Page 73 of Plus-Size Sold Mate
Regardless of how everything started, Luke isn’t my enemy, and he never was.
He’s just a man who’s trying to lead in a different way than he was taught, trying to learn how to become accepting in the face of pack-wide conditioning. He’s trying, and he has been regardless of my refusal to accept it before.
When he easily could’ve, he didn’t try to bury this or retreat into his Alpha authority just to make a point. He didn’t silence me.
Instead, Luke stood there and asked me to fight with him, not against him.
That’s more important than I have any right to deny.
Pushing off the couch with my mind made up, I head for the door.
Even if all of this is still fresh, I don’t want this unnecessary distance to grow into something bigger than it needs to be. If he’s willing to try and fix things, then I can be too.
The air outside is still cool but pleasant, and the usual smells of pine and saltwater drift along with the breeze. Even through it, I follow the faint trace of him instinctively, and thanks to the bond, it makes his scent stand out even more.
Keeping a steady pace through the woods, I mull over everything I need to say to him, even finding a string of words to rehearse, even if they feel inadequate.
Above all, I need him to know I’m not leaving, and I’m not giving up on him, or us. Even if I’m terrified of what’s ahead of us, I’m willing to see eye to eye with him. I’m willing to weather the storm so long as he’s there with me.
Deeper in the woods and away from town now, I hesitate when the wind carries a different scent in, interrupting the path Luke’s created. This one isn’t his at all…he’s farther east.
As more smells flood in, some distantly familiar and some not at all, it becomes incredibly clear that something is wrong. These aren’t our wolves.
Halting my steps, the realization doesn’t come soon enough.
With soft footfalls, they move in at once, like a wave of shadows pooling around me.
Panic floods my system when I see them and their more ragged states, with dark, rough fur that always gives them away.
Aside from their movements between the trees, the woods go deadly quiet, as if even the birds won’t risk any potential fallout by lingering.
Wraith Peak.
While most are shifted as they surround me in a gradually tightening circle, I catch as a few move unshifted, yet their eyes still seem just as hard and focused as their wolf counterparts. Six of them move quietly until one finally speaks.
“You,” he says, dark gaze piercing despite his smug look. “Witch. You’ve been giving us the runaround for quite some time now.”
My blood runs cold as I keep a defensive stance, feeling the immediate presence of my magic just beneath the surface, waiting for the chance to come out.
They didn’t just stumble upon me. This is deliberate, just like the last time.
“You’re in Coldreach territory,” I tell them, trying so hard to keep my voice steady despite the nerves coursing through me.
“Thanks for the reminder,” the apparent leader of the group says sardonically. “But we’re well aware.”
Gritting my teeth, I brace myself. “Then what do you want?”
“What we’ve wanted this whole time,” he says coolly, taking a small step closer. “For you to come back with us without a fight. It’s pointless now. You’re surrounded, so come quietly and make this easier for everyone.”
“No,” I throw back at him, frustration flaring. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“That’s too bad, because we’re not asking.”
“If you take me, then you’ll start a war,” I threaten. “Luke will find you.”
The man makes a show of glancing around, then looks at me again. “Looks like you’re all by yourself to me.” Then, his expression turns more serious as he addresses the wolves with him. “In and out. Don’t waste time.”
There’s no way in hell I’m letting them take me now. Not after everything, and not after I’ve finally come to terms with the hand I’ve been dealt.
