The Mating Intent-mobi by Bonnie Vanak Page B

relaxed and chuckled, shaking his head. “Gabe’s got his hands full with you. Hope he can handle you being his own.”
    Now it was her turn to stiffen. “I don’t need handling, and I’m not his.”
    Jake’s gaze sharpened. “Not yet, but I’ve seen the way he looks at you. Gabe’s not a tomcat like some shifters. Once he gets his eye on a lady, his mind’s made up. He’s more wolf that way than panther. No love ‘em and leave ‘em for Gabe.”
    Right. “As if he hasn’t had other lovers in twenty-five years?”
    She hadn’t meant to let that slip, but the Lupine’s grin widened. “Not my place to say, but ask him.  I think you’ll be surprised.”
    Stunned, she watched him walk away. As Jake started examining the plant life, Sienna craned her neck toward the sky. She didn’t like Gabriel prowling about on his own.
    Removing a knife at his belt, Jake sawed off a twig from an oak branch and studied it. Sudden anger flared inside her, destroying the camaraderie they’d established. The Elf inside her howled with anger. How dare he harm a tree?
    The darkness inside her rose up, nudged her to action. The Lupine held no respect for the forest. Maybe he liked hurting trees, liked hearing them scream inside, their cries rippling through the silent air…
    Her hand dropped to the stiletto strapped to her right thigh. Sienna slid out the blade, staring at the tall Lupine’s neck. So easy to creep up behind him, cut him quick, see his blood bubble bright red as he gasped as surely as the tree had gasped when he cut the branch…
    Advancing toward the Lupine, knife held behind her, she kept her gaze focused on his back. Close, closer still….
    Dear Gods, what was wrong with her? The blackness inside her, the toxicity, was urging her on.
    She would not surrender to it. She would fight the evil inside her.
    Make him suffer , the darkness urged. Make him scream…
    Sienna reached deep inside herself, pulling free the dim white light overwhelmed by the darkness. Rage filled her, wanting her to hurt Jake for hurting the land.
    No, you’re not going to win , she silently told the darkness.
    And then deep inside her, the light doused the darkness, reminding her of the torment etched on the Lupine’s face as he’d recalled the female who’d died at the Mitchell Ranch. Sienna forced her gaze to the crisp uniform. Jake was a ranger, a protector of land. Not a threat.
    Deeply ashamed, she slid the blade back into the sheath as he turned, holding out the twig like an olive branch. The twig was covered with green scales.
    “The tree’s got fungus. It’s spreading from the younger saplings to the big old pines that have stood here for years. You’re Elven. Can you fix this?”
    Horror crept through her. He asked for help and she’d been ready to cut his throat for hurting the tree. She truly was dark and evil for entertaining such thoughts. If she lingered longer without using the spring of Danu, the darkness would take over and she’d hurt someone badly.
    Maybe even Gabriel.
    I have to get rid of this evil inside me before I lose control for good.
    Sienna spread out her hands, trying to control their trembling. “I can’t. Not now. But I promise when all this is over, I will return and heal your forest.”
    Jake nodded and dropped the twig. “Appreciate it. I’ve considered other natural methods, but it’s spreading fast and I’d hate to see the big old guys die from it.”
    “You really love your park,” she mused aloud.
    He gave her a level look. “It’s not my park. It belongs to itself. I’m just a caretaker. Like you, only I lack powerful Elven light. Or an even more powerful dark.”
    Sienna’s shoulders drooped. “How did you know?”
    “Word travels fast among the Lupine grapevine. Aiden told me about the Elf who saved the earth when she siphoned away the evil from the soil.” Jake looked deep into her eyes. “I’m sorry about what happened, and I understand what it’s like. Anything I can