Page 35

It’s a foreign feeling having my cheek tug up into a smile watching her.
Normal.
Is this what it feels like?
No. Not for me.
My chest aches. I’ll never have that.
Cold sweat prickles over my skin under the heat of the sun. When it’s just me and the dogs, I can almost fool myself into thinking I’m alone by choice.
The truth hurts so much more.
My stomach growls in harmony with my poisoned heart.
A low whistle and the beasts pulling the cart slip out of their harnesses and bound for the shimmering lake beside us.
“We’re stopping?” Her voice dances on the breeze as she wanders closer.
The top of her head is pink from the sun. Small freckles dot her flushed cheeks as she looks up at me.
I never noticed them before.
“Yea. I didn’t think we should push too hard. Figured you might still be sore and could use a break.”
Her hands brace on her slim hips and she arches her back with a low groan, pushing the round edges of her breasts to the limits of the torn collar of her faded blue shirt. A bead of sweat rolls down her throat to follow the ‘V’ and disappears beneath the hem.
Stop looking. I’m just torturing myself.
“I guess I’m still a little stiff.” The tilt of her full lips teases a smile.
Did she see me staring? I’m an idiot.
I’ll see if I can find some snacks instead. There’s a stash of granola bars in one of these bags.
The beating of her heart gets closer until I can feel the heat of her body sizzling next to mine. “There wouldn’t happen to be any toothbrushes and soap in there? I’d love to go for a swim and I think my shirt can stand up on its own if I let it.”
An image of her naked with her clothes looming nearby rattles me.
“Oh, shit. I’m sorry, I have some extra clothes in here. I should have offered.” My elbow grazes the bare skin of her upper arm. A current of raw panic runs through me and I jerk away.
“Easy, Benji. I don’t think my stink is contagious.” She squints as she looks up at me, precariously close, but not touching. “As jumpy as you are, I bet the dirt can’t stay on you.”
“I’m not used to having company.” How can I tell her I’ll kill her with a touch? There’s a part of me that’s dragging my feet on revealing the truth. It will forever change how she looks at me. Next time, it would be a reversal of our roles. A random brush would have her jumping away in fear.
She tucks her shoulder and bumps me purposefully in the ribs. “Well, get used to it.” Grabbing the soap from my hand beforeI can say a word, she bounces her way down the same path the dogs took to the lake.
Heavy footsteps crackle the dried pine needles as Alpha approaches. I can tell it’s him from the smell of decomposing meat that rides his long fur.
“You should mark her.” His chest rumbles. One of the rotting arms is hoisted by his clawed hand and he takes a bite from the meat of the bicep.
“I can’t do that.” I’ll never repeat my mistake with Angie. Reliving that nightmare with someone else is something I don’t think I’ll survive.
His teeth grind before he gulps the putrid flesh. “If you don’t do it before the rest of the pack gets here, you know one of them will.”
An image of one of the dogs mounting her from behind makes my stomach roll. “That’s not gonna work, man. I’ll take her to a town. She’ll be able to go where she wants to then.”
He sits on his haunches and tilts his head, reminding me of Sam’s heeler. His amber eyes burn into me as he bares one of his long canines before raising his meal back to his bloody mouth.