Arctic Winds

Chapter 10

Samantha breathed the cold winter air deeply as she hurried across the forest floor. She didn’t know what time it was, but she figured she had at least another hour before she needed to head in for work.

Last night was the first night in weeks she hadn’t spent with Jason. He was visiting another shifter community to lend a hand to their new leader. Jason had asked her to come with him, but it seemed silly since he would only be away a couple of days at most. However, after tossing and turning throughout the night, she had quickly realized her body had become accustomed to sleeping with her wolf.

The realization worried her. What would she do when he finally tired of her? Granted, he didn’t seem to be tiring at all. If anything, his desire seemed to grow. The other night he had practically attacked her in his kitchen as she was cooking them dinner. They’d ended up having passionate sex on the table and the pasta had burned. But life had taught Samantha to never let her guard down, because the moment she did, life would throw her to the ground and stomp on her.

She’d decided to go for an early morning run before work to clear her head. It had been a while since she’d given her fox free reign and she’d started feeling itchy in her own skin. She’d gotten the same feeling in larger towns where her fox wasn’t able to connect with nature. If she wasn’t able to immerse herself in the wild every now and then, her fox grew anxious.

A slight movement caught her attention, and she snapped her head to the right and froze. Her gaze scanned the area until she caught the movement again and saw a mouse scavenging for food underneath one of the trees. She licked her lips in anticipation of a hunt.

Slowly creeping forward, Samantha kept low to the ground, trying to blend in with her surroundings, and inched forward. The mouse looked up and, for a minute, she was sure it had seen her and was going to take off before she got close enough to catch it. But after a moment it went back to digging in the snow.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Samantha crawled closer and got ready to pounce. The mouse must have sensed her presence, though, because the moment she pounced, it took off running. Her animal instincts wouldn’t let her give up on her prey that easily, and she took off after it, chasing it through the woods and in between trees, turning left and then right, blindly pursuing the mouse. She thought she had it until suddenly it disappeared into the snow. Samantha put her head to the ground but she couldn’t sense any movement. She tried digging and met only with the hard earth.

Huffing in frustration, Samantha decided it was time to head back. She’d grab a muffin for breakfast as she opened the coffee bar. It wouldn’t taste as satisfying as something she’d hunted herself but it would have to do. She didn’t want to be late.

She raised her head and looked to the right and then to the left. Panic started to overtake her as she realized she didn’t know where she was. The mouse had taken her farther than she intended to go, and she didn’t know which way she had come from. Her nose couldn’t detect any hint of the wolf town she was beginning to think of as home. But there was something in the wind. Deciding to test her luck, Samantha headed toward the smell and prayed she could somehow find her way back home.

Jason was in the shower when the shrill strains of his cellphone broke into his thoughts of Samantha. Grabbing a towel and throwing it around his waist, he looked at the number. Books and Crannies. It looked like Samantha couldn’t wait to talk to him, either. Maybe a little time away was just what the doctor ordered. Jason smiled at the thought.

“Good morning, little heart,” he said into the phone. Silence was the only response. “Samantha?” Jason tried again, starting to get worried. A prickling unease crept up the back of his neck.

“She’s not with you?” Laurie’s voice sounded strained.

“Laurie? What’s wrong?” The unease spread, causing his stomach to drop like a lead weight. Whatever Laurie had to say, he knew he wasn’t going to like it. He sat on the edge of the bed.

“Samantha didn’t come in to work this morning. I figured she was running a bit late, but she wasn’t in her apartment either. I was hoping she went with you and just didn’t mention it.”

“Where is she?” Jason all but shouted into the phone. Things had been going well. He couldn’t understand why she would leave him. This had been the first night in weeks they hadn’t spent together, and he thought she might be beginning to love him. But now he wondered if everything had gone to shit.

“Her car’s still here, Jason. She might just be down at the diner or something and lost track of time. I’m sorry I worried you.” Laurie wasn’t telling him everything. He could sense the lie even over the phone. Besides, it wasn’t like Samantha to be late for work. She took her responsibilities seriously.

“What aren’t you telling me?” Jason put every amount of authority he had as Premier into his voice. If there was a problem with Samantha, he needed to know. He was anxious to find her and take her back in his arms. Nothing but the feel and scent of Samantha, the sound of her lyrical voice, would appease his wolf right now.

“I called the cellphone you bought for her,” Laurie said hesitantly. “I heard it ringing upstairs. Wherever she is, it’s not with her.”

Jason closed his eyes, barely reining in his panic. He’d find her. No matter what. He had to get home. “I’m on my way. Call Ethan and Danny and have them ask around. Call me if anything happens before I get there.”

Jason hung up the phone, gathered his clothes and flung them into his suitcase. He ran out to his car and jumped inside it. The only thought running through his head was I have to get home. I have to get to Samantha.

Shit. All she could think was…shit. Samantha kept under the cover of the trees and glanced at the town she had stumbled into. It was another shifter town and smelled familiar enough that she was willing to bet they were foxes. What the hell was she supposed to do now? She could shift, explain herself, and ask for a phone to call the bookstore. Of course, if she shifted she’d be naked, so that plan had some pretty major drawbacks. But what could she do as a fox? Nothing.

Closing her eyes, Samantha rethought her options. If she stayed in fox form, she’d blend into the snow, hopefully enough to allow her to get close enough to town to find some clothes before anyone noticed her. There was no way she was going into a strange shifter town naked, but if she could find some clothes, she could find a payphone, call Laurie and be gone before they even knew she was there. Hopefully.

Taking a deep breath, Samantha crawled out of the shadowy forest and started inching toward the closest house. She was halfway across the snowy expanse when she sensed someone watching her. Her ears twitched as she cautiously looked around. Not ten feet away stood a gorgeous male red fox watching her with one foot raised. It appeared to have been following her since she left the cover of the forest.

Samantha panicked. Her mind went completely blank, and her feet automatically began to run toward the town. She didn’t get far before the fox was on her, tackling her to the ground. Samantha struggled for a moment, strengthened by sheer adrenaline, before she assumed a submissive pose. She could never win a fight against this much larger fox. She’d have to figure another way out of this mess.

Samantha mewled in distress, wanting to cry out at the unfair twist life had just dealt her. Everything was going well, she had a job, an apartment, and a man she was beginning to love. All she could hope was this community was like her wolves, that they would help her find her way home.

The strange red fox kept close to her, steering her toward the first house they came to. The fox pawed open the side door and ushered her inside. The house was a small ranch style but was obviously a bachelor residence. Clothes were piled on chairs around the room and a few empty beer bottles sat on the coffee table in the living room.

As soon as they entered, the red fox started shifting. If he hadn’t been blocking the exit, Samantha would’ve taken the opportunity to get away. She thought about running into the house and trying to hide. With her small frame, she could easily find a nook to hide in until the man went away. But even if she could hide herself visually, she was sure he could track her scent and find her. Shifters’ increased senses were always much sharper directly following a shift. No, she would have to bide her time and wait for the next opportunity to make her escape.

As the man’s form began to take shape, Samantha looked away embarrassed. He was making no attempt to shield himself from her, and everything was completely exposed. Samantha lay on the floor, covering her eyes with her paws, whining softly. It suddenly occurred to her how vulnerable she was, trapped in a house with a naked man who was capable of overpowering any attempt she made to fight him.

Samantha heard the man chuckle above her, but she still refused to look. “Modest little thing, aren’t you?” She heard him move away from the door and made a dash for the exit. At the last second, he closed the door, causing her to slam into it before she could make it outside. Samantha shrank away from him again.

“Easy, princess,” the man said as he grabbed a pair of jeans from the chair near the door and slipped them on. “You know, not many shifters are squeamish about nudity.” His eyes raked over her small form appraisingly. “It’s rather charming.” He chuckled again as she continued to stare at him warily from the floor.

“Not going to change in front of me, huh?” His eyes twinkled as he looked down at her. “I don’t have any girl clothes around, but I can dig up a clean t-shirt and some boxers. Come on, the bedroom’s this way. I’ll get the clothes out and give you some privacy while you change.” He led Samantha to a door on the right and went digging in a drawer until he came out with the promised articles of clothing and laid them on the bed.

“Come on out when you’re done.” He looked at her again as if trying to puzzle something out. “We have a few things to discuss.”

In the bedroom, the human Samantha nervously pulled the shirt over her head. What could he possibly want to discuss with her? He seemed nice enough, even allowing her privacy to change. But despite his demeanor, Samantha was reluctant to trust him. She needed a phone to call Laurie. Somehow she had to get home. Home to Jason.

Samantha peeked out the door and didn’t see the fox. Glancing to the left and to the right, she couldn’t find him anywhere. Would this be her only chance to escape?

“I know you aren’t planning on running after I nicely offered you my clothes.” The man’s voice came from behind the archway to her left. Samantha held a brief internal debate over her next course of action. The man was right, though. He had provided her certain courtesies and if he was going to hurt her, he’d had plenty of opportunities out in the fields before they even got inside his house. Once again, her instincts told her to trust a strange shifter.

Samantha stepped through the archway into a beautiful kitchen. It was surprisingly clean considering the state of the living room. The man stood at the stove making scrambled eggs…a lot of them. There had to be enough eggs there to feed three people. He stood at the stove with his spatula frozen in midair, his mouth gaping, as his eyes ran from her feet to the top of her head and back down again.

Samantha nervously played with the hem of the t-shirt as he continued to stare at her with a shocked look on his face.

“Thanks for lending me the clothes,” Samantha stuttered out. “I’m sorry to intrude on your skulk’s property. I got turned around in the woods and couldn’t find my way home.”

“Must’ve gotten really turned around to end up all the way down here in Colorado. Quite a trek from Alaska.” He smiled at her finally as he leaned against the counter.

Samantha found herself smiling back. “That is quite a trek, but I’ve been staying in Alpine Woods.. Do you know of it?”

The man frowned at her. “Alpine Woods is wolf territory. What are you doing there? You should be staying here among your own.”

“Oh well, I kind of stumbled into their town and they helped find me a place to stay and a job. I work for Books and Crannies, the bookstore. I’m actually late for work. If I can use your phone, I can give them a call and then get out of your hair. I appreciate all the help, but I should be getting home.”

“Why don’t you have some breakfast first? I’m always ravished after a shift, and I made plenty for both of us. I’m Cody, Premier of the Vulpes skulk.” Cody dished the eggs onto two plates and set them on the table.

“I really should be going…” Samantha’s rumbling stomach cut off her protests, and she reluctantly sat at the table. “I’m Samantha,” she stated after a pause and began eating the eggs in front of her.

“Pleasure to meet you, Samantha. I must admit I was a bit shocked to see an arctic fox crawling toward my house this morning, but after meeting you I think my birthday must’ve come early. I can’t wait to get you into the skulk.”

Samantha blushed as she swallowed the food in her mouth. “Oh. It’s nice of you to offer, but I’m fine where I am. Everyone has been really nice to me.” Samantha frowned. “Except some of the females. But that’s another matter.”

Cody laughed. “Dealing with some pack jealousies, huh? You won’t have to worry about that once you choose a mate. I’m hoping I can help you with that. Although we need to spend more time together before we make any decisions, of course.”

Samantha paused with the fork halfway to her mouth and looked at Cody in shock. Surely, she hadn’t heard him right. Or she’d misunderstood what he was trying to say.

“I appreciate the thought, but I’m not in the market for a mate,” Samantha said, putting her fork down. Her appetite seemed to have deserted her and her nervousness had returned in full force, making her stomach clench. “I really should call my boss. I don’t want her to be worried.” The truth was Samantha had never even considered having a mate of her own. A mate meant comfort and security. Samantha’s life held none of those things. She’d been on her own her whole life. Mating had never been an option before.

Cody laughed and put his fork down as well. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable, Samantha. I just wanted you to know, I’m throwing my hat in the ring. I know once we get you in the skulk, every single fox in the town will be after you. I just wanted to make sure I had the first claim.”

“As I said, I appreciate the offer, but I’m quite happy where I am. I’m not joining the skulk.” Samantha barely registered her words. Her thoughts pounded as they tossed around in her head.

“All right, all right,” Cody soothed.

Samantha was still a bit uncomfortable but she found herself relaxing slightly. He was handsome with his shaggy red hair and striking emerald green eyes. He had sharp features but an easy smile and confident demeanor. Truthfully, if she wasn’t in love with Jason, she could easily see herself becoming attracted to Cody. But she was in love with Jason.

Despite her uncertainty, her heart broke just from being separated from him. She’d take however much of him he would give her and hope she could pick up the tattered pieces of her heart after he finished. Until then, she was his. On the other hand, this offer for permanency, true permanency, wasn’t something she could throw away lightly. She needed more time to think everything through.

“The phone’s on the wall behind you. Feel free to use it to call whoever you need to call. But before you leave, I hope you’ll at least clue me in to why you don’t want to join the skulk. If you’ve got a job, I assume you plan on staying for a significant period of time. We’ll help you find another job if that’s the concern.”

Samantha sighed, chastising herself for her distrust. Cody had done nothing but try to make her comfortable, feed her, and offer her help. Meanwhile, all she’d done was be suspicious of him and insult his skulk.

“I’m sorry. It’s not anything against your skulk. I’m comfortable in Alpine Woods. And I’m currently seeing someone,” Samantha said self-consciously, hoping he wouldn’t ask for more details. She certainly didn’t need anyone else to point out how implausible her relationship with Jason really was. “I’m just going to use the phone real quick.”

Samantha got the number for the bookstore from Information and asked to be put through. When the phone rang for the third time, Samantha worried no one would answer. She needed to get home, if only to sort through her tumbling emotions. She’d been counting on Laurie being at the store today.

“Hello?” Jason’s frantic voice exploded out of the earpiece.

“Jason, for God’s sake, I’m still running a business.” Samantha heard Laurie’s voice in the background, as well as the sound of the phone being grabbed. “Sorry. This is Books and Crannies. How can I help you?”

“What’s Jason doing back?” Samantha asked, momentarily forgetting why she’d called. He was supposed to be away for another day at least. She was hoping he wouldn’t find out about this morning’s adventure. Somehow, she didn’t figure he’d be too happy about it. Not to mention she was a bit embarrassed. What kind of a grown woman couldn’t even go for an early morning romp in the woods without getting lost?

“Samantha! Where the hell are you? We’ve been worried sick!”

“Samantha! Give me the phone, Laurie,” Jason’s voice commanded.

“Jason, will you hold on a second? I won’t be able to hear anything with you screaming in my ear. Samantha, are you okay?”

“I’m fine, Laurie. I’m sorry to have worried you. I was feeling a bit anxious so I went out running this morning and got a little turned around. Well, a lot turned around, actually. I ended up at the Vulpes shifters. I was wondering if maybe someone wouldn’t mind picking me up?”

“What’s your exact location? We’ll leave right now.”

“I’m in their Premier’s house.” Cody called an address out and Samantha repeated it to Laurie. “Did you get that?”

“We’re on our way. We’ll be there in twenty minutes, tops.” The phone line went dead. Samantha stared at it for a moment before replacing it in its cradle.

“They hung up before I could ask them to bring something for me to change into. I don’t suppose you’d let me wear this home? I’ll wash it and return it to you.”

“Don’t worry about it. Besides, I kind of like seeing you in my clothes.” His wink caused Samantha to blush and she tried to pull down the hem of the shirt again. Her breasts were small enough she didn’t actually need a bra, but there was something about not wearing one that made her feel exposed.

“Tell me more about this guy you’re dating. Is he shifter or human? That town is so overrun by humans, it’s almost hard to tell half the time.” Cody’s voice interrupted her thoughts.

“He’s one of the wolves. And I know fox and wolves and all the cross-breed arguments, but it seems to be working at the moment. I’m willing to wait and see what happens.” Samantha knew she was starting to ramble and immediately closed her mouth, biting at the corners.

“I know most of the pack. Who is he?” Cody pressed. His gaze was sharp on her, almost as if he sensed she didn’t want to tell him. He probably did. Foxes had extremely good detection of emotions, more than other shifters, and right now Samantha’s were in turmoil.

“Jason Callahan,” Samantha said with a raised chin. At first there was no change in Cody’s facial expression. Then unexpectedly, a smile broke over his features.

“You’re kidding, right? I mean, Samantha, he’s the pack’s Premier!” When Samantha continued to look Cody in the eyes with a determined look on her face, his features fell. “Oh, hell.” He rubbed his face with his hands before continuing. “He’s playing with you, you must realize that. He’s a wolf and you’re a fox. What’s more, he’s Premier of a pack and you don’t even seem to have one. He’s going to use you until he’s had his fill, and then he’s going to dump you.”

Samantha knew logically all Cody said was true, but her heart wouldn’t accept any truth that meant leaving Jason. She wasn’t living in delusion. She knew the realities of the situation, but when she was with Jason her world seemed to focus and everything felt right. It was like a missing piece of her soul slid into place. For the first time in her life, she felt wanted. She felt like she had a home. She didn’t know what the future held, but then again, she never had, and it had never bothered her before. So why was all this talk making her want to curl up in a fetal position and bawl like a baby?

“Would you stop brooding? You’re giving me a headache,” Jason heard Laurie say as he stared out the windshield of Laurie’s Escape, willing the car to go faster. Laurie had insisted on driving, a fact that annoyed Jason until he realized he’d be able to hold Samantha the whole way home.

Even knowing she was safe, his wolf was restless after the scare this morning. It had taken him an hour to complete the normally two-hour drive back to town after Laurie’s call. He fully expected Samantha to be waiting for him when he got there. He’d thought maybe she’d played some horrible practical joke, or maybe Laurie had forgotten to call him when she found Samantha sleeping at his house. Instead, he’d found his clueless siblings no closer to finding Samantha than they had been when they called earlier.

As more time passed, Jason became more and more anxious to have Samantha back in his arms where she belonged. His need for her was a palpable thing living and breathing inside him. Hearing Samantha was okay appeased the man but did nothing for the wolf. Only when he could feel, taste, and smell Samantha would the wolf relax. He didn’t bother answering Laurie’s complaint, but stared straight ahead and continued to brood.

“Geez, Jason, she’s fine. We’ll be there in another ten minutes, tops.”

Jason’s only response was a growl. Hearing Samantha was with the foxes didn’t lessen his anxiety much. What if she decided she wanted to be around her own kind? Jason knew he could never be happy if he wasn’t around other wolves. What happened if Samantha felt the same way? As Premier, he had the freedom to mate with any member of his pack, but if Samantha chose the foxes over the wolves, he would never be able to have her. And he needed her as much as he needed his next breath.

Last night without Samantha had been horrible. He’d tossed and turned and finally crawled out of bed at six AM and gone to the gym in the hotel. He’d put his body through a brutal workout trying to wear out the restlessness inside him. He’d gotten used to having Samantha curl against his side at night, inhaling her scent with each breath he took in sleep. It had soothed his wolf into a tranquil comfort unlike anything ever had. Now he had to face the possibility Samantha might rather be with her own kind than with him.

He didn’t realize he was growling aloud until Laurie snapped at him, “What is wrong with you?”

“Just get me to her,” Jason spit out as they entered fox territory. There were less full humans in this town. The foxes tended to keep to themselves and other shifters. Jason never understood it, personally. Being a wolf didn’t make him less of a man. It added a facet to his personality but it didn’t take away who he was.

A few foxes waved at them as they drove through the main strip of town. The two communities were close enough they often coordinated together on shifter matters. Jason focused on counting down the moments until they got to the Premier’s house, until they got to Samantha.

Jason threw open his car door before Laurie came to a complete stop and stormed up the porch steps. He was about to pound on the door when Samantha threw it open and came barreling into his arms. Her hands snaked around him and she pressed her face against his chest.

Instantaneously, his anger and fear were replaced with protectiveness and love. The wave of relief almost drowned him and made him stagger as he clutched her tightly, burying his face in her hair. Her scent was stronger, probably due to the recent shifts, and Jason took a gulping breath. Something was off.

Jason pulled back and held Samantha at arms’ length. “What the hell are you wearing?” he all but growled. She smelled like the damn alpha fox. Rationally, he knew nothing had happened. Despite his history with Samantha, she wasn’t the type to jump into bed with someone immediately after meeting them. Even if he had doubts, his nose could tell the difference between intimate encounters and the subtle wisps coming off of Samantha. Still, he couldn’t escape the overpowering jealousy swamping him as he gazed at Samantha in another man’s clothes. His scent should be the only one marking her.

Samantha looked surprised until she glanced down at her clothing. Blushing lightly, she looked at him sheepishly. “I didn’t exactly wear a dress when I went out hunting this morning. And I couldn’t very well ask for help as a fox.”

Red-hot rage burned in his gut. “He saw you naked.” He was going to kill him. Friendly or not, no one looked at his mate naked but him.

“No! God, no. He lent me the clothes and left the room while I shifted.” Samantha stepped closer and ran her hands up his chest. She seemed to sense his inner struggle with his wolf and knew exactly how to pacify both man and beast.

Jason gazed into Samantha’s eyes and let his anger drift away. He was so happy to have her back safe and sound. That was all that mattered. She was all that mattered and he had her back. Jason buried his face once again in her hair.

“Those clothes are coming off the moment I get you home,” he rumbled against her neck.

A clearing of a throat behind him reminded him where they were and that they weren’t alone. Gently easing away from the embrace, Jason pulled Samantha against his side with a gruff grunt.

“Yes, Captain Caveman. Woman back, man happy,” Laurie teased. “Hey, Cody. Thanks for picking up our runaway.”

“It’s not like I ran away on purpose,” Samantha grumbled.

“It was no problem. Samantha, can I have a quick word with you before you leave?”

Jason didn’t like the calculated look Cody gave Samantha.

“Sure, you can, we’re in no rush,” Jason stated as he pulled Samantha tighter against his side, refusing to let her leave. If Cody was going to cause trouble, he could do it out in the open with all three of them listening.

“In private.”

Samantha looked up and gave him a reassuring smile. “I’ll be right back.” As she pulled out of his arms, Jason tamped down the urge to grab her back. He clutched his arms to his sides and looked on helplessly as Samantha talked to Cody. After he got her home, he’d strip her bare and find out exactly what the fox was telling his future mate.

“I want you to consider it. You belong here with us, not there.”

Samantha glanced over to where Jason was waiting less than patiently. She didn’t know what had brought him back to town early, but she was incredibly grateful. All the anxiety and worry of the day melted as he held her securely in his arms, and her whole soul lifted and sighed to have her wolf back. Her brain cautioned her not to believe he was hers, to remember the facts.

“He is mine.” It was true, she realized. Whatever her future brought, Jason was her wolf. He might not be hers to keep, but he was hers right now. She didn’t realize she had spoken out loud until she looked at Cody and saw him gazing at her with sympathy and pity.

“He’s not yours, Samantha. And he won’t ever be. But I can’t make this decision for you. I want you to know my offer to join the skulk is open-ended. You’ll always be welcome here. You know how to reach me if you need me.”

Samantha thanked Cody and walked back to Jason feeling beat down. She wondered how much time she had left with him. Would Jason allow her to stay in Alpine Woods after he was finished with her? She hoped so. Even without Jason, the town felt like home. And who knew, maybe one of the lesser Beta wolves would want a small arctic fox mate. How odd. She’d had to travel thousands of miles away from her birthplace to find her home.

Jason latched onto her again as soon as she reached his side. She giggled in surprised pleasure when he followed her into the backseat of the car and pulled her into his arms.

“Sure, make me feel like a chauffeur, sitting up here all by myself,” Laurie joked as she slid behind the wheel.

Samantha blushed at the reminder of why they were here. Not only had she missed the entire morning of work, but Laurie probably had to close the store to come pick her up.

“I’m sorry, Laurie. You can dock my pay for the hours lost coming to pick me up. I don’t know what happened, I just got turned around. Stupid mouse.” Although Samantha grumbled under her breath, Laurie and Jason both pounced on it.

“Mouse?”

Blushing, Samantha told them the whole story of how she got turned around while chasing a mouse. Both Jason and Laurie burst out laughing.

“Oh, man–” Laurie wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “I hope you know you’re never going to live this one down. It’s going to be a long running joke at family gatherings, I’m sure. I hope you’re prepared for that.”

Warm pleasure rushed through Samantha at the words “family gatherings”. Samantha knew Laurie didn’t intend to include her in the comment, but it still gave her a happy feeling. She allowed herself to pretend, if only for a moment, she was a part of Jason’s family.

“I’m glad you’re safe.” Jason snuggled closer to her in the backseat and bit her shoulder hard enough for a small yelp to escape.

“Hey, no hanky-panky in the backseat of my car unless it involves me and a hunky blond!” Laurie cautioned from the front seat.

“Laurie, I don’t want to hear this,” Jason groaned, causing Samantha to giggle again. It felt nice to be sheltered in Jason’s arms in the company of friends. Snuggling more securely in Jason’s embrace, Samantha let his scent surround her and her worries drifted away.

Jason looked at the sleeping woman in his arms. She appeared to have slept no better than him last night. As selfish as it seemed, Jason felt a surge of joy thinking she had fared no better being away from him than he had. Laurie pulled into Jason’s driveway and glanced back.

“I’ll let you inside. Tell her not to worry about work, I’ve got her covered,” Laurie said before opening the doors and allowing him to carry his precious bundle inside. Laurie quietly shut the door behind him and left without another word. She really was a great sister. He’d have to think of some way to thank her in the near future.

True to his word, as soon as he laid Samantha on his bed, he removed the offending clothes. Once she was completely naked, he gently pulled back the covers and tucked her inside. He was tired. Not only had he not slept, his soul was weary from the scare he’d received this morning. He knew it couldn’t have been any less traumatizing for Samantha, being caught in a strange shifter town in her animal form. Jason remembered her abject terror a few weeks ago when discovering she’d stumbled into a wolf den. It was no wonder she passed out in the car.

Pulling off his own clothes, Jason crawled into bed in his boxers and pulled Samantha into his embrace. Comforted by the feel of her curling into him, her hand resting over his heart, Jason breathed a sigh of relief. He hadn’t forgotten about Cody or his private farewell to Samantha, but there was plenty of time to get to the bottom of that mystery later. Right now, there was nowhere else he wanted to be but next to his little fox.