Her breasts.
Heat rose to her cheeks. Saints preserve her, where had that come from?
Their eyes caught, but she quickly looked away, fearing he would read her wanton thoughts.
"Next time let me know where you are going," he said roughly. There was something tight and husky in his voice that she didn't understand. "It isn't safe--"
He stopped suddenly and stilled as if he'd heard something. Anna listened, but didn't hear a sound. Indeed, it was oddly quiet.
She clutched his arm, instinctively moving closer to him. "What is it?"
"We need to get back to the horses. It's the puppy."
He pulled at his sword and tucked her against him. Despite the sudden hammering of her heart, she felt safe. Protected. And something else. He felt familiar.
"What's wrong?" she asked breathlessly, trying to keep up with him. "What do you mean, 'It's the puppy'?"
He didn't answer her, but pushed her along faster. "Hurry, they're coming."
"What's coming?" Her voice betrayed her fear. "I don't hear anything."
"Wolves."
She gasped, looking around wildly. "I don't see ..." She pulled the puppy closer to her chest. "I won't leave him."
He gave her an exasperated look. "I know." But then he swore. He pushed her against a large tree, tore the dog from her arms, and then used his body as a shield in front of her. "Stay behind me," he ordered. "If I tell you to run, do it."
"I won't--"
He gave her a fierce glare. "You will. I will do my best to save your dog, but I won't let you be killed for him."
Anna didn't understand. How could he be so certain? She didn't hear or see anything.
Then she heard it. The faintest sound of movement. Running. Coming toward them.
How had he known ...?
The pack sprang out of the trees with bloodcurdling swiftness. Wolves were shy by nature and usually avoided humans.It's the puppy. That's what he'd meant. They wanted the puppy.
At first she thought there were a dozen of them, but when her mind cleared to finally enable her to count them, she could see it was only half that many.
"Robby?" she asked.
Sir Arthur shook his head. "I ordered him to stay with the horses."
She sighed with relief. She didn't want the young guardsman to unknowingly stumble on them and startle the wolves into attacking him.
Sir Arthur held his sword out, turning from side to side. The wolves snarled, fur standing on end, their eyes pinned to the puppy Sir Arthur had tucked under his arm. Was it her imagination, or did they look hungry?
They seemed to be sitting back, shrewdly assessing their opponent, trying to find his weakness and waiting for the right moment to spring. Though she couldn't see his face, she knew Sir Arthur was doing the same.
The biggest wolf took a step forward, as if trying to draw Sir Arthur to him. He was, she realized. The other wolves had started to circle behind them. God, how smart they were. The wolf wanted Sir Arthur to move toward him and then the others would attack from the rear.
Instead, Sir Arthur held the puppy out by the scruff, daring the biggest wolf toward him.
"What are you doing?" she cried.
"Hopefully getting rid of the leader. Be ready," he warned.
