Wolf in his Heart (Salvation Pack) Read Online Free Page A

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