Wildfire Griffin (Fire & Rescue Shifters: Wildfire Crew #1)(39)

She squelched her longing down. Just one more part of herself she had to keep locked away.

“It’ll be easier if everyone keeps things strictly professional.” She tried to smile at him. “Like you do.”

He shifted away a little, putting more space between them. “Yeah,” he mumbled. “Professional.”





Chapter 17





Wrong, wrong!

His griffin clawed at his soul, demanding release. It was a physical effort to keep himself in his own skin. He clenched his fists, trying not to let any sign of his inner turmoil show on his face.

Hold her! his animal howled. She needs us, she needs us to show her she is cherished and loved. That she deserves to be cherished and loved. HOLD HER!

He stood up abruptly. It was either that or tackle Edith around the waist. That wouldn’t have been very professional.

“I have to go do something.” Despite his best effort, it came out as a growl. He was about twenty seconds away from shifting on the spot. “I’ll see you later, okay?”

“Okay.” She gave him a wan, pale smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Thanks, Rory.”

He had no idea what she was thanking him for. As far as he was concerned, he’d made everything worse.

With a curt nod, he strode away. It was only sheer luck he didn’t pitch himself straight into the stream, he was so blind with churning need. He crashed randomly through the undergrowth until he was certain he was well out of sight of Edith.

Then he tipped back his head, baring his teeth in a soundless scream. He spun and lashed out at a tree. Claws erupted from his finger tips, slicing deep gouges through the bark.

Are you okay? Blaise sent to him telepathically.

She wasn’t the only one to notice his turmoil. Joe, Wystan, Callum, Fenrir—tendrils of worry from all of them brushed against his mind.

NO.

His mental roar blasted them all back. He didn’t want their support. Didn’t deserve it. How could he accept comfort from his friends while Edith huddled cold and alone?

His griffin was still raging, demanding that he go back to her and sweep her into his arms. He gritted his teeth, focusing his will. Golden claws slowly shifted back into fingers as he reasserted control over his inner beast.

“Right.” Blaise appeared round a tree, the others following close on her heels. She planted herself firmly in front of him, hands on her hips. “What’s going on? And don’t even think about using the alpha voice on us.”

He’d been opening his mouth to do just that, but a flicker of motion overhead caught his eye. He looked up, simultaneously with Callum.

“Oh, for the love of sweet little fishes.” Joe shaded his eyes too, looking in entirely the wrong direction. “Don’t tell me that bloody bird is spying on us again.”

Even with his eyesight, Rory could only make out the bird as a tiny dot in the sky. He glanced at Callum. “Same hawk?”

Callum’s mouth twisted. “Same hawk.”

The distant speck circled once over their heads, then veered off. With an unpleasant jolt, Rory realized that it was heading for the place where he’d left Edith.

“It did that before.” Callum looked even grimmer. “Went for her the instant she moved away from us all.”

“Wystan, go,” Rory said instantly. “Get her back to base.”

Wystan nodded, but hesitated. “What should I tell her?”

“I don’t know!” It wasn’t like he had a great track record of talking to Edith. “Something. Anything. Just get her out of here.”

And rest of the pack? Fenrir asked as Wystan sprinted off. *What will we do?*

He might not be able to help his mate. He might not even be able to hold her.

But he could damn well protect her.

Rory bared his teeth in a feral grin. “We’re going to hunt.”





Chapter 18





“Edith?” Wystan said from behind her. “Apologies for interrupting. Rory sent me to fetch you.”

Keeping her back to him, she scrunched up her face in a silent scream of irritation. She’d thought that she’d reached an understanding with Rory. Yet somehow he seemed to have managed to interpret please ask the others to leave me alone as sure, send them over!

“I’m sure he meant well, but I’m not in the mood for socializing.” She scooped up another rock, pitching it into the stream. “You all go ahead without me.”

“Actually, they already have. I’m staying behind too. I, er…need to inventory all the first aid kits. To make sure everything’s ready for tomorrow. Rory said you should give me a hand.”

“Oh!” She reassembled her face into a more appropriate expression, swinging round. “In that case, of course! I’d be happy to help!”

Wystan’s eyebrows lifted a little. “You seem remarkably more enthusiastic about the prospect of counting bandages than you did about an afternoon off.”

She fell into step with him. “I’d rather be doing something than nothing. I like to be useful. In fact, if you show me what needs doing, I could take care of it on my own. It doesn’t seem fair that you get stuck behind with the chores while the others are off having fun.”

“Ah, well.” He looked away, his shoulders tightening. “I like to be useful too. And counting bandages is at least something I can do.”