The Hunt (By Kiss and Claw #2) - Melissa Haag Page 0,28
how uncomfortable it was for you to have to deal with me the last time I lost control. I don’t want to put you through that again.”
His silence had me opening one eye to peek at him. His straight-ahead stare and serious expression worried me enough that I could ignore the hunger.
“Fenris?”
His gaze met mine. “I’m never uncomfortable when I’m with you. The only thing I don’t like about you letting your iron-clad control slip is that you hate yourself for it.”
“You’re far too understanding,” I said, giving him a sad smile.
“And you’re far too hard on yourself.”
I made a non-committal noise and focused on the trees. Having my feet out of the snow helped a little. The heat that Fenris radiated helped even more. As soon as I felt my toes again, I asked to be put down.
It was a good thing, too, because a minute later, we heard a distant howl. Fenris tipped his head and listened. Another howl came a little distance away from the first one.
“Trouble?” I asked.
“No. It sounds like a few of the pack are searching this part of the woods. They’re coordinating their efforts.”
“What are they searching for?”
“Ashlyn would be my guess.”
My heart gave a little jump of hope.
“How big are the Drys Woods?” I asked.
“About 144 square miles, give or take.”
My steps slowed as I mentally calculated the number of days I had left before Megan returned and how much time each day I’d be able to spend searching for the druids. It equaled too much on them and not enough looking for Ashlyn.
“We’re never going to find her in time.”
“Ashlyn?”
I nodded before I could stop myself.
“So that’s why you want the druids? You think they can help you find Ashlyn.”
“I think they’re the place to start.”
“Why?”
My chest tightened with panic. I wanted to confide in Fenris so badly, but I feared his reaction. My friend list had already shrunk drastically, and I couldn’t afford to lose another.
“It’s okay,” he said softly. “When you’re ready, you can tell me. There’s no rush.”
But there was. Ashlyn’s safety was on the line, and time was against us.
Another howl echoed in the air, this time much closer. I startled when Fenris howled back. The sound was deep and throaty and very inhuman. The answering howl was immediate, and Fenris stopped walking.
“What?” I asked.
“They’re coming to us.”
I wanted to ask why but spotted the wolf running through the trees ahead and knew he’d hear. So I waited next to Fenris and let out a little squeak and closed my eyes when the wolf’s form shimmered and melted into an upright and very naked man.
“Fenris, what are you doing out here?”
“Hey, Conall. Trying to meet up with some friends. What about you?”
“Looking for someone. Have you seen anything?”
“Nothing the way we came. What about you? Seen any girls?”
Conall snorted. “You don’t have enough of them panting after you at home?”
“What can I say? I like the attention.”
I knew for a fact that was a lie. Based on the man’s next words, he knew it too.
“We’ll see if you still feel that way Tuesday night. The only females we came across were three druids a few miles back.”
“Thanks.”
Silence descended, and I struggled to keep my eyes closed. Curiosity won out, and I peeked through one eye only to squeal and stumble backward when I saw Fenris’s grinning face inches from mine.
“What is wrong with you?” I smacked his arm and looked around for the other wolf.
“He already left, and I was wondering how long you’d keep your eyes closed.”
“So you got in my face?”
“It was pretty funny.”
I shook my head at him, slightly amused but unwilling to admit it. The last thing Fenris needed was encouragement.
“Are you ready to find your druids?”
“More than ready.” Blood pumping from the scare, I managed to walk on my own for quite a distance before Fenris caught me shivering again. I didn’t protest when he picked me up, but I was careful to keep my hands and eyes to myself.
“I smell smoke,” he said softly. “They aren’t far off now.”
“I can make it the rest of the way on my own.”
He snorted.
“And how are you going to find your way back? Just accept that I’m here for the whole thing.”
I wrinkled my nose, wondering how long it would take him to figure out the druids and I were responsible for Ashlyn’s disappearance after I told them she was missing. Probably seconds.
The girls weren’t camped in some nice clearing or anything. They had