Winter Wolf(62)

Katalina felt the change ripple through her body and ran forward on two feet, reaching him as Bass’s knees buckled from under him.

“Bass!” she gasped, her hands reaching for him.

“I’m fine. I’m fine,” he murmured as she held him in her arms, her eyes scanning every inch of him for a mortal wound. “Using that much strength took it out of me, that’s all.”

“I don’t understand. What just happened? How did you do that?”

His eyes met hers. “Another time, Katalina. We are still in danger.”

Katalina’s head turned to see the angry glint of wolf eyes watching them. Jackson changed, his tall broad frame towering over them.

“Katalina, step away from him!”

“No!” she shouted back. “He’s just saved all of you, yet you still can’t see through your hatred!” She positioned herself in front of Bass, staring Jackson in the eyes, showing him how fierce and resolute she was, showing him she wouldn’t back down.

“Kat!” Bass hissed, dragging her behind him.

“You haven’t got time for this, Jackson!” Karen’s stern voice forced Jackson to look away. “Take a look at your people, Jackson. Are you pleased with what you’ve accomplished?”

She was bent over Toby, her hands quickly and gently assessing him. “Cage, quickly now! Bring him inside.” Karen said one last thing before the door shut behind her, “I need help, Jackson, if you’d like no more of River Run to die.”

Jackson didn’t move but he bellowed orders from where he stood. “Cage! Call your fath—”

Cage appeared in the doorway, phone to his ear. “I’m already on it! He says they’ve nearly put out the fire behind us. It doesn’t seem to be spreading because of the snow. He has every available pack member he could get hold of.”

“Good. Help Karen. William, drag your ass inside and have that leg seen to.”

He turned his attention back to Katalina. “Katalina, you’re not going anywhere.”

Katalina straightened back up and pulled the jumper she’d picked up over her head. Bass returned to her seconds later, his jeans hung low on his hips.”

“I will do as I please. But if you wish to talk, I’ll listen.”

He opened his mouth as if to speak.

“First you can put on some clothes! In your world, it may be just fine to talk to your daughter naked, but in my world, they’d lock you up.” She put her hands on her hips and glared.

“Fine!” Jackson huffed. He turned on his heel and stomped back into the house.

Katalina laughed. “I swear, sometimes he acts like a child.”

“Katalina, it may be in our favor if you could maybe not wind him up further,” Bass scolded with a smile. “Here, I found your jeans. They're a little wet but…”

Katalina took the jeans, pulling them on, and then stretched up on her toes, kissing him silently. “I ever tell you how much I love you?”

His hands gripped her hips, branding her bare skin. “Possibly, but maybe you should demonstrate how much later?” His voice was like gravel grazing over her skin, making her tummy flutter with anticipation.

This is what Katalina loved most about Bass. No matter the situation, no matter the danger they were in, it took only one touch for them to be in their own world, for nothing to matter but their hushed secret whispers, heated stares, and consuming love.

“Kat!”

Katalina sighed, breaking away from Bass. She took hold of his hand and walked him toward Jackson. “Time to face the music,” she muttered.

“Play nice,” Bass whispered into her ear, “and I’ll reward you later.”





Chapter 24



They walked toward Jackson, hands linked together. Katalina could see the tension in every fiber of Jackson’s body—from the rigid set of his jaw, to his knuckles strained against white skin. She pressed herself closer to Bass, trying to gain control of the anxiety churning inside of her.

As if sensing her feelings, Bass squeezed her hand. “I’m right here,” he whispered.

Katalina took her eyes off Jackson for just the barest of seconds. She lifted the corner of her mouth slightly, squeezing his hand back. Her eyes met his, the tension dropping from her face, but then Katalina was wrenched away from Bass. The space between them like a tear within her soul.

The wolf within her stood up, raising hackles, and drove Katalina to react. She pulled back from Jackson’s grip, her free hand swung up, palm open, slapping him across the face. The noise from the impact vibrated through the air. Jackson stood speechless, his hand slowly pressing against the red patch that had formed on the side of his face.