She realized something had happened between them but again she wasn’t sure what as they carried on.
Walking in the serene woods calmed her somewhat, especially when Kade kept her updated on Leia’s whereabouts. Then he asked her what had happened to bring her onto his land.
She froze for a moment before gulping in a great breath and telling him everything. How the farm had gone bankrupt, mainly due to their cows being killed, probably by rogues, and then how her parents had been murdered. She talked and talked, spilling everything out in a rush of words that surprised her. Usually she kept everything inside, locked up tight, but with this man she’d barely met, she unburdened herself and told him everything.
He never interrupted, not once, allowing her to ramble on as they walked, his touch seeming to ground her and stop her from dissolving into fits of tears. That was new. Every other time she thought of her mum and dad she’d cry her eyes out. Not this time. This time she talked about them and not one tear slid free. Strange.
In fact, when she’d finished, she felt relieved and refreshed, again that was way up on the weirdness meter.
Kade’s voice was soft and low as he finally spoke. “I have no words to express how sorry I am for what you’ve gone through. As Alpha of a Pack, I am horrified that other Wolves have caused you so much sorrow. I assure you that we’re not all like that, only rogues act in such a manner, and now that I know the extent of their activities, I’ll take steps to deal with them.”
His eyes told her what she needed to know. He spoke the truth so she nodded. “Thanks, but how will you do that?”
“First, I’ll alert the Wolf Council about their actions. Second, I’ll have more of my men patrol to ensure no rogues encroach on our land. Third, I’ll head up a hunting party and see if I can find these . . .”
He stopped, taking a deep breath in, his hand running through his long wavy hair. “Pardon my language, but I’m going to do my best to hunt these fuckers down and end them.”
“End them?” she asked, eyes wide at the implication.
“Kirsty, these are rogues who are Wolves, it’s not as simple as putting them in a cell somewhere. There’s not many places that could hold one of us, we’re very strong and vicious when cornered. If my men and I go looking for them then I assure you they won’t hold their hands up and say, ‘Yes, I’ll come with you for the Council to mete out my punishment.’ No, they’ll fight to the death to escape, and that means we’ll have to do the same to stop them continuing what they’ve been doing.”
Her heart missed a beat. She felt it, stuttering in her chest as she thought of Kade facing a pack of rogues. Her hand flew to her throat as she shook her head. “No. Please, don’t go. I don’t want you hurt . . . or your men.”
She added the last part hastily, trying to cover up the all-encompassing fear that had taken over her when she’d thought of Kade being in danger.
His eyes lit up briefly before he replied. “I’ll be fine. I’m Alpha, they are rogues, they don’t stand a chance. And now that I know about them, I can’t just sit by and leave them be. It’s not what any Alpha would, or could do. It’s in our DNA, Kirsty, we have to protect those not able to protect themselves.”
His words struck deep inside her, the truth in every syllable ringing loudly around her. This man, this Wolf, was noble, kind and good. The fact he was sexy as sin was just her cross to bear. She was under no illusion that he’d have a bevy of women at his beck and call and she was a mere human. Kirsty wouldn’t stand a chance with him. Not in a million years.
Didn’t stop her from dreaming though or thinking about his glorious body. When he turned to bark an order to Lennox she’d glimpsed part of a celtic tattoo across his shoulder and she wondered if she’d get the opportunity to see all of it. That alone was enough to keep her mind occupied for quite some time to come.
“As you don’t have anywhere else to go, I suggest you stay with me until we can sort things out for you.”
She’d been so engrossed in her thoughts she almost tripped as she turned to look up at Kade. His strong arms grabbing her quickly and saving her from falling flat on her face. “Thanks. Sorry, what did you say?”
He kept hold of her, his hands now on her shoulders as he stepped closer. Too close. Their bodies separated by . . . nothing. His thick thighs pressed against her as his eyes speared hers. “I said you should stay with me for the time being. That’s okay with you, isn’t it?”
“With you?” she gasped, his closeness causing her mouth to dry up and her throat to almost close.
“Yes, with me, in my cabin. There’s nowhere safer for you and Leia, of course.”
“Your cabin?” she squeaked.
His eyes filled with mirth, causing them to twinkle mischieviously. “Aye, my cabin.”
Kirsty took a shallow breath, praying he couldn’t hear the way her heart thudded in her chest. “Okay.” She had agreed far too quickly. What the hell was wrong with her?
“Glad that’s settled,” Kade replied, his eyes full of emotions she couldn’t put a name to.
What was it about this man that affected her so? After everything that had happened to her family she should be running as fast as she could in the opposite direction from a Wolf. But no, here she was, readily agreeing to stay with him, in his home. Kirsty could not
