Page 2 of Snowbound with the Alpha Wolf
Still silent, she remainedmotionless.
“Are you one of Lars’s punishments?” He gave a hoarse laugh. “All this to torment me? He threw me out here. Isn’t thatenough?”
Then she spoke, her voice as sweet as wind chimes. “Why did hethrow youout?”
Adrian dropped his head into the snow. “I challenged him for leadership. Didn’t like how he abused the weak and theelderly.”
“You’re awfully young to challenge a powerful alpha.” She tilted her head again. “What are you, twenty yearsold?”
“I am a purebred alpha,” he muttered. “And I’m twenty-one. Go away, mirage. I have memories enough to tormentme.”
She came through the snow, knelt down next to him. “I give of my life so you maylive.”
The lovely mirage kissedhim.
Her mouth was soft and warm, so wonderfully warm. Adrian trembled as he kept kissing her. His blood fired and sang, and incredible heat pulsed through his frozen body, as if she’d immersed him into a soothing bath. Power flowed through him, as if all the magickin the world suffused his body. And then it faded, leaving him shivering and cold oncemore.
The woman pulled away, and he knew she was a mere mirage. Hallucination brought on by his brain, unable to cope with the terror of perishing in this wilderness alone. He might die today, but on his ownterms.
“Just leave me. Go,” he ordered. “I don’t want you to watch medie.”
Thewoman stood andwhistled.
Adrian managed to lift his head. What he saw stunned him intosilence.
Dozens of wolves bounded through the snow, coming from every direction. Howling, they rushed forward. Adrian’s instinct urged him to stand, fight and die like the warrior he was. But he was far tooweak.
He waited for them to pounce, to rip his throat. He imagined the warm gushof his blood flowing upon the pure whitesnow.
Let it be quick andmerciful.
But as he turned his head, the woman herself turned into a snowy white wolf. She loped forward, lay down beside him and curled next to him. Shocking warmth surrounded him. The wolves did the same, huddling close, providing him with their body heat. One old gray wolf, hobbling along, curled up at his feet.Sighing, the wolf rested his muzzle on Adrian’s boots like an affectionatedog.
Adrian closed his eyes, comforted by their bodies. He reached out and stroked the white wolf’sfur.
When he opened his eyes again, the blizzard had abated. All around him, the mountain sparkled white. The wolves were gone. But the woman in white sat next tohim.
“Who were they?” he asked, his throatraw but his bodystronger.
“Your new pack, if you’ll have them. They were abandoned by Lars two years ago and have managed to survive on their own. They need a leader, especially Clyde, the oldest, the gray wolf who was at your feet. They all came for you, except Theo. She’s too weak from thecold.”
She offered her arm. “My name is Darcy. Can youstand?”
Through cracked lipsthat trembled, he managed to speak. “Yes.”
“There is a cave not far from here. The other Lupines are there, with food and water for you. I’m not strong enough to carry you, but you may lean on me.” Her eyes were brilliant, a moss green, her Cupid’s bow mouth that pursed now into a small smile. “I know you’re a big, arrogant alpha and probably not willing to be helped by a woman, but perhapsyou can make an exception thistime.”
He was arrogant but not stupid. Adrian took the hand she offered and leaned on her as they pushed through thesnow.
Darcy, he repeated to himself. His savior. He would never forget her or her kiss. As he leaned on her, Adrian inhaled her fresh, sweet scent of wildflowers and snow. Though she was slight, there was strength in those slendershoulders.
Strength in her spirit aswell.
He would never forget her or his promise to Danu to protect the weak and the frail. When he formed his own pack, he would need a mate at hisside.
Someday, Darcy, I will make you mine. You will be myqueen.
