Chapter 16

A s they moved through the forest, Scarlet slashed at the thick vines that reached out to grab them while Wulfric used his meaty fists. Assassin vines disintegrated in his hands as he ripped them apart. Sweat glistened on his brow as he worked, his muscles rippling with each powerful stroke. Scarlet couldn't help but steal glances at him as she hacked away at the vines with her dagger.

Scarlet moved like a crimson blur, her twin daggers flashing in the dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy. Her breath came in short gasps as she ducked and weaved, always one step ahead of the writhing vines. The vines fell away and they continued their trek through the forest. Sweat cooled as the temperatures dropped.

There wasn't an awkward silence, but an unexpected easy camaraderie. The more they talked, the more relaxed she became. It was all light-hearted, such as why she hated bees and why how his toes hurt in the boots. The weak winter sun shone down on them, chasing away the cold as they laughed and shared stories. It was as if they had known each other for years, despite having just met. It was like catching up with an old friend rather than getting to know a stranger. She knew that this was the start of something special, and it terrified the shit out of her.

Before she could catch her breath at the realization, a horse-sized snake slithered toward them, but they stood back to back and fought it off. They made a great team, their movements in sync as they battled against the ever-increasing number of creatures emerging from the shadows. The snake's defeat seemed to trigger a frenzy, as if the forest itself had awakened with a hunger for their flesh.

Scarlet's heart pounded in her chest, adrenaline coursing through her veins as she gripped her daggers tighter. Wulfric's solid presence at her back gave much need reassurance that she wasn't alone, his warmth a stark contrast to the chill of the air.

"We can't keep this up forever," she panted, slashing at two giant eagles as they joined the fray, the snake twitching in pieces around them.

Wulfric grunted in agreement, his claws sending blood over the white snow as he slashed a monstrous bird with razor-sharp talons. "Any bright ideas, bunny?"

Despite the dire situation, Scarlet felt a flutter in her stomach at the way he said bunny. It was more like a term of endearment than a derogatory nickname like the villagers had made up behind her back. The bird squawked and attacked them while the other grabbed two pieces of the snake and flew away.

Another swipe of her daggers, and then it too flew away, joining its mate. With each enemy defeated, they formed an unspoken bond and learned each other's strengths and weaknesses. It reminded her of when she was a kid with Knox. They'd often explored the forest, growing bolder with each year, especially after they'd realized the forest protected Knox.

Panting, back-to-back with Wulfric, she replied, "How far away are we from your tribe? When should we stop for the night?"

He stopped to sniff the crisp air and nodded. "Let's keep going a little further so we don't waste daylight. Maybe we'll get a break before the next thing in the forest tries to kill us."

"Doubtful," she said, following him South.

When the lengthening shadows of the trees grew longer and the sun was gone, they made camp near the bank of the river.

Wulfric glanced around at the small clearing as Scarlet blew into her hands. "I'll make a fire so we can get warm, then I'll hunt for dinner," he said.

She shook her head. "I'll take care of dinner. You make the fire."

He took a step toward her, frowning, but she held a hand out and shook her head. "Don't even argue, wolfie. You hunted breakfast this morning. I'll take care of dinner. Just have a fire going when I get back."

He frowned, the shadows making him look regal and intimidating. "Don't go too far. This isn't in the normal Growler perimeter check, but there could still be some loners around. Yell if you need me."

She rolled her eyes. "I practically grew up in this forest. I'll be fine."

He reached for her elbow and drew her closer, nuzzling her neck. She gasped as her hood fell back from her face, the inside red lining showing bright.

"Yeah," he growled near her ear. "But not on this side of the road. You're in my territory now, bunny, so pay attention and be on alert."

Her heart fluttered like an untried maiden. She pressed on his chest and forced a wooden laugh. "Like there's any other way."

With a tug up on her hood, she slipped away from him, taking an uneasy breath to clear her confused emotions. Being so near him was like walking in the fancy heels the ladies at court wore.

She felt wobbly on her own legs. One minute, she was her normal, strong self, striding purposefully through the woods.

The next, she was letting him help her over a fucking log like a dainty princess.

Ugh, what was wrong with her? Not that Eirwyn was any less of a badass for being a princess, but still. That wasn't her.

She didn't get far before her stomach roiled and her vision swam. The stupid glocken berry was literally keeping her tied to him.

She stopped, taking a deep breath to calm her emotions. Just a few more days, and she'd be free to leap over her own damn logs and go wherever she wanted when she wanted.

An hour later, she walked into the clearing with three eggs and two squirrels.

He looked up from the fire, a stick in his hand as he poked at the logs. She paused just to admire the way the firelight flickered over the rugged beauty of his face. The high cheekbones, the pale pink lips, and black eyebrows framed those piercing golden eyes that saw too much.

Then he smiled, his wolf's tail wagging. His incisors were too large, reminding her of the predator he was.

He had probably been a gorgeously rough human once. If it weren't for the long black and silver hair and the pointed wolf's ears, he did look mostly human.

"Ah, dinner is here."

The way he said it sent a shiver up her spine. She didn't know if he meant her or the food in her hands, but she refused to ask.

She just nodded and set the eggs beside their bags. Then she turned toward the river. "I'll just go skin these."

She slipped through the trees to the bank. She found a path down to the water, just five steps down, and crouched with one of her daggers. A noise above drew her attention, and she spun on her heel. Wulfric jumped and landed a few feet away with a grunt.

He grinned, his mouth too wide and a wild look in his eyes. "Hand me a dagger and that other squirrel."

She hesitated. He was still a Growler.

Before she could follow that train of thought, she was handing over one of her precious daggers. He beamed at her, making her preen under his proud gaze, and took the other squirrel from where it lay on the ground beside her.

Preening at making him happy? Ugh, what was wrong with her? She frowned and ignored him as he crouched down and got to work. As best she could ignore him anyway, with the way her body was hyper aware of him.

Then there was the emotional aspect. Her emotions were piling one on top of each other, adding to her confusion. Desire, sexual tension, and anticipation warred with anxiety, fear, and anger about the future. None of them were more powerful than the others.

They reminded her of how his aura shifted and twisted with the two colors. She glanced at him after every swipe of her blade.

He made quick, efficient, clean cuts. When she was done washing her hands in the water, he began unlacing his boots.

"What are you doing?" Gods, was that her voice? So low and seductive.

He nodded to the river. "This part is shallow. I think I can catch a few fish to go with the squirrels."

She sighed in relief. He hadn't picked up on her tone of voice. He set the boots aside and wiggled his toes in the small pebbles.

Her lips twitched in an unbidden smile. "You just want to get out of the clothes, don't you?"

He laughed and pulled the shirt over his head. Muscles rippled, taking her breath away. "Maybe I do. Can you take them up to camp for me?"

She nodded, her gaze roaming over his body. "Hm hm."

He gave her a sly look as he shoved his pants to the ground and tossed them on top of the boots and shirt. Damn, his dick was just right there. No embarrassment, no shame. She blinked, unable to look away as he strode into the water, sank to his haunches, and shifted into wolf form.

She shivered as she watched the magic. Just washing her hands had chilled her to the bone, but his wolf magic must keep him warmer. She craved his heat, but she didn't want to give in.

She frowned, cleaned her daggers, and gathered the now gutted squirrels.

With one hand, she grabbed his boots and clothes before slowly climbing back up to the top of the bank. With one last look at him in the river, she turned to the warmth of their camp.

It had been fun at the cottage. They'd had some great conversations on their hike so far. Then there was the team work to get their camp set up.

It wouldn't last though, and she wouldn't—couldn't—let herself fall for him. If she let herself hope for something better, it would only be ripped to shreds. It wasn't worth the pain, she knew from experience.

She was slowly turning the squirrels over the fire when he came back into camp, dripping wet and still in wolf form. In his jaws were three good sized fish, which he promptly dropped next to her.

His tongue lolled as he panted, sitting on his haunches with so much pride in his eyes.

She chuckled and reached out a hand to scratch him behind the ears. "Good boy," she crooned with a grin.

He froze, his pupils dilating as she scratched, that wild, predatory gaze sharpening as his tail wagged furiously. The intensity of his gaze sent a shiver up her spine, and she pulled away.

He turned his head and licked the inside of her wrist. She shivered at the hot, wet slide. That rough texture had felt so good on her clit.

She took a shuddering breath as he pulled away and gave a whole body shiver.

Freezing water went everywhere, and she shrieked a laugh as it hit her face. When she wiped her face with a smile, ready to chide him, the words stuck in her throat. He'd shifted back into his more human form, that big grin on his face so wide it had to hurt.

"Sorry to get you wet, bunny."

She snorted. "No, you're not. You wanted to get me wet."

He wagged his thick eyebrows and ran a hand through his hair. "That I did. You should always be wet for me, bunny."

She swallowed hard, her stomach twisting at the race of heat through her body. It was too intense, whatever this was between them. She had to focus on the mission at hand.

She blinked away from him and pointed. "Take the squirrels while I gut and string the fish up to cook."

He sat in the dirt and took the two sticks skewered with meat, holding them over the fire. Was he treating her as an equal warrior because he believed she was? Was that why he'd listened to her suggestions and opinions today, or did he see her solely as a sexual conquest like most of the human men she'd been with? He definitely saw her as a piece of ass, but he kept saying it was so much more than just sex. And she was starting to believe that too. The connection they'd had today had surprised her.

As she sliced the fish, her stomach twisted at being both respected and objectified. As he sat there semi-naked, she struggled with her own conflicting feelings towards nudity—a concept so different from her upbringing. She forced herself to look away from his semi-hard dick.

They came from two different worlds. It would never work… not that she wanted it to. Despite her attraction to him, she wondered if their differences would ultimately cause more harm than good in their relationship.

Gods, what was she thinking? They didn't have a relationship, despite what he said about being mates. It had to be a ploy of some sort, and she was determined to figure out why even if it meant interviewing every Growler in his tribe.

She deftly wove the coil of twine through the mouth and out the gills, laying the twine down the slit of the body. She handed him one end, then stepped around the fire to stretch the fish across it.

Then they sat staring at each other, the silence settling between them full of tension.

Could she be his mate? For just a moment, she let herself imagine it. If it was just the two of them like this, it would be rather fun. Hunting, camping, working together to survive.

"What are you thinking?" His voice was soft, but she refused to look up into his golden eyes.

She kept her gaze trained on his shoulders. So wide, like he could carry the weight of the world without even trying. It'd been a long time since anyone had shared her burdens.

She sighed and checked the fish. "I'm thinking about my dad, actually. He would've loved this."

"Eating fish and squirrel?" His brows raised as he glanced down at the pitiful meal. It didn't look tasty, but the smell of smoke and roasting meat made her mouth water.

She chuckled and nodded. "Yeah, he was a Ranger, the best in the land. When I was about ten, I started going with him. We'd camp like this, working together, talking about nothing and everything."

Her voice trailed off, and she looked up, trying to count the stars in the sky and keep her emotions locked up tight.

"Tell me about him. What was your earliest memory?" His wistful look made a crack in her armor, a crack that caused her mouth to open and stories to spill out.

While the meat roasted over the fire, Wulfric watched the light dance across Scarlet's face. She was gorgeous, and he grew very aware that he was naked. He pulled his shirt over his lap as he checked the skewers.

She stared into the flickering flames and told stories of her childhood. Many of them made him laugh, but there was an air of sadness to them too. Like she wasn't used to sharing the memories and ached to talk about them.

He definitely understood how she felt. He wanted to tell her stories of his own, but the memories wouldn't come. No matter how hard he tried, he didn't seem to have the keys to remembering.

So he sat back and listened, asked her questions when needed. The memories would come or they wouldn't, and all he could do was wait. He handed her the bigger skewer of meat.

"And that's how Knox came to have that scar on his eyebrow." She bit into the squirrel and wiggled her nose as she chewed. His bunny might have grown up in the woods with a Ranger and a druid, but she didn't like the tough food.

He must remember that. If it came down to it, he would ply her belly full of more than just his cock. The delicious food from the tribe could be a powerful weapon in his favor. Anything to keep her with him.

Proximity would probably help. He shifted to sit next to her, settling the fish on his thighs between them. The shirt remained draped over his hips, as it seemed to make her more relaxed than when he was naked.

He liked her relaxed, liked hearing her stories and learning of her family. The dragon could be a powerful ally… that is, if he didn't outright attack when they met.

Wulfric pushed the thoughts aside. No sense worrying about it now.

He tore into his own food, the smell wafting over him and making his mouth water. Meat was meat, as far as his wolf was concerned. They passed the canteen of water between them as they ate, the silence stretching easily.

Finally he asked, "Why did the dragon come to get the druid yesterday?"

Scarlet swallowed a bite and said, "Knox's wife is due to deliver her first egg any day now. They needed Grandma's help, which is why I was sent to fetch her. Apparently, I wasn't fast enough, so Knox came to get her."

Deliver an egg? A baby?

He blinked at the flash in his mind. A long-lost brown-haired little baby, squalling and wiggling shortly after being born. Pressure increased on his chest with the flood of emotions. Pride, awe… love.

Pain. So much pain and loss. He reached for Scarlet's hand, linking their fingers and swallowing hard to force the suddenly dry meat down his throat.

She handed him the canteen, and he drank. When he could finally talk, he handed it back to her.

"When your brother landed yesterday, I thought it was an earthquake. Then when I saw the dragon, my first instinct was to protect you and kill him. I didn't realize he was your brother."

He was glad he had hesitated. He didn't want to take a father away from his kid, much less hurt Scarlet. She clearly saw Knox as her brother, biological or not.

It reminded him of his Growler family. They weren't related by blood, but he would protect his pack with everything in him.

It was how he felt about Scarlet too.

The play of emotions at his words fascinated him, and he paused mid-bite to stare at her. The softening at the corners of her eyes encouraged him, but then she scoffed and scowled, hand hovering over the dagger on the ground beside her. "Don't even try attacking Knox. I'll kill you right now and won't bat an eye, if that's your plan."

He tossed the scavenged bones of the squirrel into the fire. "Don't be absurd. He's your brother. I'm not going to attack him."

She pointed her finger under his nose and glared. "And you're a Growler. You can't change your nature."

He grabbed her finger and jerked her sideways, making her stumble onto his lap. He wrapped his other arm behind her, holding her like a bride across his lap, legs dangling to the side. When she gasped and looked up with those big green eyes, surprise warred with self-righteousness.

She was irresistible. He swept his mouth down to hers.

Wulfric kept his lips tender, coaxing her to open with patience that was wearing thin. He wanted to roar into the night and claim her in the primal way he'd dreamed of for years, but she needed to know he wasn't only a Growler. He could be tender, gentle, and loving. With her, he would be for she was precious.

She trembled in his arms, reminding him that patience was worth it. It gave him hope to hold on and wait her out.

And oh, was it worth the wait.

Slowly her mouth opened beneath his. His tongue swept inside in triumph, the intensity building until his chest tightened.