And yet she knew relief would not come tonight. Not if their second mating was any indication of his intentions.
She sighed. That was exactly what she'd wanted — a quick, passionless rutting, easily forgotten once this phase of the moon was over. She could hardly complain now that she'd gotten her wish. And she probably wouldn't be, if he hadn't first given her a glimpse how truly extraordinary their mating could be.
She closed her eyes and pushed him from her thoughts. His pack belonged to the night, and that's where all thought of him should remain. She would not let him wreck her days as well.
Besides, she had far more important people to worry about.
She reached out, carefully touching her sister's thoughts. Though there was no response, the sensation of death hovering all too close had fled. And pictures were beginning to unroll through the darkness of her sister's mind, like fractured images of a violent movie viewed through a broken projector. Relief surged, and tears blurred Neva's vision. Savannah was going to live. And she was beginning to remember what had happened. Maybe consciousness wasn't that far off after all.
Neva hoped so. She didn't like this endless silence. Didn't know if she'd want to go on without having Sav's warm, cheerful presence in her mind.
She dressed, swept her hair into a ponytail, then clattered down the stairs to grab a quick breakfast of toast and coffee. Then she snagged her leather jacket from the arm of the chair and made her way outside.
The day had dawned crisp and clear, but the smell of rain was in the air. The weather could change so quickly up here in the mountains, especially in the early days of spring, and it had caught many a tourist by surprise. Not that Ripple Creek was anywhere near as popular with humans as nearby Aspen — but then, most of the wolf packs who lived here didn't want it to be.
Her pack was the exception. Her father even headed the "bring Ripple Creek into the twenty-first century" committee.
A smile touched her lips, but just as quickly faded. She'd have to watch her step around her parents today, or the shit really would hit the fan.
She thrust her hands into her coat pockets and made her way toward the diner. Her parents lived above it — as had she, until her mother's incessant nagging that she find a mate and settle down had grown beyond the joke it had originally started out to be.
Sav certainly didn't cop half the flack she got — but then, Sav had what her mother considered a worthwhile career. She, on the other hand, was simply another waitress in the diner. Which was a job she actually enjoyed doing and had no intentions of leaving.
A bell chimed softly as she pushed open the door. The rich aroma of omelettes and coffee filled the air, stirring her hunger even though she'd already eaten.
"Morning, Cub," her father called from the kitchen.
She snagged an apron from under the counter, tying it around her waist as she pushed through the double swing-doors into the kitchen.
"Morning, old one." She dropped a kiss on his leathery cheek.
He swatted her with his spatula, green eyes twinkling good humoredly. "Enough of the old, thank you very much."
She grinned and pulled herself up on the nearest bench. "Where's Mother?"
"Still at the hospital."
"No word from the doctors on Savannah's progress?"
His mask of cheerfulness slipped a little. He sighed and thrust a hand through his thinning blonde hair. "They said her vital signs were a lot stronger. It's just a matter of waiting now."
Waiting was the one thing she wouldn't be doing. "Her thoughts are stronger, Dad. I don't think waking is that far off."
He lightly squeezed her arm. "Thanks. I'll tell Mother that."
"Need anything done in here before I start setting tables?"
"I did it all last night. Couldn't sleep. You want an omelette?"
When she nodded, he slapped one onto a nearby plate and began making another. She shifted her leg and grabbed a knife and fork from the cutlery drawer underneath the bench, then dug in.
They ate in silence. When they'd both finished, she collected the dishes, throwing them into the dishwasher before pouring them both a coffee.
"Your mother wants to know if you'll come for dinner tonight," he said.
She stared at him for a second, her heart feeling like it was about to race out of her chest. "Is this a request or a demand?"
He grimaced. "You know your mother."