“I have to consider all angles.”
I snort.
Callen’s jaw tightens. “You think because I’m the pack’senforcer that I can’t feel for some fool shifter who screws up and pisses off his alpha?”
“I’m not incompetent,” I repeat, though I’m not sure who I’m trying to convince at this point, Callen or me.
“Never said you were. But not all shifters tell the truth. Some… make mistakes.”
I whirl on him. “Did I ever say I blamed you for her death? Or Frank. Or anyone?”
Callen holds up two hands. “Woah, where did that come from?”
The snow’s coming down heavier now, a stark reminder of that night.
I leave Callen in my wake, saying nothing as I surge forward, desperate to find the source of that scent… desperate to leave the past behind.
“Your wolf needs stability, Gare. This can’t go on much longer not without disastrous results,” Callen calls after me, but he doesn’t follow. Good thing given how agitated my wolf’s turning, though I’m not sure if he’s echoing my emotions or something else.
A twig snaps nearby and I stop moving. I’m about to shift to my wolf form when a woman steps out from behind a tree. Fuck, she’s gorgeous. Long blonde hair flowing over the curve of sizeable breasts and an otherwise lean torso, and striking blue eyes, as brilliant as a Colorado summer sky. Graceful arms move forward, covering the apex of her thighs. Shy, then.
Or worried because she’s a lone female in a woods where she’s no doubt caught the scent of several male shifters.
Which makes me wonder why my team hasn’t caughtherscent.
“You’re safe with us,” I say slowly, softly. The fear in her eyes, her face, speaks volumes. What the fuck is she doing out here alone?
Suddenly, I’m on high alert again, scenting the wind, searching for any other scents, in case she isn’t as alone as she appears.
Her eyes dart right and left, anywhere but at me. “Leave.” A single word, filled with strength. I nearly miss the tremble in her lips. That single contradiction keeps me from leaving.
“Are you alone?” I wince. Even if she were, she wouldn’t admit it.
“My… situation… is none of your business, shifter.”
“Garrett.”
A slight nod eases the tension between us somewhat, but doesn’t answer my question. “I’d like to take your word on that, but it’s not often we find a lone female out here.”
“We?”
“A few packmates. We’re hunting humans. WSSO.”
Her expression tightens. “There are no humans here.”
“I… we… can escort you to your pack. We’re from Damien Black’s pack north of Devil’s Peak, Colorado.”
“Never heard of them.” Her eyes continually scan the woods around me. The fear in her face isn’t because of me then…
The second I step forward, to approach her, her eyes widen. “Does your alpha steal women for breeding?”
“Breeding… Fuck, you have bad intel. If anything, you’re thinking of the Novak pack. White Wolves, south of us. We do take in lone wolves though.” If they can prove their worth. Their loyalty.
“What’s your name, female?”
“You don’t need my name.”
“Sure I do, or I’ll end up calling you something you probably won’t like.”
