Chapter 5

Josephine POV

I felt safe with Caleb. My dad had always warned me to stay away from other shifters, and after barely escaping the mountain lions with my life, I saw why. But I knew I could trust Caleb, and not just because he saved me. There was something honorable about him. My wolf didn’t normally enjoy being around strangers, but she liked him immediately. That had to mean something.

His hand on my hip was soothing despite my and his nakedness. I wasn’t a prude, but I was hardly used to hanging around people sans clothing. I was almost grateful for the slash in my side as it made it harder for my eyes to wander.

The part of me that wasn’t focused on survival fixated on him. Even with a bloody wound through his brow, he was attractive. Bright blue eyes stared at me with a softness that belied his muscular body. His black, chin-length hair hung around his face but didn’t shield his strong jaw or thin, cupid’s bow lips from view. They were so kissable, even smeared with blood.

Why am I thinking like this? I just had a near-death experience. I shouldn’t be fantasizing about a strange man.

But he didn’t feel like a stranger. He felt like a pack. And that was an entirely new sensation deep and primal.

As Caleb inspected my wounds, he pressed his fingers into my hip and sent a shiver of desire up my spine. My wolf urged me to curl into him and nuzzle against his chest.

It has to be adrenaline. Or some sort of psychological phenomenon where you fall in love with your rescuer.

“Is this your territory?” I asked to stop myself from going insane.

Caleb nodded, but his eyes remained glued to my side.

“And are you the Alpha?” I asked, hoping I didn’t seem completely clueless. He gave the impression of a leader; all the other wolves had obeyed him without question.

Caleb blinked in surprise. “No, I lead the pack protectors.”

“Ah.” I prayed I wasn’t blushing. “So, like a captain.”

“Sure, if you want to use human terms.” He shrugged. “Your wound will heal, but it will probably take a few days before you’re fighting fit.”

He didn’t move his hand from my hip, and I didn’t want him to. The warm weight felt good, no, right. But it wasn’t enough to soothe my frustration with myself. I’d never been the damsel in distress type of girl.

“Fighting fit, yeah,” I snorted. “Because I was doing so well until you showed up.”

“You were doing better than most she-wolves,” he said, sounding impressed. I struggled to see why but appreciated the compliment nonetheless.

A cracking branch caught our attention. Caleb whipped around, already growling.

“Whoa, it’s just me. No need to get agro,” one of Caleb’s wolves said. He had messy red hair and wasn’t quite as broad or muscular as Caleb. He was naked, though, so I quickly averted my gaze.

“I expect my team to be stealthier, Jules,” Caleb said, his voice sharp and commanding.

That shouldn’t be so sexy.

Caleb moved in front of me, shielding me from the other wolf’s view.

My chest warmed. Caleb was protecting me, even from his own pack. Despite my vulnerable position, I knew I was safe with him. My wolf wanted to nuzzle against him and curl up at his feet.

“Whatever, man,” Jules scoffed. “Here are the girl’s clothes.”

Jules threw a pile of fabric, my underwear included, at Caleb. He caught the bundle and paused for a brief moment, inhaling.

Did Caleb just sniff my clothes?

“Give Josephine some privacy,” Caleb commanded.

Jules nodded and walked away. Caleb didn’t take his eyes off Jules’s back until the redhead was out of sight. Then he turned to me.

“Do you need help getting dressed?” he asked.

“I should be fine,” I said, though I had no idea. The pain was manageable when I was still, but I dreaded moving.

“I’ll help you up,” he said in a tone that brooked no argument.

He set my clothes aside and held out his hand. With his assistance, I got my feet under me, wincing all the while.

“I know,” he said softly, acknowledging my pain.

Once I was upright, the pain subsided again. He handed me my panties. I should have felt embarrassed, even scandalized but Caleb’s calming influence soothed me.

I was unsteady, wobbling as I lifted my foot. Apparently, I wasn’t as stable as I’d hoped.

“May I?” Caleb asked.

I gulped and nodded. He was a stranger; I shouldn’t let him dress me. But there was a familiarity to him, a safety that overrode logic.

“Put your hands on my shoulders,” he said, kneeling before me.

My heart raced as I followed his instructions. His skin was so warm, and his muscles were rock-hard.

He held my panties, allowing me to step into them. I was glad I’d worn a black cotton pair instead of something embarrassing. He slid them up my thighs, and I suppressed a shiver. His fingers brushed against my skin, and heat blossomed in my core as he settled them on my hips.

He repeated the process with my jeans. I focused on the pain in my side and ignored the arousal that threatened to overtake me. Perhaps he couldn’t smell the effect he was having on me, though that was probably wishful thinking. His face was right there.

At least when Caleb helped me put my boots on, it gave me a moment to control myself. He stood and held up my bra. I thanked the moon and stars that matched my panties. I hadn’t planned on getting naked in front of anyone today.

“Do you think you’ll be able to get this on?” he asked, eyeing my wound. He was being a gentleman, but unfortunately, that only made him more attractive.

I twisted to look at the cut. My bra would sit right over it. “I doubt it,” I said. “I’ll just wear my T-shirt. It’s fine.”

Caleb helped me put that on, too, even though I didn’t need assistance. Despite his strength and fierce fighting ability, he was gentle.

I was finally dressed, but he remained naked. I had to keep telling myself not to look, especially when I noticed he wasn’t exactly soft. It was nice to know I wasn’t the only one affected.

I need to get a grip. This is probably just adrenaline. When I calm down, I’ll see how crazy it all is.

“I parked my truck on the road,” I said. “If you guide me there, I can get myself home.”

“You’re not going anywhere with that wound,” he said as his blue eyes flashed. “Like I said, I’m taking you to my pack where you can recover. I’ll send someone to fetch your truck.”

My father’s warnings to stay away from other shifters rang in my ears. He’d never given me a reason why, though.

“I don’t want to be a bother,” I said, my heart thumping in my chest. Was I his prisoner?

Caleb locked eyes with me, and I didn’t see danger in their depths. My wolf urged me to trust him.

“It’s not a bother.” His hand hovered over my arm like he wanted to reassure me. “You were hurt on our land, and I won’t leave a fellow wolf defenseless. I we will keep you safe while you heal.”

I hated to rely on other people, let alone strangers. But for some reason, I didn’t want to argue with Caleb. If I was being honest with myself, the thought of leaving Caleb and returning home was upsetting.

Probably because I know an empty house full of memories of Dad awaits me. That’s all.

“All right,” I agreed slowly. “Which way are we headed?”

“I’ll carry you,” he said, and before I could comment on the matter, Caleb lifted me. I had no choice but to wrap my arms around his neck as he cradled me against his chest. He was so warm, and his scent was strong, earthy, musky, and delicious. All I wanted to do was bury my face in his neck and breathe. My side hurt less in his embrace.

“Let’s head out,” Caleb called to his team.

They transformed into wolves and surrounded us in a hasty military formation.

Caleb scanned the forest as he walked, keeping an eye out for threats. The wolves scented the breeze, on high alert for attackers, but the journey was uneventful. After ten minutes, Caleb showed no sign of tiring. He was big easily a head taller than me and twice as broad but I was still practically dead weight in his arms.

The trees thinned, and a large clearing appeared ahead. I spotted buildings, mostly log cabins. It was a small village hidden in the forest. There must have been at least twenty houses, with more substantial structures toward the center.