Broods Of Fenrir - By Coral Moore Page 0,47

because she was alone, with no brood to soothe her or share their strength.

He lowered himself to one knee beside her and picked her up off the ground. The pain she felt hit him hard right below the ribs, nearly knocking him over. He staggered to his feet. Walking slowly, he memorized the fresh scent of her and the softness of her body held against his chest.

Ingrid opened the door of the car. He kissed Dagny"s forehead before leaning over to put her in the passenger seat.

Tears squeezed from her tightly closed eyes and careened down her cheeks.

Touching her face, he sent what energy he could through her skin. Her ragged panting eased.

He whispered into her hair, “There will never be another,” and closed the door.

Ingrid started the car and pulled away. He watched until they went around a corner in the winding driveway and disappeared from sight.

Alice approached him, her face grim. “Brand…”

“I don"t want comfort, and I don"t want company.” He turned away from her, walking toward where Erik stood. “Call Björn and tell him I killed Arn. I"ll be waiting here for him whenever he wants to show up.”

Erik nodded. “All right.”

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Brand held out his hand. Erik examined the offering skeptically, but took it after a moment.

Brand pulled the ties with Alice and Gunni free with one swift yank. Alice cried out behind him, and Gunni yowled in pain. He pushed the links to Erik through their joined palms.

“Get out, all of you. Take my car and go.” He stalked into the woods without looking back, the loneliness an all too familiar dull ache in his chest.

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Chapter 15

A hand touched her cheek with a soft caress. Alice blinked. Pain pounded at the back of her skull, and her vision blurred. A large shape loomed over her. She rested in the lap of a male and could only think of one who might be holding her so gently. “Brand?” The arm that held her tightened. The scent was wrong—not Brand"s earthy aroma, but more like grass. She made an effort to focus.

A male she didn"t recognize stared down at her, his forehead creased. Bright blue eyes scanned her face. “No. Are you all right?”

She realized she couldn"t feel any emotions from him and stretched out her awareness. Nothing, she felt nothing beyond the ache in her head. Panic surged through her. She tried to sit up, but dizziness overcame her. Her stomach threatened to empty.

The male"s other arm wrapped around her to hold her down. Her heart raced. She couldn"t get away. Brand had left her. She was alone and helpless, again. Though she knew it would do no good, she flailed against his grip.

“Be easy, Alice.” He ran his hand over her arm.

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She stopped struggling at the gentle touch. If he"d meant to hurt her, wouldn"t he have done so while she was unconscious? After a few shaking breaths to calm herself, she asked, “Who are you?”

His grip around her loosened and he frowned. “I forgot you"d only seen me as a wolf. No wonder you"re so scared.” He shook his head. “I"m Gunni.”

Now that the panic had receded, memories flooded back. Inconsolable and terrible, Brand"s anguish had ripped through her. He"d dismissed her and then torn her from his brood. “Where"s Brand?”

Gunni"s mouth tightened. “He stormed off into the woods.”

“I have to go find him.” She began to sit up again.

He pulled her back against him. “We"re not at his lodge anymore, and you"re in no condition to go after him, even if he wanted you to.”

While not painful, the way he held her seemed too intimate. She pushed against his arms. “Let me go.”

“No. You"re still too weak.”

“I am sick to death of everyone reminding me how weak I am and telling me what"s best for me.” He shifted his arms and turned her so she was facing him. His angular face wore a serious expression. “I have no doubt of your strength, I"ve been witness to it, but right now you need to rest. Two brood transitions in one moon is dangerous. If he cared for you, he wouldn"t have done that.” She glared at him and shoved his chest. “You don"t know him. He"s done more for me than anyone.” Gunni narrowed his eyes. “That may be, but he doesn"t want you now.”

His attention made her uncomfortable, so she looked away. “I know that.” She didn"t want to have that conversation.

The reminder that Brand had left her brought the sting of tears.

He cradled