Tempted (Two Marks 1)

His eyes narrowed and he swiveled in his chair so I had his full attention. Yeah, he was interested in this. If he took a second, he’d wonder how Hollaroy would know who I was, but I pushed on.

“Said he’d pay me to put trackers in wolves.”

He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing. Yeah, that got even more of his attention. “I don’t know why you’re telling me this.”

I shrugged. “At the time, I didn’t know either, but he said that since I was the one out in the field actually tagging the animals, he’d cut out the middleman.” I leaned forward. “I’m assuming that’s you.”

“What you’re suggesting is—”

“I know. Unethical. But you have to admit… the money’s pretty good. I mean, I have to teach summer classes just to pay my rent. What he’s going to pay me is way better.” I waved my hands in the air in a rainbow motion.

His eyes narrowed, and I could tell his brain was working. Yeah, he was guilty as hell. I just had to get the proof needed to nail his ass. So I kept going.

“I’m sure you told him no,” he said.

I gave him a thin smile. “Actually, I told you no.”

He frowned, and I filled in the blanks for him. All lies, of course.

“I ran into him bright and early, before our little chat. Remember, you called Sunday morning? I told you I wasn’t tagging any more wolves? Yeah, well, that’s true.” I put air quotes around the last word. “I finished my paper and submitted it. I’m sure it will be well received, so I can keep my grant and keep my study open.”

“You finished it?”

I nodded.

“You turned it in?” He looked at his computer, as if it was in his inbox.

“To the dean.”

“You were supposed to have me review it,” he snapped.

I shrugged again, then pulled off a fake piece of lint from my jeans. “I was, but I was very motivated to finish it. I mean, now I can grow the field and get back out there and tag those wolves.” I winked, then stood. Turned toward the door. “I love those wolves… and the new perks that go with tagging them.”

“Wait,” he said.

Slowly, I turned, crossed my arms over my chest, appearing bored. My heart was practically beating out of my chest, and sweat dripped down my back.

“Tell Hollaroy he can’t cut me out of this. Five thousand a kill was the deal.”

“Only five thousand?” I asked, pretending I’d been offered more.

He bought it. His mouth fell open, then snapped shut. He stalked over to me, and I was suddenly afraid. But we were in a busy building on campus. There were people right out in the hall. All I had to do was scream.

“I’ve given him all the tracking data of every wolf you’ve tagged. It’s not my fault he’s only been able to get the three. You will not take this from me. I will tell the dean. Your job will be done. Your paper will be covered in blood. Your reputation destroyed. I’ll finish you.”

I let my hands fall to my sides. “You want to keep getting paid by Hollaroy, a West Springs rancher, for stealing my tracking data on wolves I’ve tagged for research.”

He sneered. “I hope your paper’s synopsis was as good as that one.”

I nodded, then fled his office.

Once in the stairwell, I pulled out my cell and turned off the recording. I’d had to get him to admit to what he’d done, to name the rancher involved. The guy who pulled the trigger. No wolves would be safe until they were taken down.

I hit a few buttons to get a link for the audio—although it was hard with shaky fingers, the adrenaline pouring through my veins—then shared it in an email to the dean. For the first time in three days, I felt something. Not elation. Not even vindication. I felt… like I’d made things right. I wanted to be part of the Two Marks pack but couldn’t do that until I protected them. Until I did what I could to see them protected, to put those who wanted them harmed brought to justice.

I’d saved the wolves. I ran out of the building and to my car, headed to West Springs. I had to hope I could also save my relationship with Landry and Wade.

23

LANDRY

“Are you sure this is the right move, showing up at her work?” I asked Wade as we walked into the biology building at Granger State once again. I wasn’t one to feel so unsure of myself, but fuck, our mate had left us. I was lost. Angry. Freaked. My wolf was driving me, and I had no idea how to make this shit right. “What if she’s upset and it embarrasses her to be dealing with us with people around?”