Page 7 of Rescued By The Wolf

“No, let her sleep. I’m sure that she’s embarrassed about her outburst last night. So dramatic,” her mom snarks, and I glare in her direction even though all I can see is the tent.

My wolf snarls inside me, baring his teeth. He hates her mom and stepdad, and I have to agree. They’re both awful. Our mate deserves much better.

Now that we have our mate, we’re going to make sure that she’s treated with nothing but respect and care.

It feels surreal that we’ve finally found our fated mate. We had looked for her when we turned eighteen, but the military kind of slowed that process. When we got out, I tried a few times to take trips to find her, but never had any luck. I had almost given up on ever finding her and now, all of a sudden, she’s here.

She’s not ours yet, my wolf reminds me. Not until we claim her.

I’m working on that, I promise him.

Sophie starts to stir, and I perk up, straightening in my seat as I brush my hair back from my eyes. I drag my hands down my face, trying to look more alert as she blinks her pretty green eyes open.

“Morning,” I tell her softly, and she blinks, looking startled to see me at first.

Her face changes from startled to sad to neutral, and I know she must be remembering everything that happened last night. I’m just glad she wasn’t awake to hear what her mom said earlier. I know that would have only hurt her more.

“Morning,” she says as she sits up in her sleeping bag. “Is everyone else up already?”

“Yeah, they’re getting up now.”

She nods, tucking her hair behind her ears.

“What’s the plan for today?” I ask her, and she sighs.

“I’m not sure. We’re probably doing another hike nearby, but not far. I think we’re staying here for the rest of the tour.”

“Okay, I can run home and then come back with some hiking gear for myself.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that. I don’t want to take up too much of your time. I’m sure that you’ll be okay. Thank you though.”

“It’s not a bother,” I tell her.

I want to beg her to let me stay, but I also know that I need to play things cool with her.

“It’s okay, Flint. I promise.”

I don’t like it, but I nod.

“If you need anything, my cabin is just right up that hill and down the path on the left.” I tell her, pointing in the direction of my place. “If anything happens. You run that way. You scream my name and I swear that I’ll come and get you.”

I look into her green eyes to convey just how serious I am. She swallows hard, but nods.

“Okay.”

“I mean it, Sophie. If you start to feel uncomfortable, if anything happens, then you head that way. You yell for me.”

She nods.

“I will. I promise.”

I nod, not exactly satisfied, but it will have to do.

Sophie crawls out of her sleeping bag, and I spot her cellphone.

“Here, let me give you my number too. You might not have great service out here, but it can’t hurt to give it to you.”

She passes me her phone and I enter my information and call myself so that I have her number too.

---