Page 24 of Wolf's Providence

“Next time, maybe I’ll actually take it,” I shot back, wiping the blood off my lip again.

And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing in the cold, the echoes of his words burning hotter than the fight ever could.

She may be human, but Willow had a loyal pack behind her. I wondered if she even knew that. Spitting blood onto the snow once more, I felt the magic of Luna heal, and I started the climb up the mountain.

The black wolf was waiting for me, and I didn’t slow as I approached the alpha of Blackridge Peak. Brilliant blue eyes watched me get closer, but I felt no malice.

“Alpha Cannon,” I greeted as I stopped a few feet from him. “It’s a cold night.”

The wolf didn’t blink. Instead, he walked around me, his muzzle too close to my neck for my liking, but I held my ground. I’d pissed him off, I knew that. He was an alpha protecting his pack.

I got it, I did. But still…

“You sniff me much more, and I will begin to question your loyalty to your mate.”

Large jaws snapped dangerously close to my ear, and then he shifted to his human form. The fact Cannon was taller than me hadn’t pissed me off until now.

“You done?”

“You come into my packlands, after what you did, with an attitude?”

He had a point. But also…fuck him. “Where is she?”

“I need to tell her you’re here?—”

“She knows.” I watched as he pulled on sweatpants and a hoodie, zipping it over his naked chest, the cold not bothering him at all. “She can feel me as much as I feel her.”

Cannon considered my words and then sniffed dismissively. “I don’t give a fuck. I willaskher if she wants to see you.”

“Fine.” I walked towards the bunker when the alpha took hold of my arm and pulled me to a halt.

“You will wait here.”

With a sharp twist of my body, I dislodged his hold. “You will kindly fuck off.” I saw his eyes narrow and spoke over whatever protest he was about to give me. “I’ve already had a welcoming party; I’m pissed off and haven’t punchedyourpack out of respect foryou, but do not push me.” I held my hand up, stopping his next words. “You know what’s between us. You know what I am.” I waited for his nod of acknowledgment. “I’m going to see her. You’re welcome to be there, but I see hernow.”

“You order me in my own territory?”

Rolling my head on my shoulders, I considered my next words carefully. “It’s not an order; I amrequestingyou to be beside me when I see her.” I let that sink in. “I’maskingfor you to be there.”

“And I will be, but don’t you think she needs some warning first? The choice to decide if she is ready to talk to you?”

“I don’t have time for her to think about it,” I muttered as we both resumed walking.

“Scared she’s going to say no?”

“Fucking terrified.”

That earned me a chuckle from Cannon, and I was glad he hadn’t pushed the order that I was to remain behind. He wasn’t someone I wanted as an enemy. He wasn’t someone I would want as a friend either, but an ally? I could use an ally like Cannon.

My fight wasn’t only to get Willow to forgive me, I still needed to know who hunted her. And why. The more help I had in that, the better. For Willow. And all I cared about right now was Willow.

“How do you feel?” Cannon asked me, his tone casual, his scent anything but.

“With my fingers.”

He hesitated and then I heard his chuckle. I didn’t dodge the punch to my arm. “Asshole.”

I let the smile slip out in the darkness, knowing full well the alpha could see it.

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