With a growl, I poured water over my hottest, angriest wound, a deep one in my side. I had to grit my teeth to stop a grunt of pain.
“Because I don’t want him to get attached.”
Remington huffed. “Little late for that, don’t you think?”
“I can’t fake him out again, or the whole pack will have my pelt,” I snapped at Remington. Regretting my outburst, I mumbled, “And it didn’t work anyway. He wasn’t afraid of me.”
“Are you afraid ofhim?” Remington asked.
The question made me freeze. Were my thoughts so obvious or was Remington just observant?
“Not physically,” I muttered.
“You know that’s not what I meant.”
I felt weak—not because of the wounds ailing me, but because of the cottony emotions stuffing my head. Remington had aimed at my weak point and fired, and now it spilled out into reality. I couldn’t contain it anymore. I punched the water in frustration and it splashed back down.
“He’s doing something to me,” I growled. “And I don’t like it.”
I expected the wolf to laugh at me, but he didn’t. There was a mature look on his young face.
“I guess I should let you know,” Remington said quietly, “a few minutes ago, Sage said he felt another cramp coming on. I don’t know why his first time is so erratic, but it’s Sage after all. I guess it suits him.”
“Why are you telling me this?” I asked.
Remington faced me. “Because his heat is flaring up again.”
The words were like a weight dropped on me. I was too shocked to react.
“We already know you aren’t some creep, so no one’s going to chase you away,” Remington said, “but I just thought you’d want to know.”
I nodded stiffly. “Thanks, Remington.”
He returned the gesture, then said, “I’m gonna head back to Sage.”
I nodded again, not knowing what else to do. I stood there in the water, dripping and confused. Conflicted emotions ran rampant within me.
Go back to Sage, go away.
Need to be close to Sage, need to get the hell away from him.
A breeze blew over the water, carrying with it just a hint of that delectable, undeniable smell of Sage and his heat.
Need to mate—
“No!” I growled.
I hauled myself out of the stream, shifted, and ran in the opposite direction of the grove.
