His words stabbed deep. She breathed in slowly. Let itout. Then breathed in again. “I understand. But I don’t think it works that way.”
“It does for me.”
She pushed on his shoulder. “You can put me down now.” Because being so close to him any longer was going to hurt her far more than it hurt him.
“But your ankle…”
“Is fine.” It might have ached and twinged when she put weight on it, but it was doing far better than her heart at the moment.
To find out that her mate refused to bond with her out of sheer obstinance tore at her gut. All her life, she’d believed that her perfect mate was out there waiting for her and that the instant she found him, things would fall into place. That they would live happily ever after.
Of course, it wouldn’t work out that way for her. When had anything ever worked out the way it should in her life? More fool her for believing in a fairytale.
She clawed at the collar, wishing more than anything at the moment to be able to shift and run away from him, from the entire absurd situation.
Now wasn’t the time to give in to the growing dejection. She was going to get rid of the threat of the wolves with or without the help of her … mate. Then she was going to find a way of getting the collar off. With that out of the way, she would be free to do whatever the hell she wanted.
That thought put a smirk on her face.
Maybe she’d even go after the people in charge of the hunt so that no one would be put through what she had. Now that was a plan.
Then she could put this whole humiliating state of affairs behind her.
They arrived at her “camp” and gathered up the thingsshe’d stolen from him in silence before turning around and heading back to the cabin. Nari refused to utter a peep. Not even when her ankle was screaming in pain.
She needed more from him to heal further, but she sure as hell wasn’t going to beg for his help. Never again.
Magnus kept his pace slow probably in deference to her though he didn’t offer to carry her again. So, they trudged in silence.
That was until they were within sight of the open front door of Magnus’s cabin and the man next to her emitted a low growl. Not a sound a human male could make. He’d barely taken the time to dump the things he was carrying before tearing through the door. All her senses were on alert as she dashed after him, ignoring the pain that lanced up her leg with every step.
Had the wolves decided they’d had enough of waiting?
The wreckage of the house as she ran through told her exactly what had happened. “Magnus?” Heart battering her ribcage, she dashed through the living area and into the kitchen. She didn’t have to search long for him. Magnus was on his knees, and her heart dropped.
“They hurt Ulf,” he snarled.
She dropped to her knees next to Magnus. Ulf moaned as he tried to lift his head, but Magnus shushed him, still cradling him on his thighs. There was no blood, but damage was hidden easily under fur and skin and muscle. He certainly seemed to be suffering.
Choking back a sob, Nari wanted to wrap her arms around them both. But she’d been the one to bring this upon them.
“I’m going to kill them.” The words rumbled around the room as he eased the dog off his lap and stood. He seemed to grow bigger, an aura of menace radiating from him.
“Magnus… I’m so sorry. I brought this. But I can—”
“Stay here with Ulf.” His words were distorted, guttural, as he lurched toward the side door. “Lock it behind me and don’t open it to anyone.” His eyes were black when they pinned hers. “And don’t try to run away. You’re safest with me.”
Chapter Four
She called his name again, but he was already turning and he didn’t want her to see him like this. His bear was uncontrollable when he was angry. And he was very angry. He didn’t want to run the risk of his rampaging bear hurting her.
First, these assholes hurt Nari, and now Ulf?
He shifted fully and shook his big body as he lifted his nose to the air. He knew it was the same men, he could smell their stench in his house just as he’d scented them on Nari before. It had been faint on her, but it was an unmistakable match.
Fucking wolves.
They weren’t from around here. Couldn’t be if they were stupid enough to break into his home. They couldn’t be very bright either if they couldn’t tell that they’d broken into the home of a bear.