My face heated, and I squeezed my eyes shut, as if that would stop me from seeing the memory. I pressed my palm over myracing heart and took a series of slow, deep breaths, willing my pulse to return to normal.
It was inappropriate to have a crush on Luke. He was helping Eli. The teen was where my focus needed to be. Besides, I doubted the shifter would be interested in me.
I pushed through the gate, latching it behind me. I didn’t think this pasture held cattle, but I knew enough about ranches to close gates. The light breeze stirred my hair, and I took a minute to look around as I strolled along the fence line.
The summer sun was hot overhead, but the wind provided some relief. I passed a second barn and followed a trail through a grove of trees. The shade was welcome, though the sun still shone through the leafy branches, creating a dappled pattern on the ground.
I exited the trees into a large, flat, open area. A large tractor stood in the space, the bright green and yellow drawing my gaze to it. I moved past it, heading toward the fence. The bellow of cattle filled the air to my left.
I turned toward the sound, eyes widening at the herd of cows bearing down on me. I stilled for a moment in shock and confusion. What were they doing outside the fence?
The ground vibrated beneath me as they drew closer. I sucked in a breath and spun on my heel, running faster than I’d ever run before, certain they were gaining on me.
I threw myself at the tractor, cursing the distance between the ground and the step, and fumbled for the door. As soon as it opened, I heaved myself inside, just as the cattle thundered around the piece of equipment. They slowed, still bellowing, and filled the area around the tractor, trapping me inside.
I gazed over the herd in the direction they’d come from, frowning when I caught sight of a wolf. From this distance, it wasn’t clear, but the colors and shape reminded me of watching Luke and Eli earlier.
The animal disappeared behind a hill, leaving me wondering if it really was a wolf. I pulled out my cell phone to call for help, but there was no signal. I didn’t know enough about cattle to risk walking through the herd. Was it safe? I didn’t want to get trampled.
I leaned back in the tractor seat and debated trying to drive the tractor through the herd, but I could barely drive a car. I definitely didn’t trust myself with heavy machinery.
I could just wait. At some point, someone would notice I was missing and come looking. But the sun was still hot overhead, and it was even hotter in the tractor’s cab. I found the horn and pressed it. It rang out long and loud, and the cows bellowed in response as they shuffled around the tractor. I pressed it again, holding it down for several seconds.
Gabriel emerged from the trees a few minutes later, freezing when he saw the cows. I wasn’t sure if he noticed me in the tractor, so I opened the door, leaning out to wave at him. “Gabriel! Over here.”
His gaze flew to mine. He motioned for me to wait a minute and jogged back through the trees. It was another fifteen minutes before he reappeared with Luke and Austin, all on horseback. They worked quickly, like a practiced team, rounding up the cattle and moving them away from the tractor.
Gabriel and Austin continued herding the cattle away, while Luke swung out of his saddle to help me down from the tractor. He pulled me to him, his arms strong around me. His heart raced against my ear where he had cradled my head.
“What happened?” His voice was raspy, the words moving through me like a wave.
“I don’t know. I was walking, and suddenly I realized the cattle were coming at me. Luckily the tractor was there, and I reached it in time.” I wanted to nestle into him. The feel of hisarms and his body pressed against mine was like coming home. Which was crazy.
I pulled back, and he loosened his hold on me, though I thought it was with reluctance. “I think I saw a wolf running after them, though. It disappeared behind that hill.”
His brows drew together. “A wolf? Are you sure?”
“No.” I shook my head. “It was far away, but the form reminded me of watching you and Eli earlier.”
“Eli gave me the slip.” Luke frowned. “Kid found his legs quicker than expected. Could it have been him?”
“Why would Eli do it?”
“Maybe he thought it would be funny?” Luke’s jaw hardened. “Wouldn’t be the first teen shifter to take advantage of his new form to cause trouble.”
“I can’t see Eli doing it. Sure, he’s pushed back against rules before, but he’s never caused any real harm.” I tucked my hair behind my ear. “I probably saw wrong. Or it was just a regular wolf.”
“We don’t have any around here. The presence of shifters on the ranch keeps them away.” His gaze scanned the landscape beyond me.
When his lips drew into a thin line, I glanced over my shoulder and saw a wolf trotting toward us. It got closer, and I recognized Eli’s wolf.
“Shift!” Luke barked the order, the patience displayed earlier gone. I laid my hand on his forearm, squeezing lightly. He tilted his head toward me, softening for a second before firming his mouth and turning back to Eli. “I said, shift!”
The boy shifted, and Luke removed his flannel shirt to toss at him. “Where did you go?”
Eli’s face settled into stubborn lines, but he said nothing.
“Did you chase the cattle this way?”
