His instant response was to laugh, but in light of her comment regarding assumptions and how smart he was, he resisted the temptation.
“Even though Takhini is in control of most of the activities in Whitehorse?” Evan shook his head. “I personally know a half dozen members of the Canyon pack. There’s maybe, what? A couple dozen more? Even if you have members hiding in the woodwork, what makes you think Canyon could control Takhini?”
“Control isn’t always about the number of bodies in the room. Power comes in many forms.” Amy rose from her chair and stood next to him, arms resting on the railing. She was close enough her warm upper arm brushed his. Her scent tangled around him, stirring fingers into his brain and messing with his thought patterns.
He fought to concentrate on something other than the smooth skin caressing his. “That’s true, but it still seems to me that if the packs amalgamate, Takhini will lead.”
She didn’t budge an inch. “This is another area we’ll have to figure out. First, of course, is deciding if we’ll work together, or fight to be in control.”
The idea of fighting with his mate was not only ridiculous, the mere suggestion made him crazy. He held back from saying anything, though. At least about the thoughts racing through his brain that said no way in hell was she going to turn him down.
The possibility of her taking Takhini from him didn’t even register.
He risked lifting a hand to stroke back a hair that had fallen across her cheek, tucking it behind her ear. “I don’t want to fight.”
Amy laughed, and the sound broke around him like a spring breeze, melting some of the fear in his heart as echoes bounced off the mountain. Bright and joyful for the first time since he’d met her.
She lifted her face toward him, her smile real. “Did you hear yourself?” she asked. “Did you, a wolf, just admit you don’t want to fight? I call bullshit.”
“How about I don’t want to fight with you.”
One brow went up. “I want to fight with you. In fact, I think it’s exactly what we need.”
Evan considered her words, and a powerful truth hit. They were both craving contact, but their human sides weren’t ready to let go of their inhibitions yet. A fight would allow them to give into their animal appetites without really admitting it to the human side.
Even being a wolf had layers of deceit to it.
“You are rather brilliant. I like that in a woman.”
“Thank you. You don’t mind if I fight dirty, do you?”
The light chuckle that escaped him felt amazing. “I’m pretty sure I can handle you.”
They stared at each other for a moment, tension rising again, this time of an entirely different nature. Sunset glow lit the area. Amy motioned with her head toward the living area. “Follow me if you dare.”
It was a challenge Evan had no intention of turning down.
Chapter Eight
The crop of hatred Amy had nourished for years was no longer strong and growing. Enough doubt had been planted, but she couldn’t let go yet. The roots went too deep, no matter how much she wanted to move forward.
The craving for revenge was fading but still strong.
Add in the first thing Evan had focused on had been joining the packs? A bit of her hope had faded as betrayal hit all over. Was he really excited to have her as a mate, or pleased because she had power he wanted?
Would anyone ever want her for herself, or was the tradition started in her childhood going to continue?
Now there was the additional anger of having an animal side growing more insistent with every minute that passed. Her sexual cravings increased. This man was her mate, and her wolf wanted.
Demanded.
She couldn’t give in to the desire, but she could soothe it in the basest way possible. Evan was as desperate as she was, the tension in his body enough to make her sense his attraction even without physical contact.
“Where do you want to do this?” Evan stepped into the living room a body length behind her, unmistakable eagerness in his voice.
Amy moved like lightning. She stepped onto the nearest chair seat, up to the tabletop then twirled to leap full force into the unsuspecting man at her back.
Her momentum toppled him to the floor. He sprawled under her, a lazy grin spreading across his face as he gazed upward. “You do fight dirty.”
He looked far too delighted, and Amy ignored the contented rumble rising from her wolf as she lay spread over his muscular body, heat passing between them. She rolled and regained her feet, dodging between the chairs of the kitchen and the living area.
“You want to take this outside?” Evan asked. “Not that I have any issues tangoing in here, but it might be safer for the furniture if we go elsewhere.”
“Sure, I got the jump on you because of the furniture.” She backed up, keeping her eyes on his torso so she could react at a moment’s notice. “I don’t mind, though. You’ll look good with grass stains on your ass.”
“Or you might end up wearing pinecones.”
She turned her back on him and boldly walked out the door, leading him to the grassy area between the deck and the trees. The entire time she walked she was intensely aware that only a few steps away an alpha male in his prime stalked her.
This wasn’t about revenge, or finding a solution. It wasn’t about any of the human reasoning side of their brains. This was about the wolf, and Amy shoved all logic to the side and prepared for the coming battle.
She had one foot crossing from gravel to grass when he made his move, hurling himself at her with a twisting motion that should have ended with her on the ground, his arms wrapped around her lower limbs. She sensed it coming, ducked to the side and narrowly escaped.
Evan rolled to his feet, an enormous grin stretching his cheeks as he nodded with approval. “Nicely done.”
“Save your breath,” she taunted. “You’re going to need it.”
She darted forward, striking with an open hand toward his chest. He blocked the move easily, but failed to anticipate her leg lift. Her knee connected with his hip and rocked him backwards.
Evan crowded forward, his larger size and stronger muscles dangerous if he chose to give one hundred percent. But Amy was stronger than she looked. Her deceptive softness had fooled others, and her wolf was almost disappointed it appeared he too would be an easy target.
Evan swung, obviously looking to tumble her to the ground rather than land a blow. Amy grasped his hand and rotated her body, curling in and surprising him as she moved into his body space. Her back made contact with his chest hard enough to rock them both on their feet.
She dropped to her knees to escape the iron band of his arm that attempted to close around her body. The motion brought them into intimate contact for a moment, and her wolf sighed contentedly, a little cocky at having successfully tricked her mate.
Evan retreated a couple paces, legs spread wide as he warily watched her regain her feet. “You have some good moves.”
Amy smiled, then attacked. One strike after the other shot toward his torso. Evan blocked them all, his forearms and hands moving in a blur of motion. She stepped in closer, and this time he caught her, pinning her hand against his chest. She twisted, trying to break his hold, but that only resulted in him capturing her other hand.
She struggled, and the motion rubbed them together.
“Damn, I knew I forgot something.” Evan set her free, pushing her away slightly. Amy twirled to see what he was up to, but he wasn’t preparing for an attack from behind. Instead, he grabbed the bottom of his shirt, peeling the fabric over his head and exposing far too much gorgeous, muscular chest and stomach muscles. Her fingers twitched with the urge to touch. To trace the intricate tattoo on his right biceps.