Page 107 of Halfblood Deceived

The wolf sighed and dipped his chin once.

Aella rummaged in her kangaroo pocket, realizing the map and flashlight were gone. She bit her lip. “Um, do you know the way back to my sister’s house? I lost my map…”

She trailed off as she realized the sky was going from black to indigo.

Diana was likely back home or on her way, and she would find that wretched note.

The wolf nudged Aella’s shoulder.

She blinked at him. “My sister will be worried. I need to go back fast. Can you lead me?”

He tilted his head thoughtfully, then pointed at his back with his muzzle.

Aella shook her head. “You want me to get on your back as if you were a horse?”

He nodded.

“I’m heavy,” Aella argued.

He frowned at her and shook his head.

“Just lead me and I’ll run as fast as I can,” she said, becoming uncomfortably aware of how weak she was. Her limbs were shaky and her stomach was so empty it hurt.

The wolf pointed at his back again.

“I’m too big,” Aella protested.

He arched a brow at her, nudging her further into the tree line. Without breaking eye contact with her, he stepped closer to a massive boulder that almost reached her thigh.

He hit it with a paw.

The boulder flew and collided with a tree. The loud cracking reached Aella’s ears before the tree broke in half. Several birds flew away from neighboring trees, letting out alarmed sounds.

Aella forced her jaw to return to its place. “Okay, fine, you are ridiculously strong. There’s no need to scare innocent birds and kill harmless trees.”

His lips twitched up into a smile. He pointed at his back with his muzzle again.

Biting her lip, Aella approached him, hesitating. She had never ridden a horse, much less a horse-sized wolf.

He lay flat on his stomach, giving her an inviting look.

Aella licked her parched lips and sat astride him. He was deliciously warm, all solid, lean muscle, and fluid strength under her.

She had never felt safer.

The wolf stood carefully, giving her a questioning, expectant look.

Aella secured her legs around him, leaning slightly forward and gripping his fur with both hands. “Ready.”

The wolf walked deeper into the forest at a measured pace that was still much faster than Aella’s.

Her pulse ratcheted with anticipation. “Is this the best you can do?” she teasingly challenged, stunned at how easy it was to joke with him. How could she feel even the slightest amount of humor after trying to take her own life? Am I losing my marbles completely? She wondered.

The wolf shot her a mischievous look over his shoulder, and within seconds, he was trotting. He easily jumped over fallen trees, scaring the Hell out of some poor rabbits and a deer.

Aella laughed.

The sound was shaky, almost hysterical, and rusty, but it made her feel lighter.

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