One look, and I’m hitwith her arrow.Andthatispower,herpower.And to think when I’m finally caught in her trap that she’d have mercy.
No.
No, no.This was only just the beginning. Her honey scent drifts on the breeze, already driving me mad with lust, and her arousal only sharpens the deadly mix.
Mate smells delicious.
I know.It’s torture. I need some distance. Fast.I’ll have her speed up.
I clear my throat, and myvoice cracks like I’m a teenager again. “Walk-walk a little faster, Jay.” I can’t keep my composure much longer.
Jay picks up the pace, and the distance doesn’thelpas I now have an urgeto chase her.
Prey.My wolf howls and crouches down, ready to pounce.
No, no, no, stay.
“Uh. . .On second thought, walk slower.”
She does. And like a T-rex who can’t see its next meal when it’s no longer moving, my wolf snaps out of it. Now that she’s no longerspeedwalking, he stops crouching.
Isigh, relieved. Although I don’t know if relief is the right word. I can still smell her, but I trust myself to withstand her tricks more than my wolf.
I think.
My saving grace in the form ofMedein’sgothicand earthycottage comes into view. We’reclose enough to see there’s an end in sight.“Thank Goddess, we’re finally here.”
Jay looks at me funny.
“In one piece,”I add quickly.
My quick thinking works as she nods, buying my attempt at recovery.
Medein’s home sits deep in the forest, its intricate architecture blending with nature as trees and foliage weave through its structure. The subtle details, such as thehand-crafted lopsided windows and ornate carvings, add perfection toits imperfections. The pointed roofs blanketed with fallenleaves give off magical enchantment with along,ancient history waiting to be discovered.
“Come on, it’s not much farther.”
We make our way up the cobblestone path and moss-covered steps when avibration of the groundhalts us from going further.
Jay’s eyes widen in horror, her thumps wild loud. “What is that?”
Whatever it is, it’s not an earthquake. But somethingiscoming. I listen closeras I pinpoint what is causing the ground to shake. My eyes bug out of my head as I say, “Run.”
Chapter Thirty-nine
Jay
Iprepare to shift, but Caleb passes me, grabbing my arm and pulling me behind him. “No time! Run!”
Wind whips my hair behind me, stinging my skin.My lungs scream forair with eachgaspingbreath as wesprintaway from the noise.
“What is it?”
“It’s a stampede!”
“Of what?”
“Burasi. They migrate for the winter.”
