Chapter 3
MAX WAITED UNTIL the end of the night to make his move. As the wolves slowly filed out, many of them still drunkenly singing, he caught Glory’s arm in his and tugging her to the door, called to her brother, “I’ve got Glory. Have a good night!”
“Hey!” Glory pulled her arm free when they made it outside. “I’m supposed to help close up the bar.”
“I already talked to Travis. He said he’d handle it.” Max grinned. “I thought you might like to go for a midnight run, or–” he pulled out his cell phone and checked the screen. “–a two a.m. run as the case may be.”
Glory just stared at him. “Why? I mean, I’ve never joined your pack on a run before.”
“There’s always a first time for everything, right?” He slid his phone back into his jeans pocket and winked at her.
“Yeah, but–”
“It’s a beautiful night and we don’t have to stick with the pack.” In fact, he hoped they wouldn’t. “I’d love to see the trails you and Travis take.” He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “That is, if you’re willing to share them with me.”
Glory studied him silently for a moment. “You really want to see where we run?”
Max nodded. “Yeah, I do.”
“Okay.” She grinned. “Try to keep up.” In an explosion of movement, she went from human to bear, then turned and loped into the woods.
Max grinned and raced after her, tearing his clothes off as he went. He shifted on the fly and followed her scent, tracking her deep into the woods, into areas that scented heavily of bear, areas his wolf had instinctively avoided up to now.
He barreled around the corner and there she was. Sitting in the middle of the path waiting for him. He had barely an instant to appreciate her beauty in the moonlight before she stood and lumbered off again.
Knowing that he’d follow her anywhere, he bounded after her.
His sensitive wolf ears heard the thunder of the river long before they reached it.
As soon as the river came into view, Glory hurtled down the incline and leapt in. She swam out, then back to the shallows, and as Max reached the edge of the river, she stood and shook her great body, sending droplets everywhere.
Every drop that impacted his fur felt like a gift from his mate, as if she were the water caressing and soothing him.
With a howl of joy, Max leapt into the river and swam out to Glory. They played and romped, racing back and forth in the river, chasing and splashing each other until they were both exhausted.
She was an incredible swimmer, much stronger than him and with a lot more stamina. She could also stand and keep her head above water in more places than he could, which meant he tired out a lot faster.
As his energy flagged, he eyed his sexy mate and only hesitated an instant before swimming to her side and scrambling onto her back.
Glory froze beneath him, as if her bear wasn’t quite sure what to do with the wolf on its back.
Max buried his snout in her neck and relaxed.
After a long moment, Glory carefully turned and carried him to the shallows where she sprawled flat.
They rested together there with Max curled on Glory’s back until the sun came over the horizon heralding a new day.