Read Online Wandering Off the Path by Willa Edwards - Free Book Online Page B

ride.
    “Abigail, you’re all right?” He spoke the words like a question, but she detected a subtle insult buried within his statement, that she was incapable of taking care of herself without him. If only he knew . She moved back from the door frame, allowing him entrance.
    Hunter closed the door behind him, forcing the bitter wind back into the starlit night.
    “Of course.” She walked around him towards the table, collecting the remnants of Wolf’s and her meal, more to occupy her hands rather than to clean. “Was there any doubt?”
    Hunter swallowed and she realised how harsh her words had sounded. She had no reason to be angry with him. He was being a good neighbour, a good man. It wasn’t his fault he’d appeared the same night Wolf had set her alive, making the rest of her life look dreary and boring in comparison.
    Forcing herself to soften, she smiled at him. The tension in the room decreased with her sweet expression, in spite of the effort it took to don the mask. She stared at Hunter, his eyes sparkling, a triumphant grin on his lips, but all Abigail noticed were the qualities Hunter did not possess that she desperately needed. The darkness and dominance that Wolf oozed naturally.
    “I came to check on you. The temperature dropped so quickly, I wanted to make sure you were prepared…” His words tapered off, the solid slam of the bedroom door closing behind her interrupting his concern.
    Hunter’s eyes widened. His stare focused past her right shoulder. She didn’t need to turn to realise what he saw. His shoulders inched up, his body was stiff. A subtle signal of strength and challenge emitted between the two men.
    “Thank you, Hunter.” Keeping her gaze fixed forward, Abigail forbade herself to turn towards Wolf. No good could come from the pliant declaration such a peek would display. All it would do was hurt Hunter. Even though she knew now that she did not want to be with him, she had no desire to hurt her oldest friend.
    As if remembering her presence in the too-small room, Hunter trailed his gaze back to her, his stare hovering an inch to the right of her face, keeping Wolf in sight.
    “I’ve always looked out for you.”
    Possession buzzed through Hunter’s tone, attempting to stake a claim on her he’d never owned. She flinched involuntarily at the menacing look she imagined would fill Wolf’s eyes at Hunter’s bold statement, not needing to see him to discern his thoughts.
    “I appreciate your concern.”
    She watched Hunter, inspecting him, gauging his emotions. She didn’t want to hurt him, but it was clear Hunter could never be to her what Wolf was. Even as primal and possessive as he was now, Hunter didn’t hold the same power over her as Wolf. When Wolf demanded she submitted, her whole body surged and her knees went weak. But Hunter’s possession felt like wearing a dress two sizes too tight, uncomfortable and made for someone else.
    “As you can see, we’re fine.”
    Hunter’s eyes filled with hurt, accompanied by a bright, angry flare. Immediately she understood her mistake. She hadn’t intended to speak for both she and Wolf, but the words had sprung so naturally from her lips she hadn’t censored them.
    Hunter’s glare moved from her to Wolf. His pupils enlarged, as if perceiving the dark energy surrounding her lover. The same darkness that had attracted her on the quiet path alerted her to the inherent difference between them.
    Hunter wasn’t unappealing. He was just as gentle as he was strong. He would never harm her, or any other woman, with his muscle. She’d be safe with him, far safer than she was with Wolf. She didn’t want the safe. Not anymore.
    “Abigail, what do you think you’re doing? You’re alone. With a man.” Hunter’s voice was harsh, filled with hate. “Do you have any idea what others might think?” He scowled at her, his tone closer to the scorn of parent against an ignorant child than a man towards a woman.
    She steeled herself,