Page 17 of The Alpha and His Enemy Wolf
“So you hugged me?”
He shrugged. “It was on instinct.”
“Meaning?”
“I felt an urge to protect you, because… well, you know why.”
Right. A wolf experienced an overwhelming drive to protect his or her mate. Apparently, that meant from the elements as well.
“I have a better idea,” Rafe added. “If you’re going to walk back, we should get you a coat.” He pointed at buildings across the street. “We can get one in the village.”
With the cool air, it would be a chilly walk home. She glanced at her clothing. “Did you arrange for this clothing for me?”
“Yes, I made a call earlier.”
She shuffled on one foot in her new boots to the other. They were the warmest and most comfortable pair she’d ever owned. Plus, the clothing was incredibly soft and allowed for movement. “These are much better than that shirt I had on earlier.” With a sheepish grin, she added, “Or the blanket.” She pursed her lips. “I’ll get some money to pay you back.” If they were expensive, that might be an issue. She didn’t have much money, and she didn’t want to ask for her father for money to pay back a Franconia.
“Absolutely not.” He shook his head. “It’s on me.” He cocked his head in the direction of the stores. “Come on.”
Twenty minutes later,Mila tried on a burgundy coat with a faux-fur hood in one of the clothing stores. She’d never entered any of establishments in the village before, which was full of shops and restaurants, because her pack often criticized the Franconia pack’s developments. Still, she had to admit she appreciated the quality and convenience of buying clothes here—plus she liked the way they felt on her body.
“It looks good on you,” Rafe noted with a nod of approval.
She glanced in the mirror, admiring the color and fit. “Thanks.”
“Would you like it? Or do you want to try on others?”
This entire situation was peculiar. That morning, they’d lashed out at each other with pure hatred. Now they were going shopping together? She chalked it up to their hormonal wolves.
Yet, for a powerful alpha, he’d occasionally shown a considerate side, such as with the clothing and setting her free. She couldn’t picture her father being so lenient.
“I’m happy with this one,” she replied.
After he paid for the coat, they exited the store. Was it time for her to leave?
She shuffled before him from one foot to the other, not exactly sure what to do next. A part of her stalled, not wanting to leave him. She attempted to dismiss it as her wolf’s yearnings once more. Mila should be itching to get out of there. They were Franconia shifters after all—and they’d imprisoned her.
So why wasn’t she running?
“Well, I guess I should head on over to my pack.” Why did she sound reluctant?
Rafe studied her for a few intense seconds, and her pulse jolted. “I hope you return, Mila.”
“Of course I will,” she replied. “We have an agreement.”
“I’m aware of that.” His eyes seemed to pierce her, as if trying to detect her sincerity.
Mila swallowed her guilt because her intentions were purely duplicitous. She raised her chin in an attempt to stifle this strange attraction to Rafe from messing with her mind. She’d come up with a strategy and intended to stick to it. Rafe was foolish to let her go—and even more so to invite her to stay.
She’d exploit his belief that she was his mate and set her plan in motion to spy on his pack. Only one small snafu—she’d also have to ignore her wolf’s desires.
“Goodbye, Rafe,” she said. “I’ll be back tomorrow.” Then she forced herself to walk away from him and back to her territory.
Chapter 5
Mila
As Mila trekked back through the snow to her pack’s territory, on two legs this time, her wolf urged her to return to their mate. She attempted to ignore the uncomfortable yearning and prepared to talk to her father. What she’d need to do was cover up her failure and spin the discussion around to the positive outcome.
