by Liv Brywood
A twinge of guilt flashed through his heart. He shouldn’t be comparing the two women. It wasn’t fair to either of them. Besides, Leah was gone. He’d failed to protect her, and he couldn’t make the same mistake with Brandy. He had no business thinking of her as anything other than his responsibility for the next few days.
They descended the mountain and strolled through the woods. Every few feet, Brandy would bend to point out a wildflower or stop to gaze at scampering squirrels.
The look of wonder in her eyes made him really see the forest for the first time in years. The beauty he took for granted was exposed in a new way. Morning light drifted through the trees to cast spectacular patterns of shadow and light across the forest floor. The wildflowers he usually trampled without a second thought became beautiful works of art worth enjoying.
As they moved from tree to flower, he pointed out the edible plants and warned her away from the poisonous ones. He showed her how to suck morning dew from honeysuckle flowers and pointed out their poisonous berries.
When a rabbit bounced through a meadow, she chased after it. Her delighted laughter rang through the forest and melted another sliver of ice from his heart. He chased after her. When he caught her, they tumbled to the ground and rolled around in the soft grass.
They lay side by side for a few minutes, simply staring up at the sky. Fluffy white clouds billowed across the blue expanse.
She rolled onto her side to face him. “I could get used to it here.”
He tempered the staccato beat of his heart, warning himself not to get too caught up in the moment. “You’ll make a lot of friends at Ryker’s den.”
A cloud passed over the sun, casting a shadow across her face. “We’ll stay friends, right?”
He sat up and wrapped his arms around his knees. “We might see each other from time to time at council meetings.”
She laid her hand on his shoulder. “Stryde…”
“What?” he asked, his voice harsher than he intended.
She pulled her hand away. “Never mind.”
He stood and held a hand out to help her up. “The berry patch isn’t too far from here.”
They walked in silence until they reached a thicket of wild blackberries. Even the sweetest fruit soured in his mouth.
He risked a glance in her direction. She quickly looked away and shoved a handful of berries in her mouth.
He sighed. He didn’t want to encourage her. He couldn’t give her anything more than friendship. But the pain in her eyes made his gut clench.
He stepped beside her. “I know things got intense last night, but that was my fault. I should have—”
“I get it. I was in heat and you’re a man. It wasn’t anyone’s fault. It just happened. We don’t have to talk about it. Let’s just enjoy the time we have together. Tonight, I’ll do everything I can to stay out of the moonlight.”
He plucked an overripe berry. It disintegrated between his fingers and bled its juices down his hand. “I never wanted to hurt you.”
***
Brandy forced the biggest smile she could manage. “I’m a big girl. It was a mindless fling, I get it.”
But inside, her heart shattered. She drifted away from him toward a thicker blackberry bush. She couldn’t stand being so close to him without touching. Obviously he didn’t feel the same way about her.
She shook her head. Dropping her guard, even for a second, was stupid. He had no intention of giving her anything more than basic wolf knowledge. He’d been caught up in the moment last night and she needed to make sure she stayed away from him tonight.
His furtive glances confused her, but she had to stop overthinking a relationship that didn’t even exist. “Tell me about Kyran’s den.”
Stryde let out a breath as if relieved by the change of subject. “He has the largest of the three packs. One hundred wolves live in the den.”
“Wow, didn’t you say Ryker’s den was about forty wolves?”
“Yes, Kyran’s is over double the size.”
“What made you decide to leave me at Ryker’s den instead of Kyran’s? Wouldn’t it make more sense to leave me with the bigger pack?”
“Kyran is older and less approachable, and I don’t know him very well. Ryker and I have been friends since we were pups. I know you’ll fit in well there.” He stepped closer. “I wouldn’t ever leave you with someone I didn’t trust completely.”
But he was still leaving her.
“Thank you,” she managed.
He swallowed before looking away. “The packs have boundaries. As a member of Ryker’s pack, you can travel anywhere in the forest alongside the river. My pack is on the mountain, so you won’t be able to travel there.”
“Even to visit?”
“We don’t visit each other unless it’s for a special occasion or council meeting.”
She rubbed the tight muscles in her neck. “So we really won’t see each other much.”
“No,” he said softly.
She dropped her gaze to the dirt.
He said, “I’ll show you the boundary to Kyran’s territory.”
She followed him through a dense patch of ancient oak trees. The meandering trail was confusing and she doubted she’d ever wander this far into the forest alone. But it would be good to know the outer edge of the pack’s territory.
A huge white oak that had been split by lightning crossed the trail. She sniffed the air and scrunched her nose. “What is that smell?”
“The pack gathers together every few months to mark the edge of the territory. The scent is concentrated and unmistakable.”
“I’d say so.”
His lips twitched into a half-smile. “At least it’s clear.”
Unlike the nature of their relationship.
She silently chided herself. Of course it was clear. He couldn’t make it any clearer. She just needed to accept it.
***
Hours later, Brandy lounged on the dais in the cave. She eyed the setting sun warily. She’d already committed to staying out of the moonlight no matter how entrancing it might be.
Stryde paced around the cave. His nervous energy made her own trepidation escalate. She wished he’d sit down and stop moving.
“Sun’s almost down.”
She jumped at the gruffness in his voice. “Yep.”
“Whatever happens tonight, I promise you’ll be safe.” He paused for a moment to look at her with a haunted expression.
She shivered. “Maybe you should tie me up or something…”
He arched a brow.
“…to keep me out of the moonlight,” she quickly added.
“That won’t work. You’d just shift and break the bonds. Don’t worry; I plan on guarding the trail. I won’t come back here, even if your scent drives me crazy.”
She suppressed a smile. So he did want her. Well, only when she was in heat. And apparently any wolf would want her if he scented her. Not exactly a ringing endorsement of her sexual prowess. Not that she cared.
She slid off the dais. After adding another log to the fire, she sat close enough to let the heat relax her knotted muscles.
As the last sliver of sunlight faded, she tensed. It was only a matter of time before the moon’s enchantment would tempt her. Could she resist it tonight?
“I’m heading down the trail. I won’t be too far.” An unmistakable hunger flashed in his eyes.
She bit the edge of her lip and tried to ignore his carnal gaze. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For protecting me.”
His fists clenched at his sides. “Stay out of the moonlight.”
“I’ll try,” she said, and she meant it.
As soon as Stryde disappeared into the night, she stared into the flames and refused to look toward the mouth of the cave. The dancing fire lulled her into a state of calm which lasted an hour. But with each passing minute, the innate desire to mate quickened her breath and dampened her sex.
She glanced toward
the shaft of moonlight bisecting the cave floor. It stretched toward her like a vengeful wraith. She’d never imagined she’d be so terrified of moonlight, but it exerted unimaginable power.
She dropped her gaze to the fire and focused on the snapping, hissing flames. She could resist. She had to. She couldn’t let herself lose control. If she could make it through tonight, she could make it through the next two nights.
Hours passed. A thin trickle of sweat slithered between her shoulder blades. The subtle caress hardened her nipples. She longed to unleash the beast inside.
As the battle raged on, her resolve slipped. Maybe she could control herself if she shifted. Maybe in wolf form, she’d be able to resist the tide of longing that surged through her veins.
She laughed bitterly. Who was she kidding? The second she shifted, she’d morph into a wild animal. Her lust for Stryde would explode and send her barreling down the mountain to find him.
She sat on her hands as if that would prevent her from shifting. She longed to talk to another female wolf. A female mentor would know what to do. She’d been missing a mentor her whole life. Without a mother, she’d had to figure out how to be a woman alone. The advice she’d gleaned from magazines and TV shows seemed contradictory to her actual experiences. Maybe when she moved into Ryker’s den, she’d make a female friend who could help her with the carnal desires raging in her blood.
She fidgeted with her hair, braiding and unbraiding it. Idle hands did the devil’s work, according to her father. He’d know. He’d spent more years unemployed than employed. His idle drinking had cost a woman her life.
After the accident, Brandy had vowed to work her ass off so she’d never be like him. Working as a waitress had left her exhausted at the end of the day. But she’d felt fulfilled, as if she’d accomplished something.
Her thoughts drifted to her current situation. What kind of work would she do as part of Ryker’s pack? They had to do something other than sit around all day, right? She made a mental note to ask Stryde.
Hours passed. Pent-up lust ravaged her sense of control, but so far, she was winning the battle. Only a few hours to go and she’d be free.
A soft scrape of a footstep near the door drew her attention. “Stryde?”
Her ears pricked. On full alert, she scrambled to her feet and pressed her back to the wall. As she made her way toward the entrance, she cautiously avoided the moonlight. When she reached the line of light, she stopped. To be so close and not to touch it buckled her knees.
A gruff voice spoke. “Be careful.”
Stryde! She gripped the stone wall and growled, “What are you doing here? The moon’s still up.”
He stepped onto the ledge. Moonlight washed over his chiseled muscles. “I couldn’t stay away.”
She backed up a step. “I have it under control. You can’t be here right now.”
The thread of control she’d clung to all night frayed.
“Your scent, it’s irresistible.”
She matched each step he took forward with a retreating step. “You really shouldn’t be here.”
“I can’t stay away.” His voice, thick like honey, wrapped her in its sticky-sweet embrace.
“Don’t come any closer.”
She backed into the rear wall. A part of her resolved cracked, but she clung to the memory of his rejection. He only wanted her because she was in heat. This wasn’t about love; it was pure, unadulterated lust.
Chapter 12
As Stryde reached for her, she slapped him hard across the face. Stunned, he snapped out of the lust-enchanted daze. What the hell was he thinking?
Brandy’s eyes, wide with fear, studied every movement of his body.
He held his hands up and backed away. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to—”
“Get out!”
His shoulders hunched as he retreated. He’d promised to protect her and what had he done? The exact opposite.
He slinked out of the cave and onto the dirt trail. He needed to dunk his acutely aroused body in the freezing river; otherwise he’d return to the cave and drag her to bed.
He lifted his head and listened to the sounds of the forest. Other than the ever-present buzz of cicadas, nothing stirred in the immediate area. If he shifted and sprinted to the river, he’d be back to protect her in no time.
After descending down the mountain, he rushed toward the river. His yearning to mate with her burned inside every cluster of nerves in his body. He’d never wanted a woman as much he wanted her.
As he plunged into the freezing water, images of her plump, oh so kissable lips flashed through his mind. The sounds of her sighs and feel of her under him came rushing back from the previous night. She had no idea how sexy she was, and he couldn’t tell her. Not unless he wanted to break his resolve to keep their relationship at the level of friendship.
He burst out from under the surface. Glacial water streamed down his face and body. He glanced up at the cave but knew he couldn’t return to her. Not tonight. He’d stand guard, but nothing else.
He cursed the predicament he’d gotten himself into. If he hadn’t left his cave, he never would have met Brandy. But then again, he never would have saved her either.
He smashed his fist into the water. As the droplets rained down on him, he vowed to apologize to her first thing in the morning. Two more nights of agony and it would be over. He could return to his life of solitude, far away from temptation.
He stepped out of the river and wiped the remaining liquid from his body. The frigid air cooled the last of his desire.
He glared at the moon. To be controlled by an inanimate object thousands of miles away was infuriating. If only it would rain. Dim moonlight would lessen her heat and make being around her intoxicating scent bearable.
He stomped up the mountain. Sunrise would come in a couple of hours and with it, reprieve from this erotic torment.
Halfway up the mountain, a lone wolf’s howl fractured the night. Stryde froze. It sounded like it came from near the cave, but it wasn’t Brandy’s mating call.
He shifted. His paws pounded the earth as he rushed toward the cave.
He approached the precipice cautiously, so as not to give away his position. Inside the cave, her unmistakable growl reverberated against the walls. She must have shifted to protect herself.
As he rounded the corner, he spotted another wolf stalking toward her. He would have recognized the wolf’s jet-black coat anywhere. Mazus. The cockiest member of Stryde’s pack advanced toward Brandy with calculated steps. He was so fixated on his prey that he failed to register Stryde’s presence.
Stryde lunged for the wolf. He caught Mazus by the back of the neck and wrestled him to the ground. The wolf was stronger than expected. He thrashed hard enough to throw Stryde off of him. Stryde slammed into the wall.
Momentarily dazed, he watched helplessly as Mazus leapt onto Brandy. He pinned her to the ground for a split second before she turned and bit his snout. He yelped and retreated. Malice shimmered in his eyes. If Stryde didn’t stop him, he’d wear her out and claim her as his.
Stryde scrambled onto all fours. He monitored every contraction of Mazus’ muscles, waiting for him to pounce.
As Mazus leapt into the air, Stryde jumped to catch him midflight. Stryde’s jaw clamped down on Mazus’ throat. The wolf yowled and dropped to the floor. Stryde released his clasp only enough to allow the other wolf to breathe.
Mazus went limp. Stryde cautiously unclamped his mouth and stepped back two paces. He snarled at the other wolf. Mazus’ dark brown eyes flashed with rage, but he sat still.
The standoff lasted several minutes. If Mazus moved a muscle, Stryde growled.
Brandy stood with her flank pressed against Stryde’s. The way she trembled enraged Stryde. He wanted to tear the flesh from Mazus’ throat. How dare he attack Brandy in his cave. He’d run any wolf out of his pack for a stunt like this.
Mazus shifted. His dark hair brushed the base of his neck. “The rumor at Da
rk Moon is that you’re dead. Apparently, you’re not.”
Stryde shifted. He placed a protective hand on Brandy’s head. She hadn’t shifted and he didn’t blame her. The murderous glint in Mazus’ eyes would frighten anyone who didn’t know him. The wolf liked to puff his chest up and act like a badass, but he rarely followed through on his threats.
Stryde said, “That’s right. I’m alive and well.”
“And hiding a new wolf.” Mazus fixed his lecherous gaze on Brandy. “I don’t blame you for abandoning your pack. For a piece like her, I’d leave too.”
“I’m protecting her as she goes through her first heat. Nothing more,” Stryde snapped.
“Whatever you say.”
“Get the hell out of here. If I ever find you in this cave again, I’ll kill you.”
Mazus smirked. “Will you?”
“Yes.” Stryde tensed, ready to attack.
“I keep telling Nosh that you’re a deserter. That Leah’s death ruined your ability to lead the pack. Why don’t you go up the mountain and appoint a new alpha?”
“I’ll return to continue as alpha.”
“When? How many more moons will you spend pining over someone who wasn’t even yours? Leah left you years ago to live with Ryker. Why you’re so devastated is beyond me.”
Stryde clenched his teeth. “Tell Nosh I’ll return by the next full moon. As the pack’s beta, he can stand in my place while I’m gone.”
“He’s already standing in your place. You should step down. You’re useless to us now and you’ll still be useless at the next moon. You’ve let a woman make you soft. And by the looks of things, this new wolf has turned you into a spineless omega.”
Stryde’s voice dropped. “Get out before I show you how much spine I have left.”
Mazus brushed past him. “Enjoy your time with her while your pack falls apart. I have half a mind to declare myself alpha if Nosh refuses to claim the title.”
Stryde turned. “If you do that, you will be exiled from the pack.”
