back before disappearing into the pack leader’s office. Seeing the alarm written across his rugged features was unexpected and downright unnerving.
I didn’t know if he was scared for me or himself ¯ or both of us.
***
Chapter 15
After seeing Zane’s tortured expression, I waited just inside our suite, hoping to eavesdrop on his and Logan’s now private debriefing. I honed in on Zane first. The brick wall was up in full force, his mind off limits. Logan’s thoughts were barricaded too. The werewolf leadership-duo wanted to keep their conversation private.
Something was troubling Zane, which in turn, worried me.
He was keeping secrets.
From what I could tell, the pack wanted to use my ability. I knew they were anxious about the mutants plotting with the Indian elders, but I wasn’t sure how I could help with the situation.
What I didn’t like (maybe even hated) was the lying.
Zane had come to Plum Beach for more than the murder investigation. He’d known about me before arriving. That fact was obvious now. Why would he keep the knowledge hidden?
I had to make a choice. I could embrace the feeling of impatience threatening to overtake me, while plotting our inevitable showdown, or, I could explore the suite and take my mind off all the craziness.
I decided on the latter and moved from the entryway into the main living area.
Like Logan’s office, the oval-shaped room featured a floor-to-ceiling window that provided a postcard view of the Vegas skyline. I determined we were at least twenty floors up, although I wasn’t certain. I’d kept my eyes squeezed shut on the elevator.
The spacious room, in harmony with the hotel’s theme, had décor that reflected a jungle scene. The lavish furniture was leopard and zebra printed. A faux-fur rug covered a good portion of the shiny marble flooring. Exotic plants and artwork, worth more than my annual salary, added yet another eye-pleasing element.
I marveled at the creativity, vision, and unbridled imagination that had influenced the hotel’s designer. He or she was unbelievably talented. I still dreamed of finding my own niche, a platform to use my abilities in such a distinguished way.
Adjacent to the main suite, I discovered the hallway leading to the master bedroom. Finding my future noble cause was discarded at the sight of the room’s richness.
My suitcase and carry-on had been placed just inside the door. The area reminded me of a unique blending of African Safari and South American jungle. It was easy to see how the design work and decorative features would delight both children and adults, and I had no problem imagining myself remaining in the tropical fantasy world indefinitely.
The king-sized bed, featuring richly patterned red and cocoa fabrics shaped into a stunning crown bed canopy was pure temptation. Just looking at it convinced me I was tired and needed rest before Zane returned.
Slipping off my shoes, I crawled up the looming structure and sank into its softness. I’d relax for a few minutes before freshening up.
I was too aggravated to sleep; so I’d thought.
“Princess.” Hearing Zane’s voice startled me awake.
“What are you doing?” I asked, for a brief moment unsure of my whereabouts.
Vegas, the big comfy bed — how could I forget such memorable surroundings?
“Hoping to wake you gently.” His finger trailed down my cheek, igniting a welcome blaze along the way.
Pushing myself up and away from him, I went for the juggler. “You knew all about me and my animal mindreading abilities before we met, right?” I didn’t know why I even bothered asking. I already knew the answer, but I wanted to hear it from him.
“I did,” he said, meeting my gaze.
I narrowed my eyes. His candid response was not what I’d expected. Not that I thought he’d outright lie, but I’d anticipated some long drawn-out explanation.
“Why? I told you my entire life story. You acted so interested in it, in me.” I realized as I said the words that I sounded as wounded as I felt.
“Princess …”
“I’m not your princess.” How dare he continue to treat this situation like no big deal? Fuming, I vaulted from the bed to pace by the window, no longer able to make eye contact.
Betrayal was something I’d grown used to in my brief experiences with the opposite sex, Jordon in particular. Why I’d expected Zane to be any different was beyond me. It appeared werewolves were true dogs at heart. Bow-wow.
“You’re making more out of this than you need to.” His gruffness was evidence of his rising defensiveness.