She nodded.
“Do you understand?” he asked again, his voice gruff.
“Yes.”
“Then go home and get something to drink,” he said and gave her a little push.
Staggering a bit, she made her way out of the alley and disappeared around the corner.
Damn, damn, damn. That had been close. He licked the blood from his lips, wondering how he was going to face Kadie after what he’d almost done. Perhaps the answer was not to go home, he thought. She would be safe then. He would block the bloodlink between them. In time, she would forget him. Perhaps the better option would be to wipe his memory from her mind.
Pain speared through him at the thought. They had shared much together. Life would not be worth living without her. But she would be safe, he mused, with a bitter smile.
Letting her go. Yes, that was the answer.
But not before he made love to her one last time.
~ * ~
Kadie looked up, a question in her eyes when Saintcrow entered the living room.
“I let her go,” he said.
Kadie flinched at the restless look in his eyes, the low growl in his voice. He was angry with her. There had been a time when they hunted together, but lately, he preferred to go alone. And tonight was the reason why. He didn’t want her to be there if he lost control. Hunting in wolf form, she thought suddenly. Maybe that was the answer. If all he needed was to kill something, maybe a few rabbits would suffice.
He frowned at her. “You want to go hunt rabbits?”
“I just thought–”
“That spilling some blood might help.”
She shrugged one shoulder.
“What the hell. You might be right.” Moving to the front door, he opened it.
An instant later, a large, black wolf stood before her. It never failed to amaze her, how quickly he could change from man to wolf. Either way, he was beautiful. Rising, she closed her eyes and let the change take her.
Ready?he asked, speaking to her mind.
Ready!
She followed him outside, waiting while he butted the door closed with his head. A low yip, and he headed for the jagged mountains that rose behind the house. Hard to believe thethought of turning into a wolf had once frightened her. Now, she loved it. Loved the wildness, the feel of the ground beneath her paws. Her preternatural senses were enhanced in her wolf form.
They ran effortlessly, side by side. He was the first to scent game. She fell back and let him give chase. It took only moments for him to overtake the jackrabbit. He killed it quickly, then looked at her, ears cocked.
Kadie shook her head.It’s your kill. Enjoy.
A few quick bites and the rabbit was gone.
He wiped his bloody muzzle on a patch of yellow grass and headed for higher ground.
Kadie followed, hoping, praying, that shedding the blood of the rabbit and whatever other game they flushed would somehow satisfy his urge to kill.
They hunted an hour or two before returning home.
When they reached the front door, he shifted back to his human form to open it. Kadie followed him inside and resumed her own form. Taking him by the hand, she led him into the bathroom and turned on the shower.
She shivered with anticipation as they undressed each other and stepped under the spray.
