Love Me, Still(12)

She was close to losing all control as her grief overwhelmed her. She limped toward the door to the cabin, once again seeking to leave. Instead of going back for her moccasins, she thrust her feet into Riyu’s heavy boots and trudged outside.

The cabin had been closing around her. She had to get out. The brisk air washed over her wet face, blowing the tears to tiny ice particles. But she ignored the cold, walking aimlessly toward the edge of the encampment.

Members of her pack stopped what they were doing to stare as she walked past. She hunched her shoulders forward, ignoring their scrutiny. Never before had she felt so keenly that she didn’t belong. The lone human in a pack of wolves. She was an outsider, made so by the fact her mates had cast her aside.

Her leg ached. She hadn’t exerted herself this much since the attack but she needed space. Needed to get away from the overwhelming urge to scream when she faced Cael and Riyu. She wanted to hit them. She wanted to make them bleed. She wanted to cry. She wanted things to be the way they’d been before.

But that would never happen.

She stumbled up to one of the smaller cabins and leaned heavily against the door. They weren’t used for living, mainly for storage. Here, at least she could be warm. And alone.

As she reached for the handle, she registered a cry from the distance. She ignored it and shoved open the door. She walked in and stopped cold.

Her hand flew to her throat as a scream lodged there. Her mouth opened and closed but no sound would come out. There on the floor, bound hand and foot were the hunters.

She backed hurriedly from the cabin, falling as she stumbled over her bad leg, the big boots on her feet making her clumsy. She landed in the snow and still she struggled to get away. She crawled, lurching to her feet, prepared to run.

She hit a hard chest. Arms gripped her tight and a soothing voice crooned in her ear.

Niko.

She relaxed, all the fight going out of her. Niko had saved her before. He wouldn’t allow anything bad to happen to her now. She slumped in his arms, and he gathered her close.

“Niko,” she whispered.

“Hush, little one. It will be all right. I tried to stop you before you went in. You always were too inquisitive for your own good.”

She smiled for the first time since the morning John Quincy had gotten her the Christmas tree. She wrapped her arms around Niko’s neck and hugged tightly.

“Why are they here?” she asked in a ragged voice.

He kissed the top of her head. “I’m sorry you had to see them. We were too intent on finding you to deal swiftly with them. So they waited until we returned. Soon, justice will be met.”

She shivered in his arms, mentally recoiling from the horrible memories the hunters conjured.

“Come with me,” he said, urging her away. “You don’t need to be here. I must speak with you anyway.”

She raised her gaze curiously, searching his face for his intent. He regarded her solemnly, his golden eyes full of resolve.

She allowed him to guide her away. He moved slowly, taking care with her injured leg. As they neared the edge of the woods, he eased her down to sit on a large bolder. He squatted in front of her, taking her hands in his.

Regret flashed in his eyes. “I have much to apologize for, little one. I should have never left you that day. I should have delivered you safely to your mates.”

“Oh, Niko,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “It wasn’t your fault. You saved me. You carried me back when all I really wanted to do was lay there and die.”

“I want to take care of you, Heather. I know you don’t love me, but in time you may come to care for me. I would be proud to call you mate. I would honor and protect you with my life. No one would ever hurt you again. If you aren’t comfortable with the pack, we can leave. Start a new life somewhere else.”

Chapter Six

Heather stared at the handsome warrior in astonishment. “Mate? I don’t understand.”

“I think you do,” he said gently. He put out a hand and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I would take you away from here if that is your wish. I only want for you to be happy. You sacrificed everything for me. I would see that you never want for anything.”

Heather’s heart clenched even as she looked sadly at him. His declaration was true and honorable. She had no doubt he’d do exactly as he promised. But he didn’t love her. And was that so bad?

She looked down, her heart beating a little harder as she considered his proposal. Love was painful. It burned. It bled. It was the sharpest knife and the dullest blade. It carried the highest joys and the deepest sorrows. She was tired of feeling. Would being with a man without the burden of love be easier?

“What are you thinking?” he prompted.

“I don’t know what I should do,” she said honestly. “I hurt.” The admission came painfully, a sharp burst, pulling from her chest.

“I know you do,” he whispered. “And I’m so sorry.”

He pulled her against his chest, rocking back and forth as he rubbed his hands up and down her back.

“Think about it,” he said as he finally pulled away. “I won’t leave you nor will I rescind my offer. Take as much time as you need. Let me know when you’ve reached your decision. I’ll respect it no matter the outcome.”

“Thank you,” she said, reaching out to pull him closer to her. She kissed him lightly on the lips, a gesture of her affection. She’d done so before and never thought anything of it. But now it seemed inappropriate.