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killing
anything in his path, but her presence kept him in check.
    All because his beast
didn’t want to scare her off.
    He floundered at the realization.
For the past fifty years, his wolf never had time for humans unless they were a
threat, something to hunt. Now he was acting like she was one of the pack.
    Shayla stubbornly
crossed her arms. “I’m not going anywhere.”
    “Don’t you
understand? I can’t keep you safe.” When she didn’t move, he gave into the fury
that had settled over him the last two months and roared. “What do you think
will happen if you stay? They will use you against me. Once they have you, we’re
both dead.”
    “But—”
    She wasn’t going to
give up. He had to make her leave. “You smell.”
    A fiery blush filled
her face, and her eyes narrowed dangerously. He clamped his teeth shut against
an explanation, cursing his damned interfering mutt. That wasn’t what he meant
to say. She didn’t stink, though he wished to God she did, anything to cover up
her tantalizing scent and ease the hunger that continued to rage under his skin.
    He was a step away
from losing control.
    He had to get rid of
her before he did something stupid…like ravish her out in the freezing cold
with danger lurking in the shadows.
    “You aren’t exactly a
bouquet of daisies either. I’m not your responsibility. Let’s not forget that
I’ve saved your life more than once. I can be useful.”
    “Yes, by bringing
back my men. The people chasing us are ruthless killers. I can’t be holding
your hand anymore.” Aiden ignored the way his wolf bared his teeth at the impending
separation. He lifted the straps of her bag over his head, his grip tightening,
reluctant to let her go even though it had been his idea.
    This was what he’d
wanted.
    He should be pleased.
    So why then did a
howl of denial scrape against his throat at the idea of leaving her alone and
vulnerable?
    * * *
    “Stupid, idiotic
man.” Shayla snatched up her bag and stomped away, fuming at his caveman
attitude. He pounded his fists against his chest, ordered her around, and
expected her to obey like some helpless twit. She wanted to demand he take her
the rest of the way, but his volatile mood warned her not to push or she’d find
herself trussed up and left behind like some prize to be claimed.
    She had half a mind
to do what he asked and leave.
    But that’s what he
wanted.
    The man who’d saved
her life wouldn’t send a woman off alone in the wilderness without a reason. She
slowed her pace, racking her brain to figure out his plan. He wasn’t as stupid
or helpless as he wanted her to believe.
    She should be furious
about being left in the dark.
    Literally.
    After another minute,
only one answer came to mind, but she couldn’t believe he’d be foolish enough
to go after the people chasing them. He was injured and weak from his stay in
that nasty prison. It wasn’t a fight he could possibly win.
    She nearly stumbled
over her feet when she recalled one important fact…he was a man. Of course he
would go charging off into danger.
    His gaze branded her,
urged her to turn around, but she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.
    Maybe the more
important question was what kind of man needed patrols? Ones who were tossed into
dungeons, obviously. No way in hell was she going to allow herself to be managed
by him or his men. He was an idiot if he believed otherwise.
    A large rock loomed
out of the vast nothingness around her. She sidestepped around it, half expecting
Aiden to come charging after her. The absolute silence preyed on her nerves.
The night seemed darker as she counted down the seconds. When she was sure that
he’d stopped watching, Shayla crept around the boulder and sneaked back.
    Only to find her
caveman gone.
    “I knew it!” Being
right did little to ease the anxiety pounding inside her skull. She almost felt
defeated, worried about what trouble he’d land in on his own, before her
natural confidence reasserted