“Yes, that’s what I said, isn’t it?”
“But why?”
“You intrigue me.”
“That’s not a reason.”
“Yes, it is.”
“You are very frustrating,” she laughed; surprised she still had it in her to. Around him, things just seemed a little better. Her reaction to him was confusing and Katalina added it to her mental list of things that just didn’t make sense.
“Am I?”
Shaking her head, Katalina wrapped her arms around herself, trying to get warm.
“You are cold,” he stated.
“A little.”
“Right, time for you to go back.” He scooped her into his arms.
“Put me down!”
Arne barked.
“Shush!” he growled at Arne. To her he said, “You’ll only do yourself more damage. I’ll carry you back.”
“You can’t just go around picking people up without permission!”
“Do you have a problem with me carrying you?”
“Well, yes,” she muttered.
“Why?” he asked.
“You have no clothes on!”
He laughed at her. It rumbled in his chest and did funny things to her heart.
“You’ll have to get used to that. Being naked is just part of life when you’re a shifter.”
“Aren’t you cold?”
“A little like this, but as a wolf, no. You’ll see how strong and resilient we are, after you’ve changed.”
“I’m not sure I want to be a wolf,” Katalina whispered, looking away from his face.
“Now that, Katalina, you have no choice in. Even if you lived away from the pack again, you’d still change. It’s a part of you, your blood. You’ll feel different after.”
“Hmm, if you say so.”
“I’ll leave you here. The young boy is coming.”
“Oh, okay,” she hesitated, not wanting him to leave.
He put her down and ran off.
“Wait!” she called to his distant figure.
He paused, his voice whispering through the trees. “Yes?”
Shit, what do I say? “What’s your name?”
“Bass, Bass Evernight.”
“Bass Evernight,” she whispered, liking the sound of his name.
“See you soon, Katalina Winter.” His promise wrapped around her, like silk against skin. She held it close to her heart, wondering when they’d next meet.
Chapter 4
“Kat? Kat, are you out here?”
“Over here, Toby,” Katalina shouted, dragging her eyes from the spot Bass had just been.
“Kat, are you okay?” he asked, running toward her. “What are you doing out here? Your dad is going crazy!”
“He’s not my dad, Toby.”
He frowned at her. “Okay, let’s get you back inside. Can you walk?”
“Yes, if you help me.”
As they neared the house, Cage appeared with a look of worry on his face.
“Thank God,” he muttered, lifting Katalina off her feet.
“Damn it! Put me down! What is it with wolves and their lack of respect for personal space?”
“You’re injured, Kat, and I’ve only made— Wait, what do you mean wolves? Who else are you referring to?””
Oops… Cage leaned forward as if to smell Katalina. Oh no you don’t!
Leaning away she snapped angrily, “give me some space, Cage, and stop changing the subject. It’s not your fault I want to leave.”
“But if I didn’t give you that money—”
“Whoa, hold on a minute. You helped her!” Toby exclaimed.
“Shut it, dweeb. Not a word to anyone, got it?”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever…I can’t believe you helped her and then acted as if you knew nothing in front of Jackson.”
“Well, I wasn’t going to just tell him I’d given her bus fare, was I? Jackson would have ripped me a new one.”
“Helloo, can you please put me down?” Katalina said, annoyed.
“Yes, as soon as you are off the snow. I should have never let you go. I forgot you’re practically as weak as a human””
“Hey, rude much!”
“Sorry, but until you’ve changed, you’ll not have the strength of your wolf.”
“Katalina!” Jackson shouted, his face nearly as red as his hair.
“Great,” Katalina muttered. “I’ve changed my mind. Get me into the bedroom as fast as possible.”
Cage smiled at her. “Your wish is my command!”
“What were you thinking? You could have damaged yourself further, or worse, been killed! Never leave this house again without permission!”
Katalina put her head against Cage’s shoulder, muttering, “Asshole.”