Page 17 of Fated to the Wolf Cowboy

Two people laughed.

“We shouldn’t be laughing. It’s not funny.”

“Millie thinks he’s having a nervous breakdown or something. Maybe the pressure of the new farm is too much for him.”

“Stop spreading rumors. There has to be more to it than that.”

“The whole Pack is talking about it. I mean she’s a horse.”

“That’s enough, ladies. How’s my patient?” a male voice interrupted.

“Vitals are holding,” one of the gossiping girls said.

I wanted to open my eyes and see where I was so I could start formulating my escape plan, but I didn’t dare move. I hadto force my heart to beat normally and continue steady breaths. I didn’t want to do anything to alert them to the fact that I was awake.

“Come on, let’s let my patient rest,” the man said.

I listened as they shuffled out the door and waited until the latch clicked closed before I opened my eyes.

“I suspected as much. Hello, Tricia.”

I jumped and scrambled into a ball at the top of the bed.

It dawned on me that I was back in my skin and my leg was no longer hurting.

“How do you know my name?” I asked him.

“The boys found a backpack near where they found you. I assumed it was yours.”

“My money. I need that back. It’s mine.”

“You’ll get it back, and I promise no one has touched your things. You’re a long way from home, Tricia. Want to tell me what you were doing out there on the range?”

“That’s none of your damn business.”

He held up my shoes, a comfy pair of red sole heels. They were my absolute favorite. I couldn’t leave them behind. It was the one nice thing I owned.

I scowled at him. “Give those back!”

“Not exactly footwear for Wyoming.”

His eyes were softened by the smile on his face as he teased me. I didn’t feel anything threatening coming from him and I didn’t believe he’d actually keep my shoes.

“Wyoming? Is that where I am?”

“Collier, Wyoming,” he clarified.

“Collier Pack,” I muttered.

“Exactly.”

I wracked my brain trying to remember anything I could about them, but there was nothing. I’d heard the name before as a Pack that existed and nothing more.

Wyoming? No wonder the place was so desolate.

I couldn’t remember much of what happened—cowboys, a horse, pain. Lots of pain.

“You fixed my leg?”