Better Mate Than Never (New Adult Werewolf Romance) by Adriana Hunter Page B

eyes were so pale she might have been a ghost.
She spoke in a faint, whispery voice before disappearing, closing the door
quietly behind her.
    Blair sighed.
“Warlocks. They always like to make such a dramatically grand entrance. I hope
he doesn’t keep us waiting too long. I’ve got places to be.”
    They didn’t
have to wait long at all. Five minutes later, the door opened, and a tall,
gaunt man with jet-black hair and a sallow complexion entered. His pale grey
eyes gleamed with avarice as they settled on her, and Paige squirmed in her
seat—something about his gaze made her feel dirty.
    “I see you’ve
managed to deliver once again, Blair.” He didn’t take his eyes off her as he
spoke. “As usual, you’ve proven to be worth your price.”
    “There is no
doubt that I am worth every penny. Here she is, in one piece, without so much
as a scratch on her perfectly smooth skin.” Blair stood up and stretched. “Now,
unless you’re planning to hire me for another job, I’ve got to go. I figure now
that she’s in your place, you won’t be getting any more trouble from her.”
    “Indeed.” The
warlock tapped his hooked nose with a finger, his eyes darkening slightly. “You
may go.”
    With a deep
breath, she fought the inner turmoil long enough to develop a plan. She needed
to turn this situation around – to be seen as non-threatening, to be …friendly despite the circumstances . 
    “It’s awfully
rude to welcome a guest without properly introducing yourself,” she said,
wondering if she could possibly convince this man to let her go.
    His thin lips
smiled, but his eyes remained cold. “So very true… although to be fair, you’re
a prisoner, not a guest. My name is Garth, and I’m afraid you’ll only be
enjoying my hospitality for a very short time.”
    “What do you
want with me?” She tried to remain calm, her mind churning furiously.
    “Now, you
needn’t worry about that right now.” His lips twisted. “But I promise you, it
will be quick.” He crossed the distance and slid a bony finger beneath her
chin. It felt like ice on her heated flesh. “I must admit…you are very
beautiful. I can see how Caleb was so easily tempted, despite the fact that he
knows he can never have you.”
    Her heart
dropped like a stone. “What do you mean?”
    Garth
laughed, a surprisingly rich sound considering it was coming from such a dark,
emaciated character. “He’s too high-ranking for the likes of a human mate.
Didn’t he explain any of this to you? He is next in line to be Alpha and as
such, he is expected to mate with a fellow shifter…to keep the line pure, of
course. Lycans are a very rare animal, a dying breed. Clan members, if they
care at all about their species survival, cannot choose to mate with humans.
They have certain responsibilities to their elders…to those who have
sacrificed before them.”
    Paige
swallowed past the painful lump in her throat. No wonder he’d been so
determined to put distance between them. He knew that it was impossible for
them to ever be together. He couldn’t choose her…but she now had no doubt that
he would have if he had the choice.
    A part of her
felt strangely relieved that there was a reason behind the distance, but the
rest of her heart, the larger part, was devastated at the finality that they
truly could never be one. She knew he had strong feelings for her, dammit.
After the last few days, she had no doubt in her mind that he loved her.
    “Why do you
think he’ll come for me, then?” she asked, unable to keep the bitterness out of
her tone. “If he can’t have me, then what’s the point in rescuing me?”
    Garth
shrugged. “Logic would indicate that there’s no point at all. But Lycans are
incredibly possessive and territorial. He’ll come for you, Paige, have no doubt
about it. And when he does, I’ll be waiting for him.” He grinned, and the
expression was so malicious she broke out into a cold sweat.
    “Take her to
her room,