With Colin not being here I know it will be extremely painful. The only thought that will cross my mind besides the pain, is sex. Craving it to sooth the burning. It is typical that during a she-wolfs heat, especially her first one, that she is well protected and guarded.Any unmated males need to be locked in a cell, because their wolves can be very hard to contain. Most become crazed from the smell of a she-wolf’s heat and lose their humanity until they can mate with the wolf, or until it passes.

“Ellie!?” The voice is low and caring, but also hurt and tired. I know that voice!My head shoots up and I can’t help the tears of joy that stream down my face when Brandon limps over to me and picks me up in his bloody arms.“It’s ok Ellie, you’re going to be ok now. I got you.”

I open my eyes to Colin's chiseled chest in front of my face and relief floods me as I know I am safe. I cuddle into him and take a deep breath. I hear a small hum coming from inside of him and when I look up at his face he's still asleep.Not wanting to wake him, I get off the bed as silently and softly as possible. Standing from the bed my legs feel like a newborn giraffe and I giggle at myself. Last nights activities come back to me and I know I’m going to walk a little funny today.

When I finally make it in front of him, his eyes dance back and forth between mine for a moment, looking like he is in complete awe.“Elenor Charlotte Miner.” Colin's voice is shaky but so sure.

As quickly as I see him, Shane slips back into the woods and disappears. My stomach drops and my heart races. How did he cross the border undetected by our patrol warriors and how does he know which room is mine. How long has he been watching me?I reach for the balcony rail and scan the trees for any sign of him. He’s gone, but this eerie feeling is not leaving. Every hair on my body is standing at attention and I can sense Leia’s ears are fully perked up. I release the breath I didn’t know I was holding and drop my head.