Page 143 of Moon Craving

replying to the imaginary voice.

"Obey me." The voice had never sounded so harsh.

But it wasn't real and no matter how insistent it sounded, she did not have to listen.

She wasn't leaving Talorc behind. She skirted the fighting wild animals, but kept her

attention on them in case they lost interest in each other and came after her.

With a spray of blood, the wolf tore out the boar's throat. The big gray beast put his

head back and howled. Heavens above, she really was going mad. She felt an insane

and almost irresistible urge to stop the horse and approach the wolf, to commend it for

fighting so bravely and effectively.

The beast turned his head to look at her. Showing she truly had lost all sense, she

halted the horse and stared back at the blood-covered wolf. If she didn't know it was

impossible, she would have thought the look the wild animal gave her was one of

possession. That made no sense.

Without warning, the wolf spun and ran into the forest. Filled with trepidation and

undeniable curiosity, she kneed the stallion to follow.

They had only gone a couple of yards when Talorc came striding out of the forest.

He was covered in blood, explaining where her husband had been. He must have been

fighting another boar. Guaire had told her the wild pigs with deadly tusks sometimes

traveled in groups.

Talorc had been protecting her, and just like the massive wolf, he had clearly won

his fight. He gave her an indecipherable look before turning to dive into the lake.

He did not come out until all the blood was gone.

Abigail had managed to get her plaid on while her husband bathed. He said

nothing as he donned his own clothing.

"You are not hurt?" she asked. She had not seen any marks, but she could not be

sure.

His jaw set, he shook his head.

"Did you see the wolf? I believe the beast saved my life." She bit her lip. "Not that

you did not protect me, too. Clearly you were in your own battle in the forest, but a second

boar came into the clearing."