Page 8 of Empowering the Wolf's Heart

“Yep,” I said.

I slipped from Ran’s back. One of the men turned tail and ran. The other released his bladder with a hiss as he stared into Ran’s dark eyes, glowing mane and bared, shark-like teeth. He fell to his knees. Yeah, she’s terrifying.

I stepped around the dude and squatted down beside the puppy, whose hackles were raised as it snapped at my fingers. I grabbed it by the scruff, not in the mood to go chasing after the little thing. It might get itself killed.

It whimpered as I stood, but I cradled it in my arms, and it didn’t attempt to bite me again. That was a positive sign.

The man who’d previously released his bladder now released a tiny sob. “Wait, please, they’ll kill me?—”

“They might. But would you prefer me to sic her on you?” I asked, bending down to his level as I jutted my chin as Ran.

He gulped and shook his head.

“Thought so.”

A howl rose behind us, making my arm hairs stand at attention. Great.

I climbed back on Ran. This time, she was kind enough to stand still.

“You were harsh to them,” the man on Ran’s wither said.

I glanced down at him. Was that approval in his voice? His dark eyes found mine, and they were shining with humor and something else I couldn’t name. They were quite entrancing, all amber mixed with swirling gold hues, but this was a werewolf I was talking about. They were always entrancing while they hunted you to your death.

“Shut up,” I hissed.

I kicked Ran, who grumbled about me asking next time instead of jabbing her sensitive flanks, and we ran. The werewolves chased us outside the city, where we eventually lost them in the wood.

“Where are we going?” the werewolf asked.

“Shut up.”

“Unless you stab me again, I don’t suppose you have anything to threaten me with to keep me quiet, yes?”

Being this close to him had ice rushing through my veins. What was I thinking? I’d always killed werewolves, notkidnappedthem. “I’m only taking you to get to someone else. No harm will come to you if you do as I say.”

“Says the one who stabbed me.”

I winced. “I’m new to this, ok?”

“I can tell,” he said, that hint of amusement back in his voice. “Who are you trying to draw out with this little charade?”

“None of your business. Now go to sleep.”

“I am not a child to be put to bed. Could you give me a dose of wolfsbane? Sleep, even drugged sleep, is preferable to this.”

“Is this conversation not pleasant enough for the mighty werewolf?”

I heard a snort that might’ve been a laugh or just a grunt from hanging over the back of Ran’s bony wither. “It is entertaining, but the ride is quite exhausting. I would prefer to wake with a headache and sore muscles later than soar overrooftops and leap streams with a crazed assassin and her steed—is that a dratted unicorn?”

Dratted?Ran threw a slight crowhop that sent his head banging against her knee.

“Fine! A mighty fine unicorn with beautiful feathering along her hooves and strong, muscled flanks.”

Ran’s gait evened out.Smooth,she said, her voice holding a hint of appreciation.

“Shut up,” I whispered, but of course the werewolf heard.

“Do you wish me to end this fine conversation? I believed you to be enjoying it, but it appears I was wrong?”

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