Thaw’s growl didn’t seem to bother the blur, he kept approaching and Snow reacted instinctively. Her hand shot out to stop whatever it was from getting any closer.

Her hand met a snout and sharp teeth, and she yanked her hand back.

Her heart felt as if it would beat right out of her chest. And it wasn’t the freezing cold that sent shivers rushing through her, it was fear. She forced herself to remain calm. It couldn’t be an animal. It would have attacked by now. But why had she felt what she was sure was the head of an animal?

Thaw kept up his steady, threatening growl.

It came to her then… who would wear the head of an animal?

Barbarians.

Chapter 2

Snow almost lashed out at the shadowy creature when he grabbed her arm, but stopped when he let out a growling shout.

“Shelter.”

He intended to help her, at least she prayed that was his intention.

She hurried to reach down and scoop Thaw up, but his strong yank prevented her from doing so.

“My pup,” she protested and was propelled forward with the strength of his grip. She was grateful to hear Thaw bark and keep pace alongside her as she was hurried through the snow.

Shadows and blurs rushed around her and his firm hold tugged her now and again, preventing her from hitting anything. From his confident pace, he seemed to know where he was going, though how he could see through the raging snow was beyond her.

He stopped suddenly and before letting go of her arm, ordered, “Stay.”

She did as he said, fearful of this stranger who wore an animal head, yet fearful of being left alone in the snowstorm. She was relieved to feel Thaw slip between her legs and lean against her protectively. That he didn’t bark or growl made her think that the pup had realized the stranger would help them.

The man was suddenly in front of her again, his hands at her shoulders as he guided her a few steps and gave her a slight shove. No snow fell around her and the space was tight. She felt Thaw slip in between her leg and her fur-lined cloak to huddle there against her.

The strong scent of old wood filled the space and her guess would be he had placed her in the hollow of a dead tree. And he would no doubt join her, which he did not a moment later.

His one arm slipped past her cloak to settle around her waist as he pressed tight against her, his back blocking the opening. She had no choice but to rest her face against his fur-covered chest and it didn’t take long for the closeness of their bodies and his furs to provide some heat.