The Exchange

Chapter Five

The silence stretches between us, and I shift on my feet awkwardly. Should I introduce myself now? He still doesn't know my name.

At the same time, however, I want him to ask me. To show me that he's interested, at the very least.

"Umm..." I start out oh so gracefully. "Hi."

Oh my god. I mentally face palm. That's totally the way to convince my mate that I'm worth being interested in. Smooth move, Marlee.

He raises an eyebrow at me, increasing my internal embarrassment. Thankfully, he doesn't comment on it and instead asks, "You mentioned to Carter that there were a few in this pack who deserved to be spared."

The statement pulls me from my thoughts, and I nod quickly. "Yes, a few of the wolves have helped me out in the past-" (once, but he doesn't need to know that) "-and I don't want them to get hurt."

He nods in response. "What are their names?"

I think back to all of those who helped me, growing slightly when I realize that I don't know all of their names. "The only ones I know off the top of my head are Reagan, Damon, Benny. . .I think there was a Flo. . ."

He cuts me off. "Would Damon know them all?"

I shrug. "I'm not sure. Probably."

He nods. I feel like he does that a lot. Then suddenly, without warning, he shifts into his wolf, his clothes being torn and shredded as his body bucks and reshapes.

I jump back, startled. "What're you doing?!"

He motions for me to get on his back. I guess he decided that we're done here. He turns his head back to the forest, and grumbling slightly, I comply and climb onto his back. His fur is just as dark and thick as I remember it, the smooth waves providing me a comfortable place to sit.

I make sure I have a good grip on his fur, then say, "Okay, I'm ready."

Without further ado, he bursts into a well-paced jog, so as not to throw me off his back.

I rest my head against his body, then close my eyes as trees turn to blurs and what was light becomes dark.

***

By the time we reached the Jared's territory, it was dark. I feel bad knowing that it only took this long because he had to slow down for me.

At the same time, I was happy for the delay in meeting his pack members. It wasn't that I didn't like his pack, they'd already been more than good to me, I was just nervous. How was I to lead them? A girl composed of bits and pieces, thoroughly shattered by the events of the past four years, was meant to lead a pack? How does that work out?

I slide off of Jared's back. He gives me a look that says, wait here, and trots off to shift back and change into his human form.

I take the time to compare his land to Fletcher's.

We're in his pack's 'headquarters', so to speak, so we're in Olympia. I survey the beautiful forest landscape with glee; it's a lot prettier here than in Miami. More trees, not five thousand degrees. . .

"Marlee."

My head turns at the voice. Carter is standing there, smiling. He waves and asks, "Where's Jared?"

"Here." A deep baritone replies, Jared's towering form walks up to stand beside me. I feel nervous with him this close. I feel the sparks as our shoulders brush, knowing that this commonly happens for mates. A rush of pleasure burns through me, immediately followed by embarrassment. How can he only be stand next to me and cause this big of reaction?