Pursuing Paige Read Online Free PDF Page A

yard.
    “Torrent,” greeted
Jarek. “I don’t like that look on your face. What’s going on?” The
men came to a stop near the women. Kaiden and Jarek both flanked
her in a protective way. She hated that she liked it.
    “It seems I never visit
for a reason other than the threats ranged against us and this
occasion is no different.” Torrent’s voice sounded grim.
    The energy around Paige
seemed to grow a bit more serious.
    “What is it, my
brother?” asked Lucas.
    “Magica scouts were
spotted near here, far too near for our comfort. We managed to kill
all but one of them and we believe that scout may have sent a
message back to the master hunters. We need all available
protectors to their guard stations immediately.” He nodded in
Paige’s direction. “With the exception of Kaiden. It’s more
important you stay with your prospective mate.”
    Kaiden made a sound of
frustration. “No. As much as I would like to stay behind, I can’t.
I need to do my job protecting her and the rest of my people.”
    He was counting her as
his mate in that sentence and as one of the Lycaon. It should have
felt wrong, but, somehow, it didn’t.
    Torrent nodded. “As you
see fit. Rafian, Lucas and Kaitlyn, I’ll need all of you.”
    “Wait a minute. Why
Kaitlyn?” Paige stepped toward Torrent. “This sounds
dangerous.”
    “It is dangerous,”
Kaitlyn answered, “But I’m a protector. My eyes as a hawk can see
great distances. I’m a true help and happy to do it. I told you,
Kaitlyn, the men protect their women here, but they don’t coddle
them. They know we’re strong and capable, and they rely on us.”
    Okay, maybe, but she
was still worried about her sister’s safety. “But...what about the
shields? Kaitlyn told me there are sympathetic Magica mages who
keep shields up around Lycaon territory to hide it from the Magica
hunters. Why can’t you rely on those?”
    “Those mages are taking
great risks and can be found out at any time,” Torrent answered.
“We are grateful beyond words to them, but we can’t trust that they
will always be there to help us. If scouts grow too close,
immediate action must be taken.”
    Kaitlyn took Paige’s
hands in hers. “Don’t worry. This isn’t the first time this has
happened. I’ll be all right.”
    “We will take care of
her,” answered Rafian. “You have our word.”
    “We’re a family,” added
Kaitlyn. “We all take care of each other.”
    With that Torrent,
Rafian, Lucas, and Kaitlyn all shifted. Then before her stood three
horse sized dire wolfs and a beautiful hawk soaring up into the
air.
    “Oh, hell, I think I
need to sit down,” muttered Paige.
    “You’ll be okay.”
Kaiden rubbed a strong, warm hand up and down her arm. For some
reason, his touch made her wistful and lonely. He was going away.
“And so will Kaitlyn. You have my word.”
    She covered his hand
with her own, making him still. The action had even surprised her.
“Just promise me you’ll be okay.”
    A flash of euphoria
swept over his face. “I will.” He leaned down and gave her a long,
sweet kiss on the lips. He straightened, met Jarek’s eyes and
nodded. A moment later, he was an enormous gray wolf standing
before her. The four dire wolves bounded into the forest and the
hawk gave an echoing scream of goodbye and they were gone, leaving
her alone with Jarek.
    Jarek touched her
shoulder and made her jump. “He’s done this all his life. He’ll be
fine.”
    “It’s dumb that I
barely know him, yet I’m worried.”
    “Not dumb. We obsessed
over you before you were even in our reality. Our bond is strong,
Paige. It will only get stronger. It says a lot about his love for
you that he left today.”
    She turned to face him.
“What do you mean?”
    “He knew full well he
was leaving you alone with me . That’s a big deal and not
what he wanted. His desire to ensure your safety is that
great.”
    She raised her
eyebrows. “Ah. Right. I get it.” She narrowed her eyes at
him.