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I shake my head slowly, marveling at his nonchalance. If our roles were reversed, I’m not sure I could be so blasé about being viciously attacked. “Still…I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” He takes a step closer, the scent of leather and woodsmoke and something uniquely him wrapping around me. “We’re the same, you and me. Wolves recognize each other, even in human form.”
My breath catches at his words as that strange connection between us hums to life once more. I can’t tear my gaze away from the intensity blazing in his dark eyes.
“Now, are you coming?” He nods toward the cave entrance. “Or would you rather take your chances out here when the cops roll through?”
I swallow hard and force my leaden feet to move, ducking into the shadows of the cave. It’s not a large space, more of an alcove, really, but it will shield us for now. Barrett follows close behind, his shoulders brushing mine as he squeezes past. The dim light filtering in from the entrance is just enough to make out his strong features, the sharp line of his jaw…the fullness of his lips…
Get a grip, Cedara!
I give myself a mental shake, pressing deeper into the cave to put some space between us. What is wrong with me? This man – this wolf – is a complete stranger. And yet…I can’t deny the pull I feel toward him, this undeniable sense that we are intrinsically linked somehow.
Again, I’m aware of being surrounded by his rich scent from the jacket I’m bundled in. I shiver despite the warmth of the leather enveloping me.
“You cold?” His voice rumbles from the shadows. “The water tends to drop the temperature in here.”
I hug the jacket tighter around me, shaking my head. “No, I’m…I’m fine.”
We lapse into silence, the weight of it stretching between us as the darkness presses in. My thoughts are jumbled, whirling around the enigma of this strange wolf-man. I can’t begin to make sense of any of it.
All I know is that it just feels so right being here with him. As crazy as it seems…I feel safe.
Minutes drag by, with me acutely aware of how close he is to me. I force myself to relax, leaning back against the rough surface of the rock behind me.
“You haven’t told me your name.” His words come from the dark, startling me.
I hesitate for a moment before answering his question. “Cedara,” I say finally, my voice muted.
He’s silent for a beat. “Cedara,” he repeats, rolling the syllables over his tongue. A tremor runs through me at the way my name sounds on his lips. “You okay over there, Cedara?”
There’s a gentle concern in his tone that touches something deep inside me. Why is he worried about me? I tore into him not long ago. Yet he appears to genuinely care about my well-being.
“Why are you here?” I blurt out before I can stop myself. “At the sanctuary, I mean. Why were you prowling around there?”
He shifts slightly, and I sense he’s about to answer when a chorus of distant shouts cuts through the stillness. I stiffen instantly, every muscle in my body tensing as my instincts take over as the sounds draw nearer.
Then, without warning, I find myself shrinking back against the solid wall of his chest. His arms come around me, strong and secure, enveloping me in his warmth as he pulls me protectively against him. I should resist, fight his hold on me. Instead, I melt into his embrace, letting the steady beat of his heart soothe the wild panic clawing at my ribs.
The men! The men who took us!
Even though I’m sure they’re not the same people, memories surge, fear blotting out reason.
“Easy,” he murmurs, his breath stirring my hair. “We’re safe here. Just stay quiet, and they’ll move on.”
I nod mutely, forcing myself to control my ragged breathing as the commotion outside grows louder…closer. Barrett’s arms tighten fractionally, and I sense he’s shielding me with his own body in case anyone finds this hiding place.
The thought of his instinctive protectiveness over me, a woman he doesn’t even know, sparks something warm and unfamiliar in me. I tuck my face against the solid plane of his shoulder, breathing him in as the sounds fade into the distance. It’s only when it’s been silent for what feels like an age that I allow myself to relax again. Yet, when he peels himself away from me, I have to force myself not to cling to him.
“Gonna take a look.” He rises smoothly, leaving me hunched on the floor of the cave, my arms curled around my knees, tucked in on myself. I keep feeling flashes of my wolf prowling inside of me, and I realize that many of my reactions are more animal than human.
My eyes track Barrett as he moves silently to the entrance and ducks out of sight. It’s only when he returns moments later that it occurs to me that I’ve been holding my breath. It comes out in a rush as he takes his seat beside me again.
“They’re everywhere,” he mutters. “More than I’d expected.”
“What happened? Why are they doing this?” I want to curl up against him again, but I don’t.
“There was an attack at the facility.” His expression is grim. “They’re blaming the wolves. Hunting them down now.”
