Kira wondered why she hadn't caught his scent when he came.
She let out a deep breath and glanced around, not in fear, but genuinely puzzled, trying to work out how on earth Derek had gotten into the Crystal Moon packhouse and found his way to her here in the garden, of all places, without a single warning prickle along her senses.
Derek just stood there, saying nothing at all.
Kira finally found her voice and cleared her throat to get rid of the nervous squeak. "How did you get in here? And why could I not perceive you?"
"Braxton let me in," Derek said. "And I masked my scent."
"What are you doing here, Derek?"
"I came to see you."
"I explicitly told you at the council building that I would speak to you when I am ready," Kira said, her voice cooling. "And I am clearly not ready."
Deciding that looking at his handsome face was doing terrible things to her resolve, she attempted to side-step his frame to walk away and leave him standing there among the roses.
