Sam’s face fell but his expression cleared after a moment. “Fur is like hair and varies just like a human’s. Same with the eyes. We are more like dogs when it comes to our noses. Mostly dark, but we sometimes have unusual markings. Did you see an identifying mark, Gabby?”

“What about the nails?” she asked, ignoring his question.

He shrugged. “Shades of grey. Mostly a dark grey.”

“Black?”

What was she getting at? What had she noticed that I hadn’t?

“Well, like I said, a dark grey is possible.”

“No. I mean black. A very glossy black you could see your reflection in.”

I struggled to recall the color of the nails of the men I’d fought as Sam remained introspectively quiet. Nothing came to mind. I’d been busy fighting and worrying about Gabby.

During the silence, Gabby became aware of the room and looked around. Everyone was suddenly looking elsewhere.

“I don’t think I’ve ever paid that much attention to our claws before. But, no, I don’t believe so.”

Gabby leaned back in her chair, obviously lost in thought. Everyone in the room watched her, waiting for what she’d say next.

Her scent changed with the array of emotions she experienced. Worry, anger, interest. I caught Sam inhaling slowly and knew he’d noticed, too. After several moments of silence, Sam cleared his throat. She continued to ignore him, and he glanced at me. I shrugged. Gabby wasn’t the type to rush into things. Someone spoke softly further back in the room. Others moved restlessly.

When she glanced at me with her scent bleeding confusion, I offered my hand. I couldn’t guess what she was thinking, but I could offer my support. She had it unconditionally since the moment I saw her. She looked down at my hand, hesitated, then reached for me.

As soon as we touched, I felt it. A zing of energy. Her fingers laced through mine, and her scent faded.

I scowled at her. Had she just used her power on me? After everything that had just happened, she was going to knock herself out again and leave me to deal with Sam and a million questions I couldn’t begin to answer?

Instead of looking even a little sorry about what she’d just done, she beamed at me. Then, she leaned toward me, her intent to kiss me obvious. Annoyed or not, I wouldn’t say no.

Our lips met softly, but she pulled back with a jerk. Her wide eyes stared at me. Her pulse leapt, and her scent changed subtly.

I eyed her warily, wondering what had happened now. Would this be another “catch me, Clay,” moment?

Her fingers twitched in mine, and with speed I didn’t know she possessed, she was out of her chair and straddling my lap. Shock didn’t cover what I felt. Though it was completely unexpected, I loved the contact. In fact, I’d consider gnawing off my own arm to keep her there. But this physical contact wasn’t like her. Especially not with the crowd around us.

She breathed in deeply as if scenting me. I shuddered in response and stared up at her, mesmerized. The room disappeared as she continued to study me with an intensity I’d never seen before. The green flecks in her hazel eyes seemed brighter, more alluring, as she leaned in until her cheek brushed mine. My lungs stopped working for a moment as she buried her nose in my hair. I held still, unsure what was happening but liking it. A lot.

She pulled back to press her lips to the tip of my nose, and my heart twisted painfully. She’d been so close to my neck. The skin there tingled with what might have been. I lifted my free hand and lightly rested it on her waist. Her skin felt warm beneath my fingers.

She sighed a little and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, she gave me a secret smile that made my blood boil.

She combed her fingers through my hair, brushing it back so she could lightly kiss my forehead. Her lips brushed a path to my cheek where she pressed another kiss. She moved lower, finding my lips. She nibbled at them until I opened my mouth for her. The aggressor, her tongue found mine. As much as I was spinning in my own heaven, I was starting to worry. This wasn’t like Gabby. There were so many people watching us. It was as if she wasn’t even aware of them.

She pulled back from me, gave me a quick frown, then leaned to nudge my jaw with her nose. My heart stopped and then tripled its efforts. She wanted my neck. Hope gripped me, warring with the worry. Should I let her? Was this really what she wanted?

My gut clenched as her lips skimmed my exposed skin, and my concern vanished. My pulse leapt higher. I let go of her hand so I could grip her, hold her in place. She had to keep going.

Her breathing hitched, and with one hand, she gripped my hair and tugged it hard. I tilted my head, willingly exposing my neck. She made a sound, almost a growl of satisfaction, before she set her lips on my neck once more. She kissed me, and I shuddered. Then her teeth sank into my skin.

There was no pain, only complete bliss. She’d done it. She’d Claimed me.

I closed my eyes with a sigh and opened myself for her. Her feelings flooded me. Desire consumed her. The unbridled need took me by surprise. Why hadn’t I scented that? As fast as it filled me, it depleted, replaced with a stunned emotional silence.

She pulled back slightly and eyed my neck. I watched her expression, unsure of the silence over our connection. Behind her, someone moved and called attention to the fact that we still had an audience. Horror drifted over our new link. A Claiming typically occurred in private.

A deep blush stained her cheeks. Embarrassment battled horror. She wiped at her mouth with a shaky hand. Panic bloomed as she stared at me.

I couldn’t take it anymore. Whether she’d intended to or not, she’d just given me the world. I reached up and gently touched her hair.

“I’ve been waiting for that since the moment I saw you,” I said.

She scowled at me, and all the horror, embarrassment, and panic fled to be replaced by anger. I could guess why. She’d been after me about talking since she’d first seen me. I laughed and picked her up.

She wrapped her arms around my neck and hid her face as the room around us erupted in cheers. I didn’t wait for congratulations but strode for the door. There was so much more I wanted to say to her. In private.

As soon as we were in our room, I closed the door and set her on her feet. I watched the play of emotions on her face and basked in each one I felt across our link.

“Why?” Her voice came out in a squeak. She cleared her throat and tried again. “Why wait until now to talk?”

I studied her and saw her hurt and confusion. I opened my arms. She didn’t hesitate, but stepped right into them. Tucking her close, I spoke the truth.

“If I’d spoken, even just one word, I would have never been able to hold back what I felt for you. You would have run.” And I would have chased you, scaring you even more, I thought to myself.

She pulled back and met my gaze.

“Can I finally get answers from you now? You’ll keep talking?”

I smiled at her excitement and nodded.

“Do you think I’m right about the—”

“Now’s not the time,” I said, glancing at the door. “We’ll talk later.” I could smell Sam waiting out there. His heart beat steadily with his patience. If I could hear his heart, he was hearing every word we shared.

“No way. We’re talking now. If not about that, then something else. I’ve waited over six months to hear your voice. You owe me. I bit you.”

She made me want to keep smiling. This crazy, adorable, intelligent, and gifted person was mine. Thinking of her gift had me frowning. She’d just used it back there. I was sure of it. Yet, she seemed fine.

“How are you feeling?”

She frowned and seemed to do a self-assessment.

“Good, actually.” Her gaze became unfocused, but she didn’t wince or pale. “It’s weird, but I don’t feel sick.” After a moment, she came back to me. “I think we need a safe place to talk.”