Human.She’s a human.
I’d been too focused on her panic to notice, but the subtle difference in scent is unmistakable.That shouldn’t be possible—a pack bond only works between wolves.But somehow, she’s one of mine.
It doesn’t matter right now.She needs help.
Stepping through the weeds, I find a car crunched into the trunk of a large tree with another smashed against the driver’s side.The sharp edge of my own panic cuts through hers.Humans aren’t built for accidents like that.
I rush to the side I can access and try the passenger door handle.It’s slick from rain, and locked.Condensation covers the windows, making it so I can’t see inside.
Her fear heightens.
“Saw a car in the ditch,” I call.“Didn’t want to leave you here.”My voice comes out gritty and rough.Too raw.
Silence.
“You hurt?”I try again.
“Be careful.Something’s out there,” she answers.
Sweet goddess.That voice.All I can focus on is getting to her.Hearing her voice again.Making sure she’ll be okay.
“Storm’s bad.You need to get out of the rain.”
“Yeah…” Her voice cracks, and my heart splits in two.“There’s something else outside,” she repeats.
I glance back into the woods.Oh.
Before I can restrain myself, a wave of anger lashes out at my own pack.They caused this.They hurt her.
Tiff whines.Cleo moves in front of him.Shane stops pacing in the trees nearby and looks me square in the eyes.Then he lowers his head and whines, too.
I snap myself out of it and turn back to the human.“I won’t let anything hurt you.I promise.”
Another silent pause.
Guilt floods me.They wouldn’t have done this on purpose.I force myself to calm down, then reach out to the others again.I reassure them that I’ve got things under control, and I’m glad they stuck around to help.Being the smart kids they are, they run home, probably to inform the others.
“I think…I hit my head.”As soon as she speaks, all my attention is back on her.
“Can you unlock the door?”
“Uh…” There’s movement inside the vehicle.“The button got jammed.And I can’t reach the other door.”
“I’ll break the window.Cover yourself.Let me know when you’re ready.”
“Okay.”A pause.“I’m ready.”
I expect it to take a couple of tries, but my fist cracks through with one swing.Shards of splintered glass cut into my skin.Blood starts to run down my forearm, but pain is the last thing on my mind.My whole body freezes as I catch sight of her.Frizzy corkscrews of black hair tucked back with a navy scarf.Smooth, brown skin.Dark eyes dilated from shock.Soft cheekbones, a straight nose, and full lips.
I can’t look away.
“You’re gonna be okay.”I don’t know why the fuck I think she’ll trust a scruffy, bearded stranger who appeared out of nowhere, but I feel her calming.“Do you need help getting out?”
She nods and takes a deep breath.Her body is wedged so tightly against the steering wheel that she hardly has room to breathe.The seat belt is digging into her thighs and chest.A hoodie and what looks like leggings will at least protect her from the chill of the rain.
“Think you can get the seat belt loose?”she asks.“It did its job, but now it’s too tight and I can’t get it off.”
“Yeah, let me just...”I find the lock from the inside of the door and wrench it loose, almost breaking the door.Her scent gets stronger as I lean over the passenger seat.Fuck, it’s distracting.Behind the spike of adrenaline are notes of sweet herbs and lavender.And faintly, something deeper.Something I’ll never be able to get enough of.
