“Why would someone attack us?” I asked.
Once again, I was ignored as Xander replied only to Remington. “Very well. Let’s get a move on before this wretch wakes up.” He looked at me with an expression almost like a sneer. “Are you sure you don’t want me to kill him?”
“No!”
“Fine.” Xander lashed his tail, then turned to Remington. “Is it safe to leave him there?”
“Hm,” Remington said. “Well, I don’t think he’d stick around once he woke up, seeing as a mountain lion knocked him unconscious. But for safe measure, let’s move him outside into the town street.”
With a grumble, Xander carefully took the man’s shoulder in his jaws and dragged him out the front door. He left him on the cobblestone path leading into town, where he’d be visible to anyone come daylight.
“There. Now let’s go.”
Xander stalked away. After I shifted and followed him, Remington took up the back so I was sandwiched in the middle. I didn’t get why protecting me was such a big deal but I didn’t complain, since they were both ignoring me anyway.
By now night had descended fully over the land. Xander slipped through the shadows with ease, dissolving into them. He led us up and out of the human town’s boundary as we climbed the slope back up to the wildlife reserve.
At one point, while Xander was walking ahead, Remington caught up with me and whispered, “Have you thanked him properly?”
“Xander? Thanked him for what?”
“Saving yourlife?”
I frowned. “That man wasn’t going to kill me. Was he?”
Remington rolled his eyes, but he looked shaken. “Nevermind. I’m just glad Xander was there to protect you. Because I wasn’t.” His last words sounded guilty. “Xander didn’t do anything to you, did he?”
“Nope. Aside from ignoring me once you showed up, he was pretty nice.”
Remington’s teeth gleamed as he smirked. “Do I detect a hint of jealousy?”
“Maybe. What about it?”
“Sage, do youlikeXander?”
I was feeling nice and smug until Remmy accused me of that. “What? No! I don’t even know him! We met like an hour ago!”
Remington didn’t seem to believe me. He had a stupid, know-it-all expression that made me want to flick my tail in his face.
“This is as far as I go,” Xander suddenly announced. He stopped by a single oak tree, staring ahead and not looking at either of us. “I’m assuming you two can make it home safely from here.”
His voice was stiff and thin, almost like he was in discomfort. I padded up next to him.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Are you really, really, super duper—”
“Yes,” Xander snapped, his reflective eyes flashing in the darkness. “Yes, I am sure.”
“Okay, ‘cause we have food and water and shelter at home, and our pack doesn’t mind sharing. If you’re tired or hurt, you can always hang out with us for a while.”
“I don’thang outwith wolves,” he ground out.
