Page 11 of Stalked By the Wolf

I’d been so out of sorts from Dane showing up that it hadn’t even occurred to me. I did, however, remember Shadow’s litter box, bed, and food dish.

“Don’t worry, love. I can lend you some things. Why don’t you run a nice hot bath while I make us something to eat? I’ll leave a change of clothes for you on the bed.”

I nod mutely, my shoulders sagging with relief and gratitude. He must think I’m such a mess. I have noidea why he’s being so nice to me, but I decide not to question it.

Sebastian backs out of the room, and for a long moment, I just stand there, staring out the huge window at the shadowy trees beyond.

I should be horrified that my ex is a shifter. I should be terrified that I’m alone in the mountains with a man who can transform into a giant wolf. And yet, for the first time in months, I feel absolutely safe.

SEBASTIAN

My wolf whinesat the prospect of leaving Claire all alone, but my angel has been through enough for one night. She needs some time to relax and unwind so that she can feel safe again.

I want her to feel safe with me, but she doesn’t know me. Not yet.

My blood boils at the thought of Murphy hurting her. I’m going to kill that motherfucker.

Pulling on my boots, I follow the lighted path out to my shed, which is just a small outbuilding that I’ve converted into an office. Pressing my thumb to the pad outside the door, I turn the handle and walk inside.

The low lights flip on behind my monitors, and I’m greeted by the cheerful blink of my servers. Even without the heater running, it’s pleasantly warm inside my shed, thanks to the heat generated by my setup.

I wiggle my mouse, and all the monitors flicker to life. Along one wall, screens display security feeds for every room in my house. On the opposite side, lines of code wiggle across a black background.

Before I left Claire’s place, I made sure her ancient laptop was open and oriented toward the main living space. She was running an outdated version of her operating system, and it was pitifully easy to gain access to her webcam.

It’s dark inside her dreary flat. It doesn’t look as though Murphy has been there since we left, but I’ll continue to monitor the feed.

I’m furious with myself for letting him slip through my fingers — even more so after hearing Claire’s story. There’s no way I’m letting her go back to her place until I’ve caught the bastard.

My wolf doesn’teverwant to let her go.

It’s a strange feeling for someone like me, who’s designed every facet of my life to minimize human contact. My pack brothers are the only people I can stand to be around for more than a few minutes. Until today.

The second I laid eyes on Claire, I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my days getting to know her. I want — no,need— to have her in my life. I want to learn everything about this woman — what movies she likes, how she takes her tea, what she sounds like when she comes . . .

Having her in my home and not being able to touch her is pure fucking torture. All I wanted to do thesecond she walked through the door was take her up to my bed, peel off her clothes, and spend the next several days exploring every inch of her creamy skin.

My cock swells at the thought of Claire sprawled across my sheets, those soft blond curls fanned out behind her as I sink deep inside her warm, wet —

Just then, a flicker of movement on one of the feeds captures my attention. It’s the camera in the guest bedroom — Claire’s bedroom.

My beautiful girl is undressing for her bath. Her light-blond hair is still plaited down her bare back, and I groan as I imagine wrapping my hand around it and tugging her head back as she rides me. I’d suck one of those gorgeous nipples into my mouth and—

I shut off the monitor before she turns around and gives me another visual for that fantasy.

This isn’t why I brought Claire here. I brought her here to protect her from predators like Murphy. I brought her here so that she would feel safe.

It doesn’t seem right to start our relationship by spying on her through a computer screen. Besides, the first time my angel bares herself to me completely, I want to be able to do more than just watch.

You can’t be serious, says a voice in my head.She’ll never go for a monster like you.

She went for Murphy, I snap back. Clearly her taste in males isn’t all that discerning.

And even though I shouldn’t, I find myself hoping she’ll make one more mistake by falling for someone like me.

CHAPTER SIX

CLAIRE

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