Page 66 of Tide Touched

‘Thank you.’

He blinks. ‘For what?’

I lower my gaze, trying to figure out how to say it. ‘For not being an asshole.’

Killian barks a laugh. ‘You’re welcome?’ He shakes his head and keeps walking.

He doesn’t know how much I mean it. Because I’m about to be an asshole to him.

I listen carefully, waiting until he’s out of earshot, then stagger to my feet, finally able to leave without his watchful gaze on me.

‘Moira, I’m coming.’

Chapter Thirty-One

Killian

My mind narrows to the sound of a heartbeat, tracking the small deer just a few paces ahead. Hunting in wolf form always takes my mind off everything else. I hunch low to the ground on all fours, keeping silent, hackles raised.

I can see her through the trees, the little doe. A large animal would be too much for just Katherine and I. Better not to waste time preparing it, then the waste of not eating it all. No, a smaller animal is better. I bare my teeth as she lowers her head to the ground, taking her last mouthful of grass, chewing quietly.

I pounce and land on her in one, swift motion. I don’t give her time to fret or panic, simply snapping her neck beneath my jaws. I’m not apathetic to taking the life of another creature, but at least she was only afraid for a moment.

I set her down, shift back to human form, and sling her over my shoulder. It won’t take me long to skin and cook her, so Katherine won’t be hungry for much longer.

Guilt prickles over my skin. I shouldn’t have left Moira unprotected. Last night has been in my head all day. I didn’t realise Elijah was down until it was too late. The Water wolves had already closed ranks around Moira, and my focus was on Katherine.

I wonder if she blames me. For letting her best friend be taken. For keeping her here with me. I couldn’t stop Elijah from going—I’m not an idiot, I know he isn’t going for supplies, he’s going after the woman he cares for. But I can still protect my mate.

The evening air is brisk on my naked body. I set the doe down, perhaps more gently than necessary, and climb into some clothes. Katherine’s probably getting cold. Perhaps I should help get her into the cave.

As I carry the doe back to where I left Katherine, something starts to bother me. I pause, listening. It’s quiet. Perhaps she fell asleep. She definitely needs her rest.

I should have been more honest with her. I set the doe down again and start a fire, my hands bitingly cold. I brush my fingertips to my lips, remembering the way we kissed, made love. It was like waking up from a long dream. Like finally coming home.

The day I got my wolf, some part of me knew, I guess. I started running on the beach to see her. Couldn’t stay away from her.

My thoughts continue down this path for a long time, until the doe is skinned and I’ve set her on a stick to roast over the fire. When the smell of cooked meat finally draws me out of my reverie, I get up to rouse Katherine. She must be starving.

I pad over to where I left her before hunting. I blink into the darkness. I hold a flame in my hand high in the air, the river glimmering under the firelight. ‘Katherine?’

Could she have snuck off to relieve herself? I glance up the river, wondering if she simply wandered into the water, called to it by her power. I glance around, my eyes becoming frantic. ‘Katherine?’ My voice grows louder. I turn and march into the cave, but with a sweep of my fire I can see it’s empty.

Worry grips me. Where is she? I go back to where she was, looking for tracks. Could the Water wolves have doubled back and taken her when I was hunting? How could I be so stupid to leave her alone?

I stare down at the ground as realisation dawns.

There’s only one set of tracks.

She wasn’t attacked.

She left. All on her own.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Katie

Cold air hugs my bare arms and legs, winding over my uncovered wounds, slicing deep. My green dress from the market, once pretty and earthen, is now more dirt than green and painted with my blood. I swallow, pushing past the pain of moving quickly through the woods.

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