Angel talks nonstop about the skills I’ve been teaching her. I love listening to her excitement about… well, everything. She’s a good student, eager to learn, and she’s making tremendous progress. I’ve considered slowing her training to keep her with me longer, but that will only tempt me further than I can handle.
Six weeks on the floor, breathing in her luxe scent, trying to fall asleep despite being so damned hard all the time. My cold showers are getting longer every day. Using my own hand doesn’t dampen my desire for this female. And I’m not sure what will.
“I think I need more work in the snow. How long do I have? Another two months before the snow completely disappears?”
“Longer.” I hope winter drags much, much longer, so she stays. When she considers herself skilled, she might decide to leave and find another pack. I can’t stop her. That’s the infuriating part about training her. I’m enabling her to leave, but the alternative,leaving her vulnerable and dependent on others is not something I’ll do to her.
“I guess I shouldn’t wish for a longer winter. That makes your job harder.”
“My job?”
“Rescuing shifters.”
She’s talking in generalities, but I know what she means. The shifters that I couldn’t save the day I rescued her. Survivor’s guilt. I know it well.
“Tess said Damien has a team ready to rescue them as soon as the snow melts in some nearby pass. I didn’t catch the name. I’m horrible with geography.”
“We’ll work on that too. The problem with rescues isn’t getting in, it’s getting out with injured shifters. Stolen trucks only help if the mountain passes are clear.”
The back of her hand brushes mine. For a moment I think she’s going to slip it into mine. My mood sours when she doesn’t, even though I’m the cause. She’s doing exactly what I asked of her… keeping her distance.
“Just be careful, okay?”
“My top priority.”
“Why don’t I believe you?”
Because I’ve been taking more risks these past two years.
“I hear there’s a sing-along tonight. Think you’ll join in?” She’s bouncing on her heels, those sky-blue eyes dancing with a light that makes my wolf howl in delight.
“Darlin’, be careful what you wish for. My singing scares off birds, children, and anyone with functioning ears. Besides, that sing-along is intended for the kids. I think.”
“What do you mean, you think? It’s your pack.”
“I haven’t exactly celebrated Christmas in a while.”
“Then you have to stay tonight.” She loops her arm in mine.
“You’re not playing fair, Angel.”
“I’m not playing at all. You’re staying. No excuses.”
“And if I don’t?”
“There are a lot worse things than mushrooms I can add to your stew.”
“Do I want to ask?”
“Definitely not.”
“You have a mean streak in you.”
“I had two older brothers who were always teasing me.”
“And?”
The smile that crosses her face turns devilish which threatens to harden my cock. “I withdraw the question. We’ll stay.”
