Series: Willow Winters
Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 51151 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51151 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
A low growl forms in my throat. She has to come with me. She better come with me. She’s my mate. Not his! My gut churns in pain. There’s no way she could possibly want to stay, not with the way they treat her. As I devised escape plans while waiting on the pack to sleep, I didn’t envision her resistance to leave. At least not after she realized I wasn’t a threat. I swallow the lump in my throat and move to fully face her. I part my lips in a last-ditch effort to convince her before I forcibly remove her from this shithole.
Before I can speak she barely whispers, “My niece and nephew, Addison and Reece.” I stare blankly at her, waiting for more. “I can’t leave without them.” Her wide eyes plead with me as they turn glassy with tears.
Then realization dawns on me. The pups. I nod in understanding. “Be quiet.” I stop just before leaving the hut, before I become visible, and I hesitate, thinking maybe I should leave her here while I grab the children. Just in case someone wakes. But if something happens, I need her by my side. I need to make sure she’s protected. Uneasiness rips through me.
I don’t fucking like this. It’s too dangerous. There’s too much at risk. I grasp her hand tighter and pull her closer before taking the nape of her neck in my other hand and lowering my face to hers. “Stay close.” Her beautiful hazel eyes search mine for a short moment before she nods. Our lips are so close; I desperately want to kiss her. Does she feel it now?
I want nothing more than to take her as my own. She pulls away from me before I even have a chance. My heart clenches as she stares back at me with concern and uncertainty. There aren’t any signs that she feels the pull to me, and that fucking kills both me and my wolf.
I have to remind myself that fate can be a cruel bitch, but she always has her reasons.
She brushes her arm against my back as I push my body in front of hers at the entry to the hut. It faces the rest of camp, so we would easily be seen if anyone wakes and glances outside. The night will cloak us far better in the woods. I grip her small hand in mine, not willing to let go. My jaw ticks as I slowly walk into the dark night, keeping her behind me. With every step closer into camp, rather than away, my heart pounds. I stalk slowly toward the edge of camp near the trees. My car’s parked nearly a mile away, through the forest. It’s going to be hard enough getting her through the trees without making too much noise, let alone her and two pups. I peer back, debating on stealing her away, but when her eyes catch mine, I know she will never leave them.
I’m certain I saw the pups go into a hut on the other side of this shitty camp site. They went in with a large wolf, so I know they won’t be alone. I start to weigh the risk in my head and then curse myself for even considering not taking them.
Once we get to the edge of the forest line, I pause and turn, quickly lifting my mate in my arms. She stills at my touch but allows me to carry her with her arms wrapped around my neck to steady herself. Her fear is evident in her darting eyes and short breaths. I do my best not to jostle her. I don’t want to cause her or her pup any pain. Jealousy and anger creep up at the thought of her carrying Shadow’s child, but I push it down.
I take a few steady steps away from camp into the dark cover of the forest, but she pushes away from my body, almost causing me to drop her. Her small noises are enough that she could potentially alert the pack. I grip her tighter and let a small, low growl escape my throat in anger at her efforts to leave me.
She stares straight into my angered gaze and speaks in a firm, yet low, voice. “I won’t leave them.” Her bravery is admirable, but I wish she’d just trust me.
“You will stay where I leave you and I will get them.” There is no compromise in my demand. I’m not taking her back there. No fucking way.
“They won’t go with you. They’ll scream.” Although her voice is soft and full of apprehension, her expression is one of determination. As the precious seconds slip by, I consider her words and I have to admit that she’s right. I’ll have to handle them as I did her. But there are two of them and a wolf that could easily wake if they scream before I cover their mouths.