Semua Bab The Dual Claim: Bab 31 - Bab 40

I woke up feeling refreshed, that same energy from when I came in from Coralridge’s Bonding Ceremony.Except the problem was, I wasn’t waking up in my bed, next to my mate.I was in my office, with the door locked and a guard posted outside, not letting anyone in.I heard Vanessa try and get past the guard at some point in the middle of the night. He didn’t let her pass. That guy needs a promotion AND a raise.Outside the world still slept, all was quiet. The skies were a dark gray, a storm was coming in from the north, a big one from the looks of it.There was a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in a while.With the door still locked, I stripped and went into the adjoining bathroom for a hot shower, enjoying the few minutes I had to myself before the pack started knocking at my door.Or Vanessa.I don’t imagine she’ll be the loving housewife today after I intentionally didn’t come up to bed. Once I was dressed in some blue jeans an

Pulling a couple of bags from my closet, I tossed clothes in randomly. I didn’t care about matching items, jeans, sweats, hoodies, shirts, and other incidentals.After Sam left the Pack House, I pulled up the forecast, and he was right. This driving rain was going to turn into freezing rain, and by morning it should be a full-blown blizzard.As I zipped up my backpack, I heard a knock. Seith was in the open doorway.“You want company?”“Not this time Bro,” I answered, hooking the straps on my shoulders. “This is something I need to do alone.”He nodded and came over to grab one of the duffel bags. “You’ve got your computer and stuff so we can be in touch, right?”I twisted so he could see the pack, “Yes, Dad.”We both laughed and went downstairs, where he already had an SUV out front, running, and no doubt heat cranked. Even though wolves ran warmer than humans, nothing says we don’t appreciate additional warmth. Especially on a damp

My stomach churned and roiled before I even opened my eyes. Oh Luna, not again. Please!I knew I had to move, but I couldn’t. I started to sob.I felt everything come up, and all I could do was open my mouth. It all spilled out over me.It was freaking disgusting. I was disgusting.Luna! Just take me now!What was happening to me?I closed my eyes again, my head swaying weakly.I was cold, so fucking cold.Something rough scraped against my cheek.What was it?Oh… tree bark.Okay, I was against a tree.I opened my eyes again, swallowing repeatedly, determined to keep things down.I couldn’t move, I was frozen in one spot, covered in snow.But I was alive, somehow, by the grace of Luna, I survived. I’m not sure I wanted to be alive anymore. I couldn’t take this.I took a deep breath and instantly regretted it… I smelled… myself.Between the gagging, and th

Zevir had been silent too long. My wolf loved to talk. Morning, noon, and night. He had opinions on everything. Even if it was only a chuff or chortle.Why so quiet wolf?Nothing much to say human. Besides, this tracking is infuriating. One minute it’s there and the next it’s gone. Like poof, gone, not just weak.That doesn’t make sense.No kidding.I mean, there’s nothing that can mask the scent on a trail, there’s no water, the snow wouldn’t erase it. The lowest branches are too high even for a primate, which aren’t even in these woods.Has to be magick.Then we’re being watched and played with?Possibly.Do we go back then? Say fuck it?I don’t think so, Gabriel. Underneath it all I smell a human in trouble. Speaking of, I smell it again. To the left.Left? I questioned.We had turned the same circle

It was almost dawn before I saw the cabin off in the distance. Hours of trekking as human, and time resting as a wolf so I could defrost and transfer some of that heat to the woman were a definite necessity.I hated to take the extra time, but I think if we hadn’t, neither one of us would have survived.The cabin stood on the hill, dark and quiet. No smoke from the chimney at this point. I’d already been gone for twenty-four hours. I’d be lucky if there was a single coal left in the woodstove.Gee? You good?Freaking tired, but yeah, we’ll make it.I wish I could have carried her.I wish you could have too, but that wasn’t possible with her unconscious.Another thirty minutes I think, and we’ll be there.I’m so hungry, even your human food will satisfy me. I couldn’t help but laugh. Good to know.I paused and took a deep breath, adjusting my dead-to-t