Page 30 of Wolf's Redemption

The damn things had been nothing but a nuisance since she’d started wearing a training bra. Too big to run comfortably with, or to fit into many popular fashions, all they did was garner her unwanted attention. Now they were stopping her from slipping free of the rope. She eased back into a sitting position. When Ulrik got back, she was going to kill him. He’d regret ever taking her from the keep when she was through with him.

She tugged at the rope with her hands, trying to stretch it. All that did was give her rope burn on her palms.

Why did I give up his dagger so easily?She mentally gave herself a kick up the ass. She’d hidden the thing well. If she’d thought faster on her feet, she could’ve lied to him, and told him she’d ditched it along with his sword and his clothes.

But she wasn’t going to give up. She might not have a knife, but perhaps she could saw at it with a sharp rock. She scanned the surrounding dirt, searching for something suitable. Her gaze settled on a small rock, smooth but with angled edges. A piece of flint? Wasn’t that what they used to make arrowheads from?I could be so lucky.She palmed it and began to saw away. The rope was thick, braided and wrapped around her three times, and while the rock had an edge to it, it wasn’t particularly sharp. It was worth a try.

How long she sat sawing away at the rope, her hand cramping and her progress slow, Bek couldn’t be sure. She stopped, dropped the rock in her lap and stretched her fingers. This was a waste of time. Ulrik would be back long before she could cut through the first loop.

The wolf howled again. She went cold and her head snapped up. Was it closer? The sound echoed, making it difficult to tell. She searched around for a sharper rock or a weapon. Anything.Her gaze fell on a branch not far from her feet. If she could reach it…

A shadow flitted amongst the trees. Her lungs seized.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

She needed that branch. Now. She tossed the rock aside and wiggled her body down the rope, stretching her toes toward the branch. It wobbled at her touch, but she couldn’t hook it with her foot. She slunk further down, as far as her breasts would allow.If I get out of this experience alive, I’m seriously going to consider getting a breast reduction.She stretched both legs out and snagged it between the toes of her boots.

Yes!

As quickly as she could without losing her hold, she dragged the branch toward her. As soon as it was within reach of her hands, she grabbed it. Solid and thick, it had a decent weight to it. Maneuvering herself back into a sitting position, she tucked her feet up against her body and faced the forest, brandishing her makeshift weapon.

Bring it on, wolf.

The shadow moved closer. She tracked its movements as it shifted to the left, the hairs on the nape of her neck rising when it disappeared beyond her line of sight, behind the tree. It appeared again on her right, circling her, a mere shadow making not a sound—not the crack of a branch or a footfall amongst the fallen leaves. The forest held its breath along with her, aware a predator lurked nearby. No birds twittered in the forest canopy now.

Bek tightened her grip on the branch, the tip quivering as she attempted to get the shaking of her arms and her body under control. She squinted at the dark shadow slinking through the trees, trying to see more than its shape. Was it a wolf? Or something else?

It paused. She strained, listening, as beads of sweat formed on her top lip. A sound, cracking and popping, loud against the stillness, had her cringing. Had it found a smaller animal to prey on? Were those noises the poor creature’s bones crunching between strong jaws and vicious teeth? Bek wanted to close her eyes, drop the branch and block her ears, but she didn’t. She couldn’t. She remained resolute, facing the danger. If she was going to die now, she would go out fighting. Spider and the consequences of his betrayal had nearly broken her, but she had survived, was still surviving. She would not cower now.

The shape grew larger, taller. Her mouth went dry and nausea rose and hovered in the back of her throat.

Come on, wolf. Show yourself. Give me a look at you. Let me see what I’m dealing with.

With a rustle of dried leaves, the shadow moved into the light.

“Argh!”

She pitched her arm back and hurled the branch. It fell short, landing at Ulrik’s feet, his torn shirt held loosely in one hand, a pair of dead hares in the other.

“Damn you, Ulrik. I thought you were a wolf. Now get over here and untie me before the real thing gets here. I heard it howling. It has to be close.”

He dropped the hare carcasses at his feet and stalked toward her. “Do not fear, Rebekah. The wolf is long gone.”

“Are you sure?” Her gaze flicked past him to the trees. The dark shadow could have been him. He could have circled the clearing to admire his handiwork. She wouldn’t put it past him. That didn’t mean they were alone out here. That the wolf, even now, wasn’t watching them, stalking them.

“I am certain.”

She considered him for a few moments. He seemed confident. He knew the forest far better than she. And he did have his sword.

“Okay,” she said. “Now bloody well hurry up and untie me so I can kick your ass. I can’tbelieveyou tied me to a tree and left me here. I could’ve been eaten.”

Ulrik tilted his head to the side and considered her.

She stared up at him. “What are you waiting for? Untie me.”

“If you are going to kick my ass when I do, why should I not leave you as you are?”

“Are you kidding me? You can’t leave me here.”

---