Chapter Six
James never wanted to let go of Emily but time was running out. The urge to claim her had almost overwhelmed him and he wasn’t sure how long he was going to last before he lost control. And as much as James desired to stay in this cocoon with his mate, they couldn’t stay in the ranger station indefinitely. Emily needed food and a proper shelter. The rain had finally stopped but they were going to have to walk out of here and that psycho was a threat James couldn’t risk. It wasn’t safe for her out there until he was eliminated. The image of the man dragging Emily through the woods enraged James. Both he and his wolf craved vengeance.
Reluctantly James slowly pulled away from the most important being in his life, careful not to disturb her; he got up from the bed. Searching for pen and paper he found both as well as extra ranger uniforms; putting the clothes aside James wrote her a note. His penmanship was shaky but he did the best he could. He double checked the fireplace before making sure Emily was still out cold. Male satisfaction washed over him as he made sure the cabin was secured as he left. He’d worn her out good. His wolf agreed and images of Emily growing large with child flashed in his mind and James stopped in his tracks. Could he have gotten her pregnant? His eyes watered at thought of having a family. He needed to get this over with so he could return to her as quickly as possible.
Allowing his wolf to take control James shifted into his fur and raced to where he first found the man dragging Emily. James would track his scent from there. The man had been taking Emily somewhere on foot so he hoped his hideout wasn’t too far away. James circled around. The rain had washed away most of what remained but his preternatural scenes detected his mate. Following her scent James found what he was searching for. Growling low in his throat James made haste and tracked his prey to a small cabin deep in the woods. The smell of human rot and decay overwhelmed him and his wolf whimpered and slowed to a stop. Death was all around him and he shuddered in disgust. Forcing himself to move forward James swallowed down bile when he imagined Emily being here. He was surprised this human had gone undetected by the other shifters in the area. Either they avoided this place because of the rot or they didn’t care as long as it didn’t involve shifters. Never a fan of pack or clan politics James bet on the latter.
There was movement inside the cabin but James wanted to draw him out. Slinking up onto the porch James made a ruckus knocking over buckets and whatever else he could find before bounding down the steps. He didn’t have to wait long before the man James recognized as Emily’s attacker opened the door. He caulked a shot gun before stepping outside and surveying the mess James made.
“What in the hell?”
The stink that wafted out of the cabin nearly bowled James over. This sicko needed to go. James couldn’t imagine how many humans these scents accounted for. There was too many, too many for this monster to walk the earth another night. The man’s eyes widened before growing angry when James growled and stalked forward.
“You’re that dammed wolf! You took her from me!” He raised his shot gun and aimed it at James, “She was mine.”
She’s mine! James’s wolf snarled before he burst into motion and launched himself at the man.
****
Emily yawned, she was absolutely exhausted. Stretching her sore muscles she became acutely aware she was alone in bed and she quickly sat up.
“James?”
Her heart dropped, he wasn’t in the cabin. Emily scrambled to get up as her heart raced. He couldn’t have left her could he? She glanced around the room searching for anything when she spied the piece of paper on the floor.
I will be back soon. Don’t leave the cabin. I love you. —James
Emily’s heart was going to burst from her chest as happiness bubbled through her. “Oh.” She glanced around the room hoping James would magically appear. She must have knocked the note over when she got up. “He loves me.” She whispered, giddy before she shivered and reality came crashing back around her. Where did he go?
Emily was alone in the cabin and until James came back she was on her own. Cold she quickly rushed to the fireplace and stoked the embers before adding more wood. Her stomach rumbled and she was reminded of the fact that it had been over twenty four hours since she’d eaten. Walking to the kitchen there were clothes set out on one of the chairs, grabbing one of the ranger shirts she put it on and buttoned it up. It was huge and fit her like a dress but Emily was thankful she wasn’t walking around naked anymore.
Emily started rummaging through the cabinets finding cans of baked beans, she checked the expiration. Yes! Good for six more months. Emily grabbed a can and the can opener. Cutting the lid off, she set it by the fireplace and waited as the ambient heat warmed up the beans. Although at this point she didn’t really care too much and didn’t wait long before she was dipping her spoon in and eating. Her eyes rolled up into her head.
“Best baked beans ever.” Emily sighed.
Now that her immediate needs were met her mind wandered. How was she going to convince her chivalrous wolf that she truly did want his bite? He won’t do it when she’s in heat but she’s in heat every time she’s near him. She was stuck. The need and urgency for him to bite her was only growing and Emily could only imagine what this was like for him. She stared down at the note. The note! Emily bit her lip and smiled wide. She’d write him a note now and then he’d know for sure that she was serious. Proud of herself she pushed the beans aside and started her first draft. When she was done she decided she’d give it to him when the time was right.
Yawning, Emily crawled back into bed and under the covers. Where was James? Why did he leave? He’d been gone for a while now, long enough for her to start to worry. Did he…did he change his mind about her? Maybe he didn’t want a human mate after all. Emily jumped when there was a thud at the door.
“Oh my god.” Swallowing hard Emily cautiously got out of bed when the door rattled. What if it wasn’t James? She glanced around the room and grabbed the iron poker from the fireplace.
“James!” Emily screamed when the door slammed open and James fell through, covered in blood.