Fates Entwined

25

Jordan looked like he might argue a bit more, but then he sighed. "Sorry. I know you don't want me. But when I saw her hurt you like that..." He ran a hand through his hair. "I just want you to be safe."

He looked so wounded and it killed me. "It's not that I don't want you. But I can't be your mate. I'm sorry."

"I understand. But will you stay a little longer to help protect the town?” Jordan asked. “In case Roxandra attacks again, I mean.”

"I'll stay. I plan to see this through and make sure she is stopped for good. I just need to let the teachers at my school know that I might not be back for a while."

"Thanks. If you hadn't been there today..." He shook his head. "I can't even imagine what might have happened."

I took his hand and gave it a squeeze. "We're going to stop her. I promise."

"I know we are." Jordan's shoulders loosened a bit and he flashed a dim smile. “I’m going to make dinner, and you can come down whenever you’re ready. It shouldn’t take more than an hour.”

“Thank you." I didn’t breathe until the door closed behind him.

I headed into the bathroom, determined to ignore everything about what had just happened. I stripped out of my clothes and stepped into the shower, letting the hot water wash away the grime of the cave.

I thought about what had happened, the deep fear I’d felt when I saw Jordan so close to Roxandra. It wasn’t that I didn’t think he could hold his own. I knew he could, but Roxandra was dangerous. Her creepy smile that said she owned him made me want to rip her to shreds with my claws and teeth. I tried to convince myself that it was just because I didn’t like the idea of her controlling any wolf again, but I knew I was just lying to myself.

I frowned and scrubbed my hair with shampoo. I tipped my head back and let the water wash away the dirty suds and waited for the anger to fade. It didn’t.

Roxandra had tried to steal my man.

Except Jordan wasn’t really my man. Was he? I picked up the conditioner, shaking it a bit more viciously than I needed to. I slathered it into the ends of my hair and worked it up as I tried to come to terms with how I felt about Jordan.

I’d rejected him, which should have made it easier to let go of this strange anger, but it didn’t. I still felt possessive of him. The thought of anyone else touching him made my hackles rise, and my inner wolf growled that he was mine. Was that from the mating bond? No, I'd surely felt it break. So why was I feeling this way now? And why did the thought of him uncovering his own magic to protect me make me feel so...good?

I sighed as I turned off the water and stepped out to dry off and get dressed. Nothing made sense anymore. All the conviction I’d had about how awful he was had vanished. This was all uncharted territory, and no one had bothered to give me a way to navigate it.

I pushed the thoughts away. There really wasn’t anything I could do about them. I’d told him no, and I wasn’t going to change my mind.

I went downstairs, lifting my nose as I got closer to the kitchen. The smell of something savory made me realize how ravenous I was. As I reached the kitchen, I took a moment to watch Jordan tasting something in a big pot.

“What are you cooking?” I asked.

“Just some of my famous chili,” Jordan said, flashing me a smile. “I hope you’re ready for some heat.”

I raised an eyebrow at him. “Bring it on. I could use a little spice in my life.”

Fuck, why did I say that? What was wrong with me?

Jordan huffed out a laugh. “Are you not getting enough spice from your romance novels?”

I ducked my head as I remembered my book last night, and how easily the hero had been superimposed with the picture of Jordan and his ridiculously perfect face and body. “Romance novels and toys can only do so much,” I said because I couldn't seem to help myself. “Sometimes I need something more.”

Jordan dropped the spoon into the pot and set the lid on top. He rounded the counter of the island, crowding in close to my space. I stepped back, but there was only a wall behind my back. I leaned against it. My breath came fast as I tilted my head back to look at Jordan.

“I can help you with your spice problem," he said, with a wicked gleam in his eye.

It triggered something low in my gut. I sucked in a breath as pleasure flooded me. I wanted to lean in and push further, but—we were flirting, weren’t we?

I carefully slid around Jordan and leaned against the counter. “Thanks, but I have it under control.”

Jordan grinned and went back to the pot of chili. “Fine, but if you change your mind, it’s an open offer."

What was I thinking? Telling him no, I didn't want him as my mate, and then immediately turning around and flirting? I wanted to shake some sense into myself, but Jordan seemed to make it all disappear just by flashing me one of his cocky smiles.

“Dinner will be ready in a few minutes. Why don’t you go sit down? I’ll bring you a bowl since you’re probably still a little sore."

"Thank you." I sat at the dining table, which he'd already set. Damn him, why was he being so thoughtful?

"Here you go," he said, as he brought two bowls over. "My famous chili. With a little extra spice, just for you."

“It better be pretty damn spicy for how much you’re warning me,” I said as I spooned some into my mouth. Intense flavors burst over my tongue and I momentarily lost my train of thought. Jordan watched me chew and swallow. It was good, probably the best chili I’d ever had, but I wasn’t about to give him that satisfaction.