Idly, I wondered if I was going to encounter any wild animals. Did Washington State have venomous snakes? Or mountain lions? Didn’t those hunt at night?
After all, the woods definitely had werewolves. And monsters, apparently. Why not other dangerous creatures?
At that thought, I drew my gun as well. Then, squaring my shoulders, I made my way deeper into the dark forest, letting the sensation of Reed’s presence pull me forward.
CHAPTER SEVEN || REED
The forest seemed to be holding its breath. Nothing moved at all. Not the insects, not the animals, and not even the wind. The stillness was unnatural.
That could only mean one thing. The monster was nearby.
I caught a flash of movement through the trees ahead of me. Paleness. Light.
Some monsters glowed in the dark. Perhaps this was it.
I darted forward through the trees, moving whisper-silent despite my size. I was larger as a wolf than as a man. Certainly larger than almost any regular wolf.
But as I neared the light—which was moving wildly through the trees—the mate bond surged to life, belatedly informing me that it was no monster wandering in the forest, but something much worse.
My human had gone into the dark forest by himself.
Or, no. Notmyhuman. He wasn’t mine—though it was harder to tell myself that in wolf form. He was justahuman. One I happened to share an inexplicable supernatural connection with.
But probably not for much longer, since he was basically turning himself into monster bait.
Anger tore through me and I let it carry me forward.
Surprisingly, he was no slouch. I barely made a noise, but he whirled in my direction anyway. His flashlight—one of those small, ultra-bright keychain ones—blinded me for an instant. And I heard the rustle of his clothing as he shifted his weight onto his back foot and raised his gun.
But he didn’t point it at me.
“Reed.” He sounded very sure it was me.
More anger flashed through me, even though he was right. I shed my wolf form—a sensation that was vaguely pleasurable, like standing up after sitting for too long. My fur bled away to human skin. I was naked, but barely noticed the cool air. I was too focused on him.
“Harris?” I demanded, straightening up. Harris was dressed in dark clothes, holding his flashlight in one hand and his gun in the other. “What the hell are you doing here? Are youtryingto get yourself killed?”
“You didn’t come to the cabin,” he replied, keeping his gaze locked on mine. From the way he didn’t let his gaze waver, I could tell he was trying not to drink in my body with his eyes.
Desire warred with my anger. I was leaner than he was, but still muscular—and I suddenly wanted him to trace every line of my body with his hands. An impulse I had never really felt before. I wanted to feel his reassuring strength, even if it was painfully human, and the warmth of his touch. The wolf in my chest whimpered with need and my cock began to harden.
“I told you to stay there,” I growled, aiming for intimidation, as that seemed the safer alternative. “And I expect to be obeyed. Human.”
Sure, that last part was tacked on. But it sounded appropriately aggressive and angry. In my defense, he could have died. Visions of the hiker flashed through my mind and I suppressed the urge to shudder.
“You’re not the scariest supernatural creature I’ve ever crossed paths with,” he shot back, staring me down. “And if you think I’m going to hang out at some random log cabin, twiddling my thumbs until you get back, you’re out of your mind.”
At that, I strode forward and grabbed him by both lapels. Not hard enough to hurt him, but hopefully enough to shock some sense into him. “You could have gotten yourself killed! This monster takes peopleapart. It makes themsuffer. What part of that do you not understand?”
He snorted. “I’m a good shot.”
“Your gun doesn’t mean shit in these woods!” Harris’s scent washed over me, immediately calming me down. I wasn’t even that angry—annoyed, yes. I was going to have to escort him back to the commune. And I needed to squash any ideas of his about ever doing this again. But I was also vaguely impressed. He was brave. And this close to him, the impulse to kiss him again was hard to ignore, despite my words. Which is why I overcompensated with, “You’re weak. You’re helpless. You’repreyhere, Harris! And you’re going to get us both killed!”
I’d meant that in a more long-term way, but behind me, a branch snapped.
I dropped him immediately—Harris stumbled backward—and whirled in the direction of the sound.
A creature manifested out of the darkness between two trees.
