Page 14 of Wild Fated

"I don’t need to know anything other than the fact that you want to help the wolves here," I said, my voice softening. "Help me see how doing nothing will accomplish that because right now, all I see is a pack I need to protect. And wolves in this area that are going to be caught in the crossfire. If you have a better vision of how this is all going to go down, then tell me."

He didn't answer, his eyes locked on mine. The silence stretched between us.

"I'd be happy to leave you tied up out here.” I crossed my arms over my chest to keep him from seeing my trembling fingers. Trapping him had been a risk, but everything I’d seen from him told me he was all instinct. I needed to speak his language. Strength. Stubbornness. Two things I was relatively good at.

Kael and Callista's voices carried out from the cabin, and I turned my head. They were standing in the doorway, their expressions a mix of confusion and curiosity.

"What's going on out here?" Kael called. He stepped out into the snow, his breath fogging in the air. "Why is Destin all trussed up like a Christmas ham?"

Callista’s eyes widened. "Is that—?” She glanced to the perimeter of the trees. “When did you?—?”

“It doesn’t matter,” I muttered.

Kael smirked, the corners of his mouth twitching. "I didn’t realize you were into bondage, Lana."

“Shut the hell up, Kael.”

Callista gave him a long look. “Are you forgetting she did the same thing to you?” Kael’s neck reddened.

I focused back on Destin. “Just tell me about Lava Forks. Then we’ll march out of your life and leave you to your log splitting.”

“I can’t tell you. It’s something I’d have to show you.” Destin stopped fighting the filament, but his muscles still tensed.

“What is it?”

He ground his teeth. “A sacred site.”

“And you know this because?”

Kael pushed off the doorframe. “That doesn’t matter.”

I looked between the two of them. It didn’t matter, but my curiosity was piqued.

“I’ll take you there. It’s a full day’s journey. Then you’re on your own.”

Hope bubbled up in my chest, but I didn’t let it show. “How do I know you’ll keep your word?”

“He’ll keep his word. He’s a stubborn ass, but he does what he says.” Kael pulled Callista into his side.

I stepped up to Destin. "Hold still.”

He glared at me as I reached for the filament, my fingers brushing against his coat. I lifted the catch, and the filament loosened. I wasn’t going to cut it and ruin a perfectly good trap.

Destin didn’t move as I rolled the thread into a loose lasso. Warmth from his body seeped into me, and I stepped back. He muttered something under his breath and turned back toward the cabin. “You’ll have to stay here for the night.” He stormed past Kael and Callista.

Touchy.

I followed them inside where a dim light from a single oil lamp cast shadows across the room. The furnishings were minimal, no clutter, no excess. Destin knelt next to a trunk and pulled out a few quilts and blankets, then a rolled-up mat thatlooked like it had seen better days. "This is what I’ve got." He stood and handed them to Kael, his eyes meeting mine for a brief moment before he looked away.

Kael nodded, taking the supplies. "Thanks."

“You two can take your old room. If you want.” Destin looked at a set of narrow stairs at the end of the room leading to a loft.

Kael glanced at me, and I nodded. He’d hear if anything went down overnight.

Destin turned and walked out of the room and down the hall to what I presumed was his bedroom. I took the mat and bedding from Kael, then found a spot near the fire. Callista handed me my pack. We’d brought them inside, but I’d completely forgotten about them.

She and Kael used the guest bathroom first, then escaped to the loft. I took my toiletries into the room, surprised that there was any kind of running water. Sure, I had to use a pump to get fresh water in the sink and the same to fill a bucket to flush the toilet, but it was better than walking to an outhouse.

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