Page 85 of Blade's Battle
“He really needs to stop doing that,” she said, more amused than annoyed this time.
Even as Blade shifted and ran ahead, he couldn’t shake the unease that had settled in his gut. His agitation probably had more to do with his wolf that Anna’s immediate safety. His wolf had been very quiet these past few days and Blade suspected his wolf was patiently lying in wait for him to loosen his control, or perhaps stay away from Anna a tad too long. He’d worried about the Running of the Moon, but he’d been surrounded by pack and had slipped into the group mentality during the run, a state of mind that soothed his wolf almost as much as Anna. Eventually, her presence would fail to pacify his wolf though, and his wolf would go on the offense.
Blade scouted ahead five miles and then circled, taking a different route to make sure he hadn’t missed anything. Whatever that tangy scent had been, it had disappeared. The area was clear for the moment, but a faint prickle at the edge of his senses sent his hackles up. Though they were deep in the forest, this was bear shifter territory. Damien had alliances with most of the wolf packs for a hundred miles in all directions, but bears didn’t form alliances, at least not with wolves.
By the time Blade returned to the group, Anna’s face had lost all color. “What’s happened?” Blade asked.
“Nothing,” she said as she pushed past him without meeting his eyes.
Callen grabbed his arm before he could go after him. “Let her be. She needs to accept it.”
“You told her?” Blade’s wolf roared up, ready to vent his rage. Blade had to calm himself fast and not give his wolf any opportunity to seize control. “Why?” he ground out through clenched teeth.
“She’s not stupid, Blade. She asked why it took four shifters to guard her when all she needed was you.”
“All you had to say was that Damien was being extra cautious. That it was for her protection, which is the truth.”
“She asked point-blank what we were protecting her from. I wasn’t going to lie.”
“You’ll lie to our enemies, torture, torment, do whatever you deem necessary for the sake of the pack, but you couldn’t manage one small lie to spare her?”
“Lying won’t help her.”
“Damn you!”
Blade ran to catch up with Anna. When he caught up to her, she refused to stop. “I’m sorry, Anna. I should have told you, but I wanted this time to be as normal as possible.”
“Normal? With the death squad in tow?”
“They’re here to protect you.”
“They’re here to put you down when the time comes. They still think you’re a danger to me.”
He grabbed her by her arm and swung her around. “Iama danger to you and to them and anyone else around me the second my wolf seizes control. I won’t be able to hold out forever and that’s something you need to accept.”
“Then blood-bond me so you won’t go feral!”
“We’ve been over this. I won’t blood-bond you unless it’s what you really want,” he practically growled. His emotions were running too high suddenly. He wanted her. All of her, forever, but she didn’t want that. She still mourned her husband. His Anna couldn’t see beyond his going feral to think straight, to decide what she wanted for her future, to decide if she truly wanted him bonded to her for life.
“I want to blood-bond.”
“Look me straight in the eyes and tell me that.”
She bit her lip and shook her head.
His heart sank. He thought she wanted him, even if she wasn’t fully ready for the blood-bond. But her expression said she didn’t see him in that way. It wasn’t a matter of being tied to him and fearing the consequences should something go wrong for him as it had for Kurt. She simply didn’t love him.
“Then we have our answer,” he said dryly. “No blood-bond. And don’t mention it again. Or thedeath squad. They’re here on orders, for your protection.”
“I’m going to find a solution, Blade,” she promised, steeling her emotions. “Whether you approve or not.
Her voice faltered, and she swallowed hard, trying to compose herself. There was no denying that she was struggling. Blade held his tongue, locking away what he really wanted to say, that he loved her. He’d said it once already, and she hadn’t responded, at least not with the same sentiment. At some point, he’d have to face the truth. She’d probably never feel the same way about him. Oh, he didn’t doubt that she cared about him, but that wasn’t enough. He wanted all of her.
“I won’t interfere,” he acquiesced.
She nodded. “Good. You’ll see. I’ll figure this out.”
“I’m sure you will. A solution that doesn’t require blood-bonding so you can return to your life and I’ll return to my pack.” There, he’d said it clear as day. Not an ultimatum, but something concrete that would take the pressure off that she was placing on herself. He’d fight off his wolf as long as he could. In the meantime, she would continue her research. It wouldn’t change anything for him. He wasn’t going to blood-bond her unless she loved him. Doing her research though would keep her busy, distract her from thedeath squadand their assignment.
