Chapter Two

CYRUS

Cyrus couldn't contain his wolfish grin as the woman he'd followed into the woods snapped a curse to rival any sailor's.

Her hair was repeatedly getting snagged on the brambles and she had leaves in her hair. She looked like a feral nymph. But despite the leaves and thorns there was no denying she was gorgeous. Creamy skin, rich dark hair that glowed mahogany in the waning winter light. Gorgeous, and suspicious.

She wasn't moving like she was taking a stroll through the woods for pleasure. No, her gait was much too furtive. And if she was here for a pleasant stroll, he couldn't imagine she'd be doing it through the thickest most impenetrable area of the forest.

The way she kept looking around her like she was worried someone was watching what she was doing even though no one was out there was strange as well.

Well, to be fair, he was out there watching, but she didn't know that.

But as far as he could tell, she wasn't doing anything illicit. So why the strange behavior?

It was mysterious. And he was too curious by half to let this little mystery go.

When he and his had first arrived in this territory he had told them he wanted to get the lay of the land. Do some exploring. Lucas had declined to come, already busy preening in front of some local girls. And Sorin predictably, had just shook his head no, choosing instead to brood as he so often had been doing.

Cyrus was worried about him but there wasn't anything he could do for him currently so he left him alone to his dark thoughts.

He had shifted to wolf form he took to the trees to watch the fan fare of their arrival die down. Once he and his brothers were out of sight many of the wolves went back to their daily tasks quickly. He had a sneaking suspicion that the Earthen Alpha had an overly firm hand over his pack.

Cyrus had been about to change back and go find his brothers, or maybe a nice piece of tail to keep him company while they got settled. But then he saw her.

She looked so angry. Angry at the world maybe, or her pack. Surely not at their arrival. They were probably the best thing to happen in this region in ages.

But regardless, she was angry and he was curious. He'd been about to approach and ask her about it but she'd turned tail and slipped into the forest

So he followed her. And had been following her for what feels like hours. Her smooth gait had easily mesmerized him and time lost all meaning.

She very obviously wasn't a hunter though. The racket she was making as she traversed through the bushes scared away every deer for miles around.

If it turned out she was doing something truly private, like bathing, he'd turn back. But until then, he didn't see the harm in following the little morsel. Just a little friendly stalking.

And she really was very pretty. Maybe he could have some fun with her.

He and his brothers had already exhausted their maids and servants, the ones who wanted to be exhausted anyway. He and his brothers could charm just about anyone into their beds. He’d be thrilled to lay on the charm after she finished whatever chores brought her into these deep dark woods.

Another snarled curse sounded ahead as she fought her way through more brambles. It was filthy enough he couldn't quite smother his huffed laugh this time, but she didn't seem to hear, so angry at the thorns ahead of her.

Even if she did hear it was doubtful he'd be spotted in his wolf form. His golden coat blended in perfectly with the sunlit snow dotting the forest and his paws padded silently over the forest floor.

He was an expert hunter, and the mechanics of that didn't change whether you were hunting deer or young women.

He slowed to a stop as she did and crouched down low in the bushes, easily avoiding the thorns in his wolf form despite his large size.

It looked like she was inspecting a plant up ahead, something with berries. He crawled on his belly for a closer look.

It was mistletoe. What would she possibly need mistletoe for? He'd seen the pack hall when they arrived. It was already completely decked out with bushels of the leaves.

So what was she-

She began to pick the berries.

Surely not. Surely she wouldn't be so naive as to eat the berries. Right?

Cyrus began to doubt that conviction as he watched her fill her dress pockets with the pale berries.

He couldn't let her do this. She'd poison herself! She could die.

Before he'd really thought through the optics of appearing suddenly in this forest he was out of wolf form and pushing through the same brambles that had caught her lovely hair.

"Wait!"