Page 20 of Snowbound with the Alpha Wolf
“Yes.” Adrian gave her a look of respect. “Tristan said this was the reason he gave me these gifts. He foresaw I would be useful in the fight against the black magick overshadowing this world. I believe some of it originates fromthe Dark Kingdom with shifters who are susceptible. They crave power in this world and open themselves up to blackmagick.”
“How long will it take to get to the mine?” Darcy was eager to change thesubject.
“A few hours. I’ve already reserved a four-wheel drive. We’ll spend the night in the cabin near themine.”
As they exited the terminal to take a bus to the rental car building,a loud bang split theair.
Immediately Adrian pushed her to the concrete sidewalk, covering her with his body. He lay atop her, pure muscle and male, his arms over herhead.
“It’s nothing. A truck backfired.“ Darcy rolled over as Adrian eased off herbody.
“One can’t be too careful these days. The negative energy I felt in the terminal was terrible,” he murmured, smoothingback a lock of her hair. “Are youokay?”
Still feeling wobbly, she nodded. The threat hadn’t rattled her. But Adrian sacrificing himself, throwing himself over her body to cover and protect her, had deeply shaken her. Sure, it was bred into his blood and bones to protect women, all women, but this act hinted of more than mere alphaprotectiveness.
Adrian’s grip on her wrist was gentleas he helped pull her upright. A few people stared, but she ignoredthem.
“Why did you do that?” she askedhim.
He studied her with a careful, blank expression, but emotion shaded his eyes. “Because I didn’t want you to die. I believe if something happened to you, it would crush me.” Adrian touched her cheek where a pebble had bit into her skin. “You think I’m only after you forsex, Darcy. It’s much more than that. You saved me in more ways than one ten years ago. You restored mylife.”
They headed to the bus that would take them to the rental car building. Darcy’s heart raced. Maybe she’d saved him a decade ago in the snow, but Adrian had thought her an innocent ChangelingShifter.
He wouldn’t be so charitable and tender if he discovered her trueorigins.
No, he wouldnot.
