Page 42 of The Reluctant Wolf and His Fated Mate
“Oh, good. Maybe I’ll be waiting for you in the hot tub,” she suggested with a saucy grin.
“No, Sophie. Wait for me in here.” His expression turned serious.
Another odd reaction. Why did it matter if she had a head start? “Okay.”
After he left the cabin, she picked up her book. Less than a minute had gone by when she noticed he hadn’t taken his coat or his gloves.
Another question piled on top of her growing mountain of uncertainties. Why would Damon go outside without his outerwear? Yes, he’d told her that his body temperature ran hot, but it was still cold out, and snow had begun to fall.
Sophie put her coat and boots on and grabbed his coat and gloves. He’d only just left so he shouldn’t be far.
She stepped outside and searched for him. “Damon?”
Where was he? She should have been able to see him walking down the mountain. His car was still parked outside, so he hadn’t driven.
She spotted fresh footprints in the snow leading onto the forest trail. It had to be Damon. Why would he head in there while it was snowing?
Her breath quickened. Maybe this was related to whatever he’d been keeping from her. Her skin tingled with excitement.
She groaned. More likely it was a work situation, such as rescuing a skier like her who’d gone off trail.
Still, he was sure to appreciate warm clothing, right?
As she stepped toward the darker terrain encapsulated by the woods, her pulse jolted. She couldn’t help but think of when she’d been lost and confused in the woods at night last weekend. So much had changed since that night that Damon had found her.
Right, it had led to good things. Refusing to be permanently scared of the forest and mountains—nature visits she’d cherished her entire life, she nodded to herself and ventured into the trees.
Soon after entering, the skies appeared so much darker. She glanced up at the massive pine trees that swayed slightly with the wind and peered at the nearly full moon above.
The sound of movement through the brush made her snap around. A twig broke. Her eyes slowly adjusted to the outlines in the darkness.
In her peripheral vision, she spotted movement through the trees. She whirled toward it. At first, she thought it was a deer. Then she peered closer. It had to be Damon. Although he wasn’t facing her, she was certain it was him. He’d removed his shirt, boots, and pants.
What in the world? Why would anyone undress out there and stand barefoot in the snow?
When he took off his jeans, she caught a glimpse of Damon’s profile, confirming it was him.
She walked toward him. As she approached, his body appeared to—vibrate.
No, that wasn’t possible. She blinked.
Thinking it would clear her vision, she was mistaken. His body enlarged and shimmered. Her heart pounded and throat clammed up. In the next second, Damon was gone. In his place was a gray wolf.
A wolf!
She gasped and dropped his coat and gloves. No doubt this massive creature was not some freakin’ coyote!
Sounds of movement from behind had to mean the wolf was chasing her. Her heart wrenched up to her throat. She ran as fast as she could through the snow, and then the worst thing happened—she slipped.
Pushing her hands forward, she broke the fall.
"Sophie."
Massive tree-trunk arms wrapped around her and she shrieked, writhing to escape the grasp. “Get off me!”
“It’s me, Damon.” After he helped steady her on her feet, he released her.
She turned over her shoulder, half-expecting to face a wolf lunging at her. Sure enough, it was Damon, stark-ass naked.
