Page 99 of The Wolf

EPILOGUE

“Faster!”

Brine growled beneath Scarlet, his black and grey fur tickling the insides of her thighs. He threw back his head and howled before putting on a burst of speed.

She laughed as the wind tugged at her hair and cloak as Brine darted through the trees in his wolf form. She’s never moved so fast. Scarlet glanced over her shoulder, catching sight of a slinky black blur that was gaining on them.

Grabbing some of Brine’s fur, she leaned forward and tucked herself against his back, barely peeking over the top of his head between his ears.

“Chesh is gaining on us!”

Brine doubled his speed as they broke from the trees and ran headlong for the beach, his paws digging into the sand.

A feline hiss sounded behind them that made Scarlet’s hair raise at the back of her neck. She looked over her shoulder and stuck her tongue out at Chesh.

His eyes feline eyes narrowed and he yowled, trying to catch up.

The leopard was a sore loser.

Scarlet turned around right before Brine loped into the waves. She screamed as a wave crashed over them. Releasing his fur, Scarlet pushed over the sandy bottom and stood, wiping the saltwater from her eyes.

Large warm hands settled on her hips, and she tipped her head back to meet sparkling grey eyes.

“Are you alright?” he mumbled.

“I’m fine.”

He frowned, his palm cupping her round belly. “That was a rough dismount.”

“It was just a gentle wave. Nothing more.”

Scarlet popped up onto her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his whiskered cheek before facing the beach. Chesh sat on the sand, his black and tan spotted tail, whipping back and forth across the sand.

She cupped her hands around her mouth. “Don’t be such a scaredy cat! It’s just a little water.” He growled, baring long canines. “No need to be sassy.”

His fur began to ripple and Scarlet spun around and leaned against Brine’s chest, eyes closed. Chesh had no compunctions of shifting infront of anyone.

“I am always sassy,” the feline called, his voice carrying over the waves.

Her mate brushed his hand over her wet hair. The babe rolled in her stomach. Brine stilled as he always did, barely breathing. His hands reverently brushed over her belly, feeling their child move as if to reassure himself that it was real.

“He’s active today.”

Scarlet rolled her eyes. “What makes you so sure our wee one is ahe?”

Brine smiled wolfishly, making her heart flip. “Or she. I don’t care as long as they’re healthy.” He bent down and kissed a fleeting kiss to her lips and then down her neck to her mating mark.

“Heaven help me,” Chesh whined. “Don’t you dare start upthat.”

She sniggered and slipped out of Brine’s arms. He held his hand out and she laced her fingers with his as they waded through the water back to the beach. Her cloak dripped water onto the sand, the liquid quickly drying up.

Scarlet arched a brow at Chesh who’d thankfully put on some pants although he’d left them unlaced like the heathen he was.

“You’re awfully grouchy today,” she observed. “What’s got you in such a state?”

“Ari,” Brine muttered under his breath.

Chesh hissed, his feline ears flattening atop his head before he crossed his arms. “She’s a troublesome female.”

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