Becca didn’t say much as the cab wove through thick uptown traffic. The ride took much longer than expected, but Jaylon didn’t mind. Not with such delicious company.

He took in her profile as she looked out the window. The curve of her face and her soft lips and the way her dark hair fell in silken waves past her shoulder.

There was something about her that pulled him, and it was more than just her amazing scent and her lush, full body.

She sat less than two feet away and his wolf stalked beneath the surface, so much so, he had to tamp down on the urge to spread her wide and take her then and there on the cracked leather seat.

“You okay?” she asked, turning again.

His wolf howled inside and the sound was possessive. The overwhelming feeling to dominate sent shock waves through his mind. With all the women he’d had over the years, no one had stirred his wolf, his cock, and his very mind like this. He pushed the unnerving feeling away, burying it deep, and willing his wolf to recede along with the hard bulge behind his zipper.

The taxi pulled in front of the restaurant and Jaylon paid the driver as Becca got out on the opposite side.

“Beautiful,” she said as the two walked in and were seated on the deck. The sun gleamed on the water and on her dark hair, both awash with bright highlights.

Becca sighed and then took in a breath, wrinkling her nose. “Oh man, I did not expect that in such a still setting.” She raised a knuckle to the end of her nose.

“You might want to watch your scenting. This is Central Park, but you’re still going to get a nose full of city, no matter what. I’m out on the island and we still get city fumes from time to time, even with the ocean breeze as a filter.” Jay nodded.

The waitress walked over with her pen and pad. “What can I get you?”

Becca gave the menu a cursory glance. “I’ll have the Boathouse burger, medium rare, with hand cut potato fries and a Blue Moon beer with an extra slice of orange.”

The server scribbled on her pad and then looked at Jaylon. “I’ll have the same,” he replied.

“What do you mean, out on the island?” Becca asked as the waitress walked away.

“Long Island.” He shrugged. “You know, the Hamptons and the farthest point east in New York State? My pack is out on Montauk Point.”

She pointed to herself. “Pineland Leap. Sentinels of the New Jersey Devil out in the Pine Barrens.”

He snorted. “I thought the New Jersey Devil was a tourist myth.”

Becca laughed. “No, he’s real all right, but he’s actually a pussy cat.”

“Then why all the terrifying accounts?” he asked.

“Well, we have to do something to amuse ourselves out in the sticks,” she answered with a wink.

Jaylon’s eyes went wide with humor. “No! All those sightings and eerie sounds you see on the news. That’s you?”

She shrugged. “Not me, personally, but Leap teenagers like to mess with the humans sometimes.”

He made a face.

“What? Not a fan of made-up mythology?” she questioned with a tilt of her head.

The waitress brought their drinks and set them on the table. “Your food will be out soon. We’re not that busy today.”

Jaylon nodded. “Thanks.”

“So? Why the face?” Becca tried again.

He smirked, toying with his beer. “You’re a persistent one, aren’t you?”

“I can be.” She nodded. “It comes with the territory when you come from a small Leap.”

“My guess is your definition of small is more in line with an M-80. Petite but powerful.”

She pursed her lips. “Define powerful.”

“Touché, again.” He lifted his drink in mock salute.

She squeezed the slice of orange into her citrusy brew, eyeing him over her beer. “You didn’t answer my question, which means you’re evading.”

“No, it’s not that.” He exhaled. “It’s embarrassing to admit to another shifter. The teens in my pack are making my life very difficult.”

She cocked her head. “How so? You a teacher?”

Jaylon chuckled, shaking his head. “I wish it was that simple.” He looked at her. “I’m the Alpha of my pack now.”

He wasn’t sure if it was his imagination or if the hesitation he saw was surprise or disappointment. Usually finding out a guy was the supreme of his particular group was an immediate aphrodisiac for most women. Then again, Becca didn’t seem like most women. Which was probably why his wolf wanted her so much.

“Jaylon, I’m—” Her words cut short in her mouth and she turned, eyeing the window to the inside bar.

“What is it?”

She spared a glance for Jaylon, but shook her head. “Nothing, you were saying?”

“I wasn’t saying, you were.” He watched her. “What happened? You looked as though you saw someone you know.”

She shook her head again. “For a second I thought I saw the acquaintance I was supposed to meet, but that’s not possible.”

“I thought you texted her.”

“I did, I mean I will. It’s—well, it’s awkward, that’s all.” Becca exhaled.

“What’s awkward about postponing a meeting? I had one scheduled for this afternoon as well, but I’m hoping this lunch turns into a dinner and if so, I have every intention of rescheduling mine as well.”

She waved a hand in front of her. “It’s nothing. Forget it.”

Their food came and he studied her as they ate in initial silence, hesitating before picking up the conversation again.

She was hiding something.

“So, tell me more about your pack,” he asked, chewing a mouthful. “I’m always curious to see how other shifters work.”

“There’s not much to tell. We’re a small Leap that holds a lot of territory in the Pine Barrens. The preserve is over a million acres of unspoiled wilderness. It’s amazing, really. Unfortunately, though, being small means we have a hard time keeping what’s ours, and our numbers have suffered.” She looked at him. “What about you?”

“Unlike yours, my pack is pretty mainstreamed. Deep Water is spread across the entire Island and even into Manhattan. We have a main council in Montauk, but they’re more figurehead than anything. Sad, really.”

“Why sad?” she asked.

“Our assimilation into the human world is seamless, so much so, it’s become a bit of a problem.”

“Problem?” Confused, she questioned him.

He nodded. “Many of our youth are half-bloods, and lately they seem more interested in their human side. They’ve lost touch with their inner animals, and what’s worse, they don’t seem to care.”

“Shifters can’t stop being shifters, Jaylon. I think you might be worrying over nothing.”

His eyes found hers and his lips parted, stunned she voiced the exact sentiment he said to his father only the day before. He didn’t hear it then, but the inherent brashness was clear now and he bristled.

“I don’t think I’m worrying over nothing. Being out in the sticks as you call it, how would you know what it’s like to weigh the stresses and influences of the outside on a shifter clan?” His tone tightened.

“A strong Alpha does what needs to be done for his kind. Really, Jaylon, for an Alpha you sound new to the game.”

The muscle in his jaw clenched. “Maybe we should change the subject.”

She looked at him. “I shouldn’t judge you by my standards and I’m sorry. Every grouping is different and every Alpha has different ways of handling their own.”

He put down his fork with a low clatter. “What would you know about handling anything, let alone the responsibilities of an Alpha? You’re a female. Your domain is pups or kittens or whatever leopard litters are called.”