Chapter 139

Funny how their mission had changed, at least for Joel. What started as a rescue operation was now widening to encompass safety for the lone human in their group. If they try and take her, they'll have to go through me. He almost wanted to dare them to try. Despite himself, Joel couldn't help the protective instinct. Human or not, and whether he liked the fact his wolf kept trying to claim her as mate, he wouldn't let anyone harm her. He'd die first.

But who will protect me from her?

That was the biggest worry of all. The more they traveled, the more he got to know of their fragile female companion, the more he craved Ruth. And not just her body, but her laughter. Her smile. The sweet color that rose in her cheeks when she got flustered. The way she studied things around her with such evident pleasure. How she handled her fear, with a shriek, but bravery too, as she squashed bugs that should never see the light of day.