Hunt Me! I Crave the Chase (Spooky Boys #3)

“Take your time.”

“Easy for you to say,” Jeffrey joked. “You’re not the one that has to get brain-fucked for an hour then figure out how to survive after.”

“Is that how this feels for you?”

“I…guess.” Jeffrey obviously hadn’t meant to admit that. “Fuck.” He sucked in another breath, obviously gathering strength. My tail wagged, pride thrumming in my body. My smart, resilient, wonderful Jeffrey. Brave. Brave. Brave. “Okay. I…feel like people are following me.”

Guilt churned in my stomach.

Because I was most definitely the person that had been following him.

I only left his side to interact with my brothers and the pack we were setting up an alliance with. Other than that, whether I was in humanskin or wolfskin, I was always beside him. Even if he didn’t know it.

I figured we didn’t have much time. And I’d spend all I could with him, protecting him.

I’d promised.

“Is that a constant feeling for you?” she clarified.

“Yeah,” Jeffrey sighed, sounding exhausted. “It never turns off.”

“What about at home?”

“That’s the only place I feel somewhat safe.”

“Why do you think that is?”

“I…” Jeffrey sighed, struggling for a minute to find his words again. It was odd. Over the last couple months, spanning both before and after we’d officially met, I’d noticed he had a silver tongue. He always knew exactly what to say—and how to say it to get the desired result. This stilted, awkward conversation was completely out of character.

Or at least…I’d thought it was.

Now I was starting to wonder if the smooth-talking, flirty version of my mate was the fake one. He certainly lied more.

“I guess it’s because it’s mine?” Jeffrey’s voice was quiet. “And I’ve put locks up and shit, you know, to keep myself safe.”

“Locks?”

“Bolt locks.”

“Right.” There were a few scratching sounds that I figured were probably a pen on paper.

“And you feel like your paranoia is affecting how you feel about your dog?” Doctor Mason cycled back. Jeffrey made an affirmative noise. “Perhaps…this is an opportunity for you to practice trust.”

“I…”

“Sometimes a dog is just a dog, Jeffrey,” the doctor continued, voice gentle. “Sometimes we feel eyes on us, not because we’re being chased or stalked but because as humans it is natural to simply attract attention. You’ve mentioned that your looks have often affected how you are perceived. That you receive more attention than you are comfortable with because of them. Perhaps the eyes you feel are because of that. I know that is hard to believe because of your background and the fear that has been instilled inside you from a young age.”

Because of Lydia.

“But this could be an opportunity for you to let loose a little. Let go of those reins you’ve had to hold on so tightly to.”

Jeffrey was silent for a few minutes. A couple passed by the truck, and I barked at them to scare them off, their chatter interrupting my eavesdropping. I wasn’t supposed to be listening in. But now that I’d heard what I had—there was no going back.

I might as well commit.

The couple scurried off, eyeing me warily as I settled down and Jeffrey started talking again.

“Maybe you’re right,” Jeffrey finally said, his voice quiet, contemplative—still turbulent, but softer somehow. “I…” he sucked in another breath. There had been a lot of that today, and I was starting to realize it was a tell of his. When he was frustrated, scared, or uncomfortable, he could hardly get a full breath in. His beautiful lungs grew too tight. “I’ve had a hard time breaking those habits. They’re what kept me alive.”