Wolfen by Madelaine Montague Read Free Book Online Page B

stare again, she discovered he'd moved closer still. He reached out to lift a lock of hair lying across her shoulder, brushing the back of his hand very deliberately across her breast as he did. Her breath stilled her chest as tingles of awareness radiated through her from the light touch. Her thoughts scattered in a million different directions.

     

      "Stay in your cabin."

     

      Sucking in a much needed breath of air, she set her jaw. “I won't and you can't make me!"

     

      A wolfish grin split lips. “I can and I can think of a lot of things I could do to occupy your time while I'm at it."

     

      Her eyes widened with shock. “You wouldn't dare !"

     

      "Oh, I would,” he assured her.

     

      "Rape carries a healthy jail sentence,” she said in a voice that quavered with a lack of conviction.

     

      "I can guarantee you it wouldn't be rape."

     

      She was afraid he could. “It would,” she declared stubbornly, “because I'm sure as hell not going to cooperate."

     

      His gaze flickered over her face. “Liar,” he murmured mockingly.

     

      "I'll scream,” she threatened.

     

      The flames leapt higher in his eyes. “I'm counting on it. Quit pushing while you're ahead, Dani,” he added, almost gently. “I find challenges hard to ignore and I'm pretty sure you're not ready to face the consequences."

     

      Shivering, Danika averted her gaze, flicking another quick look at the others. To a man, she saw challenge in every gaze. She looked away, studying her feet. Taking it as defeat, Balin grasped her arm and led her around to the front of the cabin. Jared, who'd undoubtedly gone in through the window, unlocked the door when they reached it. Expecting them to leave, Balin surprised her by escorting her inside. She glanced at him uneasily and then at Jared and Con, who'd followed her and Balin inside.

     

      There was surprisingly little damage to either Con's or Balin's faces considering the battle between them only a little earlier, she noted absently, most of her mind on why they had all crowded into her cabin. Dakota and Xavier entered a few minutes later. Armed with hammers and nails they'd found somewhere, they strode to the cabin's windows, closed them and nailed them shut while Danika gaped at them in disbelief.

     

      "That's a fire hazard!” she said when she finally found her voice.

     

      "Then don't start a fire!” Balin shot back at her.

     

      "This isn't happening,” she muttered to herself, plopping weakly on the edge of her bed. “This is some kind of bizarre dream."

     

      "Hopefully it won't turn into a nightmare for you,” Balin said dryly as Dakota and Xavier finished and headed for the door. Jared paused to pat her cheek before following them. Con and Balin, after exchanging a long, challenging look, followed the others, closing the door behind them.

     

      Anger flickered through Danika after they were gone. Jolting to her feet, she stalked to the door and locked it and then leaned weakly against the door as the brief spurt of defiance left her. After staring around at the one room cabin for several moments, she finally made her way back to her bed, pushed her shoes and jeans off and climbed under the covers. She lay staring at the shadows in the room for a while. The music next door died. Sometime later, she heard the distant howl of a wolf. It was followed by others, too many to count.

     

      She'd missed her chance to get a look at the pack, she realized. She couldn't seem to summon enough energy for anger to take hold, though. She felt completely drained by everything that had happened.

      * * * *

     

    "What the fuck was that all about?” Con growled when they reached their own cabin.

     

      Balin paused to study him through narrowed eyes for a long moment. When Con made no attempt to approach him, he continued to the chair near one window and dropped into it. Jared and Dakota took up each end of the couch. After