that she did not care to scrutinize as she glided forward.
His eyes dared her to cross. His smile relayed his eagerness for the sport. Was this a game to him? Why was she willing to play?
Samantha tried not to show her nervousness as she took another step forward, but now her knees felt stiff and her gait awkward. He maintained his position, head bowed, one arm extended toward freedom. His devilish smile encouraged, and the predatory glint in his eyes warned her to be cautious.
She almost made it past him before he lunged forward. She did not have time to escape or defend. An instant later she found herself with both hands trapped behind her back as he used his body to push her to the opposite side of the frame. Her body twitched with the shock of all that male flesh pressed to hers.
“What upsets you, Samantha?”
“Besides you?”
He grinned, flashing strong white teeth, and her stomach dropped. Why did his nearness do that to her? She knew who he was and what he was. This son of her enemy was just like the horde that attacked her family. And yet...
“Tell me,” he coaxed.
She gazed up into those entrancing blue eyes. Was that why she reacted to him, because he did not look like those others? Her mind knew what he was, but her body seemed fooled by the masquerade. He had two forms, and this one was the most dangerous because she could not defend against his appeal.
“Let me go,” she said, just managing the words through clenched teeth. Her control slipped and she leaned forward instead of away.
He noticed, judging from the roguish smile full of male confidence. The urge to head-butt him was easier to resist than the impulse to lay her cheek on the hollow between his strong neck and wide shoulders. She came so close she could feel the heat of his skin on her face. His voice rumbled from his chest and she felt the vibrations on his skin.
“Do you have word from your family? Is that why you were unhappy?” He released her wrists with no fanfare. Now his hands gently stroked her back in a way that might have been comforting but instead set every nerve beneath the thin fabric of her shirt tingling with pleasure. Somehow he still captured her, but now he did it only with his touch.
Breathe. Answer the question. Step away. Put your arms about his neck.
Clearly she didn’t know her own mind.
“My brother has reached his destination.”
“That’s good, isn’t it?”
She sagged against him, unsure why her lip was trembling. The tears already burned her throat, but she held them off.
“How did you know where Blake went?”
“Your father would send him to the wolf or the buffalo. Those are his closest friends. But Chien is his oldest friend, and Blake, is it? Blake is his oldest son.”
Handsome and smart. A double threat, thought Samantha.
“So why does the news of your brother’s safe arrival upset you?”
She glanced away and managed to take her hands from his strong arms. The emotions she felt over her brother’s success did not do her credit.
Alon’s palms still danced rhythmically up and down the long column of her back.
“Will you tell me?”
She stared up at him. What gave him the right to pry, when he wouldn’t answer her questions?
His eyes narrowed on her and the feathery touches ceased as if he sensed her change of mood. But that was impossible.
She stepped away and continued until she stood before the French doors that led out to a gigantic multilevel deck with a starlit view of the meadow and tall trees beyond. Her night vision was better than a human’s and she saw the world beyond the window in shades of gray. The urge to return to him and nestle in his arms tugged at her.
No, you don’t. You are not falling for that pretty face, those soothing words or those skillful fingers. Remember what he is.
Alon exited the pantry a moment later, and she realized he had read Blake’s letter.
“So your father wants Blake to join the Niyanoka. But he sent you here. Odd. What is your mission, little shifter?”
He came to stand beside her, a little too close, a little too tempting.
“Alon, we were attacked by your kind.” She nearly told him it was her fault but stopped herself. “They tried to kill us. You are one of them. Why would I tell you anything?”
“Because I can help you.”
She shook her head. “You want