The Broken Warrior’s Daughter by Cooper

Chapter 0316

hate this feeling of helplessness. Worse, I hate the fear that comes when Eli isn’t around. I’d rather stay with him and risk getting caught together than being left alone. It was different when I was in the town where mom and I lived. At least there I had a home, a job and Benny. Here, without Eli, I have nothing. Nothing is familiar, the sights and sounds are all new and every sound makes me jump.

I tuck myself into the small cave that Eli found for me. I’m continually amazed by his ability to find places for us to hide while keeping us safe. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, he’s been doing this most of his life.

‘He is a good mate. He is taking care for us.” Maia says.

I could tell she has not only fallen hard for Louis, but after last night and the amazing rub down Eli gave her, she’s a soppy mess for him now too.

‘He didn’t have to do that. Not every mate would have realized how sore we were or taken the time to massage our muscles before going out and catching food for us. He’s thoughtful, considerate and a good provider.‘

I have to admit, my wolf has a point. Eli hasn’t tried to push the mate bond on me at all. He’s been very considerate in our sleeping arrangements which have been less than ideal basically since we’ve met. And I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t affected by the mate bond. Having Eli close to me has been comforting, but it’s also making it harder to be away from him.

“You should let him mark us.‘ Maia tells me.

I’d been contemplating letting him mark me. He’s not a bad man. He’s proven that he’s willing to do whatever it takes to keep Maia and I safe. I just haven’t made the decision to trust him with the rest of my life. Once you’re marked, it can’t be undone except by the death of one of the parties.

I had seen a sign as we were running. We’re in the Red River area. It’s beautiful here, but I can’t enjoy it. Every minute that Eli’s gone makes me more anxious. I should try to relax and take a nap, letting my muscles rest but I’m nervous, on edge.

I’m looking out over the land, watching the clouds go by when Maia’s head pops

1. up.

it,

her focus on the ground

+1G HONO

hear it. I can’t see anything from here, but I hear the sounds of bodies moving through the

Maia. Are we surrounded?‘ I ask her, my

I can get us out of this if needed, but if you panic, they’ll be able

a mate bond. I don’t want to end up with someone who sent their pack to hunt me down and drag me back to them. Someone that wants me because I strengthen their pack by forcing their canines

slinking through the forest floor. As we watch, the leader lifts his head and sniffs the air, then begins

me. ‘We need

and begins to move quietly over

gaps in the rocks, moving around trees and bushes to try to keep us hidden from view as much

ask, not having any idea what

east. But first, we’re going south where I can smell water and we’re

a lot of coverage. We haven’t gone far, when I hear the howl go up. They

run cold is the answering howls

says. ‘We’re heading east and I hope we can find some water to cross. I

of getting caught, so she pushes through the pain. Unfortunately, the hunt will only incite the