Page 103

Slowly he stood and walked away, even as Blaidd's wolf charged towards them through a gap in the bushes.

The undergrowth exploded behind them.

Fae barely had time to turn before a massive grey wolf slammed into her, knocking her flat onto her back with a heavy whump that drove the air from her lungs.

"Bla—!"

The word dissolved into a muffled noise as fur filled her mouth.

Blaidd's wolf was everywhere at once—pacing over her, rubbing hard along her sides, pushing his scent into her neck, her shoulders, her hair. He pressed his weight down until she couldn't move, one enormous paw planted firmly across her shoulders, pinning her beneath his chest despite her sputtering protests.

"Blaidd…get…off!"

He ignored her completely.

A deep, frantic rumble vibrated through his chest as he buried his muzzle against her throat, her hair, her cheek. He inhaled sharply again and again, as though memorising her scent. His heartbeat beat like a drum against her.

Then he began licking her face.

"Stop! Stop it!" she spluttered, coughing fur out of her mouth while trying to shove the immovable wall of wolf pressing her into the forest floor.

The moment stretched—panic pouring out of him in scent and sound and sheer crushing weight.

Then, abruptly, the wolf shifted.

And for the third time in as many weeks, there was suddenly a whole lot of very naked man on top of her, still holding her down and squeezing the life out of her in a fierce embrace.

"Where were you?" Blaidd demanded hoarsely. "Where? I couldn't— I couldn't—"

His hands moved over her shoulders, her arms, her face, frantic and searching.

"Fae, look at me." His voice broke. "Are you hurt? I can't smell blood. Are you hurt?"

She coughed again, pushing damp hair out of her face and shoving at his chest. "No, but you will be if you don't get off," she wheezed. "You're crushing me."

He froze, blinking as though only just realising their position, then scrambled upright in one quick motion.

Fae sat up slowly, still catching her breath, and shot him an exasperated look. "I'm fine."

He was still searching her face, still holding her shoulders as though she might vanish if he let go.

"Where were you?" he asked again, voice rough with the last of his panic.

Fae held his gaze for a long moment.

Then, slowly, her lips curved into a small, mysterious smile. "Get dressed," she said.

Confusion flickered across his face, but he released her reluctantly and reached for his clothes. He dragged his trousers on with quick, impatient movements, still watching her as though afraid she might disappear the moment he blinked.

Fae turned her head, pretending to busy herself with fastening her tunic. She tried very hard not to be distracted by his muscled butt and thighs like tree trunks.

She could feel his presence the way she always did—warm and unmistakably him. Every line of his body was achingly familiar to her, every movement tugging at something deep in her soul…and also somewhere slightly down south. She focused on tying her laces instead, forcing her attention away before he noticed the way her eyes lingered.

"Fae," he said, a question.

"I'm fine," she replied, still looking at him but smiling as a plan formed. "I promise. Let's go home." She took is hand without explanation and started the walk home.

Blaidd followed, still trying to read her expression, still slightly breathless from the fear that had not fully left him.