Free Wolfsbane [Dark Hollow 5] by Shannon West Page A

known to the wolves, and they often spent the night here if they were caught out late on the trails. He snatched up his jeans, finding them only a little damp, pulled them on, and then got a fire started. After a few minutes he sat back on his heels to watch Evan. He had put on his jeans too, and now knelt by the scant blaze, holding out his one good hand and shivering slightly. Brett was pretty sure Evan was aware of his steady regard, but refused to look up at him directly. As Brett watched, he cradled his wrist to his body, his face white with pain.
    He stood up and walked over to him. “Stand up, Evan. Please.”
    Evan stood and looked at him nervously. Very slowly, so as not to spook him, Brett reached out and took his wrist. “When I was in the cell, I yearned for you, you know. Every minute. And when you came in the door and took care of me, I was so grateful. When you fed me, and put medicine on my back, I wanted nothing more than to hold you in my arms and show you how grateful I felt. Let me help you now, Evan. This might hurt a little, but I only want to help.”
    Evan looked confused, staring up at Brett as he slowly brought his wrist to his mouth. Quickly, before Evan could react, Brett sank his teeth into his wrist, fastening onto it as Evan screamed in fright and pain, sinking to his knees and trying his best to twist away. Brett followed him to the floor of the cave. He knew he was scaring Evan again, but this was the only way he knew to help ease the pain. He pulled his teeth out and licked the marks while Evan panted for breath.
    “You bastard!” Evan was furious, his face deep red with outrage.
    Brett looked down at him calmly before he spoke.  “In a minute, your wrist will be numb. Can you feel it working?” Brett waited until he finally nodded sullenly. “Good. It’s all I could do to help, baby. When I get you to the pack, the doctor can look at it. Now you’re going to drink some of my blood, so it will heal quickly.” He reached out with one finger and ran it along his cheek. “Do you understand?”
    “Yes,” Evan said, nodding. He gave Brett a searing glance. “But I don’t want to drink your damn blood. I’ll just take my chances.”
    “I don’t remember giving you an option. Why in hell are you acting like this? Are you scared of me?”
    “Do you blame me?” He put his uninjured hand over his face and sighed. “Since I woke up, you’ve threatened me, choked me, hurt my wrist and now bitten the hell out of me. Damn right you scare me!”
    Brett smiled down at Evan, aware his heart was still racing, though it was slowing down.
    “I only did those things to make the guards believe I hated you and would kill you if I had to. I had to make it look good.”
    “Well, you succeeded. I sure as hell believed you.”
     Brett folded his legs and sank down beside him, picking him up and pulling his legs around him so they wrapped around his waist, bringing their bodies together and making Evan sit in his lap. Evan pushed back against his chest with his good hand, but soon realized it was futile. He gave up and sagged in his arms, his head dropping down against Brett’s chest.
    Brett loved the feel of his sweet body so close to his. He rubbed his hands along Evan’s back and tenderly kissed his neck as he trembled. He bent lower to whisper in his ear. “I’m sorry I scared you, darlin’. I love you.”
    Evan raised his gaze and whispered back. His voice was almost frantic. “Oh hell, I love you too. Is it because of that thing in my blood, like the doctors said? What the fuck am I going to do? ”
    A little laugh was startled right out of Brett’s throat. “What are you going to do?” He rubbed little circles across his back. “What do you mean?”
    “I mean I don’t know what to do! I can’t be in love with a wolf. I can’t! And now I’ve let you mate with me! What the fuck am I doing? I must be crazy!” He shuddered and dropped his head down on Brett’s chest. “Shit!