The Heat by Heather Killough-Walden Page B

bear the mark of one alpha, you can’t be claimed by another.”
    Lily’s head was spinning. “You think that Cole would come after me?”
    Tabitha made a bewildered face, but nodded and shrugged. “It seems like a bit of a coincidence – you here at the same time that he is.”
    A pregnant silence stretched. Finally, Lily asked, “If I’m marked, then I’m safe. Why should I have to stay here?”
    “Just because you’re marked doesn’t mean you can’t be kidnapped. And being marked has its nasty side effects where other alphas are concerned I’m afraid.”
    Lily’s gaze narrowed. Her teeth felt like they were vibrating in her skull. “Like what?” she ground out.
    “Well….” Tabitha sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed again. “Just stay here, okay? If you leave, all bets are off.”
    “Jesus, Tabitha! How freaking long am I stuck here for?”
    “Until Daniel can figure out a way to deal with Cole.”
    Lily’s heart sank into her stomach. “And how long will that be?”
    Tabitha shook her head, her look sullen. “Cole’s been searching for a mate for more than seventy years. He’s got a few on Danny and, like I said, he’s a real bright man. He’s probably real damned determined too, so this could take some time.”
    “Did you say he was seventy years old?”
    “No, I said he’d been searching for a mate for seventy years. He’s at least ninety years old.”
    “He looks Daniel’s age,” Lily said in wonderment.
    “Didn’t I tell you? They age half as fast, remember? Some lucky ones age even slower; about a third as fast as a human, maybe less. He’s one of those lucky bastards. He’s a very powerful alpha, Lily.” Tabitha shivered and added, softly, “He scares the bejesus out of me.”
    Lily noted the shiver and tried to swallow, but her dry throat wouldn’t work past the lump. She grabbed the glass of water beside the bed and took several big drinks. Then she replaced the glass. “Tabitha, how does Cole even know I exist? How did he find me?”
    “I don’t know, girl. I was wondering about that too. But he’s resourceful. And Dormants are rare these days. I guess he found a way.”
    The two fell into a companionable silence then, each with their own dark thoughts. The room filled up with quietness until finally, Tabitha stood once more and ran her hands nervously over her jeans.
    “Look, are you hungry? It’s like five o’clock. You must be starving.”
    Lily thought about it for a moment. The truth was, she was so shocked that food sounded somewhat repulsive to her. But she knew she should eat. It wouldn’t do to begin starving herself when her body might need its strength more than ever.
    “Yeah, I guess I could eat.”
    “Okay. Daniel doesn’t eat at home, so…. There’s a Subway just three houses down. I’ll get us some sandwiches and be right back.” She paused at the door. “Stay inside, okay?”
    Lily nodded and Tabitha left.
    It was a while before Lily finally dropped the sheets from around her and crawled off of Daniel’s bed. It seemed to pull at her, to want her to stay, and she knew that she had it bad for him.
    And he’s a werewolf.
    She shook her head to clear it. Then she stood and walked to an adjoining door against one wall. It was either a closet or a bathroom, and she was hoping for either one. She had to relieve herself and she was also cold enough that she felt no shame in stealing one of Daniel’s sweaters.
    It was a bathroom. She used it and then found the closet, which was a walk-through wrap-around, connected to the bathroom. It was nice. She was jealous. He didn’t have enough clothes or shoes to fill up even a quarter of it.
    She did manage to find a thick, warm sweater, though, and she didn’t hesitate in pulling it on. The fleece brushed enticingly against her skin and it smelled like him. She closed her eyes and breathed him in. There was that warmth again. “Hell,” she muttered. “You’re making me nuts, Kane.”
    When