A Cougar Among Wolves Read Online Free Page B

Territory. You can only get there on foot. It has a freshwater spring inside it, plenty of wild game for food. And it’s a good place for healing. If we send provisions, they could hide her there until we get this mess sorted out and are sure there’s no risk to the pack.”
    “They.” Rogue lowered his arms. “Who are they ?” His stomach dropped. Were he and Seth being relegated to babysitting?
    Ryker turned with a stern glare. “You and Seth found her. You’re responsible for her.”
    “Come on, you’re gonna send us off like fugitives?”
    The enforcer let out a quiet growl. “You expect her to stay up there on her own, assuming she can make the trip?”
    Rogue pictured the gorgeous redhead. The allure of her scent sparked a sense of 16

    adventure deep inside. “You’re right, Ryker.” Being alone with the mysterious beauty hardly seemed like banishment or even work. It would be a chance to get to know her.
    What was this strange pull he felt toward her? He wasn’t much for spending time in town among the locals anyway. The cave held an intrigue that increased his eagerness to leave, the more he thought about it.
    “Remember,” the enforcer warned, his voice a cold, deadly rasp, “she’s protected and a cougar. Not your latest conquest or your brother’s.”
    The weight of his command slammed against his chest like a ton of bricks. “I get it.”
    Rogue held his palms up in defense. “No funny business.” He was known as the town playboy. This woman was different, though. He hadn’t even seen her conscious, yet, and concern for her well-being like he’d never experienced before settled in his bones.
    “In the meantime,” Gee jumped in, “we need to meet with the rest of the pack and prepare for unwanted company, so I’ll get to it.” He got up and headed inside the bar, followed by more crashes and clunks and a few additional swear words. “Kayden?” he bellowed.
    “I’ve got it, boss,” Kayden’s muffled voice called out.
    No one ever toyed with Gee, but his massive hands and long limbs provided several opportunities over the years for Rogue to razz the big guy. Today was a serious matter.
    There was no room for banter.

    17

Chapter Three
    The cool metal seat offered no solace as Seth sat against the wall. Racked with anxious anticipation, he bit his bottom lip as Bastian lifted open Klaya’s left eyelid and inspected her pupil. Worry tightened his chest. What were the chances she would recover from her injuries?
    The pack doctor proceeded to remove the bandages from her arm. “Damn, she’s a fast healer. Look.” He showed Ryker who stood at his side. “Let’s check the gunshot.” Ryker helped turn her unconscious form onto her side. Bastian covered her hips with the sheet and lifted the hospital gown off her back to snip the bandages off. “She’s doing great.”
    He cocked his head. “If I hadn’t treated her myself, I would have said this wound happened three weeks ago.”
    “Will she be able to walk?” Wearing his usual somber expression, Ryker crossed his arms.
    “The impact was close to the spine. We’ll have to wait until she wakes up again to know for sure, but I’m a betting man, and I’d put my money on her.” Bastian smoothed his hand over the forming scar. “No infection. She’s lucky.”
    “I don’t know how lucky I’d classify myself,” a soft voice replied.
    Seth’s heart skipped a beat. “She’s awake.” He abandoned his chair to join them at her bedside, desperate to see her. Bright amber eyes held the warmth of the sunrise. Some color had returned to her pale face, and her full luscious lips were a dark, delectable pink compared to the almost white he witnessed when she nearly bled to death. “Hey, Klaya, do you remember me?”
    “I got shot in the back, not the head,” she grumbled. “Can I lie down again and cover my business?”
    Seth stepped away as an ache filled his belly. After slaughtering the hunters and carrying her to