Page 15 of The Wolf's Pregnant Rejected Mate

He came through to a clearing around a small stream. A girl dressed in a white dress danced at the edges of the stream. She sang to herself as her hair blew around her. Ryder recognized her. She was in the same grade as Mica. What was her name again?

He crept under a bush and settled there, hiding from her. The girl had long black hair that glistened in the sunlight. She danced fluidly, and her singing voice was sweet. He smiled to himself. She looked like a fairy princess, so light and free, like dewdrops in the morning.

Would she be scared if he came out of the bush? Or would she let him sit on the side of the bank and sing songs for him?

His heart beat faster as his wolf nudged him, encouraging him to leave his hiding place. Just as he had almost screwed up enough courage—

“Tess!” A huge man with long hair tied at the nape of his neck came charging into the clearing. Lenard, if Ryder was right. “What the fuck are you doing?”

Tess jumped and backed up several steps. “I was just singing, Father.”

He poked a huge finger into her face. “What have I told you about fucking off in the forest? Get your useless ass back home to help your mother clean the house.”

“But I did my chores,” Tess wailed, hurrying past him.

“Don’t you fucking talk back to me,” he lifted his hand, and Tess flinched.

She hurried away. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I’m going right now.”

The man followed her away.

Ryder’s belly pressed to the ground. He was rooted to the spot, his eyes wide. His wolf was just as shocked. A growl rose through his chest, but he was rooted in the spot. What had just happened? Why had that man yelled at the fairy girl like that?

He should have done something. He should have gone out there and told the man to fuck off. He should have put himself between Tess and her father. It was what he was supposed to do: protect people. And he had just stayed there, watching. What sort of man would he be if he were such a coward?

***

Ryder’s head jerked up with a start. The familiar ache burned in his chest. How many times had he relived that memory, thinking of all the things he could have done? He’d been only a kid, but it was one of his biggest regrets. He could only imagine how worse Tess would think of him if he admitted that shame.

Speaking of Tess, she ought to be asleep by now. Ryder glanced at the nest. His heart stuttered to a stop.

She wasn’t there.

She wasn’t in the cabin.

Which meant…FUCK!

Chapter 9 - Tess

There was no sign that the demons were around anymore. Tess kept close to the rocks that led up to the cabin, grabbing handfuls of twigs right off the elderberry tree she’d spotted. The berries weren’t fully ripe yet, but they would sate the growing gnawing in her stomach. The T-shirt she’d made a temporary basket out of was nearly full of the eggs, berries, and other plants she had gathered. She watched the forest, determined that as soon as the wind picked up, she was heading back.

The cabin door slammed above her, making her jump. Tess quickly glanced down at herself. Though she wore the boxers and undershirt, she’d left the protective blanket in the cabin. Best to call it a good harvest. She started to climb up the first rock, careful not to spill her haul.

Ryder landed just behind her. She jumped again, yelping. His hair stood up on all ends, and his eyes were wild. They narrowed, and he let out such a growl that it sent shivers straight to her toes.

A sound like that should scare her. Instead, It made something inside her clench.

He grabbed her arm and all but shoved her up the first terrace of rock.

“Watch it!” Tess cried, balancing her precious gatherings. “You’re going to make me spill!”

He was utterly silent as he hovered behind her, pushing occasionally when she struggled. When they got back to the cabin, he took her food haul from her and placed it in the middle of the cabin. Fury radiated off him. Tess found herself shrinking back, bracing for the inevitable screaming.

When he opened his mouth, though, his voice was even. “Don’t leave the cabin. Especially not by yourself.”

Oh, he was going to do it that way, huh? She knew this trick. Pretend to be calm until something unrelated happened, and then all hell would be unleashed. She retrieved her blanket.

“I’m aware of the risks,” she snapped. “And we won’t last if they starve us out.”

---