N. Walters - Alexandra's Legacy

Not for the first time, Joshua wished she had already gone through her change. Once her werewolf had integrated fully within her, she would heal much faster. She’d be less vulnerable too, able to shift to her wolf form and run swiftly and silently through the forest.

Very carefully, he pulled her into his arms. She melted against his bare chest immediately, rubbing her nose against his chest hair. He buried his face in her hair and inhaled her scent, letting it soothe him.

“It’s going to be another rough day.” He wouldn’t hide anything from her. She had to be prepared.

“I know.” She continued to rub her cheek against his skin as if she couldn’t get enough of him. He knew her actions were unconscious, part hormones, part instinct. His erection, which had gone down slightly, sprang to life again.

“If there were any other way…” he trailed off, uncertain what else to say. They both knew there was no other way, no going back.

“I know,” she whispered again, her arms tightening around him one final time before she stepped away. Straightening her shoulders, she reached into the pocket of the jacket and pulled out the sheath with his hunting knife. She handed it to him hilt first. “My gun and two knives are gone. This and your handgun are all we have.”

He closed his hand over the knife sheath and pushed it back toward her. “You keep it.” She started to protest, but he held up his hand. “If I sense anyone else near us, I’m going to shift. I can protect you better that way.”

She nodded, but still seemed concerned. “All right.” The sheath hooked easily over the waistband of her jeans and she adjusted it several times until she was satisfied it was within easy reach.

He checked his gun. “There are only two bullets left in here and they’re not silver.” He handed it to her and watched as she tucked it into the pocket of her jacket.

Her stomach growled loud enough for him to hear, reminding him that neither of them had eaten since around noon yesterday. But she never said a thing about being hungry. Then again, he’d known she wouldn’t. She was an amazingly practical and resilient woman.

Her hunger probably hurt him more than it did her. For him, it was another reminder of how he had failed to take proper care of her. He also knew she’d be pissed with him if she knew what he was thinking.

Taking her hand in his, he twined their fingers together. “Remember, if I tell you to do something, just do it. There may not be time for me to explain.”

She nodded and gave his hand a squeeze as he led her out of the cave and into the early morning sunshine.

Alex squinted against the glare, which really wasn’t all that bright. But after being in the dark cave all night, her eyes needed time to adjust. She would have loved to have the time to just look around and explore the area. The birds were singing an early morning song and the air was clean and crisp. She pulled the jacket more firmly around herself and then stared at Joshua’s naked back wondering if he was cold. Not that he’d tell her. Heaven forbid he admit to any kind of weakness.

She glanced over her shoulder and watched as the cave disappeared from sight. She hated to leave. At least there had been the illusion of safety while they’d been tucked inside. Now that they’d left it behind, she felt vulnerable again.

It was only a matter of time until one group of enemies or another found their trail. These were all experienced woodsmen, both hunters and werewolves, and there were God only knows how many of them after her and Joshua. Still, she’d rather be with Joshua than with anyone else. No matter what happened, she’d fight by his side until the end.

It had felt strange, yet amazingly familiar to awake in his arms this morning. It was the second morning in a row she’d done so, but it seemed as if she’d been doing it for years. She hadn’t wanted to leave the comfort and warmth of his large body. He’d held her securely throughout the long night, cradling her against him, keeping her safe while she slept.

Joshua had already been aroused by the time she’d opened her eyes and became aware of her surroundings. There had been no mistaking the rather large erection pressing into her belly. She’d responded immediately, her inner muscles contracting and softening. There was something about Joshua that her body recognized. They belonged together and she planned to make that a reality once this ordeal was over.

They walked in silence, and as the minutes became hours he had to release her hand and go ahead of her to forge a path though the dense woods. He moved silently and easily thought the forest, obviously at home in his surroundings. Every now and then he’d glance over his shoulder to check on her. She always smiled at him, but still his frown deepened.

Truthfully, her feet were killing her again. They’d been pretty good for the first hour, thanks to the extra padding he’d wrapped around them. But now they were beginning to throb again. She passed her time imagining how wonderful it was going to feel to soak them in a tub of warm water. When this was over, she was going barefoot for a week.

He held up his hand as he stopped in his tracks. She immediately came to a halt, knowing he’d sensed or heard something. Silently, he prowled the area before coming to stand beside her. “We have company.” His low, almost toneless words were mouthed next to her ear. She nodded to let him know she understood.

He bent over and quickly unlaced his boots, yanking both them and his socks off quickly. Shucking his jeans, he folded them and handed them to her. Alex swallowed as he turned from her and began to shift.

She’d seen it once, but not like this. This time the man was becoming the beast. Bones cracked and changed, some lengthened and others shortened as he bent forward and placed his palms on the forest floor. Muscles rippled and flowed beneath his skin. Thick black fur seemed to spring from his flesh as his face contorted and his jaw elongated, forming the familiar muzzle of the wolf.

Her heart pounded so loudly she couldn’t even hear her own breathing. She clutched his jeans to her chest, needing something to hold onto. She swayed and stiffened her knees. This was no time to act like a ninny. She knew what he was. Accepted what he was. At least intellectually. This whole change thing was going to take her some time to get used to.

She couldn’t even begin to imagine what it would be like to go through this metamorphosis herself. That was something she’d deal with when she had to and not one moment before. Right now, it was taking everything she had in her just to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Even though it seemed to take forever, she knew it had only been a matter of seconds. The man was gone. In his place was a powerful, magnificent predator—a huge black wolf—king of the forest.

He turned his head and peered at her through familiar eyes, so dark that they appeared black. There was no doubting the intelligence or determination in that gaze. She’d seen it many times before.

Bending over, she picked up his boots and added them to her load. He was still staring at her when she faced him again, obviously waiting for her. She gave him a quick nod. He turned and loped off ahead of her, his muscular body sliding gracefully across the ground. She couldn’t take her eyes off him. Even in this form he was enthralling.

He turned and shot her a disgruntled look. She didn’t need to be able to hear him to read his thoughts. “I’m coming,” she muttered under her breath as she crept as silently as she could behind him.

They’d only been walking stealthily along for about five minutes when Joshua stopped again and ducked behind a cluster of fir trees. Alex quickly followed him, lowering the bundle of clothing to the ground and drawing the hunting knife from its sheath.