Psy & Changelings 09 - Play of Passion

of her, he began to move again, deep and hard.
    Indigo fractured under him moments later, and he wasn’t far behind. He realized she hadn’t said what he’d asked her to, hadn’t admitted that vulnerability, and that worried him, because for the mating bond to snap into place, she had to open her soul to him.
    No shields, no walls, no protections.
    Still, he thought, cuddling her close, she was without a doubt taking an active part in the mating dance, and that was a very good sign. Patience, he counseled his wolf, just a little more patience.

CHAPTER 42
    Councilor Henry Scott looked at the man he’d put in charge of the SnowDancer operation. “You assured me they wouldn’t uncover the surveillance.”
    “They shouldn’t have, but at the current pace, they’ll have the entire area cleared within a week, two at most.”
    Henry shook his head. “We can’t rely on having that length of time. We need to act now.” While they still maintained something of an element of surprise.
    “I have a team ready to go. When would you like us to mobilize?”
    “Tomorrow. Focus on the primary target.”
    “It’ll be done.”
    “Wait.” Henry flicked up a second image. “Send a couple of your men to remove him, too.” There was no point in waiting, not when a dual assassination would have a much stronger impact.

CHAPTER 43
    Early the next morning, her heart smiling at the way she’d woken to find Drew sprawled all over her—and the bed—Indigo sat beside Joshua on the pebbled shore of the lake nearest the den.
    The search for the cameras was ongoing in the mountains, with different men and women being rotated in each day, but she and Hawke had both agreed she needed to continue to work with their young. They didn’t want to lose all the progress they’d made to date.
    “So?” she asked the boy beside her, examining his expression, his posture, for any hint that he continued to have problems with his wolf.
    A quick smile. “I’m doing better. Hawke’s been keeping an eye on me, too.”
    “Good.” Indigo’s wolf looked out at the boy, made a judgment. “Your wolf is still very near the surface.”
    “Yeah, but Hawke said it’s like that for some of us.”
    “He should know.” Hawke’s own wolf was difficult to spot, because his eyes never changed color—which, of course, was an answer in itself. “But he can control it. Has he been teaching you to handle your wolf when it gets pushy?”
    Joshua nodded. “The things you’ve been teaching me—about focus and discipline—that’s helping as well. I think I’m coming to an understanding with my wolf.”
    That made Indigo relax, because the boy was talking of his wolf as a partner, not a combatant. “I hear you’re seeing Molly,” she said, having made a few discreet inquiries after Drew hinted at it this morning.
    Joshua’s eyes went wide right before a hot flush burned across his cheekbones. “Jesus, Indigo, do you have spies everywhere?”
    “Yep.” Laughing at his embarrassment, she reached out to ruffle his hair. “She’s good for you, puppy. And too good for you.”
    He bore the affection in silence but shot her a pleased look. “I know, but I’m keeping her anyway.” Such a smug expression, she couldn’t decide whether to laugh or growl. “She’s much more mature than I am,” he said bluntly, “so calm and easy with her wolf.”
    Surprised at his insight, she looked at him. “That doesn’t bother you?”
    “No.” His shoulders were relaxed, his lips curved. “My wolf wants to please hers so much, it behaves . . . and I think we’re both learning and becoming better from it.”
    It was such an astute comment that Indigo was silent for a while. Because she, too, understood about learning from another wolf.
    “So,” Joshua said into the silence, “are you and Drew going to mate?”
    Indigo’s wolf flexed its claws. “Why exactly,” she said, looking at the boy who was very much her subordinate, “do you feel you have the right to ask me that question?”
    Joshua winced at her tone. “Um, never mind. I’ll just go get a clue now.”
    Her wolf resheathed its claws. “Don’t forget your session tomorrow.”
    “I won’t.” A pause as he got to his feet. “And Indigo . . . thanks.”
    Indigo sat there staring at the water long after he left. Mate. She knew Drew was it for her, but the idea of taking that final step . . . it made her breath catch in her throat, her wolf pace from side to side within her