Page 11 of Twisted Howlidays

“Thanks.”

Ryan politely opened the passenger door for her and help her into his truck.

“All right, what gives? He’s acting all gentlemanly now.” Kendra asked her wolf.

“He’s our mate, and he knows it.”

“Oh my God. Lay your horny ass down or there will be no more mountain runs the rest of the time we’re up here.” Kendra was so over her wolf it wasn’t even funny. Yeah, Ryan was hotter than hell, and she was hornier than all get out. That didn’t mean that he was her fairytale fated mate.

Her wolf whimpered as she slunk back into the shadows. Kendra didn’t even feel bad. This bullshit had to stop before she lost her damn mind.

Before long, they were traveling roads that became progressively narrower and more winding. When they became not much more than snow-covered trails, Ryan shifted his truck into four-wheel drive. “A few more miles to the trailhead. From there, we’ll go on foot.”

Kendra watched the hillside carefully, looking for any sign of the elusive creatures she’d been searching for but saw nothing. She was quickly losing hope as Ryan slowed his truck and threw it in park when the narrow road ended.

“Do you really think we have a chance at finding bears? Frankly, after spending a week traipsing all over those mountains I’m a little skeptical,” she said, shouldering her pack.

“Ah, but I was born and raised up on these mountains. Been running the trails up here since I was a pup. I know every nook and cranny. And most importantly, bear den.” He said as they trudged their way up the trail.

“Well, I suppose you have the advantage, growing up in a pack. I was born and raised in the city. Growing up, the city was all I knew. Me and my sister would only get a chance to let our wolves out to run when our parents would take us on vacation.”

“So why did you become a wildlife photographer of all things?”

“Because it takes me to places like this. Look around you. Tell me your wolf would want to be anywhere else. That’s how it is for me. The wilderness calls me.”

“Yeah, I get it. But why do you still live in the city? Why not move out into an area where you’re free to be who you truly are?”

It wasn’t that his question didn’t make sense. It did, and she had thought about it over the years. Kendra loved the great outdoors, but in small doses. What would she do with herself if she wasn’t surrounded by the hustle and bustle of city life?

“To be near my parents, I suppose. At least that’s the excuse I tell myself. Ever since my sister got married and moved out to a place like this, I figured I needed to stay close for them. But between you and me, I’ve gotten used to calling the city home. I get away from it, but I always end up back there. I’m comfortable in a way.”

“But your wolf isn’t.”

“No.”

“Must be hard.”

“Meh, we deal with it,” she said, eyeing the trail ahead. “Didn’t you say you planned to set up camp? Shouldn’t we do that first?”

“No, I said we’ll camp. It just so happens that Calder trusts me to look after his hunting cabin,” he said, with more than just a tinge of pride coating his voice.

“A cabin? Hey, is this all just some cheap ploy to sneak me off to some cozy cabin like in one of those cheesy movies?”

Ryan froze in his tracks and didn’t say a word.

Kendra busted out laughing. “Sorry. I’m just messing with you. Don’t worry, I give you more credit than that.”

She couldn’t be sure, but she thought she heard him making a dry swallowing sound.

“It’s not too much farther. We’ll get you set up and after that, it’s time to get some bear pictures.”

“You might be joking with him but rolling around in front of a warm fire sounds great! Imagine the magic when we sink our fangs into him.” Her wolf had her own fantasies about the ideal evening with her mate.

“I warned you! Quiet!” Kendra shushed her wolf.

“The snow is getting really deep now. I hope we’re almost there.”

“The cabin is just over the next rise,” he said, pointing straight ahead.

---