Deadly Seduction (Feral Protectors 3) Read Free

“I know the last nine months have been hard on you, but Nosh is depending on us to save his life. I’m counting on you to take over as the pack’s healer when I pass. If you don’t want the responsibility, I understand, but I need to know so I can train someone else.”
    Gwen bit her lip. She didn’t want to disappoint Akila who was like a second mother to her. Akila was right, she couldn’t hide forever. Somehow, she had to overcome the panic attacks and move forward. She couldn’t live the rest of her life in a state of fear. But it was easier said than done.
    Gwen picked up a basket. “I want to do this. I want to learn everything I can so I can take over as the pack’s healer. I know I can’t stay afraid forever… but I am.”
    “I know that going back into the woods is unnerving, but it’s a huge step forward. You can do it. You’re stronger than you think.”
    “Thank you.”
    Gwen smiled slightly. To know that Akila had confidence in her abilities helped to give her the strength she needed to go into the forest. But as she followed her mentor toward the front of the cave, the tension in her muscles increased. Every nerve ending screamed—turn and run.
    She forced herself to put one foot in front of the other. Nosh didn’t have much time. If her hesitation led to his death, she’d never be able to forgive herself. She only had seconds to decide whether or not she was ready to face her fear.
    She flashed back to the last time she’d seen Nosh. He’d been at the den visiting the alpha of the pack, Ryker, and his mate, Diana. He’d stopped by her room to see how she was doing. He even pretended that the scars zigzagging across her back didn’t matter. Aside from being kind, he had the rugged body of a warrior. Every chiseled muscle emphasized his physical strength, but somehow, she wasn’t afraid of him.
    It had been three months, but she still thought about him every day. She wondered what it would be like to feel his strong, protective arms wrapped around her, to feel his lips against hers. It would never happen, but she could dream, couldn’t she?
    As she stepped into the small clearing outside the den, she sighed. None of this mattered because if she didn’t help save him, she’d fall back into the darkness that had consumed her for months after the attack. She’d lose any progress she’d made and return to a state of utter despair.
    Would she ever be strong enough for someone like him? Maybe not. Would she ever be able to move on from the past? She wasn’t sure. Maybe she was destined to spend the rest of her life alone and afraid. But if she didn’t at least try to fight the fear, she’d never know if she could conquer it.
    Fadian and Lucian flanked the women. Gwen had briefly met Fadian at Diana and Ryker’s life-mate ceremony. He was older than her, but not as old as Akila. Probably in his late forties. He reminded her of the lumberjacks who ventured into the forest during the summer. Sturdy with tree-trunk legs, he was in great shape for his age.
    Lucian set the pace. It was faster than she would have liked to walk and she was having trouble keeping up. All those months spent sitting around the den had taken a toll on her body. Before the attack, she could run miles without being winded. Now, she could hardly keep up and they weren’t even jogging.
    The other wolves’ presence helped quell the anxiety in her belly. After a few minutes of trekking through the woods, Gwen turned her face toward the sun. The heat melted the bunched up muscles on her forehead. She inhaled a cleansing breath. She missed the scent of pine and the sensation of wind gliding across her skin.
    Akila was right, Gwen spent too much time in the den. She’d spent her entire life in the forest and had never feared it until the night that had changed her life forever. After the attack, every time she attempted to travel further than the river, anxiety coiled in her chest and constricted her adventurous spirit.