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But not nearly as breathtaking as the man sitting in the grass on the edge of the knoll, looking out over the vast expanse as though trying his best to ascertain the secrets of the world. His profile was strong and almost regal, with a square jaw and dark eyebrows arching over a straight nose that sat perfectly on his rugged face. His inky hair was touched with silver at his temples. He ha
d a set of broad shoulders, and she remembered he was tall when standing, well over six feet.
One of his jean-clad legs was stretched out in the grass, the other bent at the knee. Compelled by some unnamed force, she approached and spotted a wicked-looking dagger with a pearl handle sitting on the ground at his side. Frowning, she studied it, then looked back to the commander. She could have sworn she scented blood—a sweet, heady aroma that she recognized was pure Nick. But she didn’t see any blood.
Finally, he lifted his wary gaze and acknowledged her presence. “Calla.”
“Hello, Nick,” she said, glad her voice gave away no hint of how hard her pulse was racing at the sight of him. “Out for a run?”
“I let my wolf out earlier, but now I’m just out for a walk and taking a break to do some thinking.” He studied her intently. “You’re about the last person I expected to see out here.”
She shrugged, and decided to go for honesty. “I was drawn here. I’m not one hundred percent sure why.”
Instead of addressing that, he asked, “Ditched your guards again, did you? Your brother will be pissed.”
Moving around in front of him so she could see him better, she narrowed her eyes. “How did you know about that? Has Tarron been talking about me?”
One corner of his full, succulent mouth kicked up. “He didn’t have to. I’ve seen you do it.”
“What? When?” She stared at him in surprise.
“A few weeks ago, when the team and I stayed at your stronghold. Before I was . . .”
She didn’t have to ask Before what? She knew he was referring to when he had been kidnapped by Carter, and tortured. She let it go for now, to his visible relief. “What was I doing when you saw me?”
“Pretty much the same. You were out for a walk in the woods, and you’d decided to sit by a pond for a while. I was in wolf form and I watched you until Tarron yelled, obviously upset and looking for you.”
She blinked at his frank admission. “I’m not sure how to feel about you spying on me.”
“I was just making sure no harm came to you,” he said, then looked away. “And maybe admiring the view as well.”
“Really, now,” she murmured, a tiny thrill dancing through her body. Making a decision, she took a seat beside him on the grass, uninvited. “You could have at least made yourself known so I could’ve had the same pleasure.”
A soft chuckle rumbled in his chest and he seemed to relax a fraction. “You don’t mince words.”
“Never saw the point.” They were silent for a moment. Her gaze fell on the knife again and she nodded at it. “I’m not thinking a born wolf shifter needs a blade for an afternoon stroll. Were you planning to harm yourself? I smelled blood when I approached you.”
His shoulders tensed. For a while she thought he wouldn’t answer. Then he held out his arm and turned his wrist over, showing her a red line, the slice still a bit bloody. The implication washed over her like ice water.
“Why isn’t it healing?” She couldn’t hide the tremor in her voice.
“Silver blade,” he said simply. “But if I wanted to do the job right, I’d have to drive it into my heart.”
Truly alarmed, she placed a hand on his thigh, noting the hard muscles bunching under her palm. The spark of attraction threatened to ignite again, but she fought it down. This wasn’t the time. Focusing on his emotions, she could see that anyone would think he was completely calm—if it wasn’t for the desolation in his dark blue eyes.
She kept her voice gentle, nonjudgmental. “Why would you contemplate such a thing? Because of what Carter did to you?”
His eyes snapped to hers, piercing her to the core. “What do you know? Has Tarron given you the sordid details?”
“No,” she assured him. “My brother and his men are not prone to discussing others’ misfortunes, especially when it involves a mission or a battle. The only ones who are privy to everything are the ones who were there, or those who need to be told.”
Dropping his chin, he blew out a breath. “That’s good to know. Thank you.”
“I’m here, however, if you want to talk.” She paused, biting her bottom lip with one fang before admitting, “I’ve been where you are now. At the lowest point in my life, I was ready to give up.”
That got his undivided attention again. Startled, he laid a hand over hers. “For God’s sake, why? I can’t imagine a woman as smart and beautiful as you having a reason to feel that way.”
She gave him a sad smile. “Thank you. But I had every reason, or so I believed at the time. I lost my mate over seventy years ago, and I almost didn’t survive his death.”
