The Girl in the Forest (Sentinel Falls Trilogy Book 2) by Sue Wilder

Author:Sue Wilder [Wilder, Sue]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2024-02-20T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 17

Noa

When Grayson opened the door two hours later, I flinched. I’d been huddled by the fire, wrapped in the patchwork quilt that smelled of lavender and pine soap—two scents that barely covered the boggy smell of the ointment Old Mae smeared on my skin. My ankle throbbed and I had no ice for it—other than sticking my foot outside, which was as impractical as it was nonsensical. I blamed exhaustion. Being left alone for too long. And clothes that were still too wet to wear.

I was deep in feeling sorry for myself. Ashamed to say I enjoyed it. I couldn’t be fine or okay all the time, could I? Since dry clothes were in the backpack Grayson had, I’d been distracting myself. Ignoring my near nudity by thinking about what Old Mae said. More witches and warnings. Then I’d wondered if any Alpen wolf, even a rebel, could be believed.

“What do you think?” I asked, shivering in the gust of stormy air before Grayson closed the door. “Do you trust Jodan?”

“Enough to stay until the storm passes.”

His calm tone made me blink. He crossed the cabin to toss the backpack on the sagging bed, but rather than turning away so I could get dressed, he sorted through my clothes. I scowled as he pulled out jeans and a shirt. Taking his time folding silk panties and a bra. When his thumb brushed the panty crotch, I glared at him. I didn’t think he did it deliberately, but the intimacy made me realize how lonely I’d become, if watching Grayson touch my clothes could get to me, make me feel cared for when I’d rather feel offended.

Looking at him now, I wavered beneath the wave of power that was Grayson’s. He’d dropped whatever shield he used in front of Jodan, no longer blunting his strength, and I saw the Alpha of Sentinel Falls. The dread lord. I understood his commitment, the honor in sacrifice. The wicked sense of humor he hid from others.

But then I saw the utter isolation in his life.

Rain had dampened his hair during the walk from Jodan’s cabin. One inky strand fell over his forehead, and I wished for the freedom to push it back. To thread my fingers through his hair as if it was my right to comfort him.

His eyes met mine, and he pushed the wet hair back while I watched. His breathing grew uneven, tightening the tension in my stomach. He hadn’t really looked at me since the night I said Anson Salas would carry through with the fucking. But he was looking now with the shards of green in his eyes.

The fire flickered with a subtle, popping sound. Rain beat against the windows and the rhythmic patter should have been soothing. Only what welled up inside me was all the anguish and terror I’d experienced in the illusion.

The pointless challenge I’d issued to him in facing the witches, and how disastrously I’d failed.

The prophesies jumbled together, the promises of death and destruction—and some of what had been forewarned had already come true.

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