Page 9 of Savage Fate

I carefully slipped out of the covers and tiptoed across the room, grabbing one of Fane’s hoodies and the fuzzy boots Nora gave me. Since I was the only other girl in the house, she planned to spoil me rotten no matter how much I protested.

A smile curled my lips. Was that what having a mom was like? Would we be against the boys during game nights and whatever else families did? Would Tamara have been as kind and warm as Fane’s aunt or his mom?

One day, I’d get the courage to find out who Tamara Hartwell was. Whatever the outcome, I still owed her my life. She stood up to her fated mate to save me. Even if she’d been part of The Collective Hunt, she’d loved me more.

Cold, crisp winter air enfolded me as I headed outside, sprinting across the backyard and into the woods surrounding the neighborhood. Now that the amulet was out, my inner wolf had no problem expressing the desire to run.

Well,mydesire to run. Sometimes, it felt like she was a separate entity, and others, her thoughts and emotions were simply part of my personality.

She was definitely happy not to have to fight the Infernal Sol for dominance.

Despite her joy, I still wanted it back.

Once we found Barric and took it from him, would it want me back too?

Just stop!

When I made it a few feet into the forest, I kicked my boots off and shed my clothes. I really had to stop thinking about this damn cursed amulet. I should be happy it wasn’t still inside, poisoning me with madness and evil urges. At least now, I didn’t run the risk of turning people crazy, sucking on their fears or souls, or inhaling any demon essence.

The bright side. Look on the bright side.

The transformation took over in seconds, and a pair of paws landed on the soft, cool pine needles and leaves blanketing the ground. I rolled my head and stretched my lupine form, getting used to the feel of it.

I needed to thank Fane again for passing his graceful shifting skills to me.

My scarlet and ebony fur danced as the wind blew, leaves swaying and tree branches creaking. The scent of a squirrel caught my attention, and I took off, following its trail. I wouldn’t eat it, of course. Maybe just play with it.

The amulet’s absence and effect on me fell to the background for a while. The need to find Barric, tear his throat out, and steal the Infernal Sol didn’t plague my thoughts. Joy burned in my veins as I let my wolf instincts take over.

This was the happiest I’d felt since finishing the mate bond with Fane.

Speaking of the sexy-as-sin demon shifter, his presence hit my senses, and I halted as he slinked through the trees in his demon wolf form, hunting me like prey.

“What are you doing here?”I asked, pawing at the ground.

His black fur blended in so perfectly with the shadows he was almost invisible.“I woke up, and you were gone.”A low growl vibrated his huge body, his mismatched irises glowing too brightly.

I followed his movements as he circled me.“I couldn’t sleep.”

A cloud of hot air puffed from his flaring nostrils.“Wake me next time.”

“Do you really think I’ll get into trouble running around Mohan Wilds?”

The spikes soaring down Fane’s spine and across his paws gleamed in the moonlight as he continued to encircle me, closing the gap with each pass.“You can get into trouble blindfolded with your hands tied behind your back.”

I made a chuffing sound despite knowing he spoke the truth.“What can I say, Maverick? Maybe you should have thought twice before claiming such a menace.”Bitterness dripped from my words, and the fur on the back of my neck ruffled.

Fane only claimed me to save me from vanishing within the Infernal Sol’s power. Did he regret it? Examining his behavior—icing me out and keeping his distance—I’d say he did.

His lips curled back, teeth baring.“I seem to remember you claiming me as well, fiera mika. Have you changed your mind?”

“You’ve barely touched me these last few days,”I hissed.“Not in any sexual way.”

Fane snapped his jaws together.“I’m trying to protect you! That’s my job. It takes precedence over any urges, and trust me, I feel them all the fucking time.”

Heat poured off him now that he was close enough to almost touch. The fur around his spikes bristled as fury pulsated through the bond.

“I can protect myself, Maverick.”My head remained high, unwilling to be intimidated by his size or the power throbbing off him.

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