The Hunt (By Kiss and Claw #2) - Melissa Haag Page 0,76

checked the time. Hours had passed since arriving, which explained why the cabin was dark and cold. I was fortunate I’d woken when I had or I’d be a popsicle.

Recalling the time, I amended that thought. Sleeping through Adira’s dinner plans would have been worth a little frostbite. Yet, now that I was awake, I knew I couldn’t skip it. Rubbing my hands together, I burrowed deeper into the blanket I’d worn here and stood. At least, I wouldn’t need to put out the fire.

My breath fogged in front of me as I locked up the cabin and started for the car. With half my mind on what I was going to do about dinner, I didn’t immediately notice how quiet the trees were. The second I did, though, the back of my neck tingled with the feeling that I was being watched.

Pausing, I turned a slow circle to study my surroundings. I saw nothing, but my instincts were telling me there was something out there. It would have been easier to know for sure if I had Fenris’s senses of smell and hearing. Then again, did I really want to know something was watching me? Wasn’t it easier to pretend everything was fine?

I realized what I was telling myself and how badly I wanted to live in the shadows of delusion.

Disquieted by the knowledge, I continued toward the car. Occasionally, I heard a soft sound behind me. I didn’t turn to look or run away in fear. Instead, I embraced my inner predator.

By the time I reached the car, my eyes were completely black. Only then did I turn to face the woods. Something dark flashed between the trees. It was so brief it could have been a branch moving.

Or maybe a dryad, my mind whispered.

Disheartened by the thought that I might have corrupted one of the woodland beings, I got into the car. The paper bag in the back seat caught my eye, and I guiltily realized Fenris hadn’t eaten lunch because of me. While the car idled, I pulled out my phone.

I hesitated to send an apology, though. Those never seemed to be the words he wanted from me. He only ever wanted me to be true to myself, which I had been today. Mostly. So, I continued to stay true to myself in my message.

Me: Thanks for the safe haven. The fire’s out, and everything’s locked up, but you might want to check later. It felt like I was being followed from the cabin.

Fenris: I’m sure it’s nothing. Remember you’re a predator. As long as you don’t run, you won’t be prey.

I rolled my eyes at his message. Wasn’t I always running away from something? Except today. No, not just today. I’d been getting a lot better about not running, and he knew it.

Glancing at my eyes in the mirror, I wondered how Fenris would react if he knew how far I’d let my predator out. A little smile lifted my lips, and rather than trying to guess, I decided to take a quick selfie and find out. The sight of my black eyes staring back at me stole some of my daring, but I bolstered enough to make a kissy-pout that would have made Mom proud.

I sent the photo along with my message before I could second guess myself.

Me: My predator was out in full force. Today wasn’t my day to be prey.

The car warmed as I waited for a reply. And waited. Usually, his responses were immediate. I started to fidget and looked at the picture of myself again. He’d seen my eyes all black before and hadn’t seemed bothered. What if I’d been wrong? What if this version of me disturbed him? What if—

I suddenly remembered what tonight was for Fenris and groaned. He was probably doing his best to ignore everything girl-related, and there I was, bothering him with my need for affirmation. Shaking my head, I put away my phone and started home.

Fenris had the right idea. I needed to focus on the night ahead, too. Dinner was bound to be uncomfortable with whatever Adira had planned. How was I going to turn it around and attend on my terms?

The black faded from my eyes as I considered several options. Adira had been the most surprised and the least pushy when I’d responded to her in an antagonistic way. Now that I’d acknowledged I wasn’t human and shouldn’t be held by the human norms and niceties, it shouldn’t be a problem