But screw that. That was before she woke up with no recollection of him and ending up in a strange room. Something was very wrong.
She struggled to escape his hold, but he held her steady by the arms. “Why am I here? Did you kidnap me?”
His eyes widened. “No, of course not.” After two heartbeats, he added, “Please sit down and I’ll explain.”
Since she felt lightheaded, her options were to have him continue to hold her or sit. “Fine.” When he lessened his hold, she sat back on the bed and crossed her arms. “Why am I here in a bedroom with you, Damon?”
He strode back to the armchair. She watched him, drinking in the sight of his strong, masculine figure. Ugh, why would she do that?
Once he sat down, he fixed his gaze on her. “I work in ski patrol here on the mountain. On my last run, I found your tracks leading off trail. I found you unconscious, so I carried you back here to care for you.”
An image of the terror from last night returned. The wolves fighting. She’d run from them, back into the woods and slipped. So that meant Damon had helped her. Maybe her initial distrust of him wasn’t warranted.
“The last thing I remember is falling.”
“You might have hit your head then.” His eyes revealed concern. “I checked you last night for injuries.”
She squirmed. How thoroughly had he explored her body while she’d been unconscious?
“Well, thank you for helping me, but where am I? The lodge?” She glanced out one of the two windows in the room, both of which revealed nothing more than snow-covered trees.
He broke eye contact and glanced down. “This is my home.”
She blinked at least three times before she formulated a response. “Your home?” She arched her brows. “Is that the traditional protocol for treating someone who’s hurt while skiing?”
“No.” He ran his hands through the front of his hair and averted eye contact. “I brought you here because I recognized you, and I wanted to care for you myself.”
Her pulse quickened. He wanted to care for her. But why? They’d had one sultry dance six months ago before she snapped out of her lusty haze of attempting to be a bad girl and retreated back to her safe, boring world. She’d often fantasized about changing her actions that night. If she hadn’t freaked out and ran off, it could have led to a much more satisfying outcome. No one had given her any of those sizzling feelings since that night.
Still, what would entice him to bring an unconscious near-stranger into his home?
“This doesn’t make sense.” She ran both hands through her hair only to be stopped by tangles. She tugged through the snarls, but gave up since they were the least of her concerns. “You barely know me. Why would you care? Why not just send me to a hospital if you thought I needed medical help?”
Damon’s warm eyes flashed with determination. “I’m fully trained and capable of treating you. I brought you here so I could look over you and be sure you were safe. But yes, I can take you over to get checked out by first aid.”
“Am I in your bedroom?”
“No.” He shook his head. “My room is on the other side of this wall.”
So many conflicting thoughts rushed through her mind, ranging from gratefulness for his concern, to confusion by his strange manner of caring for her. She pursed her lips and glanced around, looking for a clock.
“Do you know what time it is?”
“Around eight.”
“Where’s my jacket?”
“It’s in the living room to dry out. Why do you need it?”
“I need my phone, if it’s not dead.”
When she moved to climb off the bed, Damon jumped to his feet. “I’ll get your phone. Please, stay here until you’re ready to move. I’ll make you some breakfast to help restore your energy.”
He opened the door, and she glanced through the doorway to see an open space with picture windows and a chocolate brown sofa. This was where he lived. A shudder of awareness danced through her. How strange this all was. Maybe she’d be able to process it once she had her wits back.
Damon returned and handed her the phone. The battery read one hundred percent. She glanced at him. “You charged it for me?”
“Of course. I said I’d take care of you.”
Her lips twitched. What should she make of all this? “I don’t understand why, but thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” Damon held her gaze for several seconds. “Will you stay for breakfast? I can make waffles, coffee, bacon...”
Her mouth watered. Since she was already here and weak, a little food in her belly wouldn’t hurt. “Sure. Thanks.”
She texted Tara in case she was awake and worried. Be back soon. She’d explain everything later—once she had a clue as to what happened herself.
As he walked out of the room, Sophie watched him. He stood as muscular and impressive as she’d remembered in the club. Despite his intimidating size, he seemed considerate and caring.
And now—he was cooking breakfast for her?
What a strange night indeed.
Damon
As Damon prepared breakfast in his kitchen, his wolf urged, We can’t let her leave.
We can’t make her stay here, Damon countered.
But she’s our mate. We’ve waited for her for so long.
Damon exhaled. And it’s like I’ve said for years—mates are nothing but trouble. In just one night, it might have led me to start a pack war.
A mate would be worth that.
Damon continued to struggle with his wolf’s insistence to convince Sophie to stay. Soon the cabin was filled with the scent of brewing coffee, sizzling bacon, and waffles.
He didn’t want her to leave as much as his wolf, but he also couldn’t force her to stay. Besides, the human part of him—the more rational side that considered things rather than relying on his wolf’s primal instincts—still questioned whether this was crazy. He couldn’t change his life because of a woman he didn’t know. In just a few hours, her arrival had thrown his life and that of his pack into chaos.
Especially since he was just as eager as his prowling wolf inside to be close to her again.
After Damon finished making breakfast, he set up a tray to bring it to her in the guest room. He snorted—what guests? He didn’t invite others to stay with him. Funny how he was playing such a hospitable role with her.
Once he returned to her, a strange sense of euphoria filled him again. Having her there felt—right.
He’d heard about this feeling. A wolf would be in agony while yearning for his mate, and the world would feel balanced again when around her.
He groaned inside. Trouble indeed.
Sophie sat up in the bed, her dark auburn hair spilling over the white cotton pillow she’d propped behind her. “It smells delicious. But you don’t have to wait on me, Damon. I could sit at a table.”
“Nope. You were already lightheaded and almost fell.”
“Maybe because I sat up so quickly. I don’t feel so unsteady now.”
“Still, I don’t want you exerting yourself at all until you get some energy back.”
She succumbed, sinking against the pillow behind her back. “What about you? Aren’t you going to go eat as well?”
“I’ll get a plate for myself in a minute.” He positioned the tray over her lap and ensured it was stable.
“Will you bring your plate in here and sit with me?” Her blue eyes implored him.
An unfamiliar but pleasurable sensation filled his chest. She’d invited him to sit with her. That was one step in the right direction. It meant she didn’t fear him as she had when she had awoken.
“Of course. I’ll be right back.”
Once he filled a plate for himself and refilled a mug with coffee, he returned to the bedroom. He brought a chair from the kitchen and set it up as a little side table and then sat near the foot of the bed. He grinned to himself.
“Why are you smiling?” Sophie asked.
“I never thou
ght I’d be having breakfast here in this room quite like this.”
She arched a brow and grinned. “That makes two of us.”
Her smile dazzled him. It was the first time she looked at him without wariness since she woke. A desire in him grew—he wanted to be the one to make her smile from this point on. He wanted to make his mate happy.
Ugh. He closed his eyes. Mate? Nope. Making her happy? Why was he allowing himself to think this way?
She did not live here on this mountain. She would be out of his life before long.
His wolf nudged him not to think that way. Not if we can convince her to stay.
Damon squelched that insane idea before his wolf took it any further. Stop getting crazy ideas about things that will never happen.
While they ate, she said, “Tell me about yourself, Damon. I didn’t even know you lived up here.”
He motioned to their surroundings. “I grew up in the area and now live alone here in this cabin. Many of us who work at the resort live slope side or in the mountain village.”
She nodded. “I’m in the village. My friend and I rented a condo for the weekend.”
Most of the guests stayed in one of the developments. The wolf shifters lived in the mountains, which gave them ample opportunity to run through the forests and hunt at night. “How long are you here for?”
She glanced out the window. “Just one more night. I was supposed to go skiing with my friend today.” She made a doubtful sound. “That’s not going to happen after last night.”
His pulse jolted. Only one more night? Such a brief encounter before she disappeared again hit him with a cruel pang.
He struggled to keep his voice neutral. No point in coming on too strong and scaring her off. “I don’t blame you. But don’t let that one incident turn you off skiing. If we all walked away from something when it knocks us down, it would be a very boring life.”
She stared at him and nodded. “True. Still, today I plan to take it easy.”
“Good plan.” He glanced at her. He wanted to learn all he could about her while he had the chance.
Her eyes widened. “Damon, I know I hit my head and there’s a possibility that I may not be remembering things clearly but—” She bit her lip and then exhaled. “When I was lost, I saw a wolf. I’m sure of it. But it was much larger than I thought wolves could be.”
His muscles tightened. She gazed at him as if assessing whether he believed her.
“It lunged forward, and I thought it was going to attack me.” She covered her chest and her breath came quicker. “But it didn’t. It went for another wolf behind me.” She raised her hands to her face. “I know it sounds crazy. I’ve never heard about wolves living in this area. But I swear what I saw was real. One was white and the other gray.”
The back of his neck tightened. She’d seen it all.
“I’d never been so scared before,” she added. “That’s why I ran back into the woods.” She tilted her head and stared at him. “Am I losing my mind? Or could that—could it have really happened?”
Shit. Damon didn’t want to reveal his pack’s secrets about them being shifters. Yet, he also couldn’t lie to her—especially when she seemed so distressed about the situation and fearing she may have imagined the entire thing. He had to be careful about what he said.
He measured his words and spoke them with care. “Coyotes live in the region. Maybe that’s what you saw.”
She pursed her lips. “They seemed much bigger than coyotes.” She shook her head. “Maybe I imagined that in my fear. I was so disoriented.”
“Understandable. That must have been terrifying.” He had to switch subjects and fast. “So, Sophie, what do you do when you’re not keeping ski patrol busy on a hunt to find you?” He flashed her a sly grin.
Her eyes flickered with a glint of confusion as she appeared to adjust to his sudden change of topic. “I’m a graphic designer for a real estate firm in Massachusetts. Mostly coastal properties on the North Shore.”
That was where he’d met her at the club Vamps. “Do you plan on coming back up here again?”
She grinned. “I doubt I’ll book anything until I’m sure I’m not bruised up or have broken bones.”
He exhaled. How could he find a way to see her again? “Maybe the next time I visit the area, we could meet up.” He’d only ever visited there that one time, so it wasn’t like he had any reason to return besides seeing her.
She took a final bite of her waffle and chewed while she eyed him. After she swallowed, she said, “Maybe.”
They didn’t say much else as they finished eating.
She put her fork down on her empty plate. “That was delicious.”
Feeding her pleased his need to care for her. He took her plate and put it on the side table. “Are you feeling good enough to stand?”
Sophie nodded with a sheepish grin. “I think so. And I really need a bathroom.”
“Okay. Let me help you up just to make sure you’re steady.” He stepped over to the side of the bed and moved the tray.
When she swung her feet over to the side, Damon took her arm and helped her stand. She paused for a few seconds and glanced ahead.
“I think I’m good. Not lightheaded this time. That breakfast must’ve helped.”
“Lean on me to make sure. I’ll help you over to the bathroom.”
“You are not going in there with me though.” She peered at him with wide eyes.
“Understood.”
She held onto his arm for support and took a few steps. “I’m fine. Really. You don’t have to walk me over.” She released his arm.
He showed her where the bathroom was. After she came out, he packed her gear into his Jeep.
As he drove her down to the mountain, he said, “We should stop by First Aid in the lodge. Sebastian is working now, and he’ll take good care of you.”
“That’s a good idea.”
During the visit to the lodge, Sebastian asked her questions and checked for a concussion or other injuries.
“Rest up today and watch out for any signs of a concussion.” He handed her a sheet listing the symptoms. “Just call here if you have any concerns.”
“Will do,” she replied. “Thanks.”
Damon then drove her across the road to the brick condos in the village. “I’m working a shift on the mountain today, but call me if you need anything.” He gave her his number.
She didn’t give hers back. He didn’t blame her. She must have been confused and terrified after waking up at his place.
When they reached the brick condos where she was staying, his heart beat faster. His wolf urged not to let her go. Damon climbed out of the SUV with reluctance and helped her out, his feet heavy as he walked her to the door.
“Thanks again for everything, Damon. I don’t know what would’ve happened if you hadn’t found me.”
The Sacco wolf might have found her and then what? Would it have attacked her? Attempted to claim her? That made trespassing into their territory and fighting for her worth it.
Sophie turned to him and kissed him on the cheek. His cheek warmed with a pleasant tingle where her lips touched. When she walked to the front door, he put his hand on his face as if capturing that sensation on his skin.
His wolf was right. He couldn’t let her go. “Wait!”
She turned to face him and furrowed her brows. “What is it?”
“Have dinner with me tonight.”
Chapter 5
Sophie
What a strange night.
And an even stranger morning.
When Sophie entered the condo, Tara was sitting on the couch. Her blond hair was pulled into a messy bun, and she wore a pair of red plaid pajamas.
Tara put her mug of tea on a coaster on the coffee table. “Hey, where have you been?”
Sophie exhaled. “Long story. Did you get my text?”
“No, I just woke up and am still groggy. I ended up taking a sleeping pill last night so I’d get som
e sleep.”
Sophie raised her chin in question. “How are you feeling?”
“Much better. Ibuprofen and sleep helped.” She frowned. “Sorry I am such a lame travel companion this weekend. The first day of my period always kicks my butt.”
Sophie shrugged. “Don’t worry about it. I’m going to just take it easy today myself.”
Tara arched her brows. “Does that mean you had a good night or bad?”
Good question. When Sophie had been lost on the mountain, it had started out pretty bad. When she’d woken up in a strange place, it had turned terrifying. But after breakfast with Damon and him asking her out to dinner, it had taken a dramatic turn in a positive direction.
Sophie sighed. “It was a wild night for sure. But strangely enough, I ended up with a date for dinner.”
Tara’s eyes opened wider. “What? Ooh, exciting! I can’t remember the last time you told me you had a date.”
True, it had been a long time since Sophie had all but given up on the male species after Bobby had cheated on her. It wasn’t the first time that this had happened. She’d discovered her college boyfriend had done so as well. What was it about Sophie that wasn’t enough? What sent them looking for more excitement elsewhere? Was it because she wasn’t pretty enough or interesting enough or too short and plump?
Or did it have something to do with her radar for picking the wrong guys?
Either way, her adventures in dating had turned out to be a flop. She’d been happier being single the past six months and had no intention of changing that status.
“Did you even come home last night?” Tara asked.
Sophie exhaled with a sigh. “No.”
Tara moved her feet off the couch and patted the cushion beside her. “All right, I’ve got to hear more about this. All the juicy details. Sit. And spill.”
As Sophie told the abridged version of events leading up to now, Tara’s excited expression turned horrified. “I feel so guilty. I should have been with you. You wouldn’t have been alone. You could have died!”
The Reluctant Wolf and His Fated Mate: A Howls Romance (White Mountain Shifters Book 1) Page 4