Wolf in his Heart (Salvation Pack) (2 page)

She’d thought she was alone when she’d shifted. She’d never dreamed anyone was watching her. But she’d been wrong. A regular at the diner, a man whose name she didn’t even know, had started watching her. And he’d followed her home after she’d gotten off work.

“I know what you are.” His words still sent a shiver down her spine. She’d been pouring coffee for him the next day when he’d whispered those words to her.

She’d frozen in place, and he’d leered at her with a terrifying hunger in his eyes. “You’re going to leave with me now. Unless you want me to tell my brothers about you.” He’d gripped her hip and squeezed hard. Even now, the memory if it made her skin throb with pain. “I’ve always wanted me a wolf-skin rug.”

“I have to finish my shift.” The words had been automatic.

He’d frowned and shaken his head. “Go tell Barney you’re sick and have to leave,” he’d ordered.

She hadn’t argued with him. She’d simply nodded, walked back behind the counter, and carefully put the carafe back on the burner. Then, without a word to anyone, she’d retrieved her knapsack, which was always packed and ready to go, and slid out the back door.

She’d made it as far as the wood before she’d heard him calling her name. He must have followed through on his threat to call his brothers, because two other men had joined him in his hunt. They’d gotten terrifyingly close at times, but she’d always managed to evade them.

She cursed her father for not teaching her more survival skills. As far as he was concerned, only her brother had needed to learn how to track and hunt. Her sole purpose was for breeding.

Thankfully, her brother, Mikhail, had taught her the basics. She owed him her life.

She leaned against a birch tree and listened. She could no longer hear the men moving through the underbrush. Maybe they’d stopped to set up camp. She could only hope. The light was nearly gone now, the sun mostly hidden by the mountains.

If her luck held, she could be hours ahead of them by sunrise. All she needed to do was to find a bus stop somewhere, buy a ticket, and get far away from here. California was looking mighty good. Or maybe somewhere farther south.

She didn’t care where it was as long as it was away from the men chasing her. Luckily, she’d gotten paid two days ago and had enough money to survive for a week or so. After that, she’d be living on the streets and eating out of garbage cans.

Wouldn’t be the first time, but she’d thought those days were behind her.

Her luck would change for the better. Wasn’t she due?

She almost snorted as she pushed away from the tree and slipped through the forest. Fate couldn’t be counted on to be fair. She almost stumbled and righted herself. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been this exhausted. Her werewolf genes might give her an edge in strength and stamina, but even she needed to rest sometimes. She’d been running hard since early this morning and hadn’t eaten anything other than the half-melted chocolate bar she’d had in her bag.

She stumbled again and barely caught herself from ending up facedown on the ground. An owl hooted and a squirrel scampered up a nearby tree.

Rina froze in place. She was no longer alone.

“Are you lost?”

Chapter Two

Sage was just finishing up his meal of beef jerky and trail mix when he heard a noise nearby. It wasn’t a normal sound, so he left his campsite to investigate. He was careful, not sure who or what might be out here. Might be nothing more than a black bear or a roving elk, or it could be another hiker.

Still, it paid to be cautious, so he kept to the shadows. The sun was down, but it still wasn’t quite fully dark. He’d just check things out. If it was a lost hiker, he’d offer assistance. If it was an animal, he’d give it a wide berth.

He saw the woman stumble and catch herself. She seemed to be alone.

“Are you lost?” he asked, keeping his voice light and non-threatening. She was far away from any of the trails. She must have gone off the beaten track at some point and gotten turned around. It happened faster and easier than most people imagined it could.

She raised her head and his heart skipped a beat. She was tall for a woman. He pegged her at around five-nine. She had a lanky, athletic build but was too skinny, like she’d missed more than a few meals.

The thought of her going hungry angered him.

Her hair was dark and cut short, framing a heart-stopping face with high cheekbones, a straight nose, and a firm chin. He couldn’t quite make out her eye color in the dim light, but he could see the fear and mistrust glittering in them.

Every muscle in her body tensed for flight. Sage didn’t want her to go, didn’t want to lose her. He didn’t question his instincts that were screaming at him to protect her. He put his hands out in front of him and held them palm up. “Hey, it’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you.”

She glanced over her shoulder and then back at him, still not saying a word.

“If you’re hungry, I’ve got some food. It’s not much, just jerky and trail mix, but you’re welcome to it.”

She tilted her head to one side and studied him. Her stillness gave him pause, but he tried once again to reassure her. “My name is Sage. Sage Gallagher.” He took a chance and stepped toward her. “You’re way off the trail, but I can help you find your way back.”

She shifted position slightly and the evening breeze caught her scent and brought it to him. Every cell in his body surged to life. He inhaled again, this time more deeply. He had to be wrong. What were the odds of him running in to a woman like her here in the vast wilderness of the park?

But what his senses were telling him couldn’t be denied.

“You’re a werewolf.”

Shock held Rina in place. How did he know? How could this stranger know who she was? And he was a stranger. He’d never eaten in the diner where she’d worked, never laid eyes on her before.

She would have remembered him.

He was tall. Well over six-feet and all of it pure sculpted muscle. The tank top he wore hugged his torso and displayed impressive biceps and shoulders. His well-worn jeans hugged his thighs like a second skin. His hair hung down to his shoulders in a silky curtain and his eyes were filled with a concern that was a balm to her ragged nerves.

He knew what she was. She had to get out of here.

As if sensing she was about to bolt, he took a step back. “I won’t hurt you. I’m like you.”

She hadn’t thought anything he could say would shock her more than his first pronouncement. She’d been wrong. “You’re what?”

He briefly closed his eyes and made a low noise in the back of his throat. “I’m like you,” he repeated. He raked his hand through his hair and dropped it back by his side. The action pulled his tank top tight against his stomach, drawing her gaze. “We’ll, not quite like you. I’m a half-breed.”

Her upper lip curled. Half-breeds were useless, an abomination. At least that’s what she’d been taught. Yet here was one offering to help her while her own family had turned on her.

His breath came out in a huff. “Yeah, I can tell you’re thrilled by that. Listen, I’ve got some food if you want it. It’s up to you.” With that, he turned his back on her and walked away.

Funnily enough, it was that move that convinced her to trust him. At least a little. She was tired and hungry and could risk taking five minutes to eat and get her bearings. He’d be able to tell her exactly where she was. He might even drive her to a bus station. He must have a vehicle nearby.

Rina nibbled on her bottom lip and her stomach growled, a reminder of just how hungry she was. Inside, her wolf was silent and watchful. The farther away the half-breed got, the more her wolf yearned to follow. It was natural for her to want to be with another of her kind. She was a pack animal at heart.

Giving in to instinct and hunger, Rina cautiously followed Sage Gallagher and hoped like hell she wasn’t making a mistake.

Sage wanted to go to the woman, toss her over his shoulder, and cart her back to his camp. But he’d dealt with enough wild animals to know when to give one space. She might be partly human, but right now, instinct was driving her every move. Her wolf was more in control than maybe even she understood.

If he tried to force her to come, she’d fight him every step of the way. By walking away, he was giving her all the power, giving her choice.

Whoever she was and however she’d come to be here, she was running on empty. She was scared, tired, and alone. He could fix that. He could feed her and help her with whatever her problem was. And if she followed, she’d no longer be alone.

A sense of rightness filled him.

Sage tilted his head to one side and almost smiled when he heard the lightest brush of dirt behind him. She was following. He kept up a slow, steady pace until he was back at his camp. He sat down on his sleeping bag and pulled his knapsack onto his lap.

“Have you been drinking enough water?” It was easier than most folks thought to get dehydrated, which was a much bigger problem than hunger.

When she didn’t answer, he looked up from his bag. She was standing at the edge of the small clearing like a wild animal too afraid to accept the hand of kindness being offered to her.

“I’ve got trail mix, beef jerky, and protein bars. What’s your pleasure?” He took what he had left of all three and set them on the far end of his sleeping bag. “Your choice,” he told her.

Her gaze flitted around the campsite. He could have told her he was alone but figured it was better if she discovered that on her own. She wouldn’t take his word for it.

Once again, she glanced over her shoulder.

Certainty was like a fist to his gut. “You’re running from someone.” He was as sure of that as he was of his own name.

She took a step back, and he sighed. “Listen, you’ve got nothing to fear from me, but if I’m reading this situation correctly, you do have reason to be afraid of whoever is following you. Let me help you.”

“Why?” Her voice was low and sultry with the hint of an accent.

“Why what?” He wasn’t quite sure what she was asking him.

“Why would you help me? What’s in it for you?” Her gaze flickered to the food and then away. He swore he could hear her stomach growling.

“Why wouldn’t I help you?” he countered. “I was raised to help anyone in trouble, especially another of my kind.”

Her frown deepened. “My own family cast me out.” She bit her bottom lip as if she’d said more than she’d intended.

Unfortunately, it was all too easy for Sage to believe her. After all, his father had left his pack when he’d met his mate, because she’d been a half-breed and he’d known his pack would never accept her.

“I’m sorry to hear that.” He motioned to the food. “Help yourself.” He rolled to his feet and moved away from the sleeping bag. He hoped the space would give her enough of a sense of safety so she’d actually eat something.

She kept one eye on him and another on the food. She went for the protein bars first. She grabbed one, ripped off the wrapping, and stuffed half of it in her mouth.

Sage kept talking, hoping it would help her relax around him. “I’m from the Salvation Pack, not too far from here. We’re a small pack, but we have both full-blooded and half-breeds.”

She swallowed and ate what remained of the bar before tearing open another wrapper.

“What’s your name?” Being able to call her by name would help put her at ease. When her frown deepened, he lost his temper. “Listen, I’m not asking you to divulge state secrets. I just want to know your name.”

If he wasn’t mistaken, a ghost of a smile skirted the edges of her lips. Her full, kissable lips. “Irina Matheson. You can call me Rina.”

“Irina Matheson,” he said slowly, savoring her name.

“Rina,” she corrected as she polished off the second protein bar and reached for the beef jerky.

“Drink some water too, Rina. Canteen is right there.” He pointed to his knapsack.

She paused and thought for a long moment. “Thank you.” She reached for the water bottle and drank deeply.

Sage lowered himself to the ground, figuring if he was sitting, she might relax more. “You can sit and enjoy your meal. I’m no threat. Not to you.”

Rina nodded and carefully sat on the edge of his sleeping bag. He liked seeing her there. Maybe a little too much. His unruly body kicked into high gear and his cock swelled. Good thing he was sitting down and it was dark. He didn’t think she would appreciate his lusting after her. It was totally inappropriate given the situation, but his body refused to listen to him. He decided to ignore it as much as possible.

He waited until she’d eaten some of the jerky before asking his next question. “Who is after you?”

Rina was nowhere near full. Her werewolf metabolism required a lot more calories than a normal human, but at least she no longer felt as though her stomach was gnawing on her backbone. The protein bars were fairly tasteless but filling. The beef jerky wasn’t half bad.

If she closed her eyes, she just might be able to convince herself it was steak. She hadn’t had red meat, other than the occasional burger, since she’d left home. It was simply too expensive. Chicken and fish were always cheaper. Same with sliced ham. She could practically hear the sizzle of a thick steak frying in the pan with onions and mushrooms. With baked potatoes dripping in butter. No sour cream for her, just lots of butter.

The very thought had her salivating. She bit down on the jerky and tore off another piece. Not exactly steak, but it was still meat. She needed to eat to replenish her energy. What she really needed was about twelve hours of uninterrupted sleep and that steak she was dreaming about, but she’d take the jerky and the short break, and be thankful.

She kept one eye on Sage, which wasn’t exactly a hardship. He was big and handsome and part wolf. It had been over a year since she’d been in the presence of her own kind.

He’s a half-breed
, she reminded herself. They were weak and shunned by the packs. Well, she’d been shunned too, and she was full-blooded, so in the end what did it really matter? She’d learned a lot in her time alone. What a person did was a hell of a lot more important than what they said.

Family might be everything to her kind, but when push had come to shove, her parents had chosen their pack above her, their own daughter. They’d stood by and watched as she’d been cast aside. Mikhail might have stood with her, but he’d been away working at the time of her banishment.

She’d been alone.

“Who is after you?” His question jolted her back to the present.

She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. It’s not your problem.”

Sage shook his head. “Now that’s where you’re wrong. It’s definitely my problem. You need to come home with me.”

It was official. The only werewolf she’d met since she’d left home and he was a half-breed crazy. “Yeah, I don’t think so.” The alpha would not approve of bringing a strange wolf home, especially one who’d been banished from her own pack. Not exactly a ringing endorsement.

“Why not?”

She liked his calm manner. Most of the men she’d known were ultra aggressive, always trying to assert their dominance. Sage had a quiet power about him. It was as if he was confident enough of his own strength that he didn’t need to prove anything to anyone.

Her wolf found it very alluring. Come to think of it, so did she.

“You can’t just bring home a strange wolf.”

Sage shrugged. “Sure I can. Won’t be the first time the pack has opened its doors to a strange wolf.” His smile would have sent her to her knees if she hadn’t already been sitting. He was lethal to her senses.

Was it because he was the first of her kind she’d seen in months? Or was it because he was being kind to her? God knows, her soul was starved for some kindness. Or was the attraction something more?

Maybe that proved her pack was right about her. That she was defective. After all, she’d turned away a dominant, full-blooded male werewolf and was drawn to a seemingly laidback half-breed.

“I have to go.” Lingering was only making leaving harder. It was natural for her to want to be part of a pack, even a temporary pack of two.

“Okay.”

Her heart bled just a little at how easily he acquiesced. It was just as well. He couldn’t have really meant his offer. He was just being kind. But he’d fed her, and that was worth a lot.

Rina pushed to her feet and brushed the crumbs from her jeans. The food had helped some, but she was still exhausted. She swayed on her feet and took a deep breath before adjusting her pack on her back. She probably should have taken it off while she was resting, but she couldn’t risk losing it.

Sage started toward her, and she backed away. “Thanks for everything.”

He repacked the remaining food and began to roll up his sleeping bag. “You’re welcome.”

Even though it was full dark now, he deftly tied the sleeping bag to the bottom of his knapsack. He gave one last look around the camp, nodded in satisfaction and swung the pack on his back.

“What are you doing?” Maybe it was the exhaustion, and maybe it was because he’d fed her, but the more time she spent in his company, the more she was coming to trust him.

“Going with you.” It took a few seconds for her to really grip his calm pronouncement.

“What do you mean you’re going with me?” She didn’t understand why he was doing this.