Free A Wolf's Pride by Jennifer T. Alli Page B

replied simply as though his short statement was
self-explanatory and answered her question.
    “ I still don’t
get it.”
    He sighed.
“The fact that you’re my mate means that you’re the perfect woman
for me, the only one that my wolf will truly accept, the other half
of me and I personally think that you’re the better
half.”
    “ You don’t know
me Ryan, how can you be so sure.”
    “ The instinct
is never wrong. It guides us to the one that will bring us the most
happiness in our long lifetime. Eternity is just another world for
hell when you have to spend it alone. With you by my side the
possibilities are endless, everything seems brighter now that I
have you in my life.”
    “ Even though
I’ve attacked you and done nothing but try and run away from you?
You are crazy.”
    “ Yes, even your
attempts at rebellion please me. Wolves like nothing better than
the thrill of a run, the adrenaline that courses through us during
a chase and you Chloe are giving me the high of my
life.”
    “ I still don’t
understand how you can feel this way about a stranger.”
    “ We won’t be
strangers for much longer love.”
    Unsure of how
to respond to his accurate statement, Chloe decided it was best not
to say anything and continued walking. Her poor night vision
however was increasingly problematic as she stumbled continuously.
Cursing the terrain, she refused Ryan’s hand of assistance
determined to walk under her own steam. Her stubborn determination
however was her literal downfall. Her feet tripped over a large
protruding rock and the ground rushed up to meet her. She twisted
instinctively but as pain shot through her leg she realised that it
had probably been an unwise decision to do so.
    “ Chloe, are you
ok?” Ryan demanded, immediately at her side, trying to help her to
her feet.
    “ I’m fine,” she
shooed, standing. Her legs buckled beneath her as pain once again
speared her and she couldn’t prevent a hiss from leaving her lips
as her ankle throbbed painfully.
    “ Liar,” he
scolded though his voice was filled with concern. Crouching at her
side, he ran his fingers gently over her legs, applying pressure
periodically and noting when she winced. “It’s not broken,” he
declared. “Just twisted.”
    “ So you’re a
doctor then?”
    “ No, but I’ve
lived a long time and I know the basics of how to treat an injury,
besides, I’ve had lots of broken, sprained and twisted bones in my
life. I know how to identify which is which. It will get better
soon, I want to take you to the clans and have someone look you
over though.”
    “ How are we
going to manage that? I can’t walk.”
    “ I’m going to
carry you of course.”
    “ From wherever
we are now all the way to your home?” she snorted in disbelief.
“You’ll give yourself a hernia.”
    “ This derisive
attitude you have towards yourself has got to stop Chloe. You’re
perfect and I’m going to convince you of that someday.”
    “ If that’s what
you think then fine, you’re entitled to your own opinion just as
I’m entitled to mine.”
    “ You’re being
stubborn.”
    “ You’re going
to have to get used to it if you want to stay with me.”
    He smiled at
that, surprising her. “I’m glad that you’re finally thinking of our
relationship in the long term. And just so you know, I have over
two hundred years experience of being stubborn, so if you think you
can beat me, you’re wrong.” With that he placed his arms under her,
lifting her into his arms before reaching for her suitcase and
holding it within his fingertips. “I think it might be for the best
if you close your eyes.”
    “ Why?”
    His smile
widened before he sped off at such a speed that her eyes were
instantly watering as air rushed into them. Yet instead of closing
her eyes as he had requested, she was determined to keep them open.
The world around them was a blur as he moved and the feeling was
exhilarating. Her arms lifted to his neck with great