“Why? What’s the hurry? I already got it.” Bell casually turned the handle of the reel, watching the line move back and forth across the lake’s surface.
“Because it’s fighting to get free and it can jump off the hook if you take too long. Then we’re back to waiting hours for another bite.”
“Bloody, hell, Aleksei! Why didn’t you say that before?” Bell used his enhanced speed to turn the lever, bringing the fish in so fast, Bell heard it clunk against the side of the boat. “Oh no. Did I knock it out? He’s still edible right?”
Alek’s face was crimson, he was laughing so hard. He used the net to get the large, iridescent fish—that Alek called a rainbow trout—inside the boat and into the small cooler. Bell set his pole down, standing with his hands on his hips and his head held high.
“You’re pretty proud of yourself over there.” Alek reeled in his own barren line and set his pole in the boat.
“I am. I have secured dinner for my starving mate.” Bell sat on the opposite side as Alek rowed them to the bank. While he enjoyed the cold breeze whipping through the loose strands of his hair, Alek kept giving him a sarcastic scoff when he looked at him. It wasn’t his fault that he excelled at all he did.
Bell quirked a smug brow at his alpha. He proved he wasn’t as hopeless as Alek thought he’d be out there. On the way home he’d make sure to keep up with Alek on the trail… maybe even surpass him. Bell mockingly tapped his chin, “I’ll have to document this in my wilderness journal.”
Alek couldn’t believe how much Bell liked to win… and gloat. He hadn’t stopped praising himself and marching proudly in front of him since they’d packed up and headed home. It was dark out, which wasn’t a problem for them, however the icy terrain could be troublesome. Now his smug vampire was acting as if a two-hour trek up Mount Osceola in the winter was as easy as a spring stroll through Central Park. The part of the mountain where Alek had built his cabin was off-limits to the public because it was considered too dangerous to climb, with its steep ascent and dramatic drop-offs. There’d be no one crazy enough to even attempt it, so the location was perfect. But, it was slippery and some of the turns were sharp and unexpected.
“Belleron, why are you trying to outrun me?”
“I’m not. Just ready to get back and relax after a long day of sport fishing.”
Alek laughed, “That wasn’t sport fishing, baby… just recreational.”
“Fishing to eat is not recreational. That’s called survival.”
“Fine. I guess. But, I want you to slow down and wait for me, there’s a turn coming up that you—”
Bell’s shout, then the sound of his body slamming into the earth several yards away had Alek’s large beast shifting, before he could call for him, and leaping over the side, his four huge paws hitting the ground a second after Bell.
NO! Wolf hollered. Their mate continued to tumble uncontrollably, the momentum of his fall keeping him from getting his footing. Wolf barked and bounded ahead, leaping far enough to get in front of Bell, just in time to stop him from careening over the cliff.
Bell lay still for a long moment, his face buried in the cold earth, breathing heavily. He groaned and rolled onto his back when he realized he wasn’t going any farther. Wolf stood above him, pushing his muzzle in close and roaming over Bell’s face then down his body, checking for injuries. “I’m all right, Wolf.”
Wolf huffed, driving his nose deeper into Bell’s hair. “You have to be more careful, Belleron.”
Bell was clutching his chest, staring up at the hill he’d fallen over. “My foot hit a patch of ice or something really slippery, and the next thing I knew I was toppling.” He worked his way to his feet, brushing off the dead leaves and grime he’d picked up along the way.
Wolf backed up and sat on his haunches. He wasn’t as tall as Wrath when he was in his animal form, but he knew he was impressive. He was a Volkov. Bell gazed in his eyes for a long time as if he was trying to see if anyone else was there. But there wasn’t. It was just him. This was how they existed.
“You’re my protector, aren’t you?” Bell said wistfully.
“I am your wolf, and you are my Belleron. I will protect you with my every breath.”
Bell stood in front of him and inched his hand up and drove it deep into the thick, stark-white fur around his neck. “Thank you.” Bell whispered in his mind, his voice as sweet as the Mother’s on a winter breeze. Wolf ducked his head and faintly licked the inside of Bell’s palm then called on Alek, retreating quietly into the background. Never going far.