Jrue’s earnest blue eyes search my face with none of the heat of Grayson’s when he did the same thing.
I’m still spinning and there’s no end to the motion. No matter how tightly he grips my elbows, looming over me.
My mouth works and forms the words as Jrue glances beyond me and finds Grayson.
The energy in the clearing changes. The rest of the wolves form a barrier around us on instinct with their attention narrowed on the newcomer.
“Who is this?” Jrue asks with deceptive ease.
He drags in an inhale to analyze Grayson’s scent. The two of them square off against each other although neither one has moved.
I slap my palms against Jrue’s chest to grab his attention. “Grayson is the only reason I’m alive right now. He saved me from…”
Shit, do I bring up the moon-mad wolf?
“A hunter,” I clarify. “Someone shot at us.”
Jrue’s brows narrow and his forehead lines deepen. “Someone shot at you.”
It’s a statement, not a question. Grayson doesn’t move, doesn’t offer his hand to Jrue, and for some reason, the introduction I know I need to make stalls.
Grayson scratches his forearm, his bicep. “They tried to bring us down. These woods are dangerous apparently. Hunters and vampires.”
“And you were with her the entire time she’s been gone?” Accusation drips from every syllable. “We’ve been searching for over a week and today is the first time we’ve gotten a hint of scent. Now we find her with you.”
I scoff. “Cut it out, Jrue. Grayson is a good guy.”
The same good guy I wanted to kiss minutes earlier. A flush darkens on my cheeks and heat pushes against my sternum.
Jrue smiles wider. “Then I’m glad he was there for you. Nice to meet you, Grayson.” He thrusts out his arm and introduces the rest of the search party. “And I’m Jrue. Mandi’s fiancé.”
Chapter
Eight
Shit.
Why did Jrue have to say that word?
Mortification turns my legs to lead and my insides to molten lava. Bile scalds my throat and I stare at Grayson to analyze his reaction to the bombshell.
What’s there to say?
I’ve been betrothed to Jrue since birth, promised in some kind of deal brokered between men who didn’t know who I would be. Or what was wrong with me.
“Charming,” Grayson answers, dragging his fingers up and down his arm in long strokes.
Jrue examines Grayson a moment longer before turning to me and tucking me underneath the safety of his arm. “We weren’t going to give up until we found you but damn, these woods gave us the runaround.”
“And the vampires,” one of the pack members chimed in.
“Right, those fucking horrible vampires,” Jrue says. “They had patrols everywhere. We thought we caught your scent near their stronghold but it faded the other night.”
The Ironwood pack have no idea what they’re really up against.
Not only from the vampires and their proximity, or the sheer number of moon-mad wolves stalking the small town. It’s everything.
Life behind the fixed gates of the upscale community provides protection and a space where it’s okay to be ignorant.