Page 49 of The Mating Need
His laughter died as Aiden, Darius and Dale walked into the living room, the alpha looking serious and his head of security equally so. Immediately Troy sat up, withdrew his arm. Tension flickered through the air, despite the alpha’s smile forJenny.
“What’s wrong?” Troy sat up straight, all alert. “I can see it in yourfaces.”
“We’re expecting a visitor. No ordinary visitor.” Dale studied the frontdoor.
A knock at the door warned the visitor had arrived. Time for her to leave. But before she could jump to her feet, the sofa that ate you alive prohibited any kind of jumping, Dale was opening the front door. He ushered in a man of medium height, with wispy light brown hair and sharp brown eyes that had an odd gleam in them. The man was fidgeting as Dale offered aseat.
Judging from his scent, definitely human.Skin.
Aiden did not smile as he introduced the Skin as Professor Eric Perry, who taught at the college where Beth took classes. Unease tightened her stomach as she caught Troy growling low in his throat. So low no one could hearit.
No one other than a Lupine,anyway.
“I won’t take up your time. Thank you for seeing me.” The professor sat on a chair and leaned forward, legs splayed, quite comfortable despite the obvious hostility in the air. “As your wife told you, Mr. Mason, I’m part of a conservation group concerned with protecting endangered species, but also balancing that with protecting livestock on local ranches. Mr. Mitchell, since your spread is one of the largest in the state, and borders a forest where a known wolf pack lives, I want your permission to camp out on your land to study thewolves.”
Liar. Jenny watched the throbbing of his carotid artery, knowing the others did as well. For her it wasn’t merely the physical signs of lying, the man smelled of it. His auratoo…
Black andgray.
Good thing no one other than Troy knew of her unique talent to read auras of Skins. It came in handy now. Troy shot her a questioninglook.
She knew what he wanted. Jenny nodded and studied theprofessor.
Suddenly his aura faded, and beneath the pleasant smile and the earnest expression she sawdeath.
A grinning putrid green skull, flickering in and out beneath hisface.
Instinct warned this Skin was evil at his core. His scent turned as dark and disgusting as rawsewage.
Gorge rose in her stomach. She wanted to run screaming out of the room, shifting as she ran, deep into the forest. The instinct battled with another one – to find a blade and sink it into his evilheart.
He doesn’t want to studywolves.
He wants to killthem.
Not just wolves. Us too. He knowssomething.
Deep inside, she felt something flare to life, as if a long-buried instinct had surged. Jenny struggled against it. Not again. She thought she had this undercontrol.
Now was not the time for a little demonstration of magick. Not magick known to Lupines or these odd powers that flickered on and off like a sputteringlight.
Sam told her she could control her powers. Jenny focused on Troy and breathed deep, seeing only him as she wrestled to leash hermagick.
Glancing sideways, she saw Perry staring at her. As if he sensed what she haduncovered…
But he turned his full attention once more onAiden.
“Camp out on our land? We’ve already extended the courtesy to one professor from the college, Mr. Perry.” Aiden gave the man a hard stare, ignoring his professor title in an obvious insult. “If you wish to study wolves, you’ll have to consult with Professor Carson. I’ve granted exclusive rights to him. If he tells me you’re okay, then you have mypermission.”
“Mr. Mitchell, I’m more than qualified. Much more than Professor Carson. He’s inexperienced and brings few skills to the table.” Perry leaned forward, hands on his splayed knees. “I’m prepared to offer handsome compensation for camping on your land and I promise my team and I will not interfere with your ranchingbusiness.”
Darius snorted. “No one interferes with our ranching business, period. Those who try find themselves missing a fewteeth.”
Aiden held up a hand, quieting his beta. “I told you, consult with ProfessorCarson.”
“You are denying myrequest?”
“I am. No one is allowed on my ranch and my land unless I gauge them to have goodreason.”
