41
Savannah
My heart skipped a beat.
Our mother was here, and the shard of our soul was with her.
Every emotion I had rushed into my mind, from elation to regret. After all this time, would I have a chance to see her again? To speak to her? What would she think of me? Would she be miserable in this place? Would my shard refuse to leave her side?
The loremaster’s warnings about the underworlds came rushing back: Those who enter are always seduced to stay. Everything in the Deadlands is a trap designed to keep you there. No matter how well-meaning your sister is, all ghosts call to the living to join them forever.
The world seemed to shift and flow beneath my paws, and I stumbled slightly, but Jaxson stepped instantly to my side. “Easy there, beautiful wolf.”
He reached out tentatively, then ran his fingers through my fur. Tingles rushed along my spine, electric, like I’d never experienced before. Wolfie and I absolutely melted beneath his touch.
God, it’s good to be back,Wolfie purred in my mind. If only we were alone.
We were most definitely not alone. The ghost wolf alpha’s glare was like the sun searing the back of my neck.
Sudden shyness overcame me, and with a sorrowful pang of regret, I slipped away from Jaxson’s touch and pawed the earth. Let’s run together.
He gave me a knowing smile, then quickly removed the last of his clothes and placed them in a neat bundle beside a fallen log.
I glanced back toward the lake. I’d dumped my clothes dramatically at the base of a random tree. It wasn’t much different than how I’d been living at Jaxson’s penthouse.
I hope nobody steals my boots,I muttered to Wolfie.
Do you know how bad those things smell? One of those strange cats lurking in the forest is more likely to come along and try to bury them,Wolfie teased. I can’t believe you actually offered them to the Moon. You were lucky we didn’t get kicked out of the temple right there.
Yup. My sassy wolf was back, and my heart was full. Between her and Jaxson, I knew I could get through this.
I tried not to look at the sexy naked man striding back toward me and did my best to rein in my sudden upwelling of desire, as my scent would betray me in an instant. Jaxson shifted swiftly and landed on all fours beside me—a massive wolf, though definitely not the size of the white monster.
Jaxson cocked his head in challenge. Can you still run? You’re out of practice.
I gave our fur a shake. I’ve been a wolf for a month, and I’m just as fast as you are. You don’t want to see how fast I’m going to be once I get some real practice in.
He grinned, and I caught a scent of approval. Damn, it was good to have my wolf senses again.
As soon as Stephanie trotted up beside us, the ghost wolf alpha turned to face the path he’d created through the mist. Follow.
With no more warning, he began to run, and we chased after.
I let Wolfie drive—or, more accurately, I didn’t challenge her for the job.
The trees flashed by as we settled into a steady pace. My muscles rejoiced at running. It had felt like a lifetime since we’d run free like this. Something had been wrong, even when Wolfie was unbound before.
As I let go, I slipped down deeper into my wolf. She was in control, but somehow, I was there in every movement with her.
Everything feels different,I thought to Wolfie as we raced along the pine needle–strewn trail.