It stood poised at the top of the ravine almost exactly where she and Rose had tumbled over the edge. Slowly the wolf scanned the area and Elise resisted the urge to move backward, aware that any movement on her part would draw the beast’s attention. Thankfully, its gaze passed over her and fell upon Rose’s body. With a yip, the wolf made its way down the steep slope and nuzzled the corpse.
Biting her lip, Elise considered her options. She could stay hidden or call out for help, but she didn’t know who this person was. Were they a friend, someone just passing through, or possibly even an accomplice of Marla and Rose that she hadn’t yet heard of?
The decision was taken out of her hands when the wolf began to sniff around Rose’s body and then, obviously picking up her scent, began to head her way. Reaching around for her walking stick, Elise held it firmly in her hands. It wasn’t much protection, but it was better than nothing.
Closer and closer the wolf came. Elise could feel her heart beating faster and her palms becoming sweaty. She shifted her grip on the stick and raised it in preparation for swinging as hard as she could. The wolf stopped a few feet from her hiding spot and gave a whine. Licking her lips, Elise hesitated. It was a friendly, non-threatening greeting. She opened her mouth to speak, and then blinked. The wolf was looking directly at her and had the most incredible blue eyes.
The air shimmered and the wolf disappeared, only to be replaced by the best looking man she’d ever seen, after Kane. In fact, the man was almost a carbon copy of Kane, except for the eyes and a few very subtle variations in the slant of the nose and breadth of shoulder. This had to be the mysterious Ryne!
Chapter 32
The usual clatter of utensils filled the dining room as hungry pack members ate Helen’s culinary offering. Most had been outside since early morning, either helping to clean up the oil spill or patrolling the perimeter of the territory looking for signs of trespassers.
Kane sat at the head of the table, poking at his food, unable to eat. Elise was off to work by now and he couldn’t help but think of how badly they’d parted. Yesterday morning, he’d had such hopes when he’d come home early, leaving Franz temporarily in charge of the oil clean up. It had been her birthday and he’d been planning the day for quite some time; Ryne and his annoying childish pranks weren’t going to be allowed to spoil the day Kane had mapped out.
Staring blindly across the room, Kane reviewed how the day should have gone. He’d arranged for a private room at the Grey Goose where the two of them would have had an intimate meal together. His friend, Edward Mancini, had even had the chef make a special menu just for the occasion. When Elise finally finished her shift, Kane had thought he would meet her in the parking lot, blindfold her, and then bring her in through the private side door—Edward having assured him that Elise hadn’t yet seen the exclusive suites upstairs. She’d be so surprised by the luxurious surroundings; he could just imagine the look on her face when she saw the four poster bed, complete with a curtained canopy, the hot tub, the gold faucets in the bath...
After a leisurely meal, he would give her his presents. He smiled thinking how she’d react to the green sweater he’d bought. She’d mentioned it on one of her first days here, but probably never realized how closely he’d been listening to what she said. The sweater had been sitting on hold at the store for the last two weeks, with instructions to deliver it that morning so there was no chance of Elise accidentally finding it. Next, he’d planned on presenting her with a delicate gold bracelet he’d picked out to suit the fine bones of her wrist. It had a small wolf medallion hanging from it, inscribed with their names and the date of their mating.
For his last gift, he was planning on professing his feelings, thus giving her his heart. Kane knew he had always been cautious about opening up to anyone, but with Elise it was different. He felt comfortable sharing his inner self with her and wanted to ask if she’d blood-bond with him. Then, if everything went as he’d planned, they’d spend the rest of the afternoon making love and discovering each other’s most secret thoughts and feelings.
Of course, that was all a dream. Nothing had happened as he’d planned. Instead of an intimate afternoon of bonding, they’d spent the time arguing. He’d crossed all the lines, leaving her frightened and confused. Now, he wondered if she’d ever forgive him. The temptation to go poking about in her mind to discover how she was feeling was strong, but he knew he had no right. In ordinary circumstances, blood-bonded mates would think nothing of tiptoeing through each other’s thoughts, but he and Elise were hardly ordinary.