Page 31 of Rivers and Roads

“I know, but he’s fine. Everyone is right where I left them. He did this so I could find you and take you home. And the information I sent to Kor and everyone else, it’s eventually going to bring them to their knees. They’re not going to hurt us again.”

I knew it was unfair of me to promise something like that. I had no idea if it was a lie, but I had to believe. I had to have faith that this was just the start, and there would be an end where we could breathe free air without wondering if capture and torture were just around the corner.

I let out a small, surprised noise when Zane was suddenly in my space again. His arms locked around my waist, and before I could think about fighting him, he pushed his face into my side. I knew I should stop it. The cognizant Alpha wouldn’t have shown a display like this even if his life was on the line.

But the injured Wolf who likely hadn’t known a kind touch for weeks on end needed to know it was over, and that was the very least I could do for him. Brushing my fingers through his hair, I couldn’t help but smile as he let out a low rumble, then sagged against me.

Sleep tugged at my edges as Zane’s body began to relax, and the moment his breathing started to even, darkness stole over me, and I was lost to the void.

Chapter

Fourteen

ORION

Icame to with a gasp. I was profoundly aware that I was alone, not a single other heartbeat in the house. It took me almost a full minute, though, to remember why that was a problem.

“Zane.” The word came out on a sharp breath, and I jumped to my feet, hurrying to the front door, which sat wide open. Panic threatened to engulf me, but I reminded myself that we were in the Canadian wilderness, and if it had been the humans who had taken him, they wouldn’t have left me to my slumber.

I scanned the immediate area, but even with my vision, I couldn’t see through the dark trees. It was well past midnight, creeping toward dawn, and the entire forest was deadly silent. Closing my eyes, I tried to home in on him, and just when I thought he was long gone, I heard it.

The faint beat of a heart matching the ebb and flow of a small creek. I breathed deep on the next wafting breeze and caught his scent, and not thinking twice about it, I hurried out of my clothes and shifted.

It was easier to cover ground that way, and easier to track him by scent. He wasn’t far, and I was startled by the running water so close to the little cabin. It was fresh and inviting, and it was no surprise at all that Zane had been tempted away from the house by it.

I was also beyond relieved that he hadn’t tried to go farther. He was naked again, crouched by the edge, and though my vision wasn’t as detailed when I was a Wolf, I could see a small pile of still-wriggling fish beside him. If I’d had a voice to do it, I might have laughed, but I still managed a quiet whuff as I approached.

Zane turned, his teeth bared, but he seemed to recognize me after a second. His body relaxed, and he met my gaze for a long moment before he dove back into the water. His half-shifted state was more awkward than he would have been hunting as his wolf, but he emerged soaking wet with another fish in his jaws.

He spit it out on the pile, then he perched on the rock as I approached on his other side. Part of me wanted to shift back so I could speak to him, but when his hand settled in my fur, I leaned against him and shared my warmth. He pet me, ruffling my neck with his claws grazing my skin, and I basked in it.

It wasn’t just the Omega in me that wanted him—all of me was half-desperate for more. There would be no coming back from this, and I knew if Zane remembered it when this was all over, it was likely he’d never look at me the same way again.

Whatever fragile thing had been between us before would be shattered forever.

But I couldn’t stop myself.

As the sky began to lighten, I eventually gave in and let my body twist back into the shape of a man. My bones ached, but it felt good letting go like that. I half-wondered if my eyes were still flaring orange, but Zane didn’t have speech to tell me.

I shifted to sit on the rock next to him, and I dragged the pads of my finger up his bare arm. “I was hoping I’d wake you to find you more yourself.”

He chuffed and turned his head to nose at me.

“I was also hoping to find me a bit more like myself,” I added. My backside was sticky with dried slick, but I was still warm there. Painfully warm. In fact, it was spreading to my lower belly, and I wondered if maybe the withdrawals were finally setting in.

When I sucked in a breath, Zane whined and leaned back, staring at me with worry in his eyes.

“This is your brother’s fault,” I said, trying not to snap. Another cramp rippled through me, and I doubled over so far, my forehead nearly touched my knees. “He didn’t tell me how to come off this shit.”

Before I was aware of it, Zane was on his feet, and suddenly I was being lifted into the air. I gave a shout of protest, but Zane didn’t stop. He hoisted me up on his shoulder and began to stomp toward the house.

“Let me down, you fucking asshole!” I cried, clawing at his back.

He ignored the bleeding gashes like they were nothing, and I could only imagine what a picture we made. I was shorter than him, but I was all muscle and bulk. I always had been, since the day I stepped out of basic training. I was more broad than he was, but he carried me like I weighed nothing, and he didn’t stop until we were at the edge of the front yard, and he dropped me on the ground like a sack of potatoes.

“What the actual fuck,” I started, trying to stand, but he was on me in seconds, his hand around the front of my throat.

I reacted instantly, without thinking. My eyes lowered, my head tilting to the side as his claws pricked my skin.

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