Whistling a cheerful tune, the prolific werewolf killer headed into headquarters with her ass over teakettle.
Katie woke up alone in the big bed, her shoulder a dull ache. She stretched her legs, wincing as bruises flared to life. Jordan had quickly washed them both off in the shower upon returning to headquarters before meeting Emma in the lab. The queen had taken blood, and Jordan had squired Katie to bed.
All in silence.
She’d slept for several hours. The masculine scent of cinnamon and oak filled the room, for once not providing comfort. Scooting over, she wearily yanked on sweats and a T-shirt, searching for socks. Not finding any of hers, she tugged a pair of Jordan’s on, rolling the tops over several times.
Who the heck cared how she looked? The full moon was hours away, her friend Jase had been taken by demons, and Jordan hated her.
The last thought had her biting back a sob as she dodged down the hallway toward the lab to find Emma muttering while peering in a microscope. The scent of lemon cleanser and bleach hung heavy in the room.
Katie cleared her throat, fighting an unwilling laugh when Emma started, dropping her pen.
The queen whirled around, blue eyes widening. “You look terrible.”
“I was mauled by a lion last night.” Katie stretched her neck, wincing as her blazing shoulder protested.
“I know. Try being branded by a vampire king.”
Katie had never really thought about it. When the Kayrs family found their mates, an intricate marking appeared on their palm, transferring during sex. “So much for wine and roses.”
Emma ground a palm against her eye. “No kidding. But I figured you’d look better after sleep.”
If anything, Katie felt worse. “Are those the test results?”
“Yes.” Emma shoved a stray strand of black hair away from her face. “Jordan’s results show no change from your mating.” Sorrow and irritation mixed in her eyes. “Neither do yours. I’m so sorry.”
Desperation had a rock slamming into Katie’s gut. The last night couldn’t have been for nothing, especially since she might have lost Jordan forever. “But the results could change, right? I mean, it’s early.”
“Sure.” Emma’s eyes darkened to match the circles under them. “You really look bad.”
“So do you.” The king wasn’t there to make sure Emma got rest, so she wouldn’t rest. Katie bit her lip to keep from crying. “Jordan is mad at me.” At least, she assumed he was mad. It wasn’t like the guy had been talking to her.
Emma blew out a breath. “Why?”
Katie lifted her good shoulder in a shrug. “I don’t know. Maybe because I manipulated him to chase me through the woods and mark me?”
Emma barked out a laugh, wiping a hand over her eyes. “Please tell me you didn’t take relationship advice from my sister.”
Katie’s temples began to pound. “Well, kinda.”
Emma shook her head, reaching down to retrieve the pen. “Cara and Talen have their own dynamic.” Both dark eyebrows arched in her classic face. “But you got what you wanted, right?”
Did she? If so, why did she feel so crappy? “I guess.”
Emma’s lab coat swished as she stepped forward and tugged Katie’s shirt to the side. “That’s not healing very quickly.”
Katie twisted her neck to see the back of her shoulder. Jordan’s mark flared swollen and sure. “Maybe because he didn’t want to bite me.” The whine in her voice irritated her even more.
Emma released the material. “Don’t be silly. No matter how much you tried to manipulate him, no way would Jordan mark you unwillingly. Whether he admits the truth or not, he wanted to mate you.”
Hope caught in Katie’s chest. “Maybe.” She shoved her hands in her pockets. “Do you need my help in here today?”
“No.” Emma tilted her head toward the door. “Go find Jordan and make things right.”
With a nod, Katie loped out of the room, aiming for the gym. She needed to work some angst out of her system before facing Jordan.
Alone in the massive room, she jumped on a treadmill, trying to relieve the aches in her legs. Unfortunately, the pain came from bruises and not muscles. Five minutes into the run and she couldn’t see. It took several seconds for her to realize she was crying, tears streaming down her face.
Reaching for the side bar, she missed it and tripped.
Two loud thumps later and she sat on the ground, hugging her knees, shaking silently with sobs. Now her butt hurt from falling off. The treadmill continued to run next to her. Jordan would never forgive her.
Oh God, what had she done?
She’d finally gotten exactly what she wanted, and she’d never felt so alone. Jordan was her safety net, the one place she could go. Now she needed him and couldn’t go there. Her sobs increased.
Several minutes later, air whispered around her, and the treadmill clicked off. Strong arms lifted her onto a warm lap as Jordan sat down. With a muffled sob, she snuggled into his chest like she had when young, letting his masculine scent surround her.
She flattened her hand against his heart, which beat strong and steady. “I’m sorry I manipulated you.”
His sigh parted her hair. “I’m not that easy, kitten. I marked you because I wanted to.”
“But you’re still mad.” She sniffed into his dark T-shirt.
Muscles shifted as he settled her. “Yeah, I’m still mad. But not at you.” Tugging her thigh, he moved her to straddle him, lifting her chin with one knuckle. “I’m mad at myself—and the virus—and fate.”
She met his gaze through wet lashes. “You talked to Emma.”
“Yes.” Sorrow and anger mingled in the lion’s topaz eyes. “There’s no change.” He tugged her T-shirt aside, rubbing a finger across his mark.
Fire ripped straight to her core, and she gasped, arching against him.
Dark amusement lifted his lip. “I would’ve loved to have explored this with you.” Leaning down, he ran his tongue over her shoulder and across the bite.
Her entire body went rigid. Electricity shot through every nerve ending. She moaned, fingers clutching into his chest.
He leaned back. “Very nice.” Framing her face with both strong hands, he placed such a gentle kiss on her lips that tears spiked behind her eyes again. “I love you, Kate. No matter what happens, every good memory I have is filled with you.”
Her nipples peaked while her heart warmed. “I love you, too.” Determination straightened her spine. “We’re not giving up, Jordan.” They had at least twelve hours until the full moon rose high in the sky.
“I know.” His gaze hardened. “I had a long talk with Noah and his brothers. You’re leaving with them in an hour. I promise I won’t give up.”
Surprise caught her off guard, followed by heated fury. “I’m not leaving.”
“Yes, you are.” The gentle tone failed to mask the hard core of determination underneath. “Any shifter will be able to smell me on you from a mile away. Don’t you understand the danger this puts you in if I don’t make it tonight?”
She swallowed. Truth be told, she hadn’t thought beyond the full moon. “We’re family now.” Happiness caught in her chest.
“Yes.” Jordan looked anything but happy. “We are. Which means if I die, you’re the next in line to lead.” He lowered his head until his gaze captured hers an inch away. “You’ll be challenged immediately.”
With the virus in her blood, with being unable to shift, she didn’t stand a chance. She shook her head. But she wasn’t leaving him to face the moon alone. “So, what’s your plan? I mean, do you think the mating will kick in soon?”