It was adrenaline. Anticipation. Carnal need.
The flashlight was on me again. “It’s safe. Just some wildlife scurrying about.”
A thick moment of silence passed, and I cleared my throat once more, staring in the direction of the man. Maybe he had a working phone? He’d for sure know where a road was. And as the flashlight’s glow swung down and illuminated behind him, I could see he had a tent pitched. He had a literal camping site all set up.
Caelan had said all this land was owned by his family—not that I cared if anyone trespassed—and right now I was thankful he was squatting on someone else’s property.
“Do you have a phone?” My voice came out a little faster than I anticipated, the prospect of being able to call Evelyn and tell her I was okay causing hope to fill me. I just wanted to talk to someone I knew, someone who reminded me of home. Everything was so… weird now that I wanted that familiarity back, that mundane existence I’d clearly taken for granted.
He shook his head before saying, “Lass, does it look like I’d have a phone?” I could hear the teasing in his voice, but it made my skin tighten uncomfortably. “Besides, no service this far out.” He cut the light, and we were plunged into mostly darkness once more. “Thought I would have tae defend my little abode.” He gestured behind him to the campsite. “But being American, I assume ye’re just as much trespassing as I am.” He started laughing, sounding like he had no problem being somewhere he shouldn’t be.
I licked my lips and shook my head, and at the same time I took a step back. Something in me flared to life, a fierce voice deep inside me, a warning that moved over my skin.
“You live out here?” I asked as I retreated once more.
“Aye. Have for some time now.”
My eyes adjusted to the darkness, and I could see his bushy dark brows lower as he watched me move back once more. He was an older, middle-aged man if I had to guess, with a thick, unkempt beard, and clothes that even in the darkness I could see were ratty and attested to his wilderness lifestyle.
“Haven’t seen anyone out here, least of all a woman, in a long time.”
The fine hairs on the back of my neck stood on end at the way he said those words and the tone laced within them.
“That’s probably because this is privately owned land.” I bit the inside of my cheek as those unfiltered words came out. Why do I always put my foot in my mouth?
“Why don’t ye come over here, and I’ll get ye something warm tae drink?” Even in the darkness, I could see the way his gaze raked up and down my body. “Ye’re pretty filthy, lass. Fell a couple times?”
I rubbed my hands up and down my thighs, warning bells going off, red flags waving in front of my eyes. Maybe I was just paranoid because of all the stuff happening right now. Maybe I was overly scared because of the truth that had been revealed.
Or maybe this was what I really should be terrified of, and not the man—male—I’d left sleeping back at that house.
“N-No. No, thank you. I have to be on my way.” I wanted to ask if he knew where the road was, but with the way I was feeling right now—unsafe to the max—I just wanted away from him.
This man was far more dangerous than Caelan or large wolves chasing me through the woods.
I went to turn and leave, to get swallowed by the darkness and shadows wrapping around the trees. That little voice rose up in me once more, one I was starting to wonder was actually that inner wolf Caelan told me I had, the one he sensed powerfully in me. Was that why I’d been this scrapper as a kid? Was it that stubborn she-wolf that refused to take shit from anyone?
And that inner whisper demanded I go back to Caelan, to go back to my… mate.
With my back to the stranger, I was about to make my way through the forest, not sure of my destination, but I wasn’t able to take a step forward, because I felt a hand clamp on my upper arm, stopping me. A squeak of surprise left me when I was suddenly turned around. I tipped my head back as I stared into the shadowy face of the man who now had an ironlike grip on me, refusing to let me go.
“It’s dangerous out there. How about ye wait until it’s morning?” The way he spoke was lascivious, and he looked me up and down, slowly licked his lips in a disgusting, sinister way, telling me this situation was far worse than it had been.