means we’re more likely to run into SF members here.
“Have you ever been to the top?” she asks when we step into the Space Needle elevator.
“Can’t say that I have.” I smile down at her, loving how carefree she is today as the doors ding close.
Since we’re not alone in the elevator, we don’t talk further. It hasn’t escaped my attention that neither of us have spoken of the SF since leaving Quintin Valley, nor have we mentioned Declan. I’ve kept an ear out for anything on the news about him, but so far, there’s been no mention of a mangled body being discovered in an Arizona desert.
The elevator glides to the top, and when we step out Brianna tugs me to the window. It’s a weekday so not overly busy, and it’s easy to find an open spot to enjoy the view.
“Oh my god, Collin. Look!”
The panoramic image of the city is breathtaking. Puget Sound glistens like an ocean of sparkling rain drops, Mount Rainier rises like a dome, the Cascades loom to the east, and spread out beneath us is the sprawl of the city.
Brianna grins and takes it all in, and even though I find the view impressive my attention lingers on her. She’s wearing shorts again, which reveals her long shapely legs. I could stare at them all day, even though I would rather have them wrapped around my waist.
And if that’s not enough to captivate my attention, she keeps making little breathy noises whenever she sees something new, and she’s been chattering in excitement nonstop since we reached the observation deck. The pure happiness radiating from her makes the beast and I growl contentedly.
“Collin! I think I just saw a whale!” She squeals again, which makes me grin.
We meander around the deck, taking our time to enjoy it all. When we reach the opposite side, she steps closer before slipping her arm around my waist. She tilts her chin up and smiles. “What do you think?”
“I think it’s almost as beautiful as you.” I kiss her forehead and she squeezes me more.
“Thank you for taking me here.” She lays her head against my chest, and my heart swells at her quiet declaration.
“I’ll take you anywhere you want.” I wrap my arm around her waist, loving the feel of her pressed against me.
We stand like that for a few minutes before she says, “Do you think there’s anything to drink up here?” She licks her lips. “I didn’t think to pack a water bottle.”
I lean down to kiss her again, except this time I press my mouth to her neck. Goose bumps rise on her skin, and she shivers. “I’ll go check,” I reply and nip her earlobe, which causes another intake of her breath.
Regretfully, I let her go and head toward the café. I have to step around groups and other couples on the way. Out of habit, I scan the crowd and keep an eye out for the SF. I don’t usually run into SF members at random like this, but it has happened on a few occasions, so I never let my guard down. Luckily, during the other occasions, I detected them before they detected me.
After buying a couple of water bottles from the café, I head back toward where I left Brianna. I circle around the observation deck, the scents of humans, cleaning agents, cooking from the café, and exhaust from the city streets below filling the air.
But it’s on my next inhale that I stop dead in my tracks. My grip tightens around the water bottles as my nostrils flare. I inhale again, more deeply, and know without any doubt that there’s another werewolf up here.
My jaw clenches, and I pick up my pace. Most likely, the wolf isn’t from the SF. If he is, I would have detected scents from other supernaturals since SF members never work alone unless they’re doing a covert mission.
But my jaw still clenches when I round the corner because if I can smell him that means he can smell me, too, and as much as my mate is enjoying her time up her, I’m going to have to cut it short.
“Brianna, we—” I ground to a stop when I see her talking to a guy. He’s around six-two with a scruffy beard, and he’s wearing aviator sunglasses. His shoulders are broad, his stomach flat, and the scent coming off him confirms one thing.
I’ve found the wolf.
He’s trying to engage my mate in conversation, but she’s