Page 105 of A Wolf's Wound
I don’t want to hurt Hannah.But the scent is demanding that I bite.It’s driving every other thought out of my head and filling me with the worst kind of lust and desire.I lean down closer to Hannah and lick my lips.Then I open my mouth.
Just then, a weight lands on my back.I drop Hannah and reach around to feel what’s clinging to me.It’s Shadow, trying to protect Hannah.
“Don’t!”Hannah cries as I punch wildly at Shadow.“Ryder, don’t hurt him!”
One of my fists connects with Shadow’s head.He falls to the ground in a heap, and for a second I think I’ve killed him.But then he pops up, snarling and baring his teeth.
I swing again and he darts away before rushing at my legs.I move to kick him but he’s too fast and attaches himself to my left ankle.
“Shadow!”Hannah screams.I pull my leg back, getting ready to kick out as hard as I can and dislodge the raccoon.“Ryder!”
Hannah jumps in front of me, directly where I was about to kick.She bends down and, in one swift motion, pulls Shadow off me.Shadow’s swinging and hissing, whipping his tail around like a sword.
But instead of throwing him at me to defend herself, Hannah puts Shadow down and swiftly steps in front of him.He tries to run around her legs but she moves to block him.“Shadow, stop!”Hannah cries, and he calms down.“It’s okay.”
Hannah looks up at me.“Ryder, leave Shadow alone.Don’t hurt him, please.He’s just trying to protect me.”
I lunge at Hannah.But at the same time, another scent hits me.It’s one that I’ve never smelled before.
It feels familiar and comforting but also exciting and passionate.How can one scent stir up such opposing feelings in me?Why does it make me want to both protect Hannah and kiss her?
My hands are on Hannah’s neck.She lets out a soft whimper and closes her eyes, seeming to brace herself for my bite.But I stop moving.
The scent that Brian released is dissipating.I can barely smell it anymore.This new scent is just as overwhelming, though it doesn’t feel as though it’s controlling me.In fact, my head feels clearer, and I can tell I’m back in control of myself.
I glance around, trying to figure out where it’s coming from.I see Brian, who looks scared.He didn’t release this scent, but he can tell that something has happened.Something he didn’t anticipate.
Then I realize, all at once, what this scent is.It’s the scent of my mate.The scent of the one that I’m meant to be with forever.
But that means… I look at Hannah.How have I not realized it before?How has it taken until my instincts were the only thing in control for the bond to snap in place?
Maybe because I’ve spent so long burying my emotions, denying attachments that I couldn’t even see it when it was right there.
The fear on her face has softened into confusion as I hesitate, still standing so close to her.I lift my hands from her neck and she sighs.
“Ryder,” Hannah whispers.“What’s going on?”
I want to tell her but I can’t.I put my hands back on her, feeling an intense desire to be touching some part of her.But my hands settle gently on her shoulders as I pull her toward me.Hannah must be able to sense that I’m not going to attack because she doesn’t resist.
Instead, she returns my embrace.Her body fits perfectly against mine, as though we’re two halves of a whole.I inhale deeply, wanting more of this scent.I want to hold on to what it means: that Hannah is my mate.It seems incredible that she is, but I know that it’s true.
As the fog brought on by Brian’s scent continues to clear, my thoughts sharpen.Brian knows something has changed.So does Hannah.But will I be putting Hannah in more danger if I let go of her right now and tell her?
And what will Brian do when he realizes his plan has failed?Will he strike out at me or move to hurt Hannah, knowing that will hurt me the most?
I can’t risk Hannah’s safety again.She’s already been through too much.I have to protect her.
I inhale again, relishing the sensations rushing through me.And as I hold Hannah to me, a plan begins to take shape in my mind.
I know exactly what I have to do.
Chapter 60
Hannah
Ryderreleasesme,andI stumble backward.Shadow clutches my legs, and I watch in amazement as Ryder lunges at Brian.
“You bastard!”Ryder yells, punching Brian hard across the face.
