Hunter's Attraction

29.

“Okay, Mamá.” JP sat across from his mother at the kitchen table, his tone edged with impatience. “What is this mate bond, and why are you so happy about it?”

His mother beamed. “Because, mijo, it means it really is your destiny to become this pack’s leader.” Jean-Pierre frowned as she continued, “For the first time in generations, this pack will be led by someone blessed with the mark.”

“Well, my ‘mate’ doesn’t seem to like me very much.”

“Have you given her a reason not to?” his mother asked knowingly.

“Eh… maybe I could have been nicer. But I don’t like that I have no choice in who I fall in love with.”

“The mate mark doesn’t force you to fall in love, JP. You don’t have to accept her. But if you reject her, you’ll always wonder ‘what if?’ That question will haunt you.”

Jean-Pierre’s frown deepened. “If rejecting her—Lily—is what I want, would you help me?”

His mother sighed as her smile faded slightly. “I will, if that’s what you want. But…” She looked at him seriously. “For once, no one in the pack is dragging your name through the dirt. No one’s questioning your uncle’s decision to train you as Alpha because of the mark. You’ve been chosen. And…no one’s bringing up your past and… and Elena. Without the mark, you’d still be alpha-apparent, but every decision you make would be under scrutiny.”

Jean-Pierre nodded, absorbing her words. “So… how do I go about this ‘mating business’?” His mother smiled, reaching across the table to squeeze his hand. If winning Lily over meant leaving his family’s shame behind, JP thought, he’d pursue her with all his heart.

***

Motioning for Lena to stay hidden, Lily led the stranger, Roderick, to the kennel area. “I don’t mean to stare,” he smiled in a way that made Lily uncomfortable, “but may I ask what happened?”

“Oh,” Lily looked down at her wrapped forearms and the braces on her legs. “Car accident.”

“Oh no,” Roderick feigned surprise, his tone dripping with false concern. “Anyone else badly injured?”

“Just a pair of cars.” Eager to change the subject, Lily added, “Is there a particular breed you’re interested in?”

“I’m looking for a dog to jog with, play fetch with, you know… the basics. Preferably at least a year old.”

“We have a few breeds like that. This one here,” Lily stopped by a kennel, “is Tony. He’s a mutt but very playful. Loads of energy. We found him on the side of the road a few months ago.” Lily cooed at Tony, who bounded to the kennel door, shaggy tail wagging. But as soon as Tony spotted Roderick, his demeanor shifted; he backed away, ears flat, a low growl rumbling from his throat.

“Odd,” Lily frowned, secretly pleased by Tony’s reaction. “He’s usually very… welcoming.”

“Maybe he smells my neighbor’s cat on me,” Roderick suggested with a tight smile.

Lily nodded, outwardly accepting the explanation. “Well, we can try Sheba—she’s just down here. Unless, of course, you’d prefer a male dog.”

“Makes no difference to me,” Roderick shrugged. Then, without warning, he asked, “So, do you have a significant other?”

Lily almost tripped over her feet. “Uh… it’s complicated.”

“Complicated? How so?”

“Well…” Desperately wishing for Sirena or Monte to appear, she stammered, “He’s… a bit younger than me.”

“Is that all?”

“Not quite, but… here’s Sheba, our only boxer. She was rescued from a dog-fighting ring.”

“Dog fighting? Those still happen?” Roderick asked.

“Unfortunately, yes.” Lily kneeled by Sheba’s kennel, slipping her hand through an opening. Sheba whined and licked Lily’s hand, her eyes pleading. “Sheba refused to fight, so they used her as a bait dog. By the time we rescued her, she was barely alive.”

“‘We?’” Roderick pounced on the slip-up. “Who’s ‘we’?”

“She means me.” Relief flooded Lily as she recognized the voice. She turned to see Sirena, flanked by a very displeased Monte, who received a silent command from Sirena and swiftly disappeared down the hall. Sirena approached, her gaze coldly appraising Roderick. “And you are?”

“This is Roderick,” Lily introduced him. “He wants to adopt a dog he can jog with, play ball with. I was showing him Sheba.”

Sirena’s eyes swept over Roderick. “Sheba doesn’t seem to care for him.” All three turned to see Sheba cowering in the far corner of her kennel, almost whimpering.

“Oh,” Lily smirked. “Maybe it’s the smell of your neighbor’s cat.”

“Odd,” Sirena commented, eyes narrowing. “Sheba’s met plenty of people with cats. She’s never reacted this way.” She walked over to the kennel and began making cooing noises at the dog.

Roderick forced a smile. “Well, there’s a first time for everything.”

“Maybe,” Sirena looked at him coolly, “but I’m not comfortable handing over a dog to someone she clearly dislikes. Perhaps you should go home, change clothes, and return once the ‘cat smell’ is gone—if that’s even the problem.”

Roderick’s smile turned predatory. “I’m assuming you’re the owner.”

“You assume correctly.”

“Well,” he replied, his tone condescending, “you might want to work on your customer service skills.”

“I’ve never had complaints before.” Sirena paused. “We just received a new rescue today, so I’ll have to ask you to leave.” Her gaze turned steely. “Please.”

“Fine,” Roderick smirked, “another time?”

“Another time,” Sirena answered, matching his intensity.

***

Roderick all but stormed out of the shelter, fuming. Those two…girls—speaking to him like that with zero respect. Cocky and insufferably bold. They’re lucky they don’t know who I am, he thought, slamming his car door. But they will.

***

Sirena watched from the window as Roderick’s car sped away. She turned back to a visibly shaken Lily. “Are you okay?”

“I will be,” Lily said, steadying herself. “I don’t know what happened. Two years ago, I might’ve fallen for that smile. But now... something feels off about him. Maybe I’m just overthinking.”

“No,” Sirena replied, her voice calm but firm. “Trust that feeling. I was downstairs and suddenly felt I needed to be here with you. I think you’re right to be wary.”

“What do we do?” Lily asked. “Are we really closing?”

“Heck no,” Sirena grinned. “I just wanted him out of here.”

***

That evening, Lena laid out her clothes for school. “I’m so excited, Monte!” she squealed to the dog lying on her bedroom floor. “I wish you could come with me.”

Monte watched her with a blank, attentive stare. He didn’t understand her words, but he could sense her excitement.

“But don’t worry, I’ll tell you everything when I get home! Finally, I’ll be around other werewolves my age.” She practically bounced with excitement. “I can’t wait for tomorrow!”