make her cry. She’d been enjoying their intimacy, and she wanted more of it, but she couldn’t find the words to tell him without risking embarrassment. She still didn’t have enough self-confidence to truly believe this gorgeous man could really be attracted to her, or even in love with her, though she’d seen it herself in his eyes.
“Shall we begin travelling now, or would you like to eat something first?” he asked.
“I’d just like to drink before we start out,” she answered. “There’s no telling when we’ll find clean water again.”
“Agreed,” he said. “Can you walk?”
He stood and offered his hands to her, and she took them. He pulled her to her feet and she tested putting weight on her ankle.
“It’s not too bad,” she said. “I believe I can walk.”
She had a fairly serious limp, but with Seth’s assistance, she made it back to the spring and they both drank their fill of water.
“Are you ready to continue our journey?” Seth asked.
“Yes,” she answered. “I’m ready to see what your den is like.”
“ Our den,” he corrected her. “It is your home now, even if you do not choose me as your mate.”
“Alright,” she agreed. “ Our den. I like the sound of that.”
Seth shifted, and without prompting, she quickly hopped onto his back and grabbed handfuls of his fur. She leaned forward, inhaling his musky wolf scent, and he took off through the forest, the wind whipping through her hair.
* * *
As the days went by, they got closer and closer to the den. The longer they traveled, the more excited, and nervous, Callie became.
How would the rest of the pack react to her? After all, she was just an outsider. Maybe they wouldn’t even accept her as one of them and she’d be forced to go back to the city and face whatever horrors waited for her there.
No, she couldn’t stand to think of that. She couldn’t go back. She just couldn’t. Even if Seth decided he didn’t want her, or his pack couldn’t accept her, she made up her mind she wouldn’t go back. She’d just have to learn what she could from Seth so she could try to survive in the woods alone.
She thought about this as they traveled. She made plans for exactly what she would do if Seth or his pack rejected her. She just knew that going back would never be an option.
As they traveled, Callie found herself growing more and more fond of Seth. He was strong and protective. He was a good provider, and he brought her fresh food and tended to her ankle regularly. She could see that Seth would allow no harm to come to her.
So why did she still feel so reluctant to accept Seth’s offer? Why couldn’t she commit to being his mate?
As she clung to his fur, he seemed to be desperate to get her back to his den. He seemed to be racing against time, and she found herself burying her face into the nape of his neck as they traveled to keep from getting seasick from their relentless pace.
Something continued to stir inside her. This wolf was offering her solace. He was offering her protection. He was offering her everything she needed and wanted. But still… something just wasn’t quite right. Something was missing.
Chapter Fourteen
The journey home seemed to take longer than the journey to Madge’s cottage, and Seth felt it would never come to an end. Despite the fact that he rain had long since ceased, he couldn’t wait to get Callie home and get her settled into life in the den. He was certain he could make her want to be his mate if only he could get her home.
The longer he was with her – smelling her delicious human scent and feeling the warmth of her body nestled atop his as he carried her home – the more he wanted her.
The more he hunted for her, fed her, protected her, and cared for her, the more she felt like his mate. Her small hands held fast to his fur as they traveled, and he
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