Mated to the Griffin (Elemental Mates 5)

Still, for some reason, it seemed impossible to believe.

But she’d seen it. She’d seen Jared—handsome, golden-haired Jared with the rugged good looks of a model who spent his free time climbing mountains—turn into a mythological beast.

It had happened right in front of her eyes. One second, she’d seen Jared. Then his body had started to shimmer, and a heartbeat later, a griffin had stood in front of her instead.

A real griffin.

He had the body and back legs of a lion, complete with a tail that was nervously swooshing back and forth, and the majestic head of an eagle, now looking at her from sharp, intelligent eyes.

His front feet were those of an eagle as well. As she stared at his large talons, she remembered how her fall had been broken, strong talons closing around her—and powerful wings beating to carry her to safety.

It was Jared. It was really Jared.

“Oh, my god,” she breathed.

She wanted to rush forward, to touch the feathers to convince herself that it was really all real, to thank him for saving her.

And then she realized what this meant.

Jared—handsome, charismatic Jared who’d made her feel so safe—was one of the monsters who’d destroyed her life.

He’d lied to her. He’d made her believe that he liked her—and all along, he’d only helped her because she was so close to exposing their world for what it was.

Instinct took over. Clenching her teeth against the tears that rose up at his betrayal, she hastily retreated inside the cabin and banged the door shut after her.

Stupid, stupid, stupid!

Of course a guy like him wouldn’t be interested in someone like her. It should have felt too good to be true from the start. Why had she even trusted him?

It seemed silly now. She must have looked like a naive girl, falling all over herself as soon as he pretended to be interested in her.

And she’d told him of all her plans. She’d showed him her map. She’d even let him tag along into the maze...

No wonder he’d made it there so quickly. Maybe he’d been in league with the dragon all along. It could have been a ploy—kidnap her, so that Jared could play her rescuer and win her trust...

She threw herself down onto the bed, covering her face with her hands.

Even now, she wanted to believe that she was wrong. Even now, she couldn’t forget the gentle way he’d kissed her, the way his powerful, hard body had pressed against her own.

No one had ever touched her with such desire before—as if he’d been starved for her touch.

It must have been a ploy. Why would someone like him, who could have anyone at all, settle for someone like Chiara? Everyone thought she was insane. And even before her encounter with the werewolf, she hadn’t had much going for her. An old car, a tiny apartment, the dead-end minimum wage job where angry people shouted at her all day.

God, I’ve been so stupid.

The tears of betrayal turned into tears of anger.

Why didn’t he just steal the map instead of playing with me? That would’ve hurt less.

Then the door opened, and when she looked up, she saw Jared stan

ding in the door.

She threw her pillow at him.

Childish, perhaps—but it felt good to see it bounce off his perfect, windswept golden mane.

Ugh, why does he have to be so handsome?