Stay out of my way

“I’d never hurt you. You’re…”

“What just happened? Where’s Shadow? My wolf…”

Lupin stared at her intently. “You’re Shadow? How? What kind of mushroom did you give me?”

He laughed softly, and she reached out, her hand brushing his face. He closed his eyes, leaning into her touch before kissing her palm. A shiver ran through her as she wrapped her arms around him, and he held her tightly.

“You’re freezing,” he said, helping her out of her coat and then her wet top.

“What are you doing?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

He pulled off his sweater and handed it to her. “Put this on. Now take off your pants—they’re soaked.”

“Trying to get into my pants, huh?” she joked, her voice shaky.

He smirked. “Might be.”

Her smile faded. “You …the hospital…, and now you’re a wolf… This is insane. I can’t even process…”

He kissed her, cutting off her words, and she melted against him. His bare chest was warm under her touch as they laid down on a blanket. He draped another fur over them.

“Closer,” he murmured, pulling her in, her legs touching his, his body was burning hot. Her mind raced.

He pulled her top off, his hands warm against her skin as she closed her eyes, letting herself sink into the moment.

"Dahlia," he murmured, pausing. She looked up, meeting his gaze. He kissed her softly. His hands moved gently over her, exploring, teasing. A quiet moan escaped her lips as he rolled her onto her back, hovering above her.

His lips brushed her neck when a growl shattered the silence.

Another massive black wolf stood at the entrance of the cave.

Lupin leapt to his feet and shifted forms. Dahlia blinked, unable to process what she was seeing.

The two wolves lunged at each other, snarling and snapping. She scrambled to intervene and was thrown backward, her head cracking against stone

Both men stood in human form, locked in tense confrontation.

"Who the hell are you?" Lupin demanded.

"She's mine, my mate. "Hunter laughed coldly. "Stay out of my way. I'm taking her back. She doesn't even know what she is yet."

"And if I don't?" Lupin challenged. Hunter exhaled sharply.

"This is my territory. My pack lives here." He knelt beside Dahlia, noting the blood in her hair. "She's hurt," he muttered, lifting her carefully. He carried her back to the cabin and cradled her in his lap, examining the wound.

"Dahlia, open your eyes. Please."

Her vision swam into focus.

Finding herself in Hunter's bare-chested embrace, she scrambled away, stumbling. He steadied her.

"I can explain," he started.

She stared at him, his muscled torso distracting her thoughts. "I was in the cave with Shadow, then another wolf appeared when we were…"

"Trying to mate," Hunter finished.

"Having sex," she corrected, flustered. "His body was so warm... he was trying to keep me from freezing."

Hunter cursed under his breath. "Nothing happened. I saved you."

"Maybe I didn't want saving," she countered. "And please put on a shirt... wait, you're a…"

"Wolf? Yes."

"How is that possible?" She sank onto the nearest chair. "I need to sit down."

Hunter crouched in front of her. “Go take a shower. Then I’ll explain.”

“Yeah, I smell blood,” she said flatly.

He chuckled. “Fair point.” Then his expression turned serious.

“My sense of smell’s been… weird.”

“You hit your head. It’s just a small cut. Now go.” He paused. “Oh, and don’t close the door.”

She stared at him, eyebrows raised. “Why not?”

“In case you need help,” he said with a smirk.

“I won’t. And put on a shirt,” she shot back, heading toward the bathroom.

“You like what you see, Dahlia?” he teased, pulling on a sweater.

“No, of course not,” she said, rolling her eyes. But as she stepped into the bathroom, she couldn’t help smiling to herself. I do, she thought. I really do.

When she came out in her robe, she passed through the oversized living room to find Jane, Flora, and their companions sipping drinks.

“Hey, farm girl,” Jane called out, raising her glass. “Already got dumped, huh?”

Dahlia opened her mouth to speak, but Hunter appeared behind her, shirtless, his lounge pants slung low, planting a kiss on her neck.

“I was waiting for my…” he started, then caught sight of the others. “Oh, hey guys. Sorry, we got an early start, Hunter’s arm slid around her waist.

Flora choked on her drink, while Jane just stared, unblinking.

“Alright, let’s head back. See you in the morning,” Hunter said casually, pulling Dahlia toward the bedroom.

Once inside, she spun around. “What the hell was that?”

“What? Just helping you save face,” he said with a grin.

“Can you put some clothes on? I can’t focus when you’re…”

“I sleep naked, but since we’re sharing my bed…”

“I’m not sleeping here! You told them we, ugh,” she sat down on the bed, grabbing two pillows and shoving them between them. “I can’t get my pajamas.”

“I like your pajamas. Did you pack the matching slippers too?” he teased.

“Go to bed, Hunter. I’m exhausted,” she said, closing her eyes.

The first thing she noticed was his scent, warm, familiar. She blinked awake, realizing she was sprawling halfway on top of him. Dahlia tried to ease away slowly, but his arm tightened around her waist, pulling her closer. Her robe had slipped open, and she grimaced.

Hunter’s eyes fluttered open, a lazy grin spreading across his face. “Morning. Sleep well?”

She glared at him. “This isn’t what it looks like.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Because it looks like you really like me.”

“Ugh,” she groaned, twisting out of his grip and scrambling off the bed.

He was on his feet in an instant, blocking her path to the door. “You might want to fix that robe,” he said, eyes flicking down. Before she could snap back, he leaned in and kissed her, quick, teasing. “Just saying.”