Page 14 of Caught By the Wolf

Cage cleared his throat. “I’ll run the perimeter with Declan tonight. You two—keep doing whatever that was.” He winked at Ella. “Try not to break the furniture. And maybe keep all the windows closed. Scent carries you know.”

Cage left, closing the door behind him. After he’d gone, the silence returned, heavier this time.

Ella looked up at Roman. “So what’s the plan? I just hide here indefinitely while the three of you play guard dogs?”

“For now,” Roman said. “Until we find the men responsible. They’re still out there. Closer than I like. Declan’s warning wasn’t empty. Someone studied this land. They know our routes. They will keep coming until we make them stop.”

“And you really believe this mate thing, don’t you?”

“I do.”

“Fine,” she said. “But I’m not some damsel who’s just going to sit around baking cookies while you handle everything. I want to know what’s going on.”

Roman’s voice softened. “Just. Let me keep you safe tonight. We’ll figure out the rest tomorrow.”

She studied him. The tension in his shoulders, the way his hands kept flexing like he wanted to reach for her but wouldn’t let himself.

She had to admit she wouldn’t be opposed to spending the night with him, continuing what that kiss had started. What the heck was wrong with her? She felt like she was going through some kind of hormonal event, flashes of heat every time he got within ten feet of her, and not one single part of her wanted it to stop. Curvy women were not supposed to get this kind of attention. Curvy women were supposed to be grateful for scraps. And here she was, standing in a cabin with a man who looked at her like she was something worth bleeding for, and all she could think about was how much she wanted him to put his mouth on her again.

She stared at him for a long moment, caught between the fear of the men outside and the much scarier pull of the man in front of her.

The choice was no choice at all.

She’d stay with Roman—and try very hard not to think about the fact that this man, this wolf, had just told her she was his mate.

That was crazy.

Wasn’t it?

CHAPTER SIX

Roman

Roman stood at the window long after Cage’s taillights disappeared into the trees. Now both brothers had stopped by to check on him, using the pretext of reporting in. That’s what the brothers did. Made sure each of the others were safe.

That’s the type of pack Roman wanted to build, even if he was still reluctant to be alpha. He wanted family.

And now…

He listened to Ella moving around his kitchen, and the knowledge that the men were closer than any of them liked sat in his chest like a second bullet.

Somewhere beyond the tree line his brothers were already running the lower ridge, scenting for the men who had decided his mate was fair game. Roman should have been with them. Every instinct he owned screamed to be out there, hunting the hunters.

Keep mate safe.

I know, the man answered.

He turned. She was still wearing his shirt and the sweatpants he’d given her earlier, chopping an onion Declan had brought. He moved to the counter, took the knife from her hand, and their fingers brushed. The wolf surged so hard he had to lock his knees to keep from doing something about it. He wanted those same small fingers wrapped around his cock. He wanted them digging into his back while he buried himself inside her. He wanted to lift her onto this counter, spread those lush thighs, and feast until she came on his tongue.

“Sit,” he said. “You’re still running on adrenaline and leftover fear.”

“Bossy.”

“Yes.”

She sat, but only after giving him a look that said she was allowing it, not obeying. Roman cracked eggs into a bowl, found the cast-iron skillet he used for most of his cooking, and set to work. He grated cheese and added it to the eggs along with the onion. Cooking settled his hands. It gave him something to do besides reach for her.

“Cage said they were on the lower ridge,” she said, watching him.