Page 56 of Magic's Rise

“My apologies.” Amber eyes assess our ragtag group before sweeping out over the moonlit forest. “This never should have happened so near our home.”

“Hot damn.” Tris leans against me. “They sure make fine stock in this werewolf town.”

“Yee-haw.” I fan myself in agreement. “This was worth the struggle.”

Haut turns on us with a growl. “Please, ignore the peanut gallery. Their behavior will not improve.”

The naked Adonis smiles. “Rowe Wendall, I presume? Your reputation precedes you.”

“Branning,” I correct on reflex. “And the reality is far tamer than the rumors.”

“Somehow, I doubt that very much. My name is Griffen, and I am the Alpha of Silver Hollow.” He sweeps a hand behind him. “Allow us to escort you the rest of the way to Silver Hollow. My bond mate will make sure your comrade is taken to a doctor.”

“Bond mate?” Tris turns to Haut with a grin forming on his lips. “I think I know what that means, bond mate.”

Haut scrubs a hand over his face. “Don’t.”

“Why not, bond mate?” Tris flutters his lashes. “Does it bother you, bond mate?”

I move to stand at Haut’s back and tug on his shoulders. “Carry me, bond mate.”

A rumble of warning comes from him. “You can walk, mate.”

“But I don’t want to.” I plant a shoe on his calf and climb up, winding my arms around his neck. “I want to ride you like the pretty pony you are, my most special grumpy puss.”

The growl increases. “Rowe…”

I lean forward to press my cheek to his. “I hit my face in the wreck. It hurts.”

The annoyed vibrations instantly cut off, and his arms hook behind my knees. “Fine, but only because you’re injured.”

My heels kick against his thighs. “Giddy up, bond mate.”

Tris gives Levi a hopeful look, and the tall man lets out a laugh before he kneels, his back turned to Tris.

“Hell, yes.” Tris drapes himself over Levi’s broad back. “I like this place, murder monster notwithstanding.”

Griffen shakes his head in bemusement. “Hopefully, the rest of your stay will be far less exciting.”

“Not likely.” Haut hitches me higher. “Lead the way.”

Shadows boil from Griffen’s skin, and a moment later, a werewolf stands in his place.

Tris sighs with disappointment. “Here I was, looking forward to following that fine ass back to camp.”

“These woods will rip up bare feet,” Levi points out, not at all offended, which is a little disappointing.

Nothing ruffles the man.

As if he heard my thoughts, his head turns toward me, and he winks. “It is a fine ass. No harm in voicing the appreciation.”

Griffen barks in agreement before setting off in a lope, and the humans from his pack fall in on either side of us.

Thankfully, the end of our trek is less eventful than the beginning.

From my brief connection to the woods, I know Silver Hollow isn’t very far. It still comes as a shock, though, when we instantly go from nothing but miles of trees surrounding us to a sprawling collection of cabins when we pass through the barrier.

Haut tenses beneath me, the only sign of surprise he shows.

---