Page 55 of The Wolf's Kidnapped Mate

She pawed at my nose.We need to run, genius.

Don’t call me that, I snapped. But truly, I was just happy she was herself again.

She pawed my nose again and jumped back, urging me to follow.Come on, dingus. Let’s go.

I darted after her as she took off, more than satisfied to see her tail wagging as she raced along the inclined path toward the trees. We rushed into the forest and headed northwest, trying to direct ourselves using the position of the sun as our guide.

What about the blood?I asked Kylie.Are you hurting anymore?

I actually feel great, she replied.Play dead. Remember?

Victory infected me. Joy consumed me. My plan had worked. The mark on her neck had protected her from our enemies. It would continue to protect her the rest of the way to Buckhannon.

I frowned internally as I raced after her.We’ll probably be tracked by that wolf again. We need to prepare for that.

That’s okay, Freddie, Kylie said back to me,becauseI feel like I can face anything with you at my side.

Sheer bliss swirled around those words. Dazed and motivated by them, I felt the same. That I could face anything.

Nothing in this world could keep me away from her. Nothing at all.

Chapter 18 - Kylie

Blood soaked my fur. Dirt caked my paws. Dried saliva, mud, and goddess-only-knew what else clung between my toes and trailed up my legs. Matted fur weighed heavy with the steady sprinkling of rain that had started earlier in the afternoon.

Where are we?I asked Fred who trotted beside me.

His tongue hung out of his mouth when he turned to me.Last sign we passed was near that highway. Roanoke.

I nudged his snout with my nose.Does that mean we’re close?

Very close.

My heart sang with relief as my muscles squealed. That black wolf hadn’t followed us, and his friend hadn’t either. Both of them had been left in our wake. The other two enemy wolves were probably dead at the bottom of that mineshaft.

That had been good thinking for us. We didn’t have much time to create a solid plan, but we worked well together. Ever since Fred bit me, it was like we spoke a different language, one that didn’t always require words.

Fred slowed his pace as we approached a collection of thin trees. A highway ran on the other side. Cars rushed past, the familiar white noise rooting me right back into the present. Which was weird. I felt like I was more of a wolf now than a human since I had been in my wolf form for most of the past four days.

Four days, I whined to Fred.Can we take a break?

If we push now, we can make it to Buckhannon in—

I whimpered while flopping to the ground. No more Miss Sunshine here. I was out of energy and out of my mind from having none of my usual comfort items. Call it dramatic to want a hot bubble bath and some good bubblegum pop music, but I was practically drooling at the mouth over the idea.

Can we find another cabin? Please, Freddie, I begged as I rolled to my back.

He trotted up to me and hovered his face over mine. Cool green eyes, like matching spotlights of clear ocean water, gazed down at me with admiration. The way his lips curled up was like a teasing wolf smile.

He licked the tip of my nose once.It’s too populated here. We’ll have to find a cave.

A cave? Again?

But his playful bark and prodding poke from his snout roused me from my fit. I hopped to my feet and jogged after him, muscles aching at the thought of being able to finally lie down. Maybe we could build a fire, snuggle up, and—

Nope, we couldn’t do that again.

Yeah, Fred had bitten my neck. I had bitten his neck. It had helped us in our fight back there this morning, and yeah, I felt pretty darn good about the way we were interacting right now.

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