Chapter 15 I didn't realize I had begun to move toward her until , as I was halfway across the room , another figure moved through the crowd and struck up a conversation with her . My wolf bristled at the sight of the tall , brutish man with the emerald ring who was leaning in and smiling at my mate . Jaxon Adler . Elena " I suppose there's no need to hide my face when we speak now that you apparently know my real identity . " I was standing by myself , as usual , when a tall shadow passed over me . Jaxon's face was no longer hidden behind a fox mask . I recalled that he had always been quite handsome - square - jawed , roguish features , a cleft chin peeking out from beneath neatly maintained stubble . The sort of man you'd ironically see in a superhero comic , if only he weren't actually a master of shadows . " No , " I said , " I suppose not . Although you might want to consider wearing less distinctive jewelry if you're really trying to hide your identity . " I gestured to the emerald ring . " Noted , " he said , his lips curving into a smirk . " I'd say you might want to consider wearing a wig , little rabbit , but I suppose you never really attempted to hide your identity from me . " His implication was clear . " I've grown bolder as of late , " I countered . " I can see that . " Jaxon's yellow eyes swept over my dress for a moment , and I resisted the urge to shrink beneath his gaze . The dress was new ; I had purchased it and another outfit with my own pocket money yesterday , needing some new outfits to wear to the upcoming events since I had gotten rid of so much . Maeve had helped me pick it out . It was a far cry from my usual choice of clothing , and made me feel simultaneously confident and self - conscious . Finally he picked up two glasses of champagne from the tray of a passing waiter and extended one to me . I hesitated briefly , but accepted anyway . If he was going to perform sleight of hand to slip poison into my drink , he wouldn't do it so publicly . And deep down , I knew Jaxon wasn't evil . Outside of his Alpha duties , he dealt in the business of trading information - technically not criminal . That didn't mean that the people who came to him weren't criminais . " So , " he said , swirling his champagne around in his glass , " Believe it or not , I'm not just here to mingle . I wanted to thank you for the information you provided . I looked into it , and you were right ; someone was adding a little ' something extra ' to my dinners . " I nodded and sipped my drink . " And … ? " " And , " he sighed , scratching his stubble , " I looked into that crest . I'm still searching . " " How elusive can a single crest be ? " Jaxon's eyes glimmered . " I'm a fox , not a weasel . I can only slink around so much . " I exhaled slightly , realizing he was right . " Well , promise you'll let me know as soon as you find anything . " For good measure , even though I didn't think it was necessary , I added , " And betray me , and you'll finally understand why there are more rabbits than foxes . " Jaxon laughed at that , loud and full - bellied , making no attempt to hide it . I couldn't help but smirk slightly behind my glass . " I have half a mind to steal you from Killian , you know , " he snorted . " With humor like that , you'd fit in perfectly with my social circles . " " She'd be charmed , I'm sure . " The farmiliar , gruff voice caused us both to turn , but before either of us could say anything , Killian swept in with a thunderous look in his black eyes . When he wrapped his arm around my waist , his grip was so strong I knew he wasn't just here to chat . " Killian , " Jaxon said , eyes still gleaming with humor , " Elena and I were just- " " I know what you were doing , " Killian cut him off . His arm tightened possessively around me . " And she is mine . " Chapter 10