While they ate, she said, “Tell me about yourself, Damon. I didn’t even know you lived up here.”
He motioned to their surroundings. “I grew up in the area and now live alone here in this cabin. Many of us who work at the resort live slope side or in the mountain village.”
She nodded. “I’m in the village. My friend and I rented a condo for the weekend.”
Most of the guests stayed in one of the developments. The wolf shifters lived in the mountains, which gave them ample opportunity to run through the forests and hunt at night. “How long are you here for?”
She glanced out the window. “Just one more night. I was supposed to go skiing with my friend today.” She made a doubtful sound. “That’s not going to happen after last night.”
His pulse jolted. Only one more night? Such a brief encounter before she disappeared again hit him with a cruel pang.
He struggled to keep his voice neutral. No point in coming on too strong and scaring her off. “I don’t blame you. But don’t let that one incident turn you off skiing. If we all walked away from something when it knocks us down, it would be a very boring life.”
She stared at him and nodded. “True. Still, today I plan to take it easy.”
“Good plan.” He glanced at her. He wanted to learn all he could about her while he had the chance.
Her eyes widened. “Damon, I know I hit my head and there’s a possibility that I may not be remembering things clearly but—” She bit her lip and then exhaled. “When I was lost, I saw a wolf. I’m sure of it. But it was much larger than I thought wolves could be.”
His muscles tightened. She gazed at him as if assessing whether he believed her.
“It lunged forward, and I thought it was going to attack me.” She covered her chest and her breath came quicker. “But it didn’t. It went for another wolf behind me.” She raised her hands to her face. “I know it sounds crazy. I’ve never heard about wolves living in this area. But I swear what I saw was real. One was white and the other gray.”
The back of his neck tightened. She’d seen it all.
“I’d never been so scared before,” she added. “That’s why I ran back into the woods.” She tilted her head and stared at him. “Am I losing my mind? Or could that—could it have really happened?”
Shit. Damon didn’t want to reveal his pack’s secrets about them being shifters. Yet, he also couldn’t lie to her—especially when she seemed so distressed about the situation and fearing she may have imagined the entire thing. He had to be careful about what he said.
He measured his words and spoke them with care. “Coyotes live in the region. Maybe that’s what you saw.”
She pursed her lips. “They seemed much bigger than coyotes.” She shook her head. “Maybe I imagined that in my fear. I was so disoriented.”
“Understandable. That must have been terrifying.” He had to switch subjects and fast. “So, Sophie, what do you do when you’re not keeping ski patrol busy on a hunt to find you?” He flashed her a sly grin.
Her eyes flickered with a glint of confusion as she appeared to adjust to his sudden change of topic. “I’m a graphic designer for a real estate firm in Massachusetts. Mostly coastal properties on the North Shore.”
That was where he’d met her at the club Vamps. “Do you plan on coming back up here again?”
She grinned. “I doubt I’ll book anything until I’m sure I’m not bruised up or have broken bones.”
He exhaled. How could he find a way to see her again? “Maybe the next time I visit the area, we could meet up.” He’d only ever visited there that one time, so it wasn’t like he had any reason to return besides seeing her.
She took a final bite of her waffle and chewed while she eyed him. After she swallowed, she said, “Maybe.”
They didn’t say much else as they finished eating.
She put her fork down on her empty plate. “That was delicious.”
Feeding her pleased his need to care for her. He took her plate and put it on the side table. “Are you feeling good enough to stand?”
Sophie nodded with a sheepish grin. “I think so. And I really need a bathroom.”
“Okay. Let me help you up just to make sure you’re steady.” He stepped over to the side of the bed and moved the tray.
When she swung her feet over to the side, Damon took her arm and helped her stand. She paused for a few seconds and glanced ahead.
“I think I’m good. Not lightheaded this time. That breakfast must’ve helped.”
“Lean on me to make sure. I’ll help you over to the bathroom.”
“You are not going in there with me though.” She peered at him with wide eyes.
“Understood.”
She held onto his arm for support and took a few steps. “I’m fine. Really. You don’t have to walk me over.” She released his arm.
He showed her where the bathroom was. After she came out, he packed her gear into his Jeep.
As he drove her down to the mountain, he said, “We should stop by First Aid in the lodge. Sebastian is working now, and he’ll take good care of you.”
“That’s a good idea.”
During the visit to the lodge, Sebastian asked her questions and checked for a concussion or other injuries.
“Rest up today and watch out for any signs of a concussion.” He handed her a sheet listing the symptoms. “Just call here if you have any concerns.”
“Will do,” she replied. “Thanks.”
Damon then drove her across the road to the brick condos in the village. “I’m working a shift on the mountain today, but call me if you need anything.” He gave her his number.
She didn’t give hers back. He didn’t blame her. She must have been confused and
