Page 32 of Ice Wolf
“You’re looking at the new vice president of Wingate Hospitality.”
“You’re shittin’ me!”
He shook his head. “Can you believe it?”
“I bet Julie is thrilled.” I hadn’t thought about it, but he’d found his mate just eighteen months before. I’d stopped by their wedding reception after a game. They’d seemed so happy. I tossed my shoes into the bottom and unfastened my belt.
Not for me. Nope. Not a chance.
Jacob shook his head and opened his locker, pulling out a toiletry bag.
“Now we can finally make the down payment on the house she’s had her eyes on. You know what comes next. Cubs.”
I made a face and even used both index fingers to make a cross. “Better you than me.”
“Oh, come on. It’ll happen to you one day. When you least expect it, you’ll gather a whiff and that will be it. All you’ll be able to think about is finding the source of the sweetest scent on the face of the earth.”
“I think if that happens, I’ll just look the other way.”
After slamming his locker shut, he headed toward the shower room. “You’ll learn you can’t do that. If you try, you’ll become so crazed that staying human will become next to impossible. When you finally hook up, the two of you will be rooting around in the mud like primal beasts. It’s really the best feeling in the world. Completely letting go.”
He had a goddamn dreamy look on his face. “You’re making me a little sick here, buddy.”
We both laughed. “I hear ya, but you can’t fight nature. Better hop into the shower. Big meeting with the new bosses in an hour.”
“Good luck.” I ripped off my jeans and boxer shorts, tossing them on the second shelf.
“Yeah, thanks. I can’t disappoint my baby girl.” He started to walk inside then stopped, leaning around the corner. “What are you doing here? The last time we talked you said you had no interest in your wolf side.” He lowered his voice to a deep baritone when mentioning the last two words.
He was right. I’d said those very words.
“Just blowing off steam. Nothing more. Big game coming up.”
“Ah. I get it.”
“What?” I took off my watch and closed the door, giving him a hard look.
“You’re in a rut.”
I cocked my head and glared at him. He wasn’t talking about a heavy state of boredom. He was talking about being in a heightened hormonal state. “Not true.”
He took a deep whiff. “I say otherwise. I think you need the good luck. She’s out there. Just keep your eyes and ears open.”
Still chuckling, I waved him off and headed toward the door leading to the series of pathways. Once outside, I stretched, taking my time doing so. And lo and behold, I couldn’t get the voluptuous beauty off my mind. However, I wasn’t ready for, nor did I need a mate. That would put a serious stake into my career. My reputation meant everything to me. I was a playboy, a rogue. A man of adventure.
Having a mate would only tie me down.
Nope. I just wasn’t going to allow it to happen.
I headed toward the forest, waving to a couple of other pack members I’d met a few times. Hopefully running free would clear my mind.
As soon as I hit my favorite patch of woods, I dropped down to the balls of my feet, closing my eyes and started the breathing exercises I’d been taught as a pup.
With light breeze tickling my skin, the need to shift became more intense. The first crack of my bones was always painful andalways would be. But the slight anguish quickly shifted into pure euphoria.
My wolf began to take shape. I lifted my head, taking a deep whiff of the scents of the forest. I’d forgotten just how exhilarating being in a primal state could be. After several electric jolts, my snout formed and the odors became even richer.
As soon as the transformation was complete, I stood on all fours, scanning the forest doing nothing more than enjoying the moment of feeling free.
