“I think he wants to know what all the fuss is about.”
Nik gazed at him for a moment and then sank in his chair, resting his chin on his hand, and sighed. “I had a feeling this would happen.”
Kerk nodded. “You should always trust your instinct.”
“Do you know why? What he wants?”
Kerk tipped his head to one side. “Besides the obvious, it isn't clear yet. He's never seen her in person, though I'm sure he's had spies take photos of her if he's that interested. But I don't think he wants her as a prize. At least, that's not his main ambition, even if he may be putting up that fa?ade.
“A greedy prick like that will always want what his enemy has. No doubt he knows she's 'untouched', and with his sick mind that's probably more interesting for him than her looks. But rather than spy on you and find your weaknesses, why is he spying on her? I haven't found any proof he's been using his time to find your weak spots. Or maybe that's just it? Your one weakness... is Jasmine?”
Nik shook his head. “She's a member of this Pack, nothing more. I have no other attachment to her. People may assume she's a possible mate because of her connection to her sister, but that doesn't mean anything. I've not seen any proof to confirm their suspicions.
“I care about her as much as anyone else and I'm protective of every member in this Pack. Does that make everyone in my Pack my weakness? It doesn't make sense.
“And now that I think of it, what about Lora? Why be interested in Jaz and not her? He's had enough chance to attack me at my lowest moments and yet, he hasn't. Why?”
Kerk frowned. “You don't suspect he had anything to do with Lora's death?”
Nik glowered at him.
Kerk bowed his head. “I'm sorry.”
Nik exhaled. “I don't see how. Maybe it would have been easier for me to deal with. And I'd have had an excuse to rip his head off and no one would have stood in my way. If he wanted to hurt me now, and he believes that Jaz is my mate, all he has to do is kill her. So why hasn't he? I believe he's plotting something a little different, and I think she's somehow a part of it.”
“You think she's helping him?” Kerk's tone rose.
“No, of course not. But he's definitely after something. Something more than just satisfying a grudge, or stealing land. And it has something to with the Cur Hunters, Jaz, and my head on a platter. Nothing good can come from that.”
“Not when you have a traitor in your Pack.”
Nik regarded him as he held up the photos on his desk. “Who was this deal meant for?”
Kerk sucked in a breath and squeezed his eyes. “I'm sorry but... it was Garik. Even if I hadn't seen him with my own eyes, I'd have recognized his scent anywhere.”
~Chapter 25 - Excite~
Early the next morning...
Tuesday June 7th, 3:07 a.m.
Deep in the forest
“He was spotted.”
“You're sure?” The young man asked, turning to his dark-haired contact, who was blessed with vibrant, striking eyes.
“I'm positive. Nik knows about Garik.”
The young man thought for a moment then sneered. “This may be useful to us. Even if it comes back to Njord. We can use this knowledge to earn Njord's trust. I want him to trust me enough so that when the time is right, I'll have him eating out of the palm of my hand.”
“What is she doing here anyway?” The Were eyed the light-haired woman who was stood opposite him, her hip angled against a tree.
She stepped forward from the shadows into the early morning light; her moss-green eyes stabbing him with annoyance. “I know Garik more than anyone. I share a bed with him. I know what he eats, when he shits, when he's stressed. I know when he's acting suspicious and when to call you fellas if I think he's up to something, and it is your job to find out the wheres and whys. Without me you wouldn't have found all this out so don't talk to me like I'm not important.” She bared her teeth as she glared at him.
He countered her expression but didn't argue with her.
She turned to the young man. “What does Njord know about us?”
The young man scanned her up and down in a way that made her blush, but she kept her firm gaze locked on his light brown eyes.
The dark-haired man glanced between the two of them. “He knows we exist, which is bad enough. He's this close to getting everyone's name, if he hasn't got them already. He will expose us and then we'll be the one eating out of his hand, that's if he doesn't turn us in.”
The young man scoffed. “Let him try.”
“He will use it to control us.”
“How do we know he doesn't just want to use our expertise, or join our cause?” the mature woman suggested.
The dark-haired Were shook his head.
The young man smiled as if he found her opinion humorous, like something a child would say. “Then why is he consorting with Garik behind our backs? He has an ulterior motive and he's only playing along with us because we're useful to him, as he is to us.