Shaking his head, Jace moved away from Caine and sat back onto the table. “I’m not sure what you’re talking about, Chief. But I’m happy for you.”
Caine continued to stare. Jace knew the vampire was trying to figure him out. Trying to sense his feelings. Over the years, Jace had learned to control them around Caine. He hated being an open book to anyone. Even to the man who was the closest thing he had to a best friend.
After a few more minutes, Caine smiled and grabbed the handle on the door. “I’ll see what I can do about that run.”
Jace kept Caine’s gaze. “Hurry. I don’t know how long I can hold it in.”
After Caine left Jace glanced down at his hands. He had them fisted tight. Unfurling his fingers, he saw the indentations his growing nails made in his palms. He was barely holding on. He wished Tala would come back. Being around her calmed him.
Just like a lycan mate would.
Running his hands over his face and into his hair, Jace shook his head. He was in deep trouble if he was thinking of her in that way. Nothing good could come of it. Lycans and humans did not mix. Not well, anyway. Like vinegar and baking soda. Explosive and messy.
He would shift, go for a run and expend all the pent-up adrenaline and frustration he had stored inside. Then he would come back with a fresh and empty mind, completely devoid of all unprofessional thoughts about Officer Tala Channing. At least, that’s what he was hoping for.
Chapter 11
A n hour later, Jace was running through tall green grass and around rangy fir trees, the moon cascading her enchanting light over his lithe wolf form.
The moon was his demanding mistress. When she called, he came. He had to. It was as simple as that.
The intoxicating smell of the night sent a shudder through his body. Damp grass and dirt brought a fresh tang to the medley of scents he discerned around him. It had rained a day earlier, finally bringing an end to the stifling heat of the Texas summer.
Jace loved autumn, especially when he got a chance to shift into wolf form and go running. And because it was nearing a full moon, the urge to do so fluttered through him constantly. Like an itch that would not stop even when scratched. Only changing forms and expending that pent-up energy by racing over the hills and through the grass brought relief to that kind of agony. That and mating.
But he knew, even in wolf form, he wasn’t getting any of that anytime soon.
Once again, thoughts of Tala raced through his mind. The images were so vivid he swore he could smell her even now.
He took a tentative step out of the thick clump of trees and into the clearing, lifting his nose to scent the air. The spicy odor of female rolled into his flaring nostrils.
Tala.
She was here in the park, close by.
The snap of a twig had him slinking back into the shadows of the trees. He scanned the area, waiting for the source of the sound to reveal itself.
When Tala stepped into the clearing, Jace’s whole body quivered with excitement. A powerful desire he didn’t realize he harbored for her filled him. As a man, his head interfered with most of his emotions, but as an animal, it was pure—straight from the gut.
Enthralled, he watched as she took a few steps into the clearing, with her head lifted to the sky and the moon. Beams of pale light played over her face and he could see how she moved just slightly back and forth as if absorbing the night luminance. It was something he did every time the moon was out.
Why was she here? Of all the places in San Antonio, why did she come here to a park? It was certainly close to the lab. Well, the closest to the lab anyway. Still a twenty minute drive. Maybe she lived nearby.
Whatever the reason, Jace couldn’t deny his attraction to her. Not here, not now. The way she looked in the moonlight was irresistible. He quivered with the need to go to her.
With her head still tilted up, Tala unbuttoned her jacket. She separated the two halves and looked as if she was offering herself up to the moon.
Unable to resist any longer, Jace took a step forward. A twig snapped under the weight of his paw and Tala turned toward him.
She met his gaze dead on. He knew she spotted him among the trees by the way her shoulders hunched and her knees bent as if to flee. From the way she reacted and the subtle change in her smell, he knew she recognized him as no simple wild wolf.
Need and hunger surged through him. Fear scented the air. Along with that he smelled excitement. His and hers, mixing together into a delicious medley. He took another hesitant step into the clearing. He could barely contain himself.
Just don’t run. Just don’t run.
Turning on her heel, Tala ran back into the trees she’d just come out of.
Without thought and only a feral need to chase, Jace ran after her. The hunt was on.