Free Deadly Seduction (Feral Protectors 3) by Liv Brywood

able to keep his attraction to her under control, but the stronger he got, the more he wanted her.
    “I want to do another lap.”
    “Not right now. You need to rest.”
    “I’ve been cooped up for days. I need some fresh air and sunshine.”
    She frowned. “If you push yourself too fast, you’re going to have a relapse.”
    “Come on, just for a few minutes?” He flashed a smile.
    “Oh, okay. But only for a few.”
    He hurried toward the door. “I want to go down to the river.”
    “Absolutely not. It’s too far and I can’t carry you back up the mountain.”
    “How about the stream?”
    She pressed her lips together.
    “Please?”
    She sighed. “All right, but only for a few minutes.”
    As he shuffled along the hall, wolves poked their heads out of their rooms. Some were in their wolf form, but others had shifted into their human form. He stopped to talk to the members of his pack. They’d kept their distance which was good. He didn’t want them to know how close he’d come to death.
    As they passed the great room, wolves howled in greeting. Many of them openly regarded Gwen. Nosh grinned as if to say, that’s right boys. She’s all mine . Not that he could lay claim to her. Not yet at least. After he healed completely, he’d be free to pursue the beautiful wolf.
    Hopefully he wouldn’t be laid up for much longer. He missed seeing his pack-mates and was sick of being cooped up in the room.
    When they reached the front of the den, he paused to allow his eyes to adjust to the bright sunlight. He’d spent so much time in low light that he had to squint when they stepped outside.
    “Wow, it’s bright out here,” he said.
    “If it’s too much, we can go back to your room.”
    “No, not yet. We just got outside.”
    “The second you feel like you need to go back, let me know. I don’t want to get too far away from the den.”
    “We won’t. Just up to the stream and back.”
    As the gate swung open to allow them to pass, Fadian hollered from the guard tower, “Good to see you back on your feet.”
    “I have a good nurse,” Nosh said.
    “Thanks for putting him back together,” Fadian said to Gwen.
    She blushed. “My pleasure.”
    Nosh took her hand in his. “I told her I might have to keep her around.”
    “You do need a mate.”
    Gwen tensed beside him. Oh no, he’d gone too far again.
    “She’s probably going to want to get home to her own bed soon,” Nosh said.
    “Too bad. Have a good walk.”
    “Will do.”
    When they were out of earshot, Gwen said, “I think you’ll be back to normal in a few more days.”
    “I hope so. I hate feeling like an invalid.”
    “You’re getting stronger every day. You’re already up and walking. Soon you’ll have enough strength to be able to shift and then my work will be done.”
    Work? Was that all he was to her? He’d hoped there was more to their relationship. Maybe it was wishful thinking on his part, but a man could dream.
    He said, “I know I don’t say it enough, but thanks again for staying.”
    She tilted her head up to look at him. “I’m glad I did.”
    As they strolled hand in hand through the woods, he listened to the sounds of the forest. Birds sang, wind whistled through the trees and the distant gurgle of the stream blended into a symphony. He loved being outside more than anything.
    Out of the corner of his eye, he watched Gwen. Her smile fell with each step and her grip on his hand tightened. By the time they reached the stream, she was quivering.
    “What’s wrong?”
    “I… it’s nothing.”
    He grabbed her other hand and turned her toward him. “Come on, you can tell me.”
    Off to the left, the bushes rustled. She jerked toward the sound. As she jumped back, she slammed into his chest. He stumbled. Damn leg still couldn’t take more than a little pressure without trying to buckle.
    Terror infused her voice. “Did you hear that?”
    “It’s probably just another animal.”
    “No. Someone’s out there.