tristan waved a hand and summoned a small round globe. “I am the Lupine Magic 8 ball. The answer isno.”
He waved another hand and the ballvanished.
“Fine.” He eyed their mates, talking madly as they strolled by the river. “Niki will tell Nia and Nia will tellme.”
“Niki does notknow.”
“You’re not telling her? She’s yourmate!”
“Do you share everything with yourmate?”
Got him good. Aiden grinned. “Everything? Hellono.”
Tristan laughed. “There you have it. Know this, Aiden. Your ranch is the safest place for Jenny. Do whatever you must to coax her into staying here on yourland.”
The wizard gazed into the distance, as if divining the future he’d refused to share. “You must, for all oursakes.”
