“We won’t know for sure until I try. You’re not going to try to stop me, are you?” Her lips curl into a taunting smile.
Damn the female. She’s testing me.
My fear for her safety is becoming almost overbearing. The instinct to protect her at all costs is all I can think about, and that means the compulsion to use my powers on her to prevent her from going outside is getting stronger and stronger. I curl my hands into fists, clenching my jaw hard.
She opens the door once more, but slowly this time. My pulse quickens, and there’s a sudden knot in my stomach. “Cher, please.”
She remains mostly concealed from the light, letting only her arm get hit by the sun. I wait on pins and needles for her skin to start to burn.
“See, it’s perfectly safe.” She gives me a radiant smile that makes me hot despite the cold, and then she steps outside.
“Fuck!” I follow her, stopping short of getting fried by the sun.
A few steps outside the hut, she’s twirling around, playing in the fresh snow that must have fallen last night. It’s the most beautiful sight I’ve ever beheld in my life. I’ve never seen Cheryl in broad daylight and never realized how bright her red hair is. The long strands are like flames dancing around her alabaster skin. Her cheeks are rosy from the cold, and her plumps lips are red and inviting. But it’s not only her beauty that has me transfixed. It’s the fire I sense burning inside her, full of life. God, I love this female.
“Okay, you’ve made your point. The sun won’t hurt you, but you can still get frostbite.”
She drops into a crouch and makes a snowball. I know her intentions, but I don’t move. She hurls the ball at me and hits me square in the chest. “Go back inside. I need to pee, and I can’t do it with you watching me.”
“Fine.” I shuffle back, then give my attention to the almost-extinguished fire. Now that I’m stuck here until nightfall, I have to make sure we’re comfortable. Solomon will be thrilled that not only did we invade his home but did all sorts of naughty things in here. I chuckle, imagining his reaction.
My amusement vanishes in the next moment when I pick up Cheryl’s distress.
I rush to the door and curse when I go out too far and get hit by a ray of light. My skin burns immediately. “Cheryl!” I yell.
A wolf snarls, freezing my blood. I recognize that sound, and it’s not coming from Cheryl. It’s Karl.
Son of a bitch.
CHERYL
I barely have time to pee before I pick up Karl’s scent. He’s approaching fast. I glance at the front door of Solomon’s hut. It’s still wide open. Karl has been intent on killing Ronan since… My stomach plummets through the earth. Since he caught Ronan with Manu.
I close my eyes for a second, fighting the angry tears that are already forming in my eyes. I was so caught up in the moment last night and this morning that I conveniently forgot about Ronan’s and Manu’s actions.Ronanis half the reason my brother is in so much pain, and I was more than happy to give that male my maidenhead last night.
Where is my loyalty? What kind of creature am I that I would do that to Karl?
I hurry to stand in front of the door so I can stop Karl from entering. I see his brown-and-gray fur zoom through the trees. He doesn’t seem to be slowing down.
Hell, I won’t be able to stop him in my human form. I shift then, barely finishing the transition in time.“Karl, stop.”
He halts but doesn’t stand still. His hackles are raised, and his lips are peeled back, showing his fangs.“What did that motherfucker do to you?”
“He saved me. You have to stop, please.”
He snarls.“He’s inside the hut, isn’t he? Let me through, Cheryl.”
“Why? So you can kill him?”
“Yes.”
“That’s not going to change anything. It won’t erase his betrayal orhers.”
He snarls again, then switches his attention to a point over my shoulder. I don’t need to look to know Ronan is standing by the door.
Karl shuffles forward, ready to sprint, but I block him, snarling as well.“No, you won’t take your revenge on him. If you must kill someone, kill that bitch who ripped your heart out.”
Karl’s eyes glow yellow before he pounces on me. I knew my comment would incense him, and that was the intention—distraction. He pins me to the ground and clamps his teeth around my neck.
