A Cursed Embrace(73)

The wolves obviously weren’t getting anywhere alone. A few of them finally realized as much and coordinated their efforts. Four jumped Shayna at once, with one successfully pulling her flag. It was impressive; he managed to hang on to it even after she broke his fingers. Koda whistled, bringing the test to an abrupt end. His group collapsed, clearly exhausted, and probably not looking forward to their hike back up to campus.

Shayna congratulated the flag-wielding wolf when we heard Gemini yell, “Freeze!”

A skinny little guy with bright red hair froze in an awkward position, inches from Taran’s flag. He had listened to Gemini’s order and stayed put.

Gem examined him closely. “Bryson, how did you manage to jump through fire and not get burned?”

Taran answered for him. “There was no fire, baby. It was an illusion. This kid is the only one who figured it out.” She motioned to Bryson and stuck out her hip. “Go on, you can take it.” She offered the flag. The love-struck kid reached out, but stopped when Gem glared down at him like he might rip out his spleen. “It’s okay,” Taran insisted. “You deserve it.”

Bryson must have felt Taran’s attention was worth dying for, because he grabbed the flag and ran like the dickens. “I got it from the hot chick!” he yelled to the group of students, pumping his fist in the air.

Emme addressed one of Liam’s wolves. “You can have one of mine, too,” she said softly. “Out of everyone, you worked the hardest, no matter how tired you were.”

Liam agreed. “She’s right, Nehemiah. You showed tremendous heart and a great deal of skill.”

The wolf smiled shyly at Emme and took a flag. “Thanks. You did good, too.”

Koda put his arm around Shayna and addressed the remaining students. “Those who have flags, you earned a ride and your privileges. Everyone else, start running. I’ll meet you at the Den.” He kissed Shayna. “I’ll see you back home, baby.”

Shayna joined us as we collectively angled toward the path. I couldn’t help noticing she lacked a skip to her step, and the sadness that dulled Koda’s irises when she left his arms.

“That exercise went well,” Gemini said. “It tested their endurance and the skills they learned this past term. I’m impressed that the majority didn’t allow their beasts to dominate. That tells me they’ll maintain their focus in battle.”

Aric nodded. “Everything worked out better than I imagined. Hell, they did amazing considering they didn’t know what to expect from our girls.” Aric smiled at me. “Celia, maybe we can incorporate your evasive techniques for our graduates next year. You gave everyone a great chase.”

Aric said a few more things, but I was still stuck on the “next year” comment. Maybe I wasn’t his mate. But he’d introduced me to his pack and he’d refused to let me go.

I just prayed the year he anticipated wouldn’t be our last.





CHAPTER 20





I woke up at ten in the morning to an empty bed scattered with pillows and twisted sheets spilling over the sides. The gentle scrape behind the closed bathroom door told me Aric was shaving the beard he’d grown during his past week away from me. I found my discarded shirt and replaced the panties he’d torn off with his teeth. I’d missed him so much. His deep insatiable kisses and our multitude of romps throughout the night confirmed he’d missed me, too.

The blistering July sun brightened the room as I spread the drapes and opened the blinds. I thought to make the bed, but the tap of Aric’s razor against the white ceramic sink beckoned me to my wolf. His absence had left me restless and unable to sleep. And it wasn’t just because I desired him next to me. I feared what he hunted because of what, and how easily, it could kill.

A trail of bodies had led Aric and neighboring were packs as far out as Utah. Maybe I should have felt a sense of relief that the attacks had left the Tahoe region. My tigress warned against it. A demon lord and his vampires lurked somewhere out there. He and his legions continued to stalk, continued to feast. The escalating reports of missing men and women verified as much and promised more death.

I opened the double doors and stepped through, unable to stop the smile my Aric’s presence brought me. He was home. At least for the moment. And, more important, he and his Warriors remained safe. So I put aside my reservations and fears and continued toward him.

He grinned when he saw me. “Good morning, beautiful.”

My hair was mussed from our antics and my eyes puffy from lack of sleep. Still, I appreciated him believing so. I stepped behind him and hugged his waist. Aric’s clean, strong scent at the start of the day was at its most addicting. I kissed along the slope of his spine, making him groan. “Good morning, wolf.”