Page 20 of Wolf Hunted (Rejected Moons 1)

Not that I didn’tknowthat already. I don’t need her to explain the obvious to me.

I don’t know why I’m letting Emlyn get to me, honestly. Shehasbeen helpful so far. It’s not like she’s being arrogant and self-righteous without even the benefit of beingright, the way Butch was so much of the time. When she says something with conviction, she’s usually got a pretty good point.

I guess I’m just not used to women trying to tell me what to do. And even though we’re not packmates, or even long-term friends, there’s a part of me that feels like she needs to learn her place.

I’ll have to get over that, though. I’m not planning to assume any responsibility over her, so for her to submit to me would be a complete waste of both of our energy.

I take another bite of meat and chew thoughtfully, trying to let the flavor spread through my mouth instead of just swallowing the bite straight down the way my wolf would do. I’ve got a wolfish appetite right now, but considering that I spend a significant amount of time in a human body, it’s healthier to eat while human. This body’s more delicate than the wolf’s is.

The wolf has more finely honed senses, though, and so it takes me a moment to realize I’m smelling something I shouldn’t.

The scents of the forest are rich and pleasant, and they almost overwhelm this other smell at first, but it’s getting closer, and after a moment, it’s impossible to ignore.

Wolves.

And not my pack, either. I know the scent of my own pack, and this isn’t them. Whether it’s wild wolves or other shifters, this whole area is on the verge of becoming enemy territory.

I grab Emlyn’s bag and sling it onto my shoulder. After a moment’s thought, I unzip it and pack in the rest of the cooked meat. No point in letting that go to waste. I throw some dirt on the fire to stifle it, even though the animal carcass is going to let our enemies know we were here. Then I creep over to Emlyn’s side, cover her mouth to keep her from crying out, and shake her awake.

To her credit, she comes alert easily and without making a sound. She rolls to her feet, and I let her go, releasing her mouth. It’s clear that she understands we’re in danger and isn’t going to do anything to make that worse.

I beckon to her.

She holds out a hand for the backpack.

I roll my eyes and hand it over. I was just trying tohelp, for fuck’s sake. But whatever, let her carry it if it means that much to her.

She shrugs it on, then surprises me—yet again—by starting off in the direction I indicated.

She hasn’t waited for an explanation of where we’re going, or ofwhywe’re going. She’s just willing to listen, and to do something because I think it’s best.

I’ve never experienced cooperation like this before. Not from anybody.

And I’m starting to feel like I could get used to it.

Of course, I shouldn’t let that happen. I shouldn’t let myself get too comfortable with her. Because we’re not going to be together long term. Eventually, we’re going to have to split up.

Still, I might as well enjoy having someone so easy to work with by my side as long as she’s here.

We stay human, neither of us wanting to give the wolves any extra scents to track, and I lead the way back toward the shell of the city.

Chapter 14

EMLYN

“Here,”hesays,pullingme into a tiny little space.

I look around. “What is this?”

“I don’t know. An apartment building of some kind. This is just the stairwell. But the smell here is strong. They won’t track us down.”

I give it an experimental sniff. He’s right. There’s definitely a smell in here, and not a bad one. Cedar wood, maybe. It’ll cover our scents just fine.

“You can go back to sleep if you want to,” Nate says. “It’s still my watch.”

I shake my head. “I’m up,” I say. Adrenaline is coursing through me, and I have no interest in trying to sleep any more.

“Did you smell them?” he asks.

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