One paw in front of the other, Aramond retraced his steps through the snow. The path he’d created wound all the way to the top of the ravine. Between the treetops, stars dotted the dark sky. The storm was over.

Happiness lightened the weight on his shoulders. He’d be able to take Danae to their special place tomorrow night.

After crossing the small stream, still flowing despite the recent snow, he climbed the embankment. His breath eased from him in short panting puffs, crystallizing in the cold air. The old Victorian wasn’t far, but the effort he’d expended running to Port Townsend and clearing the pathway had left him more tired than he cared to admit.

As he trudged forward, the icy snow no longer registered under his paws. Warning bells rang in his mind, but he shook his head and forged ahead. Gossum, the ever present threat, sometimes ventured inside the Keep’s boundary, and he’d been away longer than he’d anticipated, leaving Danae unprotected. The hair along his back stiffened. Fear was a powerful motivator.

In the distance, a soft radiance shimmered between the trees, the glowing lights from the old Victorian. The muscles in his forearms shook from relief. As he inhaled, the astringent scent of Gossum assailed his nose, burning its way down his throat.

He stilled, all of his senses on alert.

Shadows flitted between the trees, heading for the clearing and the lawn leading to the house.

A growl rumbled in his chest. The muscles in his hind legs bunched, and he launched himself, running through the snow at breakneck speed. When he burst from the forest, his enemy came into view.

Two Gossum ran across the lawn. Both wore dark pants and shirts which contrasted against the white snow. Their bald heads gleamed in the moonlight, and their long, barbed tongues snapped in the crisp air.

The skinnier of the two outran his comrade.

Aramond couldn’t attack both. Fear slid along his nerves, colder than ice.

He bolted for the nearest, his claws elongating and slicing through the snow. With a powerful lunge, he ripped his nails through the creature’s thin shirt and into flesh. Black blood dripped onto nature’s white carpet, creating an ugly blemish.

The Gossum hissed, and its sharp, knifelike fingernails clawed across Aramond’s shoulder, opening an old wound. Pain flared at the spot, clouding his vision.

Operating on instinct, he clamped his teeth around the beast’s throat and ripped. The Gossum’s arms and legs stiffened before the creature disintegrated into a pile of sludge.

Aramond didn’t have time to celebrate the victory. His gaze tore to the house. The other Gossum raced up the porch steps. Aramond’s throat constricted, the fear that he’d fail to protect Danae hitting him full force.

He wouldn’t reach his mate in time.

* * *

Danae leaned forward and clutched the dishcloth in her hands. Through the kitchen window the moon lit up the backyard, shining off the new fallen snow. Aramond should be home. She bit her lip, keeping the worry crawling up her throat at bay.

At the edge of the property, movement between the trees caught her attention. Hope flared in her chest, lightening her mood. “Aramond?”

She tossed the dishcloth at the faucet, where it wrapped around the handle before sliding into the sink. With rushed, hurried steps, she darted across the floor. Her hip connected with the kitchen table, and she cried out, but the bruise didn’t dampen her eagerness.

As she approached the back door, the fresh scent of oak from the newly replaced wood lingered in the air. She gripped the handle and yanked it open.

A cold blast of air whipped across her skin followed by the astringent scent of Gossum.

Goosebumps rose along her arms.

The vile creature raced across the lawn, approaching at a fast clip. Its sharp claws glinted in the light and saliva dripped from its serrated teeth. At one time, the evil beast had been a human male, but no longer. Behind him, Aramond, in panther form, tackled another of its kind. His snarl reverberated against the trees.

Anger, bitter and hot, shot through Danae’s veins. She ground her teeth and transformed into her cat. In an instant, her clothes disappeared beneath her thick fur coat. She dug her claws into the wooden floor and let loose an answering snarl.

The Gossum clambered up the porch steps, its long tongue snapping in the air.

Danae launched herself and crashed into her enemy, claws digging into the beast’s chest. Momentum took them down. They collided with the hard cement steps.

Pain blossomed in her chest. Danae couldn’t breathe.

The Gossum’s tongue whipped past her cheek. Saliva dripped on her brow.

A jolt of fury, fueled by disgust, rippled over Danae’s nerves. She raised her hind legs and scratched her claws down the Gossum’s torso.

A tormented howl burst from the creature’s mouth. Black blood darkened the shirt. Disemboweled, its intestines slid onto the ground, steam rising from the mass.

Drawing a ragged breath, one tainted with the enemy’s stench, cool blessed air raced down Danae’s throat. With a quick swipe, she slashed her nails across her enemy’s throat.

The beast stilled. Black blood dribbled from its neck. A heartbeat later, the creature slid to the ground in a pile of black goo.

Danae’s gaze tore across the lawn.

Aramond bolted toward her, his dark, sleek coat glistening in the moonlight. A tremble born of relief surged through her, making her legs shake. Aramond was alive.

She morphed into her human form, her loose shirt and jeans reforming onto her body.

He’d shifted as well, now dressed in his boots, dark pants, and leather jacket. After wrapping his arms around her, he tugged her into his embrace. “Danae, thank the goddess you’re all right.”

She choked out a laugh, a strange giddiness overtaking her. “I was worried about you.”

He pulled back enough to look at her, his brows furrowing over his beautiful brown eyes. “Why would you worry over me?”

The age-old fear rose inside, tightening her chest. “You were gone for so long, I thought you wouldn’t return.”

A slow smile tugged at his lips. “Nothing, absolutely nothing, would keep me from you.”

Tension slid from her muscles, easing away at his words. He had a dangerous job, protecting the Keep’s boundaries, and there was always risk. Yet, she knew deep in her soul that he’d do everything in his power to come home to her, and he had, proving his words. “I know that now.”

He cupped her face in his palm, and with a tenderness she knew all too well, he stroked his thumb over her bottom lip. His icy-cold fingers sent a tendril of dread down her back.

She drew away and gripped his hand.

The skin on his palm was pale, his fingertips an odd shade of blue.

Her heart skipped a beat. “Aramond, you have frostbite.”