Page 47 of Israel

Chapter 18

He was losing her already.

They were back on the bus after their one glorious and bittersweet night in the hotel, when they’d made love for hours with tenderness and passion, and a hint of desperation.

All day Ashley had been quiet, even more brittle and snappish than usual. And when the bus filled with people and got rolling, it was like it had been before.

Too many people, and Ashley ignoring him as if he were nothing but a piece of furniture.

It made his wolf want to howl.

He finally managed to corner her coming out of the bathroom, before she dove back into the party happening in the front of the bus.

“Ash, what’s going on?” he asked.

She put on her diva look and he could tell she was going to let off one of her verbal zingers to keep the distance between them.

He cupped his hand around her neck. “Don’t,” he said in a low voice. “Please. At least be honest with me.”

She bit her lip, and then pulled him into the empty back lounge.

“I can’t do this,” she said. “I know I’m hurting you, but it will hurt worse the longer it goes on. I know what you want—what you need—and I can’t be it.” She curved her hand around his neck in a mirror of his gesture. “I wish I could.”

“Don’t I get a choice?” he asked, his voice low and angry. Why was she giving up? Why wouldn’t she fight for them?

“There is no choice. For either of us.”

“You’re right,” he said. “There’s no choice for me. You’re it. You know that, right? Neither me or my wolf will ever want anyone else. It doesn’t matter where we are, or where you are. Together or apart, I’m yours. Always.”

Tears filled her eyes and trickled down her cheeks. “I hope for your sake that’s not true,” she said. “You deserve to be happy, to have your mate and your pups and your evenings by the fire. But the only way you can do that is without me.”

He shook his head. “I know you don’t feel the bond,” he said. “I wish you did. But I’m not giving up on us without a fight.”

She just cupped his cheek with one hand and shook her head, and went back to the front of the bus.

And things went back to the way they were before—except for his heart, which was wrecked.

It was dark. And they’d caged him.

Israel crouched in the corner, naked and half-shifted, fangs and claws bared.

Ashley paced back and forth in front of the cage, surrounded by tall, beautiful men with dark feathered wings and faces like angels. They all had knives, and they were staring at him.

He’s just a wolf, one of them said.

He’s useless.

Just a plaything.

Should we cut him up for wolf steaks?

Israel growled. He was fourteen years old, small and slight, and these men would take him apart.

He knew he’d lose, but he’d still fight.

Look at his cute little growl, Ashley said. And his cute little claws.

He’s adorable.