Mila
How was it that Mila body seemed to light up with keen awareness once he entered the room? Her wolf stirred with glee.
As Rafe released her, Mila inhaled his alluring scent once again. Gods, it was addicting. She rubbed her wrists and shook out her arms. She stared at him, trying to read what was behind his act. Was there an ulterior motive? Or was he simply a fool?
She remained wary as she walked with him outside the room.
He addressed the woman on watch outside the door. “She’s coming with me.”
The guard asked, “Shall I come with you?”
“No, I’ve got this.”
Mila ascended the stairs before him, totally confused. What was his deal?
Once outside, she gulped at the mountain air. She tipped her head back and let the sun warm her face.
Rafe grinned at her. “It’s not like you’ve never seen the sun before.”
She gave him a pointed look. “Have you ever been locked up?”
“No, but it was just one night. Not even twenty-four hours.”
Mila planted one hand on her hips. “Why don’t you try it and tell me how it feels?”
He cocked his head as if thinking about it. “I’ll pass.”
She glanced across the base of the mountain, over to where her pack lived in the distance. “What do you mean by figuring things out?”
Rafe followed her gaze across the snow-covered land. “Our first step is getting a message to your father about our plan.” He pulled out a small black device. “I can send him a video. Or…”
When he didn’t complete his sentence, she prodded, “Or what?”
His jaw twitched. “Or, you go over and tell him yourself.”
She narrowed her eyes at Rafe. “Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
He wasn’t truly going to let her go after what she’d done, was he? “Is this some kind of trap?”
“Not at all.”
She narrowed her gaze at him, unconvinced. “Why would you let me go?”
Rafe glanced away, his expression conflicted. “If you are my mate, I can’t keep you a prisoner. Although I don’t trust you right now, I have to put good faith into this attempt to work together.”
She blinked. He was absolutely insane. “Let me get this straight. If I start heading home, you won’t try to capture me?”
“Right.” He stared into her eyes. “You’re a grown woman. You can make your choice here. If you don’t return, you know the consequences. Any attempts at reconciliation between are packs are over. War will be inevitable, and your pack will suffer greatly.”
She stared at Rafe for any signs he might be messing with her. He didn’t appear to be. No one in her pack trusted her to be able to make decisions for herself, so this was rather strange, and she wasn’t sure how to process it.
A mountain breezed rushed in, and she wrapped her arms around herself. He stepped over and enclosed her in his arms. She leaned into him, cradled against the warmth of his body before she realized what they were doing. The movement was so unexpected.
Once she realized what they were doing, she pulled away. “What was that for?”
His expression appeared surprised. He averted eye contact. “You looked cold.”
