Her head lifts. An acknowledgement. That’s all I need.
Energized with the knowledge that she’s counting on me, I race through the snow and head southeast, the direction of home. Miles and miles… nothing except a scent I can’t identify. One that I’ve picked up twice now, as if someone or something is following us. The fact that I left Angel alone unnerves me. I turn back, pouring more energy than I should into reaching her faster. I’ve failed to find shelter, but I won’t let her die. I’ll use my own damn body to warm her, keep her alive, no matter how much snow falls on top of me.
The heavy snow quickly turns to ice as high winds batter the area. Only when I turn east do I catch the faint smell of smoke. While I hate the idea of bringing Angel near any humans, I need to get her out of the storm.
With the storm blocking out the sun, I’ve lost all sense of time. Worry over Angel weighs on me and I’m about to turn back when I find a lone hunting cabin with warm embers in the fireplace. The snow has all but completely covered the tire tracks leading out of here. The humans who were here won’t be back, not in this storm.
When I return to Angel, she doesn’t lift her head. She’s too damn tired. I lick the side of her muzzle, trying to get her to follow me, but she doesn’t.
As I shift to human form, I curse the storm and extreme cold, but especially myself for not finding the cabin sooner. If I linger, we’ll both freeze to death out here.
When I bend to lift her still form, her wolf bares her teeth at me. “Hell, no. I’m not leaving you here.” I lift her into my arms, despite the snap of her teeth.
Her wolf quiets quickly enough and leans her head against my chest. I’m slower on foot, and freezing my ass off, but my wolf knows what’s at risk. He’s keeping me as warm as he can. It takes extra energy with no clothing to shield me from the icy wind, but he understands. For the first time in months, we’re in sync, our thoughts flowing seamlessly between us. All because of the precious bundle in my arms.
CHAPTER EIGHT
ANGEL
Iwake to the marvelous sensation of being warm, truly warm, for the first time in… damn, I don’t know how long it’s been. The humans never gave me clothes or even a blanket, which wasn’t a problem during the summer and fall, but it’s been an unusually cold October. Maintaining my core temperature has drained my wolf more than the lack of food or exercise has.
My hand flies to my neck, feeling for the collar. Gone. Shock and relief flood me as the memories of Garrett return. I still can’t believe the collar’s gone, that I’m free. All thanks to Garrett, the shifter who never gave up on me, even during a blizzard… even when I snapped at him, scared that he’d die in these woods because of me.
Slowly, I take in my surroundings. Low light from a fire, cool air, a too-firm mattress beneath me, soft wool blankets… and an arm I don’t recognize draped over me. Large muscles, hair. Male.
I jump from the bed too fast and promptly lose my balance. But I never fall as strong hands wrap around my waist.
Instinctively, I fight the hold. In my panic, my breathing turns short and irregular, but a scent I’ve come to know and rely on breaches my defenses. Pine, clove, and a touch of nutmeg… Garrett. My sweet shifter.
“I’m sorry,” I cry as I lean into him.
He strokes my hair in a way that’s utterly perfect. I don’t want him to stop, but I’m also realizing I’m naked… as is he.
When I start to pull from his embrace, his brows furrow, but he doesn’t stop me.
“You’re safe, Angel. No one’s touched you, including me. We’re in a cabin, miles from the WSSO. They won’t find us here, but you need time to regain your strength before I take you home to your pack.”
“I have no pack,” I blurt out, burying my head against his chest.
This time, he doesn’t stroke my hair. Heholdsme, sharing his warmth, his strength. “You’ll be okay, Angel,” he whispers. “I’m sure your pack will welcome you back. We’ll explain to them why you’ve been gone, what the WSSO did to you. They’ll understand.”
He doesn’t understand. I force myself to look at him. “I’m not a lone wolf. Rather, I wasn’t when the WSSO captured me. They attacked my pack.” A wail escapes my lips. “No one’s left. They killed them all.”
He lowers me to the bed, wraps two blankets around me, then one around his waist before crouching at the fire and poking at the burning logs. I can imagine all the thoughts going through his head. This male has risked his life to save me, only to learn I’m a lone wolf.
But maybe he is too now? When I first saw him, he had his pack along. He returned for me… alone.
Maybe I struck a nerve and that’s why he’s withdrawing. I’ve had months to accept I have no pack to return to. He’s still adjusting.
“Will you… will you go with me?” I ask.
He pokes at the fire, sending embers into the chimney. “I have a pack. They’ll be expecting me back.”
I’m relieved… for him. “I’m glad to hear that. I thought… I mean, you rescued me by yourself...”
“My alpha and I had a disagreement.”
I don’t dare ask if I can come with him, especially if he’s fallen out of favor. Packs don’t take in lone wolves, not without good reason. And I’m a liability, given what I’ve done.
