Page 17 of Empowering the Wolf's Heart

A grunt and then my eyes cleared and I realized I was on the ground, laying on a… man? I glanced up, meeting deep brown eyes twisted in a slight grimace. Those eyes caught the sun sprinkling through the swaying boughs overhead. The sunlight made them gleam with an inner light, showing hints of gold and amber.

His breath teased the baby hairs on the top of my forehead. I realized my hands were splayed on his chest, and I felt his heart hammering beneath them. I was straddling the freakin’ werewolf I’d kidnapped. And he hadn’t snapped my neck. I shoved upright, spinning around and trying not to blush and wondering how the heck I was still alive.

But I wasn’t about to risk death again.

The guy who tried to shoot me was working to reload the crossbow, but he was too slow. His eyes grew wide as I stalked him, twirling my blades and flashing white teeth from beneath my green hood.

Theneedof his alcohol poisoned liverbrushed over my soul before I kicked his chest.

He stumbled back, staring me down with a sneer and swinging the crossbow like a mace. But the thing with crossbows is that they’re extremely end-heavy. I merely stepped back and watched as the weighty end carried him in a complete circle that even his heavy frame couldn’t stop. I grinned when he stumbled.

I kicked his knee, bringing him down to eye level, and clocked him in the temple with the hilt of my blade. He went down face-first with a crunch I hoped meant he broke his nose on impact.

I glanced back at the black-haired werewolf who was getting up and dusting himself off.

“I had it handled,” I said, my voice sharper than intended.

He met my eyes, a tiny grin turning the corner of his lips. “Sure you did, princess.”

I clenched my teeth. “Sure thing, mutt.”

“Are we in an insult war?”

“Better a war of wits than of blood.”

He shrugged. “Fair enough, princess.”

I gritted my teeth, trying not to snap. There were three men still in that cave. We needed to go before they?—

Too late,Ran hissed.

They erupted from the mouth of the cave. I hopped up on a snorting and pawing Ran, holding my hand out to Wolfie.

He studied me, his eyes seeing more than I wished. “You would give me access to your kidneys?”

I growled low in my throat. “Get your butt up herenow!” I hissed.

He full out smiled, the cur. Then he grabbed my hand and swung up behind me. He kept his arms at his sides, giving a healthy amount of space between us. For being in a saddle madefor a single person, he somehow touched me the least amount possible. Did I stink?

The back of my neck prickled with the knowledge of the master predator at my back, but there was no other way. At least none I’d choose. He’d saved my hide—I’d never say that to his face, but it was true—so there was no way I’d leave his sorry mutt butt behind to die. Even if it would be safer, I wasn’t without honor.

“You better hold on, Wolfie,” I said.

“Wha—” He cut off with a grunt as Ran lurched forward with her massive gait. Wolfie leaned forward, wrapping his arms around my waist, being extremely careful not to squeeze too hard. His touch was light as a feather, his breath brushing against my neck as my hood had flown off during our flight. His warmth wrapped around me. It felt weird. I didn’t let people get close, and yet I was breaking my rule to keep people at a distance. To trust no one. I’d only trusted Ran to guard my back for a very long time.

But here we were.

Ran gathered her legs, leaping over a log. We had long since lost any sounds coming from behind us. They likely had horses, but no horse on the planet could outpace a unicorn.

Darn straight,Ran said.

We slowed to a trot, coming to a winding stream. Ran’s sides heaved, and I was feeling mighty cramped. I get what Wolfie was saying about carriages and whatnot. This saddle was not made for two, and although the warmth at my back was oddly not super uncomfortable, my thighs were aching and my legs were nearly asleep cause little blood flow could make it through the pinching confinement of the cantle.

Wolfie got down first, holding out a hand to me. I stared at him, but I couldn’t get myself to take it. To accept help is painful. Either you hurt the other person or they expect something inreturn. Better to be self-reliant. I gave him a slight nod, but got down myself. He gave me a nod of understanding, going over to the river. My legs quivered when I hit the dirt, the tingling of blood flow made me grimace.

You should’ve accepted his help,Ran saidhelpfullyas I tried not to fall on my butt by leaning against her shoulder that was still dark with Wolfie’s blood.

Thanks. So much,I replied, slapping her shoulder teasingly and grimacing when the blood flaked off on my hand.

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