“The alpha is near.”
“Yep, he knows someone is with me and he is making sure I’m safe. It will be like that for you too. But you need to allow him to behave like that, Raven. It’s embedded into their DNA and they can’t help it. Just overlook it and continue on. If not, it will drive you crazy. It did me, but Quinn and Simone helped me and now I hardly notice it.”
Raven took in a deep breath. “But I’m a hunter and he acts like he has to protect me even from my job.”
“Find a way to compromise. Both of you figure it out but do it together. I think if you did that then you would be able to handle his over-obsessive ways.”
“Why are you being so nice to me? Especially, after I acted like a spoiled brat.”
Smiling, Raven could see the scar that stretched across Jade’s face. “Because you are letting me and because you are part of the Death Hunters. My clan now and my responsibility.”
Jade Cross Bartley was still beautiful inside and out. She could see that now, and she knew that no matter how bad she had been to her, Jade would forgive her and try to help her.
“Thanks. It helps to have a girl to talk to. I never had friends.”
Picking up her hand, Jade asked, “If you will let me, I would like to be your friend. No more trial basis. Real friends.”
“I think I would like that. But, Jade…I’m always moody and a bitch. So, just overlook it,” Raven said.
“Well, I’m always happy, Raven. Most of the time. So, just overlook it, okay?”
They both laughed and sat enjoying the night.
Chapter Sixteen
Caz rushed through the house in search of his mate. She was arguing with Angelo on whose turn it was to have the remote to the TV. “Raven, the call came through.” He watched as his mate chunked the remote at Angelo, hitting him in the head. Grabbing his hand, Raven rushed out of the room in search of her brother.
“When did he call? What did he say?”
“I don’t know. Leo was still on the phone with him when I came to look for you. I’m always hunting you down. You think you could look for me…you know…just once.”
“Uh…no.” Raven went back to staring at her brother. Getting closer, she grabbed the phone and put it on speaker. He could see the strain in her face. This whole deal made her nervous, which now made him more nervous. Something made Raven feel this way and he knew she wouldn’t tell him, but he was going to try to get it out of her.
Archie said the buyer wanted a tiger, a female bear, and a silver wolf. “Who does that?” Caz mumbled.
They only had three days to get the product and then the buyer would call back to tell him where to meet. “What if he can’t get them what he wants?”
“They will probably kill him or beat him enough until he gets them what they want,” Leo said.
“Okay, we need to get him what he wants and then we wait to meet the buyer. I’m not sending civilians out to do this job. We have to do it,” Raven said. “I have to be the bait.”
“Absolutely not. You’re not doing it,” Caz said, his jaw muscle twitching so hard, Leo even stopped what he was doing. They both leaned in closer to stare at him. “What are you doing?”
“Dude, you are twitching,” Leo said, reaching out to touch his face. Without realizing he had done it, his teeth turned into the jaws of his tiger and snapped at his hand. Only missing it by a few inches. “Hey!”
Raven grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the house. Just touching her made him calm down. She tugged him out the door and into the woods. She finally stopped and pushed him against a tree. Grabbing his face, she crushed her lips against his. All he could do was hold on and enjoy this moment, that unfortunately ended too soon.
“Now, listen, okay?” Raven stopped and started pacing. “I know you’re worried about me. I’m worried about you too. What if something happens to you during this mission? I don’t know what I would do. But…I’m trying and if this is going to work you have to trust me and…” Raven stopped and narrowed her eyes at him. “You have to believe that I can handle this and together we are going to solve this case. Can you do that? If you can, I will consider being your mate.”
Caz stood there. He wasn’t expecting that, and he really didn’t know what to say. He just stared at her mouth because it was red and plump and beautiful, and she was safe right here with him.
Clapping her hands in front of him made him jump. “What!” he said, jerking his head back?
“Did you not hear one word I said?”
He leaned forward and touched her bottom lip. “Got preoccupied by this.”
“I’m being serious here. We have to stop doing this or I’m not going to make it and let’s be honest, neither are you. Okay?”
Caz blew out a deep breath. “I’ll try, but if you get hurt or killed, I’m going to kill you. Understand?”
Nodding, Raven smiled and walked closer and kissed him. Now this was what he wanted. Every day of his life.
Raven watched the alpha carefully, noticing he was watching for Caz’s reaction. It was almost like he knew what Leo was going to suggest. As soon as Leo put her as one of the people Archie took, Lennox leaned in and glared at Caz.
The only reaction he got was the deep breath her mate took. He didn’t look away but the mention of her name as bait was what Lennox was waiting to see.
“And all three of you are in agreement with this plan?” Lennox asked, focusing solely on Caz.
“Yes, Alpha,” all three said together.
“All right, so Raven will pose as the female bear that Archie will deliver. What else does he need?” Lennox asked.
Caz walked over to the window, staring out. “A tiger and a silver fox.”
Lennox turned to stare at Caz. “Well, you are a tiger, and the only wolf I know of that is close to being silver is Quinn Dixon. And I know Arden isn’t going to let her go. So the delivery of the product will be the night of the masquerade ball. Did he give a destination yet?”
“No,” Raven said, still she watched Caz. She could see how tense he was. His back muscles were bunched together and he actually looked bigger.
“I will talk to Dixon about Quinn, but it may just be you two. Now, here is the big question. Can you both do your job without worrying about each other to the point that you get distracted? Because if you can’t, then we have a problem. I’m not losing a hunter because you couldn’t focus because of your mate.”
Caz didn’t speak but Raven nodded and said, “I’m a hunter, Alpha. I worry about my brother all the time, but I know what he can do, and I have that faith in Caz.”
They watched as Caz turned to stared at her.
“Can you? Can you do the job with your mate in that much danger and still protect yourself and her and do the job?” Lennox asked.
The room was silent for a few moments before Caz walked around the desk and sat. “Yes, sir.”
Lennox nodded and they worked a plan for the night of the ball. Each had a job to do and she was thankful that Caz was finally coming around.
Chapter Seventeen