Chapter 31: Elodie

My wolf stood above me, pale fur shining in the moonlight. I have no idea why I thought of him as mine. He obviously wasn't a pet. But it was the same wolf who'd saved me last night. I knew that as well as I knew my own name.

My breath whooshed out in relief. I stepped away from the boulder and turned, staggering a bit under the weight of the pack.

"Way to scare a girl," I said. I was pathetically glad to see him, grateful for a familiar face, even a furry one.

He leapt down, huffing on the landing. I winced for him as his right flank buckled under the weight.

I started toward him, intending to check last night's wound, but he bared his teeth in warning, so I stopped short, raising my hands in surrender. Okay, good reminder that he was a wild animal and wasn't going to submit to my attentions outside extreme circumstances. I would almost swear he gritted his teeth as he forced himself to stand again.

"Stubborn aren't you? Well you're in good company."

He blinked at me.