Another whine and this time he caught her ear in his teeth and held for a moment, exerting enough pressure for her to feel the bite but not enough to wound. Never to wound. She ducked her head again, then rubbed her muzzle to his chest. An apology.
Feral or not, the wolf would learn.
Releasing her, he tapped his leg and she rose to stand next to him. “Thank you,” he said. “Stay with me and no running off.” His wolf snarled at him and raked claws along his skin. Yes, he wanted to chase her, too. But he had other problems and a winded second to look after.
Luc pushed away from a tree at their approach and scowled at her. “Glad to see that went well.”
“Better for me than for you.” He clapped a hand on his shoulder, but stopped Colby before she could press against him. “No,” he told her. “I know you want to fix it, but no.” The pull against him diminished and she shook her head. Healing Luc the night before had been a spontaneous act, one that knocked her on her ass. Too much too quickly could hurt her and they didn’t understand enough of her ability. “Gillian will take care of him.”
Her lips peeled away from her teeth.
“And when a female sounds that jealous, I’m out.” Luc backed away from him.
Brett chuckled. “Gillian has a mate.”
The snarl ceased and she gave him a dour look. He missed Colby’s sense of humor.
“Let’s go.” He told her and glanced at Luc. “You up for the walk?”
“I’m fine.” His best friend lied and Colby sneezed. Luc didn’t even try to pretend he hadn’t lied. “As long as we’re walking.”
“What set off her shift?” He asked as they headed back. Colby ranged around them, but she never went far and if she got ahead of them, she paused to check where he was. His wolf pushed him to keep up, and he held him back.
“You leaving I think. She was upset. I went in when I heard her shifting.”
That would be a problem when the Russians got there unless…his wolf hated the idea before it even formed. They could order her to sleep. Knock her out so she wouldn’t know he was gone. Like the animal inside him, he hated the idea of taking her choice.
The thought of losing her though? His wolf’s upset abated. They would not lose her. No, we will not.
Chapter Eighteen
“What should I expect?” Owen stood next to him on the front porch. Beyond the trees, the sun set over the river.
“The worst.” After returning to the house, Colby’s wolf paced every floor, but she refused to settle. Even now she stood next to them, staring at the descending sun. “Trent’s family is at the house?”
“Yes, Gillian is with them along with the two Hunters you assigned to Trent.” Another half dozen roamed Story Pointe with three others specifically assigned to the trio of houses on his property. The Russians were in the state and on their way toward Story Pointe. Duncan texted thirty minutes before. They’d make it to the spot Brett would meet them within the hour.
He had to go. “Colby will listen to you, won’t you Colby?”
The wolf didn’t look at him, but he knew he had her attention. Her ears flicked toward him, then she leaned into his leg. Power welled through him at every contact. Electricity danced along his nerves and his wolf rubbed against the inside of his skin. What he wouldn’t give to simply change and take her for a run. Let her really stretch her legs and explore.
Soon. He promised them both.
“You should claim her,” Owen said in a low voice. “Before someone else does it for you.” The hint of teasing beneath the dead serious tone made him grin. He’d threatened Owen similarly when he’d first met Gillian. The submissive healer had been absolutely crazy for Owen, but the stubborn Hunter had been intent on resisting her for whatever reason.
“I will,” he scratched the fur at her nape. He would, but to claim her before he went into battle? The Russian wolves were dangerous, period. He’d survived his first encounter because it had been a desperate battle waged between two wolves on one. Tonight, he would fight the challenger alone. Colby’s wolf was too feral, too new. If he mated her, claimed her truly, then died on her?
No. Better she survived.
“If the worst happens, take them all to Mason. Luc will come for them when it’s safe.”
Not arguing, Owen nodded. When Brett stepped off the porch, Colby’s wolf tried to follow him but he stopped her with a raised palm. She whined, but backed up one step then another.
Facing his mate, he said, “If you try to follow, Owen will not be as nice as Luc. He cannot be taken from his mate.” Then because Colby responded better to suggestions than orders, he added, “Help him protect them.”