Page 41 of Can’t Help Growling in Love (Harmony Glen #9)

Chapter

Twenty-Eight

ASHER

I wait in the shadows, hidden behind a maple tree. Its trunk isn’t thick enough to conceal me, but June won’t see me, not in this darkness.

“Asher?”

She calls my name from the kitchen, and I nearly break cover and run to her. My mate is calling me, and it’s almost enough to cut through my need.

But no—she’s smart. She’ll find the note and know immediately what’s going on.

I watch her as she notices the piece of paper I taped to the window. She squints into the night, trying to find me.

Any moment now, she’ll run out into the garden, searching for me.

Then June turns on her heels and disappears into the hallway. I straighten, straining my ears to listen for any sounds—and almost miss the quiet click of the front door opening.

She’s running. Away from me? Did she get cold feet? Will the rumble of my truck’s engine follow as she tries to escape what will inevitably happen when I catch her?

A blur of lighter gray to my right. It’s her, plunging into the undergrowth at the side of my property.

I grin, relief punching through me at the sight.

Clever mate .

She knew I’d be waiting. Knew I’d catch her within seconds if she came out the back door.

My howl pierces the night quiet. A flock of crows takes off from the trees behind me, cawing loudly. Silence descends, and I listen, standing statue-still.

There .

A crack of a twig, a rustle of leaves. And the scent of honey, carried over on the wind.

June is running from me, and I will always follow.