Aimee went cold as she remembered Fang's presence. She froze in Remi's arms as instant regret tore through her. How could she have forgotten he was here?
She turned and saw the anguish he hid behind an emotionless expression. It burned deep in his eyes. "Fang-"
He vanished before she could finish her apology.
Aimee cursed. How could I have been so stupid?
The problem was she didn't include him in the same category as Stone and his crew. And up until she'd met Fang and his pack, Stone was the only wolf she'd ever been around.
Remi tsked at her as Dev took Stone inside. "Guess you hurt his little feelings, huh?"
Aimee had to bite her tongue to keep from telling him to shut up.
I can't leave it like this. . . .
Without a word to her brothers, she closed her eyes and zoned in on Fang. He'd manifested not with his pack or brother, but on the lower end of Bourbon Street where he sat on a stoop looking as ill as she felt.
How strange . . .
Fang sat alone outside of a ubiquitous New Orleans row house as anger, hurt, and hatred burned deep in his stomach. He should just go home.
Yeah, right. . . .
Vane was being as moody as a teen Gemini on her period after he'd seen some human he was now pining for. Anya was off with her mate and Petra hissed and growled every time she saw him. Alone and lonely, he'd been wandering around the French Quarter, trying to get his bearings on their latest den.
Somehow he'd found his way back to Sanctuary.
No, it wasn't "somehow." He'd gone there seeking the one thing he knew he shouldn't seek.
Aimee. All he'd wanted was just to catch a glimpse of her. He'd told himself that that would be enough to ease the ache inside him. Just one glimpse and he'd be satisfied.
He let out a tired breath. What had he really expected? That Aimee would fall into his arms, strip him naked, and make love to him?
She's a bear.
You're a wolf.
No, according to her, he was a filthy dog who should be rounded up and executed.
"Fang?"
He looked up at her gentle voice to see her appear on the street in front of him. "How'd you find me?"
Aimee paused at the hostile tone. "Your scent," she lied, not willing to tell him about her powers.
"I don't leave a scent. I know better."
She shook her head in denial. "You leave a scent." It'd been branded into her senses the moment he'd kissed her.
"Whatever." He pushed himself to his feet. "Look, I don't need any more insults from you or anyone else. I'm over my quota for the day. Just go home and leave me alone."
She pulled on the sleeve of his jacket to stop him from leaving. "I didn't mean what I said."
"Don't insult my intelligence. I'm not a dog and I heard the sincerity in your tone. You meant every word of it."
She stiffened angrily. "All right, so I meant what I said. Sue me. But it was directed at Stone and his craven bullies. I didn't even think to include you in that category."
Yeah, right. How stupid did she think he was? "I don't believe you."