“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little tired, but no dizziness. I must have a strong heart,” she suggested, knowing it was her wolf genes that helped her heal so quickly.
“Well before ya go, do you want to talk about these?” Julie held up the tiny bottle that held her pills.
“Um, well, they’re just something I take to help keep me on an even keel. Helps control muscle spasms. It’s kind of experimental; something I’ve been working on,” she lied somewhat.
She hated deceiving Julie; the woman had been so nice to her. She’d always heard that if you had to lie that you should do it by sprinkling the fib into a story that was mostly truth. Muscle spasms? Well, technically that is what happened when she shifted. And being undetectable as wolf definitely was good for her mental state. As long as no one knew her true identity, she had been able to relax. Her old pack couldn’t find her.
Kalli slipped the container into her purse, and rummaged around for her makeup. Finding a small tube, she pulled it out and slid the light pink gloss over her lips. As she dropped it back into her bag, she noticed Tristan by the door, watching her with the same heat he’d shown when they kissed. She smiled over at him, hoping that she’d be able to trust him soon with her secret. She felt guilty not telling him everything. He deserved to know the truth, but should she put her life into his hands?
“Can I take a break?” Kalli asked, after the first sketch was finished.
“Well, I really suggest we keep going. I need to get back to the station,” Mr. Mathers replied, clearly annoyed that she wanted to stop working.
“Well, okay then, but it might be more productive if I just take a small break to refresh myself,” she persisted.
Her face began to flush as she approved the first drawing. It brought back the reality of her situation. She was not going home or back to work. No, she’d decided to stay with strange wolves, when she had spent the past ten years trying to stay away from them.
Looking at the drawing of the wolf over and over again was enough to send her into a full-blown panic attack. Seeing his face reminded her that she’d been living on borrowed time. If they found her, they’d drag her kicking and screaming back to South Carolina. And if they decided not to kill her on sight, she’d be subjected to monthly rapes by the men who weren’t worthy of breeding. Oh God. I can’t go back. At the thought, her chest tightened; it felt as if she had an elephant sitting on top of her, making it difficult to breathe. Air, I need air. Her throat began to constrict. She put her head into the palms of her hands.
Tristan was talking to Logan and Mira about the latest acquisition when he heard Kalli gasping. Alarmed, he ran to her, pulling her into his arms.
“What did you do to her?” he yelled at the artist, who was tapping away on his tablet.
“Me? Well, nothing. I mean, she wanted a break, but it works better if we just keep going while the details are fresh,” he explained nervously.
“Idiot,” Tristan mumbled under his breath. He stroked Kalli’s face with his hands, in an effort to get her to breathe normally again. “Time for a break. Come on, baby, it’s okay. Breathe. That’s it. Just feel me.”
Tristan led her over to the sofa and lifted her onto his lap. He sent calming waves to her, hoping that his powers could be felt by a human. She cuddled into his warmth, trying to concentrate on his words. Hearing his breaths and strong heartbeat, she focused on matching her own to his as if they were one.
Logan and Mira both gaped, taken aback by the scene, as Tristan took the human to his breast. He acted so protective of her, as if he was mated. Yet he didn’t know it. They both felt slightly voyeuristic but couldn’t help but be drawn to the sight before them. Mira was more than astonished, she was irritated. How could this happen? She was human.
“I’m okay,” Kalli reassured Tristan, lifting her head up and pressing a palm to his chest. “Oh my God. I’m so embarrassed. Really it was just a tiny panic attack. I’m fine.”
“Don’t be embarrassed. You’ve been through a lot in the past seventy-two hours. You’re overcoming blood loss. He was a jerk. You asked, and he didn’t listen. No worries, chére.” Tristan felt as if his heart had been ripped out of his chest seeing Kalli so stressed over these pictures. He fully understood what they represented, but her face was as pale as if she’d seen a ghost.
Realizing that everyone was staring at them, Kalli attempted to get away from Tristan. She couldn’t afford to show weakness in front of his wolves; they’d eat her alive.
“Hey, where’re you going? You sure you’re okay?” he asked, refusing to let her up. He held her tight, not caring what anyone thought.
“Thanks, I’m fine. You’re right. It must be the blood loss. I think I’m okay now. I’ll use the bathroom and be right back,” she told him, hoping he’d let it go.
“Okay.” Tristan released her, watching as she tore down the hallway. It may have been panic, but he could sense the sheer terror coursing through her body. She was afraid of something. Perhaps the wolves she’d been sketching scared her. But he got the distinct feeling she was not telling him the truth. It was just a matter of time before he found out what the hell was going on with her. Giving Logan a look, he gestured for him to come over to the sofa.
Logan complied. “What’s up, boss?”
“How’s the clearance going? Anything yet?’ he asked impatiently.
“Not really. All we got so far is criminal records, which didn’t tell us much. No arrests. Not even so much as a parking ticket. Pays her bills on time. Been on staff at UVH for two years. Still diggin’. Should have more information this afternoon.”
“I want to know as soon as you hear from our guy. And I mean as soon as you hear it. No delays,” he directed. “She’s hiding something, and I damn well want to know what it is.”
Mira overheard their conversation from across the room and came over to see what was happening. Tristan’s intimate display with the human woman troubled her on a visceral level. What the hell did he see in her? Mira wasn’t usually a jealous woman. He’d fucked lots of women over the years. He’d even been serious, holding long-standing booty calls with detective Sydney Willows. He’d even asked her to move in with him, but she had the good sense to turn him down.
But this woman had insinuated herself into his life in less than twenty-four hours. The only way that could ever happen would be if he met his mate. Mate? No fucking way. No Alpha had ever mated with a human. Besides, she would have known if he’d found a mate. Logan would know. The entire damn pack would know. They’d all feel it. And knowing Tristan, he’d be broadcasting it over a satellite. There was something about this human woman that was all wrong, and she was determined to find out what it was. In the meantime, she planned to make her life a living hell, even if Tristan had decided she was staying with him.
“Hey, what’s up?” she asked innocently.
“Nothin’. Just talkin’ to Logan about running a security clearance on Dr. Williams,” he explained.
“Doctor, huh? Looks like she’s the one who needs to take a pill if you ask me. And while we’re all sharing, why the hell were you chasing her all over?”
Logan rolled his eyes, hoping Mira would know when to stop.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Tristan grinned, trying to get her to lay off the subject. “I’m just givin’ her a little sweet Alpha love medicine. You should know all about that, Mir.”
A chuckle came from Logan. The man had mad lines. He could talk the pants off a nun.
“Yeah, well, you’d better watch yourself, Tris. She’s human. Not to mention that you barely know her,” she warned.