Page 40 of The Wolf Prince's Mate

It didn’t necessarily feel right, but it didn’t feel wrong either, and the conversation had flowed naturally. Things were comfortable between us. And comfort was definitely important.

I didn’t feel any sparks, but sparks were overrated.

I didn’t feel any attraction, either, and attractionwasn’toverrated. But I hoped that would develop in time.

My four-man security crew was a few yards further away than usual, with all of the men arguing about the sports game that had been playing in the bar.

Charlie would’ve knocked their heads in for arguing rather than watching me, but he was taking a well-deserved night off. I’d basically forced him to. He was working even more than I was.

There hadn’t been a peep from my stalker since Hunter reevaluated the pack’s security, so I was confident I’d be fine. The guys could argue all they wanted.

I reached the door of my car and waved at the group, calling out, “See you at the Lodge.”

One of them waved back, and I ducked into my car, starting the engine. They got in their Jeep as I pulled out of the parking lot, and the second guy waved when I passed him.

I was bobbing my head with the music, five minutes down the highway, when my always-terrified wolfwhimpered.

That was different.

She was usually scared, but not to that extent.

Frowning, I sniffed the air for something that could’ve upset her.

It definitely wasn’t heat. I’d been cold all day. It was supposed to be starting in the next couple of days, but after what happened last time, I was watching closely for signs.

Hunter and I had been avoiding the topic of what to do when heat started again.

I was pretty sure I was going to end up spending it on the floor of his mansion’s basement, but that was fine.

I’d survive.

A hint of an unfamiliar scent in my car deepened my frown.

Had I put something unusual inside?

What could I have possibly?—

A pair of hands wrapped around my throat, and I choked on my scream as they cut off my air supply.

“Hello, little wolf,” a low, masculine voice rumbled as dominance washed over me, making me tremble.

Terror and horror had me grabbing at the hands, trying to rip them off my skin, but they didn’t budge.

“Hold the wheel,” the man commanded, hitting me with a wave of dominance strong enough to make my wolf silent with fear.

She wasn’t strong.

She wasn’t brave.

She was soft. Small. Sweet.

I had to fight for both of us.

But I couldn’t stop myself from grabbing the steering wheel and righting the car, pulling back into my lane.

My panic-hazed eyes lifted to the rearview mirror, searching desperately for the Jeep that should’ve been behind me, but I didn’t see it.

They’d been distracted, talking about the game. I was too far ahead of them.

---