Page 53

SASHA

I slid into the front passenger seat, my mind muddled.

I felt numb but aware of Damon closing my car door before he circled around the front of the car and slipped behind the steering wheel.

The engine roared to life, and Damon drove the Jeep out of the parking lot and into the shadows of the night.

I stared out the window, not knowing what else to do… what to say. My tongue felt glued to the roof of my mouth, though my lips yearned to say something. But one glance at Damon had me thinking better on it.

The alpha male sat rigid in the seat, one hand gripping the steering wheel, the knuckles whitened.

Steel appeared to hone his expression, the harsh planes of his face outlined under the passing street lamps as we drove into the night.

Twin pools of amber glowed from under his brow, glaring ahead with intense focus.

I turned my gaze back to the window, letting out a soft gasp of air.

Snowflakes fell from the sky, the white powder caking to the road, kissing the side mirror, and the Jeep’s exterior.

We drove on without me knowing our destination.

Damon took the Jeep off the main road into town, winding down two-lane roads that stretched deep into the woods.

I found myself untroubled, as I watched the snowfall turn the landscape into a glistening pearly world.

Trees frosted in white and the grass looked like a shimmering carpet of snow.

My lips thinned as the landscape disappeared under a flurry of white, the snowfall thickening. Soon, white blotted out everything I gazed upon. My brow furrowed as dread sank in my gut.

The tires spun, the Jeep swaying to the right as it lost traction under the slick of snowy ice. A cuss exploded from Damon’s lips as he pulled the vehicle back into the center of the lane.

“It’s not safe to keep heading toward my clan in this weather. The blizzard is getting too damn strong,” Damon said.

I licked my lower lip, gathering courage. “What do you suggest we do?”

“There’s a cabin not too far away in this part of the territory. We’ll stay there for the night.” I shot him a questioning look, to which he replied, “It’s a place I like to go… when I need to think.”

I nodded as understanding dawned. The alpha in charge of leading a pack held the responsibility of protecting and ensuring the well-being of every life under their care.

Having peace was not easy to attain. An alpha held the weight of the world on their shoulders, their problems, and each pack mate’s.

That didn’t leave room for self-care and reflection to keep a stable mind.

I felt my own mind grow fragile sometimes, a weariness that clung to my shoulders, not easy to throw off.

Allowing the alpha werebear his needed space, silence descended once more in the cab of the Jeep.

The snow grew thick, myriads of white pelted the windshield.

The windshield wipers were no match for the large downpour of flakes.

Snow covered the windows like a white plume.

My heart pounded, a fine trail of sweat snaking down my spine, as I eyed Damon gripping the steering wheel like our very lives depended on it.

Which they did. I just wasn’t sure how to trust this werebear—this stranger—behind the wheel.

Through the sliver the windshield wipers provided against the blizzard, I could make out a dark structure within the tree line. Damon shoved the car into park.

“We’re here,” he said, turning off the engine. “Your wolf sight can see through this storm, right?”

I cocked my head. “Yes…”

“Then I suggest you make a run for it. It’s hella cold out there.”

After racing into the cabin, I slammed the door shut behind me.

My teeth chattered just from the quick drop in the temperature that had blasted me.

Moving away from the entranceway, I rubbed at my arms to draw in some warmth.

The door opened moments later, a rush of snow whirling into the room, before the door was closed once more.

Damon stood by the door, brow raised, flurries dusting the black of his shirt that stretched across his broad shoulders. He shook his head, stepping past me, and disappeared into a room at the rear of the cabin. I sniffed.

Well, excuse me if I can’t handle the cold like the werebears and their scraggly fur.

Damon approached with a thick blanket in hand, holding it out to me. Brow furrowed, I eyed his approach.

“Here.”

He draped the blanket over my shoulders. The embroidered edge spilled to the floor. I blinked up at him. The surprise must have shown on my face, because his full lips tipped in a sensual smirk.

“Wouldn’t want a frozen wolf as a statue in my cabin.”

A deep chuckle rumbled from him as Damon sauntered toward the little kitchenette off to the right of the cabin.

I scowled at his broad back before admiring the blanket.

It was hand-embroidered. A beige blanket with crimson diamonds along the fringes.

It looked like a well-loved blanket—the threading somewhat undone.

But it more than sufficed. A deep sigh emerged from me as the blanket’s warmth seeped through my skin, caressing my bones.

A rich smell touched my nose, and I drew the blanket’s fringe to my face, deciphering the scent.

Cedar musk with notes of smoke and spice.

This was Damon’s blanket. And one hundred percent unique to him.

I peered at him beneath my lashes. He set about rummaging through the pantry tucked into the corner, removing pots from under the cabinets.

He was a lumbering, bull-headed jackass of a bear—but he could be kind when he wished to be.

The knowledge was puzzling, and I gnawed on my lower lip, unsure what to think.

Damon reached an arm into the upper cabinet, and the movement caused the muscles in his back to ripple.

My eyes fastened on the corded muscle of his bare forearms and thick biceps.

My inner wolf stretched before rolling onto her back and exposing her belly, tail wagging.

The bitch was preening. My core pulsated, warmth pooling low in my abdomen.

Shit! Not now.

I clenched my thighs together, desperate to keep the warm, slick moisture from coating my thighs. Cold realization washed over me, leaving goosebumps in their wake.

My eyes darted to the leather two-seater couch in the tidied living room. Two lounge chairs flanked both sides of the couch. A red rug lay underneath the furniture, but the walls were bare. Shadows dwelled beyond the doorway to the room in the back of the cabin Damon had entered.

We were alone. Altogether alone.

No distractions, nothing to pass the time, or deter one another from… giving in.

My wolf yipped in glee, her tongue lolling out of her muzzle.

I swallowed hard, eyeing the front door. Would it be safer to take a chance in the blizzard?

“What would you like to eat?”

The rough rumble of Damon’s voice shot a zing of desire straight to my toes. I shivered. Clearing my throat, I asked, “What?”

Damon hadn’t missed the jolt of movement on my end. His eyes narrowed, nostrils flaring. His amber gaze shot to me, dropped to my thighs—more precisely, what lay between them.

My heart threatened to erupt through my ribcage. No doubt Damon could hear the frantic heartbeats. Smell my arousal.

Damon gave a hard blink and the fire of his eyes melted into a blue as dark as the ocean deep.

After a deep sigh, Damon asked, his voice deep and throaty, “What do you want to eat?” His eyes skated away from mine as he glanced back to the pantry. “I can make chowder, chicken soup, uh…ham sandwich.” He listed several other meals.

My brows shot up. Food? Food was the furthest thing from my mind. I knew that. So did Damon, by the way his nostrils flared, catching my wet heat. But food was a distraction. And I would take anything I could get.

“Uh… soup, chicken soup would be lovely.”

Damon jerked his head in a nod. “Right. Chicken soup it is.”

He set about grabbing carrots out of the fridge, along with celery, chicken, and various items.

I traced a toe along the wooden floors. As I stepped around the couch, I deposited my guns on the side table.

It seemed like we were staying for the long haul, so might as well.

I looked back around the living room. It didn’t feel right to sit on the couch and let Damon cook.

I was never one to sit on the sidelines, and I wouldn’t do it here.

“Do you need help?” I padded toward the kitchen.

Damon chopped the carrots faster. “Nah, I’m good.”

I eyed his fluid movements, the fine edge of the knife slicing through the carrots like a samurai blade. “Hey, I’d rather help. It doesn’t feel right that you’re cooking.” Ducking my chin, I added, “It’s my fault we’re stuck in this cabin to wait the blizzard out.”

Damon cocked his head.

I rolled my eyes. He was going to make me answer. “If we hadn’t detoured to the were-bar, then we would’ve been back in your territory earlier, and not stuck out here.” I sighed, folding my arms across my chest.

Happy now?

Damon’s eyes widened. “That’s not on you. You got the information you needed, yeah?”

I gave a nod. “More than I could’ve imagined. After you left, I spoke to a young witch.”

Damon raised a brow. “The head witch turned me away. She wouldn’t reveal the scent on the cloth. So I entered the bathroom to… freshen up, and a young witch by the name of Sandral followed me.”

Damon’s eyes darkened. “What did she do?”

I waved a hand. “Nothing. She actually offered to help.”

Damon rolled his eyes. “You can’t trust witches,” he scoffed. “What could she possibly have helped with?”

I frowned. “She confirmed that the scent on the cloth was Dark Fae.”

Damon blinked, then his brow furrowed as suspicion seemed to differ from his beliefs.