Chapter Two
James was cold, wet and tired. His fur was soaked and his paws were covered in mud. He kept his head low as the rain and wind gusted. He wasn’t sure he was going to make it back home. If the rain didn’t let up soon he might have to hunker down somewhere and he really didn’t want to do that. He wanted to be safe and curled up in his cave not out in this monsoon. He had no idea why his wolf wanted to go out in the first place. He’d been sound asleep when he woke, antsy to hunt. Now he’d hunted and he was still antsy but James had enough and was heading back.
Sensing humans nearby James stopped in his tracks and froze when a gust of wind carried something he’d never scented before. His heart pounded with excitement and wanting to smell it again he raised his head letting the wind blow in his face. There it was, but the scent was mixed with the humans and James was torn. Not wanting to be mistaken for a regular wolf he usually stayed clear of humans but the need to investigate was overwhelming. His wolf whined wanting to pursue the smell and giving into his baser instincts James followed the scent.
In the ten years since he’d lived in these woods he’d only come across a handful of hunters and this was not hunting weather. James was curious why humans would be out here in the middle of the night, this far out. Staying low, James slunk forward until he came upon them. Blinking James drew up short, his brain processing what he was witnessing. A human male was dragging a struggling female through the forest. She was bound and gagged but was fighting the man with all her might.
She was hurting herself trying to get free. Compelled by her plight James stepped forward, his knees almost buckling when her scent hit him full force. James swallowed hard. It was her that he’d scented. She smelled so good his chest ached with longing. She smelled like home. Mine. His wolf growled in his head and James agreed. He wanted her too. Growling loudly James let his presence be known. The man stopped and squinted, his eyes widening when his gaze found James’s. Wanting to rip the man into pieces James snarled and snapped his fangs before baring them. He let his canines lengthen and didn’t doubt his wolf’s eyes were glowing preternaturally yellow. He enjoyed the fear and panic that crossed the man’s face but not the females. The horror in her eyes shamed him but he couldn’t back down.
James snarled and growled when the man pulled the girl to her feet, holding her in front of him like a shield. Coward. She winced before staring at him wide eyed. James wished he could reassure her that he wouldn’t hurt her but that wasn’t possible. Wanting the man’s hands off of her James moved forward and was incredulous when the man pushed her forward before running into the woods. She slipped and fell into his path. Growling James wanted to give chase but he couldn’t leave her alone bound and gagged on the forest floor. He howled in frustration but stopped short when the female started hyperventilating.
Her body froze when his gaze met hers. Moving closer he lowered his snout sniffing for injuries and his eyes rolled back into his head. There was no mistaking who and what she was to him. Biting the lapel of her coat he gently pulled her up into the sitting position before lying down beside her. He whimpered, nudging her leg before going still again. Please don’t be afraid of me. He wanted to shift more than anything but he couldn’t, not here. He wasn’t even sure he remembered how. It had been a decade since he’d shifted into his human skin. His wolf had kept him alive and he hadn’t needed to shift. But he did now. His mate needed him. Her brow furrowed as she stared down at him and James was relieved when the rapid rhythm of her heart began to slow.
****
Emily pulled down the gag, desperately needing the wretched thing out of her mouth. This couldn’t be real life. She couldn’t take her eyes off of him. Any minute now the wolf was going to rear up and rip her throat out, but he didn’t move. He just laid there gazing at her with those glowing eyes. What in the hell? Emily tried to calm her racing heart. She stared at the wolf and intelligent eyes stared back.
“What are you?” She whispered.
The beast huffed out a breath before laying his head on her lap and she let out a little hysterical laugh. This was insane. She was insane. Swallowing hard Emily tentatively reached out and touched his head. Her wrists were still bound but she could move her fingers. When he didn’t bite her hand off, she started to pet and scratch behind his ears. The wolf closed his eyes and hummed low in his throat. It was suspiciously purr like and she couldn’t help but smile a little. Even wolves liked to get scratched behind the ears. The wolf might end up killing her but he’d saved her from that maniac. As crazy as it was she’d rather the wolf kill her than whatever that sicko had planned for her. That man’s giggle would haunt her for the rest of her life, however short that may be.
The wolf was so warm; his huge body radiating heat through her soaking wet coat. Emily wanted that warmth. Shivering, she scooted even closer to him. If the wolf didn’t get her the elements were going to. Her teeth chattered and her muscles ached from shaking. The rain was still coming down and the temperature was dropping. Not only was she at a higher elevation now but there had been a huge storm with an ice rain advisory coming in. She was going to freeze to death up here. The wolf perked up his head when she scooted closer and she sucked in a breath. This is it. She was ready for those fangs to chomp down at any second but instead he stood up and slowly backed away from her. He whined and lifted his head.
Emily could only stare at him wide eyed. She wasn’t sure what it wanted and she was afraid to move. She tensed when he whined again and stepped forward. He lowered his snout to her hands and she tried not to scream out when his fangs tugged and pulled at her bindings shredding the fabric. Stunned she rubbed her wrists as he moved down and did the same with the rope at her ankles. Holy shit! She was free. She sucked in a breath when he leaned forward and pulled on the lapel of her coat. Emily nodded and let out her pent up breath.
“Okay.” She told him and he backed up.
Gingerly she crawled onto all fours before standing up. Woozy she stumbled backwards falling to the muddy ground and the wolf whined. Her world was spinning and she gasped for breath. The ice cold rain was coming down harder now but she wanted to rest. She was so cold and tired; she just wanted to go to sleep. Emily was startled when he nudged and licked her face.
“I’m sorry.” Her teeth chattered. “He drugged me with something. Just give me a second.” She begged but he growled and nudged at her again before rubbing himself up against her.
Praying she wasn’t misinterpreting what the wolf wanted Emily stiffly reached up and used him to pull herself up; the wolf stood still and strong under her weight as she slowly stood up. It was so unreal, she still half expected him to rip her throat out, but he just waited patiently for her to get up. Why was he helping her? Was he someone’s pet? Once she was standing he walked forward before glancing back at her and nodding his head to the side. Emily’s eyes widened, he was definitely communicating with her. This can’t be happening. Desperate and not seeing any other alternative, Emily unsteadily stepped forward and followed the wolf into the forest.