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Sunny frowns even deeper and crosses her arms. “I don’t like this, Jaxson.”
“How the hell do you think I feel?” I mumble.
Sunny’s eyes narrow on me. “And why exactly are you mated to a killer?”
Oh, I dunno. Magic hates me?
But I don’t have to say anything. Jaxson’s quiet answer is enough.
“Why are you, Sunny?”
Chapter16
Things That Go Bump In the Night
Everythingabout these woods is different. The sounds, the scents, even the ground under my paw pads is strange. But it doesn’t matter. I’m in my fur and running with my mates, and I haven’t felt this good in a long time.
My paws hit the soft, springy dirt, the warm breeze whips through my fur, and Rafe and Jonah are eating my dust.
We left late and the Laurel Cove packs were already mid-run, so we made no formal introductions. Jaxson split off to find his pack early on, and I’m content to explore the new scenery, just the three of us.
The dim moonlight hardly makes it through the thick maple and oak canopy, but I don’t need the moon to see, not in my wolf form. My night vision is fantastic. I dart around a lichen-covered log that smells both like rot and new life, and catch the combined scents of the packs ahead.
If I kick it into top gear, I could catch up with them. But I’d also have to leave poor Rafe and maybe even Jonah behind.
I wanna play with the other wolves,I say to Rafe’s mind.Try to keep up.
Rafe’s soft laughter dances in my head.Naughty Omega. You’re not that much faster than me.
I absolutely am. He knows it too. It’s the only advantage smaller omegas have over the bigger, more powerful alphas and betas.
You sure about that?I launch myself forward at top speed and shoot off into the distance as I let out a few playful yips for Jonah’s benefit.
He’s not connected to my mind like Rafe, and I might have to do something about that.
A mile through thick underbrush, I stop at a small creek, nose to the air. I can’t see them, but my nose says the combined packs are just across the creek and over the next hill.
To get enough clearance, I back up a few paces and take a running leap over the water. I land softly on thick, furry pads and speed off toward the new wolves.
As I reach the crest of the hill, I catch sight of them running in loose formations.
There were so many! More wolves than I’ve ever seen in my whole life. Most have their noses to the ground, tracking whatever unlucky critter is about to be dinner. Some yip and nip at the surrounding wolves, more interested in camaraderie than chasing rabbits and groundhogs.
None of them notice me, and it occurs to me that maybe sneaking up on a huge pack of foreign wolves isn’t the best idea.
I check behind me for signs of Rafe and Jonah, but they’re nowhere close.
I whine and paw at the ground because I want so badly to run with such a big pack.
Healer duties kept me from my pack’s Wild Hunt nights, and these wolves were so full of life and energy.
Fuck it. It’s not like I’m some random lone wolf. Jaxson actually invited me, so I catapult myself down the hill and hope for the best.
As soon as the three wolves in the back of the pack scent me, they spin around, hackles raised and teeth bared. One with a shiny sable coat, one the color of melted honey, and the last a mix of gray and white, all beta males judging from their scent.
I stop short and put my front paws out wide in front of me, lowering the front of my body into a tail-wagging play bow.
I feel ridiculous trying to disarm them with perked ears and a wolfy grin, especially while they maintain their aggro posture, ears flat against their head, heads low to protect their necks.
