Portrait of a Wolf Ch. 01

Adam had never seen his cousin like this. He'd already gathered that Devyn was Jake's mate, but Jake was always level headed about everything. His reactions were over the top, even for a male that hadn't yet claimed his mate. He was being extremely overprotective, and overly aggressive. Adam just watched while Jake crouched down over Devyn, effectively shielding her from his gaze.

If you didn't do this to her, then why did she faint? Jake shot back at him. He clearly didn't believe him.

"Think about it. She was tackled twice, blasted you twice, ran all the way here, then tried to blast me. That's when she fainted," Adam was trying to keep the exasperation out of his voice. "Whatever Devyn is, she obviously drained herself."

So, is she a witch then? Jake asked with his head cocked to one side.

"No. I don't really know what she is, but I've never sensed witch from her," he paused when Jake bared his teeth again. "What? Why are you all riled up again?" he asked, unable to keep his voice calm this time.

You sound like you know her, and have for a while. What the hell is that about?

"I work for her. I'm her agent. Remember what I do for a living?" he asked sarcastically. "She's a photographer and I arrange all her shows."

Oh. Well, I, uh, I'm sorry. Jake actually looked sheepish, if that was possible as a wolf.

"Apology accepted. I know she's your mate, and I was just trying to stop her from leaving," he grinned. "You know, making life easier for my future Alpha."

Jake snorted. Sure. More like you wanted to gloat over the fact that you stopped her when I couldn't. Although you had an advantage; cheater.

He laughed as Jake started his change. When he was a man again, Adam tossed him a pair of jeans from the bag he had with him.

"So now what? I want to know what she is. Do you know where she lives?" Jake asked.

"Yes. I think that's where we should take her,"

"My thoughts exactly. I don't think she's going to wake up, so we can just take her truck. It'll be faster."

"Alright, I'll drive," Adam agreed.

Jake carefully picked Devyn up from the soft grass and marveled at how small she felt in his arms. Devyn. He rolled her name around in his mind. It fit her perfectly. He settled her on his lap as Adam carefully maneuvered down the treacherous road.

What are you? He sent the tendril of thought to her. He wasn't expecting an answer, seeing as how she was out cold, but it helped him establish their mental connection. He was already amazed at how easily he could pick up her thoughts, especially considering she wasn't human. Most supernatural beings had a natural shield in place. The only reason he could think of for hers to be so weak was that she didn't realize others could read her.

"So how long have you worked with her?" Jack asked his cousin.

"About four years now. She wants her real identity kept completely secret, so I handle everything. She doesn't want the attention from her fame," Adam stated.

"I see. So how is it that after four years you still don't know what she is?"

"I can't pin it down. You and I both know she's obviously not human. And I am amazed that she didn't figure out what I was," Adam paused. "It's obvious from earlier that she knows Weres exist, but apparently she knows absolutely nothing about us, or how to tell us apart from everyday humans."

"It's definitely strange. Maybe there will be something at her house to help us figure out what she is," Jake's voice faltered as he felt a skip in her heartbeat.

"What was that?" Adam asked.

"Her heart. It skipped," Jake knew he sounded worried. "There! It just did it again. What's wrong with her?"

"I don't know. I've never heard this in all the time I've spent with her," Adam's voice was strained with worry.

"Well drive faster. We need to get her home," Jake demanded.

He tucked her closer to his body as he listened to her heartbeat. Every time hers skipped a beat, his heart would trip over itself in fear. It had to be something to do with what she was, and the fact that she was unconscious. He must have been wrong about her being a vamp. Quickly lifting her upper lip, he rubbed gently against her eye teeth, trying to draw them down. A vampire's fangs were just their eye teeth elongated and sharpened. When nothing happened he growled in frustration.

"She's not a vamp, Jake. I've spent enough time around her to know that for sure," Adam said solemnly.

"Well why else would she be like this? It makes sense," Jake said desperately. He had finally found his mate, it wouldn't be fair of the Fates to take her from him before he'd even gotten to know her.

"I don't know. We'll just get her home and figure it out there," Adam said. He shot a worried glance at Jake as he hit the highway and accelerated. He wouldn't let his cousin's mate- and his friend- die because they didn't know what was wrong with her. There had to be something at her house to help them help her.

Hang in there, Dev. We'll figure this out. Adam sent the comforting thought to the unconscious girl his cousin was clinging to.