Page 24 of The Wolf King

A shiver ripples through me as the shadows lengthen.

The alpha’s arm momentarily tightens around my waist as if he senses it.

Soon, the sky is a dusky blue, and we’re stopping at the edge of a great loch surrounded by mountains. The water is so black it looks bottomless, and it churns in the wind.

“A word,” calls Fergus, gesturing to a copse of evergreens by the shore as he gets off his horse.

The alpha sighs, his breath tickling my cheek. “Aye. In a minute.”

He dismounts the horse, and the coldness wraps around me in his absence.

“Need a hand, Princess?”

I don’t answer him as I glance down at the earth. I’m aching, and I’m not wearing shoes. I do not want to seem weak, though. I take a deep breath, then shift my leg over the beast. Before I can jump off, the alpha grabs me by the waist and lifts me down.

When my feet touch the ground, my legs crumple and the alpha hooks an arm around my front and pulls me into him.

Damn it.

“Steady, Princess,” he says. “I suppose you’re not used to riding. Never mind. I’ve got you.”

He scoops me up into his arms while the other men dismount around us.

“What are you doing?” I snap.

Those nearest to us avert their eyes, some grabbing flasks from their packs to fill at the loch, others gathering branches to make a fire on the bank.

“Stop manhandling me! I’m quite capable of walking by myself.”

“Aye. I’m sure you are. But as I’m already carrying you, I may as well put you down by this nice tree over here.”

He gently places me by a tall evergreen away from the group, where the sweet scent of pine is thick in the air. The earth is hard and cold. When he stands and whistles at Ryan, I pull my knees to my chest beneath the fur cloak.

The alpha crouches in front of me, and a wave of his heat washes over me once more. The warmth must be a wolf thing, because he is only wearing a damp shirt over his kilt.

“Back in the castle, I told you that if you ran, I wouldn’t chase you. I need you to know that is no longer the case.” In the dusk, his eyes are the color of the deepest part of the forest. “If you run, I will catch you. We’re not in the south any longer. Understood?”

We’re in the middle of nowhere. I have no idea where I am. Where does he think I would run to?

I give him a look. “I’m not a fool.”

“No. I’m sure you’re not.” He glances at my hair, which must look like a tangled mess right now. “You do have fire in your soul, though. So be good, okay? I’ll be back in a moment.”

He stands before I can retort, and whistles again. Ryan walks over, tailed by the girl he rescued from the castle.

“Get the princess some food and water. And keep an eye on her. This is important, so no pissing about.”

Ryan lifts his chin, chest puffing out slightly as he solemnly nods. “Aye. I will take care of her.”

The alpha glances at me, the corner of his lip slightly lifting, before he stalks across the camp to Fergus.

Ryan hurries to his horse, gathering supplies from his pack, while the girl merely stares at me warily. I avert my gaze from the brand on her neck.

“Hello,” I say. “I’m Aurora.”

“I know who you are.”

Hostility radiates from her. I understand why. I am betrothed to the monster who must have captured her.

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