Miles was no longer next to her, but he materialized quickly. “How’s the leg?” he asked as he squatted beside Rebecca, wrapping his arms around her to lean into Griffen’s line of sight.
“Seems good. I’ll live.”
“Great. I’d like to get going as soon as possible.” He handed Rebecca something. “Eat this. Glad you carry more than one.”
She twisted in his arms, her face suddenly bright red. She lifted her chin over his shoulder to peer behind him. “Where is everyone?”
“They left already.”
“What?” The alarm in her voice was unmistakable. “Sharon wouldn’t leave me.”
Miles grinned at her. “Trust me. She didn’t want to. Took some convincing.” He tugged her closer in his embrace as Griffen pulled himself upright and tested his hind leg. It was sore. He knew the damage had been extensive for it not to heal by morning. Hell, he’d seen the blood with his own eyes. There was no doubt he’d have scars.
“Why?” Rebecca asked.
Miles took the protein bar from her hands and opened it, setting it back in her palm. “Eat.”
She glanced at the bar and then back at him.
“Yeah. I’m not sure she’s used to being told what to do,” Griffen communicated to Miles.
Miles rolled his eyes. “Listen, love, we have quite a hike this morning back to my truck. I drove as far as I could, but we still have to hike back to it. You need the energy.”
She took a bite. “Fine, but tell me why we separated.”
“We’re going a different direction than them. And they have a long hike ahead of them. Ten miles back to the cars.” Miles nodded in the opposite direction. “We’re heading that way. It’s half that far to my truck.”
Griffen watched as Rebecca took another bite. Her brow was furrowed. “Wouldn’t it have been better for me to go with the others?”
He flinched, not the least bit sorry his friend and now mate had to field all the questions.
Miles visibly swallowed. “They were covering most of the ground in wolf form, love.” He brushed a loose lock of her thick gorgeous hair off her face.
“I would have slowed them down,” she muttered. Then she lifted her gaze. “I’m going to slow you down.”
Miles nodded at Griffen. “Not with gimpy here. He’s got to make his way out on three legs with a limp.”
Rebecca turned toward Griffen and set her hand on his head, rubbing it through his fur. “Are you sure he’s okay?”
“Says he is.”
“Right.” She jerked her hand back. “Forgot about your whole telecommunicating thing. That’s weird.”
“Weirder than the fact we’re wolf shifters?” Miles chuckled.
“Well, no. Guess not.” She glanced down at his hands wrapped around her middle.
Griffen was tired of watching the display.
“You’re constantly touching me.”
“I like touching you.” Miles leaned in and kissed her neck. “You smell fantastic.”
She flinched, her gaze landing on Griffen, who fought the urge to lay his teeth into his friend. “You’re confusing the fuck out of her. Stop it.”
“What does Griffen think about you touching me?” She spoke to Miles, but her eyes were locked on Griffen’s.
He didn’t know what to do, so he leaned his head down and nuzzled her chin.
“He likes touching you too.”
Griffen groaned in Miles’ head.
Miles squeezed Rebecca. “Sorry. I’m not playing nice. I promise we’ll explain all this to you as soon as possible. Let’s get down the mountain and deal with one thing at a time. It’s not fair of me to speak for Griffen.”
Rebecca squirmed and pushed at Miles until she broke free. She jumped to her feet. “Explain what? All of this is just weird. On so many levels. This entire thing is strange. I need sleep. Or maybe I have been asleep for two nights.”
“Good dream? Or bad dream?” Miles asked with a grin.
She threw her wrapper at him and stuffed the rest of her bar in her mouth. As she stomped toward the edge of the trees, Miles called after her. “Stay close enough I can see you, Rebecca.”
“What is your brilliant plan now, stud?” Griffen asked. He’d give anything to shift and face his mate in human form, but he knew it wasn’t safe yet. He needed a few more hours in wolf form.
“Head to my house. Then find my grandmother.”
“And why are we looking for your grandmother?”
Miles grabbed his pack and Rebecca’s, pulled them closer, and stuffed their belongings inside.
“She’s a shaman. A medicine woman.” Miles didn’t meet Griffen’s gaze. He looked over his shoulder repeatedly to make sure Rebecca was okay, but he didn’t look at Griffen.