Page 20 of Wicked Wolf

They made their way back to the edge of the den and stopped. He gave her a look, and if a wolf could roll their eyes and look exasperated, he was pretty sure Gina’s wolf did. She wiggled back out of her backpack and unzipped it with her teeth. She’d apparently done this before. He usually just left his clothes wherever he shifted since he shifted in his home or out in the fields for the wolf hunt. If he shifted outside those two places, it was for a reason, and he didn’t much care about clothes.

He let his body shift back, wincing at the pain. They’d both need food once they got to his place, or they’d be too tired to walk through the den when they were done. Plus, with her being an outside wolf, he didn’t want her weakened in case another wolf had an issue.

His place?

Well, that hadn’t been in the cards, but now he didn’t know where else to bring her. Hell. So much for avoiding her at all costs.

He shifted back and then pulled on his clothes and shoes without looking at her. He’d already crossed that boundary before and wouldn’t be doing it again.

When he felt her come to his side, he looked down at the top of her head. She wasn’t short, but since he was so large, she seemed tiny next to him.

“We’re going to my place to eat so you can build up your energy. Then you and I can walk around the den and go with the plan.”

“Sounds good to me,” she said, her voice breathless.

They both needed to get out of there. Fast.

She followed him through the edge of the forest to the den. He cursed when he remembered how she was going to get through the wards.

“Grab my hand,” he bit out. “I can get you through the wards since you’re invited in with me.”

He didn’t look at her but sucked in a breath when her soft palm slid into his. His wolf growled and threw his body against him, begging for her. Holy crap, it was only her hand, and yet his wolf was going berserk.

He clenched his jaw then walked through the wards, pulling Gina with him. She sucked in a breath but kept moving. He knew the wards were pushing at her, but not as hard as it would have been if she hadn’t been holding on to his hand. The magic had to willingly let an outside wolf or person in. The fact that he was inviting her, even reluctantly, told the wards to let her through.

“Oh boy,” she said once they got through. He looked back at her and frowned.

“You okay?” he asked despite himself.

She smiled at him and nodded. “Yep. It’s weird to go through wards that aren’t part of the Redwoods. It was familiar since I could sense the witch and wolf magic that goes into them, but different enough that it was kind of a thrill.”

At the word witch, he shut down. He pulled his hand away and turned toward his home. He shouldn’t have brought her here. He shouldn’t have led her to his home. She should be back in her precious den with her witch powers and away from him.

Instead, he was bringing the beast into his den.

What the hell had he been thinking?

He heard her scurry behind him, but he kept going, ignoring the looks of his fellow Packmates. Some growled at her; others nodded and waved. It was to be expected. The Packs had been as friendly as they were for fifteen years. Some had probably met Gina before. Others wouldn’t know who she was but saw a wolf they didn’t know in their den. The fact that she was with Quinn didn’t matter when he wasn’t actually near enough to her to show that he could protect her and the den.

He knew he was screwing this up, but he’d deal with it after he ate.

He walked up to his door and cursed.

“Jesse,” he whispered as his son opened the door.

“Dad! You’re home.”

Quinn leaned down and picked up his little boy, inhaling his soft scent. “What are you doing here, Jesse?”

Walker came out from behind him, his brows raised. “Jesse had a tough day at school so he wanted to nap here instead of at Ryder’s place. Since I was around, I stayed so Ryder could get some work done. You going to get out of the way so Gina can come inside?”

“Gina?” Jesse asked and looked over Quinn’s shoulder fully. “Hi. I’m Jesse.” The little boy smiled, and Quinn wanted to growl and hide his son. He knew it made no sense.

He knew Gina wasn’t the witch that hurt his son.

He just couldn’t get that prejudice out of his head.

He was a goddamn bastard.