Page 24 of The Wolf I Sworn To Hate

They fell into a comfortable silence as they walked toward the wood, quickly undressed, and shifted.

Wolves had special blood vessels in their feet that kept the footpads above freezing level, preventing their feet from freezing. Each of their toes was surrounded by stiff, bristly hairs that not only helped the wolves’ traction but also served to insulate their feet from the cold. Just like wild, pure-bred wolves, wolf shifters had short underfur covered by a dense outer fur. The fur prevented the wolves from losing heat, keeping them warm. They retained so much of their body heat that snow didn’t melt on them.

Sean and Sawyer ran toward the main road. It was still impassable. They decided to venture into the woods on the other side of the cabins to get some exercise.

They hadn’t gotten too far past the last cabin when Sean stopped short. “Sawyer, come here.”

Sawyer padded over to where Sean was staring at the snow.

“Are those bear tracks?” Sawyer asked, surprised.

“That’s what they look like.”

“There shouldn’t be any wild bears out and about in this mess. Shifters?”

“I think so. I don’t know if they are dangerous or not, but we need to keep our eyes out for danger.” Sean sniffed the air, but couldn’t detect any lingering smells from the humans or bears. “Let’s get back. I’m getting hungry.”

William was waiting for them when they returned.

“The road is still completely blocked,” Sean reported. “I was wondering whether there are any hunting lodges in the area.”

“Yes, there are a few throughout the woods. The rangers always keep them stocked in case someone gets lost and happens to stumble across them. Why do you ask?”

Sawyer shrugged. “We happened to see some tracks in the snow that weren’t ours, and we didn’t know if someone was out there lost.”

“I hope not. If someone is out there, I hope they manage to find one of the lodges. We’re stuffed to the gills here, but, of course, I would never turn anyone away.”

Sean put his hand on William’s shoulder. “You’re a good man.”

After lunch, Sean was feeling a little restless. “I think I’m going out for some snowshoeing. What about you?”

Sawyer shook his head. “I’m thinking the opposite. The cot and warm sleeping bag are calling my name. Loudly.” He paused and cocked his head exaggeratingly. “I’m on my way, sleeping bag.”

Sean laughed. “You are such a dork. No one would ever guess that you’re a doctor.”

“It’s the dork in me that keeps me young. Be careful.”

The sunlight made the snow glitter like diamonds. The icy breeze brought the smell of pine trees wafting around his head. Winter birds flew overhead and a majestic elk stood just inside the wood line that surrounded the resort.

Ivy’s beautiful face popped into his mind. She had long, dark brown hair that reached her knees. She always kept it in a braid. He had loved running his fingers through the silky strands. Her cobalt blue eyes reminded him of the deepest oceans. Their baby had her dark hair and blue eyes. His heart hurt as he pictured them, lying in the hospital bed. The baby was in her arms, on her chest, and her eyes were closed as though she was sleeping peacefully.

The pain of losing them still existed, although now it was more like an ache than the stabbing pain in the gut it had been for so long. He was able to remember her and the happy times they shared without having his soul ripped apart all over again.

Sean knew that Ivy would want him to find love again. She had been a very caring, selfless person, and loved him so much that she would want him to be happy. He hadn’t looked for anyone who he could love again and no one special had stepped into his life. Sean wasn’t sure that he would ever be able to love another person.

His mind shifted to Xyla. Before she was brainwashed by her father, he thought that she was interesting. He had enjoyed their conversations and there might have been a spark between them.

It was an interesting coincidence that they had run into each other here. Some might say that the Fates were busy, and that he and Xyla had run into each other again by design. He closed his eyes for a brief second as he trekked through the snow. Her scent haunted him. The vanilla, orange, and her essence seemed to permeate his pores, and he could smell it every time he inhaled.

He was well aware of what others would say about her scent haunting him. “There is no way in the world that my fated mate could be a woman who has sworn to hate shifters and whose father might even be a hunter. Even if she is starting to come around, there is no way she would defy her father for love.”

The sound of his voice reminded him that he was starting to get cold and hungry so he headed back to the resort. Sawyer was up, so the two of them played a couple rounds of pool until dinner.

After he ate, Sean settled onto the couch. He was half asleep when Xyla approached him. “I hate to ask, but Dad left some of his medication at the cabin. I was wondering if you would walk with me so I can get it.”

“Sure. I can do that.”

“Thank you. The moon isn’t very bright, and with my kind of luck I’d get turned around in the dark.”

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