“I wouldn’t dare.” His chest vibrated as he barked out another chuckle. Then he was moving, big easy strides that ate up the ground like it was nothing. Within no time, he deposited her back on the cold ground.

Although it was much better within the shelter of the trees, it was still damn cold. Julie couldn’t help but to shiver and shake. She rubbed her hands together and blew into them to try and inject some warmth into the frozen digits. Her dress was still a bit damp. The earth beneath her ass felt like an ice block.

“Wait here,” the brute instructed. “I’ll go and fetch some firewood. We’ll have you warmed up in no time.”

As much as she loved the sound of that, Julie could not hang around and wait for him.

She made a sound of agreement and pretended to make herself comfortable on the ground.

“Please don’t try and escape. I’m stronger and faster than you. My sense of smell is excellent. Please do not attempt to throw yourself into the river again either. The rapids only become worse and there is a waterfall up ahead. Your head would be smashed on the rocks below.”

Julie couldn’t help but to gasp as she thought of Candy. “Oh no!” She covered her mouth with both her hands. Her eyes filled with tears. “Poor Candy. She also jumped into that river with me.” She spoke into her hands. She didn’t know her very well but the idea of her drowning or worse was just too much.

“The light-haired female is fine.” The shifter said, then he turned and walked away. Her heart stilled. Thank god. Although, just because she survived the rapids and the waterfall did not mean that she was fine. She couldn’t worry about it right now though.

Julie made herself count to sixty before forcing herself to stand up and to hobble in the opposite direction. Escape was probably futile but she had to try and get away. This savage thought that he owned her. Come morning he would want to… Argh!!! She couldn’t think about that. She had to get away, even if her feet hurt and her knee throbbed and her teeth chattered.

Chapter 8

Coal deposited the squirming female on the ground next to the fire. It was the second time she had tried to run away in the last hour.

He threw a couple of logs onto the embers and set to work gutting the hare he had just captured. It was small and wiry but would be enough to quell the worst of her hunger.

“I don’t know why you insist on bringing me back every time. I don’t want to be here. I don’t want you. Don’t you get that?” Her words were sharp, her eyes refused to meet his.