The Hunt (By Kiss and Claw #2) - Melissa Haag Page 0,34

a signal to speed up because he darted forward at a run. I leaned low and held on for dear life.

The wind whipped at me, stealing more heat, and snow flew in my face, numbing my skin. Yet, I barely felt any of that. His body rubbed against me in a rhythmic way that woke my inner monster.

I struggled to remember that my friend was under me as I ran my fingers through his fur. But logic floated just out of my reach. Instead, I could only focus on how incredibly soft he was and that he smelled so good. I buried my nose in his neck and breathed in deeply.

“You smell like heaven, Fenris.”

His stride faltered, and I would have lost my seat if I hadn’t clamped my legs tighter to rub myself against him.

He ran faster. The wind pulled at my hair as his muscles undulated beneath me, a sensual dance that begged more study. I purred at the thought of him in his skin, under me.

As much as I liked the way he felt now, I wanted to run my cool fingers over his delicious heat and explore every inch of him. I wanted to see his eyes glaze over when I commanded him to touch me. I wanted—

The world spun.

I shrieked at the avalanche of snow that touched my neck and ran into the back of my coat as Fenris pinned me to the ground. Panting, he braced himself over me. Steam rolled off of his sweaty torso. It would have distracted me again had he not leaned in and said three damning words.

“Who are you?”

I closed my eyes against the anger in his voice.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered.

“I don’t want your apology; I want your answer. Who are you?”

“Eliana. I’m not a monster.”

His forehead touched mine, and I could feel the tremors running through him. I opened my mouth to apologize again only to close it. He had every right to be angry with me. Werewolves mated for life. There was no playing the field with them. The act was the bond. Period. Had he not stopped me, I would have ruined his life as thoroughly as Mom had ruined Dad’s.

“You should get dressed,” I said softly. “I’ll walk from here.”

Fenris didn’t move right away; the shaking slowly eased, first. When he did start to get up, I turned my head and closed my eyes, not trusting myself. My heart ached for what I’d just put Fenris through. And I hoped he’d forgive me eventually.

“I’m dressed.”

I quickly scrambled to my feet and found Fenris beside me. He stood rigidly with his fists clenched and his jaw muscles ticking. While I knew he didn’t want another useless apology, it was killing me not to say it.

“I wish I could tell you that I would have stopped before things went too far.”

He closed his eyes at my words and physically winced. My guilt speared me, and I glanced away. The car waited in the distance. He’d tried so hard to get us there and had almost made it.

Unsure, I looked back at him. He hadn’t moved.

Slowly, I brushed off the snow still clinging to me and struggled with how to make things better between us. In the end, there wasn’t anything I could do but give him the distance he probably needed right then.

“You were smart to do what you did. Thank you for all your help today.”

I turned and walked away. He didn’t try to stop me, and I didn’t look back, too afraid of what I’d see. Miserable, I got into the car and drove away. Riddled with guilt over what I’d done and that I’d left him there, I navigated the way home on autopilot.

What if I’d just lost my one remaining friend?

Misery and guilt were horrible company and turned my eyes black well before I pulled into the garage. I told myself that I’d feel better after a shower, that my mood was due to my sticky shirt, but doubt was cruel and wouldn’t let me fully believe things would be better any time soon.

Distracted, I let myself into the kitchen.

“Eliana!” Mrs. Quill’s beaming smile faltered when I met her gaze. “Is everything all right? Didn’t you feed well enough with the dryad?”

I sunk lower inside, gave her an annoyed glare, and kept walking.

Why hadn’t I said something to Mom right away? Of course, Adira would let Mrs. Quill know. And now Mrs. Quill would let Adira know how I returned home. Great. Just