The Hunt (By Kiss and Claw #2) - Melissa Haag Page 0,98
There was no way I’d go to the lengths needed to convince her.
When I emerged from the cabin, I found Fenris already waiting in his fur. I only managed one step before he blocked me. I set my hand on his back to prevent myself from toppling over him.
“I draw the line at invading my personal space to trip me. It’s not nice.”
He bumped into me then looked toward the car. It was just after dawn, cold outside, and he was in his fur, indicating we should go to the car. I could draw only one conclusion.
“You want to carry me again, don’t you?” I asked with a note of conflict.
He nodded and bumped me again.
“This didn’t end well last time. Remember what I said about boundaries? Even if I forget myself, I’m trusting you to respect them regardless.”
He nodded, and I smoothed my hand over his fur before swinging a leg over his back. I barely had time to hold on before he ran. The wind battered me, and the cold stung my cheeks, keeping me mostly distracted from the way he moved between my legs.
Before I knew it, we were at the car. Weak-kneed and pulse racing, I slid off his back, and he licked my hand.
“I’m fine. I just need a minute.”
His form shimmered, the only warning I had to close my eyes.
“You were amazing,” he said, hugging me close. “See? You were made to be my girlfriend.”
I snorted and opened my eyes to look up at him.
“Because I didn’t tumble you to the ground like the first time?”
“Because you were daring enough to try it again.”
“You weren’t really giving me a choice. I’d also like to note that I’m not comfortable with naked hugs. In the future, if you want to claim your hugs, you need clothes.”
He grinned at me.
“Dating you is going to be fun.”
“Can I change my answer?”
“Nope. No take backs. Are you going to keep your eyes open and watch me shift this time?”
“Nope.”
“Then, you’d better close them.”
I did, but before he released me, he nipped my jawline.
“See you at school, nibbles.”
After a moment of silence, I risked peeking and saw I was alone. The cold didn’t even touch my flaming face as I got into the car.
The whole way into town, I wondered what Fenris was planning. It made me nervous that I had no idea. My palms were sweaty when I entered the Quills’ kitchen and startled Mrs. Quill.
“Good morning, Eliana. Are you hungry?” The way she looked at me made me feel guilty for not calling her last night.
“No. I’m fine. I just came home to shower and change before heading to the Academy.”
“I’ll fix you a lunch.”
“It’s not necessary. If I get hungry, whatever you make won’t help. On second thought, maybe you should make two lunches. I’m going to be with Fenris. He likes chocolate as much as I do, so can you add some candy bars too?”
At her joy-filled smile, I hurried from the room. Upstairs, I stripped and sent Fenris a quick message while the shower was warming.
Me: What am I supposed to wear?
Fenris: Anything you want. Be yourself or this won’t work.
That was the least helpful thing to say ever. While I washed, I mentally went through my clothing options.
By the time I returned to the kitchen, my stomach was in knots and there was a large paper bag waiting on the counter. I grabbed it and ran out the door.
Rather than heading straight to class, I went to Megan’s and fixed a fresh bowl of food for Elbner. Since I’d just fed him last night, he didn’t make an appearance, which was just fine for me.
In my car, I dialed Megan. She picked up on the first ring.
“Morning, sunshine,” she said. “It’s a little early for a daily update.”
“Not in my world. I had yet another surprise wake-up visit from Piepen. Apparently, that glowing mark I told you about is a homing beacon, and he used it to find me at Fenris’s cabin. I can’t escape the little hornball. He asked me to be his wet nurse, Megan.”
“Wait, the brownie or Fenris?”
“Not funny. The brownie. He thinks the baby his girlfriend just had is his, and she wants him to sell his wings for cash to feed the baby. His solution to that was me because he still thinks he got me pregnant when he marked me.”
“I’m trying so hard not to laugh.”
“I appreciate the restraint. But that’s not even the highlight of my