“Where are you going?” she asked with a note of panic in hervoice.
“Don’t worry, Casey. I’m just going to see if these wolves will be kind and let us into their pack. But if they’re mean, you’ll be safe all the way over here. Do youunderstand?”
“Yes,daddy.”
“Good girl,” I told her. “I’ll be rightback.”
Although my senses had been dulled by changing back to human form, I still knew which direction the wolf shifter’s scent came from. I approached it until I heard the crunching of leaves underfoot. I bit my lip. I was an easy target, standing out in the woods like this, but what other choice did Ihave?
Quietly, I spoke up. “Hello?”
The crunching sound stopped. My mind filled with doubts. Other wolf shifters should be able to smell it on me that I was another shifter and not a human. But they would also know instantly from my scent that I was an omega. At the last minute I became paranoid; what if this pack was exactly like Scarlet Ridge? Or worse? Suddenly I wanted to back out. My feet itched torun.
But then a massive shape moved in between the trees. The soft crunching of leaves rang in my earsagain.
A huge red wolf suddenly stood in front ofme.
I was frozen to the spot. My breath caught in my throat. My pulse exploded in my veins. All I could think about was Casey, alone inside the treestump.
Then the wolf spoke. His voice was loud and deep inside mymind.
“Who are you?” heasked.
I swallowed thickly. “My name is Charlie Hill,” I said. “I’m… ex-Scarlet Ridgepack.”
The massive wolf’s ear twitched with curiosity. He took a step towards me. Iflinched.
“Don’t be afraid,” he said. “I won’t hurt you,Charlie.”
For some reason, his deep voice and calming words soothed me. I knew instantly he was an alpha. The fact that he wasn’t instantly attacking me gave mehope.
“You are in Indigo Mountain territory now,” he said. “Why have you comehere?”
It wasn’t an aggressive question; merely one out of curiosity. I didn’t feel afraid answeringhim.
“I’m… I’m running away from my old pack,” I said. His golden gaze was piercing and strong; I couldn’t look away from him. “My daughter and I need a place to stay. I’m afraid that if my old pack finds me,they’ll…”
I trailed off, but the alpha wolf in front of me nodded. He understood without me having to spell itout.
“I know of Scarlet Ridge,”he growled.“Where is yourdaughter?”
Suddenly I hesitated. “Can you promise she won’t be harmed?” I askedassertively.
The alpha wolf spoke firmly. “I promise no harm will come to either ofyou.”
I jogged back to where I left Casey and scooped her up in my arms before returning to thewolf.
“Daddy, who is that?” she asked, soundingscared.
The red wolf took a step towards us and lowered his head. “My name is Flint Williams. Don’t worry, little one. You’re in nodanger.”
A huge breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding escaped my lips. Learning the wolf’s name made me relax; he let his guard down for us. I wasn’t used to alphas acting like that. I immediately liked Flint, but I knew we weren’t out of the woods quite yet -literally.
“Come with me,” he growled. “You’re not safe out here by yourselves. If my hunting party finds you, they’ll be less wary if you’re withme.”
“Thank you so much, Flint,” Isaid.
He nodded and then shifted to human form. My breath caught in my throat. He was tall with broad shoulders and muscles that filled his tight shirt. Messy, dark auburn hair swept across his forehead. His expression was firm but gentle. Despite his tough appearance, he had an aura of kindness and I instantly felt safe aroundhim.
Since I apparently forgot how to speak, Flint said somethingfirst.
“Come with me, Charlie and - what is the little one’s name?” heasked.
My daughter, who was still in the form of a pup in my arms, piped up.Casey!
“Charlie and Casey,” Flint said in his deep rumbling voice. “Let’s get back to the rest of thepack.”
