~ CARA ~
Natalie stood on the sidewalk behind me dressed in an elegant sweatsuit, her hair tied back and arms folded. My chest heaved with the rush of adrenalin from not knowing she was there. I should have scented her… shouldn’t I?
“How did you—”
“The wind was blowing the wrong way,” she said bluntly, then looked down at Ralf. “Who’s your friend?”
“He’s just…” I trailed off, frowning. “None of your business,” I said quickly. “What are you doing here?”
“I was looking for you.”
“Oh? Why?” I let go of Ralf’s head and folded my arms to mirror her.
“Because I need to talk to you.” She wasn’t smiling, but her tone wasn’t sharp. She l
~ CARA ~My entire body reacted to the sight and smell of him, looming over me there in the glare of the parking lot lights. My skin prickled, my breath got shallow, my belly tingled. And the hair on my arms stood up.Rig stared his face twisted and tense. He cleared his throat.“I heard Natalie calling, are you okay?” he asked quietly, his voice that low, husky hum that simmered in my belly.“I’m fine. I’m leaving. You guys have a good time,” I said quickly, then tried to step around him.But his hand shot out to curl around my stomach. “Cara, please—”“Don’t.”&l
~ RIG ~I'd realized Cara was close before the others. I'd been slow closing my side of the noose around this Night Walker because I was watching for her. But the wind was running in the wrong direction, and I got distracted by the creature. We finally cornered him.I could feel Cara was close, but after the guys called me to join the hunt, I wasn't paying enough attention. It wasn't until Charlie shifted and I heard Cara’s sharp intake of breath nearby that adrenaline flooded my system. I whirled, intending to get to her side, to calm her... Ralf always calmed her. But she was already running. And I could feel the jittering terror driving her forward.It was instinct. My mate was in need. I didn't even think.As my brothers shifted and raced afte
~ CARA ~Everything in me went still. I think my heart stopped.My thoughts, which had been spinning, babbling, racing, just… stopped.Rig crouched in front of me, his eyes so wide and pleading, his expression worried. He had his palms up and his mouth was moving… trying to soothe me.He was naked. And he was stunning. Every muscle clean and cut as if he’d been carved from marble. It should have freaked me out, but after everything else it seemed like such an insignificant detail.Rig was naked and he was—unsurprisingly—beautiful.I had bigger fish to fry.
~ CARA ~“Mates?” I asked breathlessly. He nodded. “Like… a couple?”“A pair,” he said quickly, wetting his lips with his tongue. “Among wolves it means that we’re always regarded as being a unit… Loyal. Committed. We belong to each other. That’s what you’re feeling, Cara. That’s what I’ve been feeling. I was so dumb—I didn’t want to accept it at first because of everything it could mean. But I couldn’t deny it. Once I realized…” He trailed off, clearing his throat. “When… when we accept each other and complete the bond it will get even stronger. Can you imagine it, Cara?” His hand was still extended towards me. It trembled slightly. He wanted me to take it. Even though he hadn’t said anything, it felt significant somehow. Like taking his hand was some kind of declaration.I wanted to touch him so badly I twitche
~ RIG ~“Thank God,” I whispered, then, unable to resist, I kissed her hair. “Don’t ever let go, Cara. I won’t. Just please… don’t ever let go.” I doubt I’d ever spoken a more genuine plea. It felt like I’d cracked my ribs and bared my heart and left it there, at her mercy.Cara trembled in my arms, but I could feel the tension in her fading as I held her. Then she nodded. “I won’t.” The whispered words fluttered against my chest and I wanted to howl with joy.Thank God. Thank God. Thank God.Relief washed through me like a wave. Even though I knew her acceptance would ultimately only increase the danger, I couldn’t find it in myself to care. In that moment all I could feel was joy and re
~ CARA ~Nothing seemed real.I stood just inside the door at Rig’s house, Rig right behind me, his warmth pressed against my shoulder. Mack was standing in the doorway into the kitchen, talking to Rig. Jack and Charlie had arrived right behind us. Apparently Natalie was on her way.I stood there, uncertain what to say.When Charlie edged past me, I flinched. Rig’s hand appeared on my arm and he leaned into my ear. “You’re safe here.”
~ CARA ~ The skin on the back of my neck prickled. Rig put a hand to my back, but I leaned around him to look at Natalie who’d just walked into the room looking gorgeous as usual, unwinding a scarf from around her neck, her cheeks pinked by the cold outside. The guys greeted her casually, which made me feel even tenser, but I swallowed it back. She’d been out in the forest with them—apparently completely unfazed by them being naked. She’d known them since they were kids. She was… one of them.
~ CARA ~Rig cleared his throat and I waited, holding my breath.“I’ll explain better later, but just think of… an old-boys system. The guys in power do everything they can to keep their power—they hold prejudice against anyone different, they exploit weaker wolves, they use their strength to hurt or even kill anyone who stands against them. It’s all about power-plays and—”“And won’t they do that to you, then?!” I asked, suddenly panicked. I hadn’t realized I’d grabbed his arm, until he turned his hand and entwined our fingers.&nb