Page 48 of The Wolf's Kidnapped Mate

We should settle in for the night,I instructed.There might be a cabin up higher on this hill.

There’s cabins everywhere, she replied.You’d think people would be more watchful of their things.

I snickered as I headed up the incline. Sure enough, we came upon an abandoned cabin. This one was newer—and it had a fireplace. It wasn’t difficult to pick the lock and let ourselves in. Once we were inside, we examined the place for security equipment. Nothing led me to believe anyone was monitoring the one-room cabin.

It was a quaint, rustic home with lots of flannel hanging over the tattered furniture and empty picture frames. Dark rugs covered the mahogany floor. One room appeared to be a compact bedroom with a bathroom attached. The small kitchen stretched the living room, but that was about it as far as space.

Small, useful. Ours for the night.

As soon as we got the flames going, we skinned the rabbits, rinsed the meat in the small kitchen, and prepared them on skewers for a feast. We huddled close to the fire and dressed ourselves while monitoring the meat on the skewers.

Kylie sighed as she slumped to the ground. She grabbed the nearest flannel blanket and bundled up, coughing against the dust that had gathered on the fabric.

She blushed when I stared at her, whispering, “Oops.” And then she sneezed.

I raised my eyebrows. “What in the world was that sound?”

She rubbed her nose vigorously. “Allergies.”

“I mean, it sounded like a mouse just squeaked in here.”

“Shut up, Fred. That’s so mean.” But I could see her trying to hide a smirk.

I grabbed the corner of the blanket and tugged on it. “Come on, little mouse. Let me have some warmth.”

She pushed me playfully. “Hey, get your own. Hey,cut it out.”

Giggles filled the cabin, bouncing off the barely decorated walls and tickling my ears. As I yanked her into my arms, I ran my finger through her hair. I cradled her head. I nuzzled into her luscious hair. “At least we only have to stand each other for one more night.”

Her muscles stiffened. She sat still for a second while watching the fire, seeming to be frozen in time. Seconds turned to minutes. The silence stretched on. I stared into the flames, hypnotized by their alluring heat.

“I guess we don’t have to sleep together again if that’s the case,” she commented.

I blinked out of my trance. “What?”

She slowly untangled herself from my arms and stood up. “You didn’t have to remind me that things are going to change tomorrow.”

“I don’t get it. Did I say something?”

She glared down at me with her hands on her hips, causing the blanket to slide from her shoulders. “You made it sound like you just can’t wait to get rid of me.”

“That’s not what I said.”

“Could have fooled me.”

I growled. “Kylie, just sit down. You’re hungry and tired. You need to eat.”

“I need space.”

I laughed. “Where are you going to go?”

“I’m going to take the bedroom.”

“But the rabbit isn’t—”

She marched off. “Goodnight, soldier.”

Slam.

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