Walker's Run Read Online Free Page B

blade deep into the female’s throat. Growling with pure rage, she powered through the thrust with every bit of her remaining strength. The perfectly honed weapon sliced through bone.
    There were no howls or growls from the she-wolf, only a burbling sound from her gaping throat that marked the death rattles. Casey collapsed onto her back. The pain took her breath away, halting her pent up sob over what she’d done.
    The last thing Casey’d ever hoped to do was kill one of the creatures she’d loved most: her favorite female wolf. She stiffened at a low sound nearby. Shifting her gaze, there was the male. Her knife lay with the dead female a few feet away. She was completely helpless now.
    Her body shuddered, whether from the pain, cold, or shock, she had no idea, but her lids were getting heavy. This was going to be it. What had started out to be a wonderful day had turned into her worst nightmare.
    If the male wolf didn’t kill her, the cold would. Hard logic settled in. Casey watched the wolf slowly approach. She was dead. Her family wouldn’t know to look for her until she missed her scheduled call.
    By then, there wouldn’t be much of anything left of her body in the forest? Would the wolves scavenge as much of her as they could and scatter her bones?
    These thoughts flickered through her numbed mind.
    The wolf neared, and she licked snow from her lips, tasting blood.
    Hers or the she-wolfs?
    He lowered his face to hers. Casey’s heart raced when she saw where the scratch had been on his cheek. There was no sign but a bloody smear, the slight wound was healed.
    The cold leached away her pain.
    He was a handsome specimen of the wolf. His deep grey coloring had been what had drawn her in. His legs looked to be as thick as her forearms, if not larger, and his paws larger than her hands. But most unique of all were his eyes. Black lines drew attention there. They were so pale. She could feel him look straight into her soul, and it stole her breath once more.
    Growing numb all over, she stroked the wolf’s muzzle with a smile. “You always were my favorite,” Casey whispered just before the darkness enveloped her.

 

Chapter Three
     
    Visions haunted Casey’s dreams. Many of the graphic episodes were so rapid, she only caught glimpses. There was fire, ferocious growls, and snarls while animals and people fought one another. The warriors wielded swords and shot off fiery arrows.
    A powerful feeling of complete and utter loneliness was overwhelming. Her chest felt heavy with the inescapable emotion.
    Gasping, Casey opened her eyes. She was weak and spent. The ache in her shoulder was fierce, but tolerable for the moment. With a wince, she took a deep breath and opened her eyes. It was then she noticed the long haired man lying next to her. His eyes were closed and his breathing even. He seemed so peaceful, Casey couldn’t make herself feel afraid.
    His black hair was drawn back from his face, and she couldn’t help notice how ruggedly handsome he was with his thickening five o’clock shadow and deep, reddish tanned skin. He had high cheekbones and full lips she could only imagine curling into a smile. His presence seemed to fill the tent, yet it wasn’t overwhelming.
    The area was blessedly warm. It appeared he’d kicked the covers off. Considering he was in all-weather pants and a wool turtle neck with a thick flannel over it, Casey didn’t particularly blame him. Lying on his side facing her, she wondered what shade of brown his eyes would be since his features pinpointed him as Native American.
    His eyes opened. She jerked back, jarring her shoulder. Groaning, pain traveled up her neck, across her chest, and down her back.
    “You’re awake.” He sounded very calm. His voice showed no signs of sleep and made her wonder if he’d only been catnapping.
    She grunted and tried to move a comfortable distance from him. The torment brought fresh tears and stole her breath.
    “I wouldn’t try to do that for a