Howl For It
Page 5

That boy. Thats how they had all described him, too. As that boy. Like they were afraid of saying his name, as if doing so would bring him there. Invoke him, as her hometown witch coven would say. Although her sisters were known to cut them off mid-Eggie mention, Eggies brothers never seemed afraid of him. But to be honest, Darla didnt put much stock in that. None of the Smithtown boys had much sense in her estimation.
Darla looked out the window, still moving only her eyes since moving her neck only brought pain, though she couldnt figure out why. Where are we? she asked since she didnt really recognize anything flying by.
Tennessee.
Her fingers curled into fists. Tennessee? Why . . . when . . . I dont understand ...
Youre fine.
I am not fine! Youve kidnapped me from the safety of my Pack and my familys home and taken me across state lines!
Not that safe.
What does that mean? Not that safe?
You were attacked there. By full-humans.
Oh, and that wouldnt have happened if I was in Smith County or Smithland or Smith Province or whatever dang Smith-named place you people happen to reside in at the moment?
Nope. Probably wouldnt.
Fed up with his attitude, her head and neck hurting badly, and being dang afraid, Darla raised her arm and pointed. Pull over.
Huh?
You heard me. Pull over!
Lets get to Smithtown territory first.
Pull over now!
All right. All right. Turning the wheel, he pulled to a stop at the side of the two-lane highway, big trucks rumbling past.
What is it? he asked, sounding gruff and nasty. For all Darla knew, she could be in a car with a truly despicable person and she had to know. She had to know if she was truly safe or if she should try to make a run for it, sore neck or not. And the only way to do that was the way shed been taught by her favorite great aunt.
Without moving her very sore neck, Darla raised her hands and gestured to the wolf. Come here.
Eggie, not wanting to be out here in the open among all these full-humans, didnt quite understand what the little gal was asking.
Pardon?
Come here.
He leaned over, thinking maybe she was feeling sick. Her body was still healing and he could tell she was in pain. Hed feel better when he had her tucked into a bed on properly protected territory.
Closer. I cant turn my neck.
So he leaned in closer, moving over her so he could see her face without her having to turn. Thats when she placed her small hands on his face and tugged him even closer. Shegazed right into his eyes and, for a brief, wonderful second, he thought she was going to kiss him. But all she did was stare intently into his face, her gaze searching his. For what, Eggie had no idea. No one had ever looked at him for more than a few seconds at a time.
Are you mad or something? she asked.
No.
Worried? Terrified?
No.
Then why are your eyes still wolf?
Theyre not.
Theyre not?
No. He shifted his eyes to show her the difference. See? Thats shifted. That isnt.
Huh. She blinked. You do realize that the only difference is that your shifted eyes are slightly more dilated?
Never really paid attention.
Of course, she sighed and went on staring into his eyes.
Eggie had no idea how long they sat there with him hovering over her, his arms braced on either side of her hips, her hands soft on his jaw, but he knew he liked it. And theyd barely touched.
Finally, she let out a long breath, her body relaxing back into the seat. Her hands dropping to her lap.
Okay, she said.
Okay?
Uh-huh.
Slowly, Eggie moved back to his seat, looking out the car window. What just happened? Because Eggie knew something had happened.
I just needed to make sure I was safe with you.
Safe with me? He looked at her. You know youre safe with me? She was, but how could she be so sure of that fact?
She smiled, seeming relieved. Uh-huh.
And you know this because you . . . looked at me?
Basically.
Basically?
Uh-huh. Basically.
She smiled and Eggie realized that she had the prettiest and deepest dimples in those cute cheeks that hed ever seen before in his life.
So you want me to keep going? he asked.
Uh-huh. Carefully she turned her head, wincing just a little from the pain. You can take me wherever you want to, Egbert Ray Smith, because I know that Ill never be safer than I am right now . . . with you.
And she said the words with such sincerity, her dark brown eyes so trusting of him when even his own kin never looked at him that way, that Eggie knew in that moment that hed never let anyone harm this She-wolf. Never let anyone come near her without her consent.
Hed protect Darla Mae Smith with his life.
Checking the road, Eggie pulled out onto the highway and headed home.
CHAPTER THREE
So this was the infamous Smithtown.