Page 63 of Fractured Mates
I wanted to hate her, my wolf says quietly as he closes the distance between us and them. Yet her soul is bright and pure, a beacon calling us home.
For as bloodthirsty as Sophie is, I can understand what my wolf is saying. There is something innocent within her eyes. A younger version of her begging for another chance to live a different life. One I hope to be able to give her.
The two wolves touch heads, eyes closing and just soaking in the moment together. I wish we had more time, but they’ll have to get to know each other better another day, in another forest.
We will have all the time in the world, my wolf agrees as he breaks the contact.
Though it’s Sophie’s wolf who begins sprinting ahead first. We follow after, gladly watching her six and listening for anyone else getting too close.
The sounds of wolves are nearer, but until I can pick up a scent, I don’t deter Sophie from her plan. She’s been right so far, and I want her to continue to be.
Within five minutes, we’re at the back side of the cabin. The window is closed, and it shouldn’t be if nobody else went in there after we fled. My heart sinks, but still, I follow Sophie’s lead and shift back to my human form.
She doesn’t wait for me as she creeps around the side of the house, inching her way toward the front door. Her eyes are constantly moving, and I watch in awe as she stops, listens, and only proceeds once she considers the potential consequence of each step she takes.
When she turns back to me, I’m right behind her and give her a nod of approval that seems to have the tension in her shoulders loosening slightly.
Sophie gets to the front of the cabin, and neither of us senses anyone close enough to be concerned with. At least not yet, but I have a feeling that will change soon if we don’t find the bag of concealment spells that I left behind.
When we get to the entry, I twist the handle, surprised the lock hasn’t been busted, but then again, I don’t remember locking it once I put up the cloaking spell before.
Before stepping in all the way, I listen and scent out the cabin. With magic no longer present, it’s easy to confirm the place is empty. Still, there could be a trap waiting inside. Being aware of that possibility has me moving forward carefully.
I’m not sure what I expect as we get farther into the small space, but finding everything exactly how it had been before isn’t it.
Had Astor’s wolves not circled back to check the cabin? If we were no longer there, I guess they wouldn’t have had a reason, but still, I would have if it had been me.
They lost several wolves that night, mine points out. Maybe it was an oversight.
Or maybe it’s a trap.
Regardless, if we can find my bag, the trip out here won’t be a waste. Thinking back to a few days ago, I recall having first gone to the table to set my stuff down before searching the cabin. When I was done, I grabbed my supplies and headed toward the couch.
As long as nobody has really been here, then this should be easy.
Getting to the couch with Sophie still beside me, I don’t see my bag on the cushions. My shoulders drop, and I turn to tell her that we need to go, but she’s still moving.
She starts to search around the living room, and I go back to the kitchen in case I’m remembering things wrong thanks to the chaos of the last few days.
Even with my hope lessening, I continue to look around, but two passes through the other side of the house and I come up empty.
I enter back into the living room to tell Sophie we need to go, we’ve already been here too long, but she’s nowhere to be seen.
My heart starts to race, and there’s a roaring in my head that I can’t seem to get under control.
Outside, my wolf snarls. Follow the bond.
In my panic, I forgot that we’re connected now. I don’t even need to follow the bond. I can just speak with her.
Where the fuck did you go? Apparently, I’m still not calm, even knowing that I can reach her without seeing her.
“Easy, lover boy,” she jokes, entering through the front door. “I found the bag and concealed the cabin myself since you were in the bedroom.”
I’m rather certain she’s trying to kill me by continually putting herself at risk, but I also know there’s no changing her. So, instead of bitching about her not at least communicating telepathically with me, I close the distance between us and wrap my arms around her.
My nose goes to her neck, and I take a deep inhale. The desire to mark her surges to the forefront of my thoughts, but I keep my inner beast at bay. This isn’t the time.
“You can hold me in bed,” she says with a smile on her face as she pulls back. “We got up way too early for the day. I either need a nap or food, and considering we don’t know how the rest of the day is going to go, sleep is probably the better choice.”