Read Online Alphas in the Wild by Ann Gimpel - Free Book Online Page B

frozen to death. Not yet, anyway.”
    “Looks like the birds pecked it to death. Opened up either the jugular or carotid. I didn’t get close enough to tell which. Not that familiar with equine physiology.”
    She brushed past him, heading toward the door, but he caught her arm. “Uh-uh. Not a good idea. It’s pretty gory.”
    She yanked her arm away and bent to pick up her gloves. “We need to free the other mules. The blood will draw every predator within a ten-mile radius. Mules are pretty resourceful, but they’re sitting ducks in that paddock. And I need to see if there’s more ammo for my gun in the supply tent. Looks like we’re going to need it.”
    Tim set his mouth into a grim line. “Any chance there might be another weapon?”
    “How long since you’ve shot one?”
    “A long time, but I’m sure it will come back to me.”
    “Can’t you use magic or something?” She pointed at the staff. No longer glowing, it just looked like polished hardwood, with something that might’ve been runic writing circling its girth.
    He shrugged noncommittally. “I could, but the destructive side of power is so vast, it scares the crap out of me. That’s part of my problem with taking Liam’s place.”
    Despite the desperation of their situation, something like a small sun bloomed in her heart. Tim was finally talking with her. He wasn’t hiding behind a wall anymore. “Thanks for trusting me.”
    “You’re welcome. It’s long overdue.”
    She bit on her lower lip, chewing on chapped skin. “Back to your question about other weapons, you probably know they’re not legal in national parks. Rangers are the only ones allowed to carry them. Every once in a while, though, one of the crew sneaks something in.”
    “Okay, I can look through the tents more thoroughly later.”
    “Let’s get moving.” Her gaze zeroed in on him. “Actually, I’m glad to have something to do. It’s better than waiting around until six to turn the phone back on.”
    “Know what you mean.” He reached for her, catching a shoulder as she moved past him. “I know we have work to do. And we might not get out of here alive, but I want to tell you something important.”
    She swung around to face him. Something about his tone brought her emotions close to the surface. “What?”
    He smiled. “Ach, mo ghrá , mellow out a bit. Let a fellow make a proclamation of love without feeling it’s an imposition.
    “I fell in love with you when we were just kids. Even then you looked like one of those ancient Valkyries, with all that blonde hair and your golden eyes. I’ve never seen eyes like that on anyone.” Color rose in his face, but he kept talking. “It’s not just your beauty, though. You’re strong and self-sufficient. Not afraid to tackle anything on your own terms. It’s why we butted heads so often. That, and our Irish tempers and my Druid vows.” The rosy hue deepened, bringing a golden tone to his tanned face. “I want to marry you, mo ghrá . As soon as we can. I’m not making the same mistakes I made ten years ago.”
    Moira felt the corners of her mouth twitch into a smile. Joy whooshed through her. She reached out a gloved hand to stroke his face. “I’d like that too,” she murmured. “It’ll be a few months, though, until the divorce is final.”
    “Not a problem. After all the years I’ve already waited, a few months are nothing.” He closed a hand over hers. “We can leave now. After you.”
    She led the way outside, then stopped abruptly. “I probably should tell you we haven’t seen the last of Ryan.”
    “I didn’t think we had.” Tim laughed, but it held a bitter edge. “If I’d had a woman like you and fucked up as badly as he did, I’d want to do something about it too.”
    A lone coyote howl filled the air. Answering wails rose from all directions. Moira knew the wind could deceive, but it was clear the local cleanup crew were on their way. They had to get the other mules out of Death