After a few steps, Katalina realized she’d be unable to run back to the house. Although her leg was healing well, she knew she shouldn’t have been going so far on it.
Bass was suddenly besides her. “Kat, your leg, why didn’t you tell me? I should have never let you walk here. I’m not used to being around people who do not heal almost instantly.” He picked her up.
“Bass, Cage could be watching.” Her heart stuttered at their closeness and his strong arms cradling her body.
“Let him watch. I won’t have you damaging yourself further.” She didn’t have time to protest; he started to run, Arne following.
He carried her as if she weighed nothing. When he reached the house, he wasn’t the least bit out of breath. Bass kissed her before standing her upright. “Goodnight, Katalina.”
She watched him run back and melt into the shadows.
“Come on, boy. It’s time for bed,” she said, opening the front door with a smile.
That night, Katalina had no trouble falling to sleep. Bass filled her dreams, keeping the burning nightmares at bay.
Chapter 8
Cage went from completely ignoring Katalina to never leaving her side. She knew it was to do with Bass; not that he knew that. All he knew was there were strange scent trails in the surrounding woods and he’d smelled them near her. He’d no real evidence she’d been with Bass, but he was planning on finding some.
She hated him constantly watching her. Every move she made, he watched. Toby noticed, too; she’d overheard them arguing. Toby seemed to think his brother had ‘lost the plot’. He’d tried talking to Katalina about it but Cage had found them before he’d had the chance.
Normally, Katalina wouldn’t have minded Cage’s company. He’d been happy and caring since she’d first met him. Now he seemed edgy; he crowded her and snapped easily. He was finally cracking under the expectations put on him at far too young an age.
It was the night before the full moon when he finally found some evidence. Katalina had woken early in the morning. The night sky was clear and the almost full moon bright. Sneaking the first bit of alone time she’d had in days, she went outside, wrapped in a blanket. Arne scrambled about in the snow, running back to Katalina on the porch steps every so often. The peace was wonderful and she’d felt herself relaxing for the first time since Bass had left. But her peace was shattered when the front door opened; Cage joined her on the steps, his suspicious eyes scanning the woods.
“Kat, what are you doing?” he demanded.
“I was enjoying some alone time,” she answered in the same harsh tone he’d used.
“I’ve told you, someone is out there. Get inside. It’s not safe!”
She chose to ignore him. If he was going to talk to her like she was a child, she’d act like one. She knew it wasn’t the best plan, but it was the only one she had.
“Kat, I said inside!” He pointed to the door and Katalina laughed. “I’m being serious!”
“Really? I couldn’t tell.” She continued watching Arne.
When she didn’t move, Cage walked the two steps between them and roughly dragged Katalina to her feet. Arne’s head snapped up and he gave a warning growl.
“Cage, get off me! What makes you think you have the right to treat me like this?”
“I’m protecting you!”
“How is hurting me, protecting me? The way you’ve been lately, I’ll be pleased when I never have to spend a minute with you again!” Kat shouted, pulling away from him; the blanket around her slipped to the porch floor.
The anger suddenly left him and a look of horror crossed his face. “You’re right.” He bent to pick up her blanket. “I’m sorry…” He stopped mid-sentence and brought the blanket to his face, breathing deeply.
The anger returned to his face. His body trembled with rage as he towered over her. Arne, sensing his sudden mood change, jumped up onto the porch pushing himself between them.
“Who is he, Kat?” he growled at her.
“Who?” Katalina worked hard to keep the fear out of her voice.
“The fucking guy whose scent is on this blanket!”
Arne snapped at Cage’s legs, growling and gave a loud warning bark. Cage took a step back but didn’t seem at all bothered.
“Cage, you are being ridiculous. I have no idea what you are talking about.”
“I can smell the lie, Kat, and I can smell him on here.” He thrust the blanket at her, making her stumble back. “I’m not stupid, Kat. You’ve been seeing someone and you are going to tell me who he is. Now!”
For the first time since she’d met Cage, she felt frightened; her heart stuttered, eyes widening as she looked at him. Eyes lit with rage, jaw clenched and hands balled tightly, she wondered what he was capable of. She also wondered what he’d do if she shouted for help. As if reading her mind, he took a step to the side, blocking her way back inside. Grinding out through his clenched jaw, he said, “Don’t even think of shouting, Kat. I’m a lot quicker than you.”