Our Wild Mate *Teaser*

7 See Me Again...

Logan

Space.

I need to clear my mind so I do what I always do, turn to the forest. Everything is clearer and simpler when I'm wild. Instincts guide me and worries melt away as the dense forest welcomes me back.

I pad around aimlessly, my soft paws carelessly crunching dry leaves as I put much-needed space between me and the cottage below. Even lost in my forest, I can't help but think about Nadia. Normally my brothers are the ones encouraging me, yet they all seem to sit back, though Gryph still seems to show some interest.

Did I really mess up that bad last time that they won't even try?

An hour into my run, I scent a familiar wolf and stop dead. Sure enough, up ahead a silver-grey wolf cautiously slinks along. She pauses and sniffs the air, but I'm downwind and my charcoal coat makes me practically invisible in the shadows.

My heart begins to race as I silently pad after her, carefully picking my steps to not spook her. Her caution makes me grin after seeing her taking on that talix. I'm still uncertain if she was reckless or cunning, and can't help but wonder if she could have pulled it off without us.

She lopes along the foothills before circling back towards town. Her lack of trust hurts, that she feels like she has to lay a false trail. Then I realize I'm stalking her from the shadows like some creeper.

I'm just making sure she gets home safely, that's all.

Before long, the scenery changes from the mixed forest I'm used to old-growth in the valley. My wolf urges me to race and explore, but I'm in unfamiliar territory.

She pauses along a brook, then freezes as a white wolf approaches. My hackles rise, watching them, and I dig my paws into the forest floor, ready to launch myself in an instant.

Crashing through the underbrush catches my attention as more wolves rush in. My heart races, watching them swarm her, but she just stands there. Before long, four large wolves circle her, two of which fuss over every inch of her like mother hens.

A fifth wolf stalks out of the shadows. He's smaller than the others, but there's no mistaking how dangerous he is. He tilts his head, subtly scenting the air and making me slink back. The wind is shifting and before long, he'll pick up my scent.

As much as I want to stay, I force myself back out of reach. The last thing I need is for the worked-up wolves to turn on me. I can't help but linger and eventually return as everyone leaves.

I take a cautious approach as I follow the trail up to a cottage, sticking to the shadows and underbrush. Movement catches my eyes in an upper window as Nadia flops down.

The males are shifted now, five in total, likely her dad's. They stay inside, for the most part, only coming outside for brief moments. Day fades to evening and I still can't force myself to leave.

I've studied the surrounding area, giving myself several routes should I need to make a hasty escape. My stomach growls as they make dinner, reminding me I haven't eaten since breakfast.

Slowly, some time well past dark, the house settles. Nadia works in the kitchen and freezes, her green gaze locks on mine as if she can see me in the shadows.

As the last lights go out, she slips out the back door and gently closes it behind her. The evening breeze flutters the knee-high blue sundress she wears and whips her auburn locks across her face. She's beautiful.

Nadia scans the treeline once more and zero's in on my location. She puts her hand on her hip as her eyes flash in challenge. "Are you-" her taunt dies on her lips as I stalk out of the underbrush towards her. I can't help but grin as she swallows hard and grips the railing.

I stop a safe distance away, not wanting to press my luck. She watches me with a guarded expression. I can't tell if she's happy to see me or about to call her fathers...

"Are you stalking me?" she whispers.

I shake my head immediately and whine. It was sheer luck that we crossed paths where we did. I was trying to avoid her.

"Then why are you here?" She narrows her gaze at me like she expects an answer.

I look around once more and whine again. Not that I care about nudity, though I think it would send the wrong impression if I shifted in front of her. She reaches over into a cabinet by the door and pulls out a pair of shorts, then looks away.

As quickly as possible, I shift and tug them on. Nadia keeps her attention averted though even in this low light I can see a faint blush colouring her sun-kissed cheeks.

"I wasn't stalking you. We crossed paths, and I wanted to make sure you made it home safely," I answer, my voice more gravelly than usual.

Nadia turns back to me, her green eyes searching mine for anything. "I did... but you're still here..."

"I am." The air feels thick between us, like something heavy is being left unsaid.

"Why?"

"I don't know." I shrug.

She frowns and heads back into the house, leaving me there standing like an idiot. Fuck. Gryph would have known what to say. Sometimes I just need to learn to keep my mouth shut!

My gaze widens as she returns once more with a bowl and glass of water. I arch a brow but am not one to turn down a gift, particularly food! "Thanks." I take it and sit down on the edge of the deck, forcing myself not to shovel the stew in as fast as I want to.

"What do you want from me, Logan?" She sounds exhausted and confused as she takes a seat nearby. Her gaze is out, watching the fireflies, but I know I have her attention.

What do I want? A chance... but how do I get it?

"Nothing, er, well fuck, I'm no good at this," I groan, palming my face.

Nadia lifts her hand to cover a small smile that struggles onto her lips. Once she regains control, she turns to me, pinning me in place with her emerald gaze. "Nothing?"

I sigh. "Why do I have to want something from you?" I ask, meeting her intensity. "Why can't I just want to get to know you?"

"That's something," she counters.

"That costs you nothing."

She rolls her eyes and shakes her head. "I'm not looking for mates. This is it for me. You're looking in the wrong place-"

"I just wanted to get to know you. Not evaluate you." I take a deep breath and sigh. "Forgive me for being intrigued by the crazy wolf that took on a talix in the woods alone... That's the kind of shit Cole is prone to do, but ends up getting himself hurt."

"Don't you mean she-wolf?" she counters.

"I mean, that adds to the mystery," I admit. "But if I saw a male taking on and working that well against a bull talix? I'd want to know more about them, too."

Nadia leans against the railing as she watches me like she's looking for a lie. As if she makes up her mind, she purses her lips and gets up. "You can leave the bowl when you're done. Goodnight Logan."

"Nadia, wait." I grab her wrist, stopping her in her tracks. She stares down at me, her pink lips parted in surprise. I stand up, levelling the playing field.

"What?" she asks, her voice breathless, barely a whisper.

"See me again." I blurt it out so fast I have no follow-up and just stare at her as my heart pounds, desperate for an answer.

"Logan, I-"

"Just once. We can go for a walk tomorrow or for dinner... Just once."

"I can't." Her voice lacks the conviction it normally has, giving me hope that I'm wearing her down.

"Can't or won't?" I ask, still holding her wrist. Absentmindedly, my thumb caresses soft circles over her pulse point.

"Both." Her answer isn't what I was hoping for, but I expected it. "I'm hunting with my father tomorrow."

She tugs her wrist free and backs up towards the house, pausing in the doorway. The faintest smile tugs at her lips as she takes one last look at me.

"Goodnight, Logan."