"Nothing. Come, let's get her into the cave."
Thora nodded and stood. "Can you walk a little, Kata?"
The wolf actually seemed to nod and gingerly raised herself onto all four legs. Thora clapped her hands, her grin returning. Despite his discomfort, Ari found himself caught up in her enthusiasm.
"Look, she's standing." Thora once again ruffled the wolf's fur and walked beside the animal as she took several limping steps toward the cave. Ari followed a pace or two behind, and Kati ran and jumped in excited circles around them, yipping happily. An odd sense of peace settled around Ari. He shook his head to clear the muddled thoughts. Once again, Thora and her wolves had nearly made him forget his goals. She was the reason he acted like a lovestruck lad. He didn't like this unsteady sensation assailing him. There must be some way to make her pay for leaving him feeling unfocused and confused.
A grim smile curled his mouth.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Thora noted that after only a few unsteady steps, Kata slowed. The wolf tired and would need to be carried the last distance to the cave. She turned to Ari. As always, a shiver passed along her spine when their eyes met. She ignored it. Or tried to.
"Can you carry her now?"
He nodded curtly and bent to scoop the animal into his arms.
"Careful, her wound –"
"I know."
His cold tone left her confused. His gaze still held the usual heat and intensity but something seemed more ominous than before. Her heart seemed to skip a beat. What could possibly have angered him now?
"I'll set some furs for her to lay on."
She turned to the packs beside thepulkaand pulled out two furs. She darted into the cave just before Ari, quickly spreading the pelts along one wall of the cave. Ari elbowed her away and slowly lowered the wolf to the pallet, Kati at his side. Once again, Thora found herself wondering how he had earned her wolf's loyalty so quickly. Had it really only been three days since Ari had saved her? It seemed an eternity, as if she'd never known a time without him.
That feeling could not be good.
When he turned to face her, she had the strange urge to look away. She didn't. "Thank you."
"You'll thank me properly later,ástin minn."
His low husked words once again stirred a shiver Thora fought to suppress. When would the fierce need for him wane? She turned away, kneeling beside Kata. She stroked the animal's fur, pleased when the she-wolf turned to lick her hand.
"I'll send Kati to hunt for you."
"I'll take him with me."
Ari's voice shattered the semblance of calm she'd managed to summon. Her fingers tightened in the wolf's fur, but Kata gave no protest. Resting her head briefly against her pet's, Thora forced her grip to loosen and turned. She gave a prayer of thanks to Freyr for leaving her with enough wits to stifle her surprised gasp.
Ari stood over her, silhouetted by the light of the now blazing fire behind him. She couldn't see his eyes, but the sense of being a hare cornered by her wolves drew a shudder she had no hope of suppressing. Despite her shaky knees, she stood, letting loose a sigh of relief as she faced him on more even footing.
"Where will you go?" She forced a layer of ice into her tone, oddly delighted at the way one of his eyebrows arched, his eyes a sparkling blue laced with humor. A hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. She sensed he mocked her attempt to appear uninterested in his plans and though she should be angry, she detected no malice. Or did she only try to convince herself?
"Where I need to. I won't be gone long."
A heavy silence hung between them, the only sound from the crackling flames that nearly echoed like thunder in the cave. A half-breath later, his mouth crashed onto hers, devouring her with lips and tongue. She leaned into him, fingers curling into his tunic, the heat of passion making it almost impossible to retain her stance. His arms came around her, hauling her tight against his chest. Already her sex ached for him, wanting to be filled. Slick fire coated her insides and she responded eagerly to his demanding kiss.
Just as suddenly as it began, Ari broke the kiss and let her go. She swayed for a moment, stunned by his abrupt release, before composing herself. She smoothed her shaking hands against her dress.
"Don't take too long. I will prepare to cook your catch."
Again, he looked as if he might smile, but the twitch of his lips went no further. Instead he turned, snapping his fingers toward Kati, who fell into step beside him. Together they left the cave and vanished into the forest.
Thora looked down at the she-wolf resting on her bed. "They have banded against us, Kata. We must protect ourselves."
The wolf leaned up and licked Thora's hand. She smiled then forced the last remnants of hazy desire from her thoughts. She had much to do.
