The loss of control—the feral rising up in her and taking over—bothered her the most. But in this place, in the darkness, Deni realized that the only way she would find her mate would be to surrender to the beast inside her.
She moved away from the oil well, then sat down and closed her eyes. Deni drew long breaths, scenting past the barrier of the oil and the fire, searching the night.
She remembered what had gone through her when she’d seen Broderick attack Jace at the fight club. She hadn’t known Jace was her mate then, but something in Deni had made her attack Broderick, to fight alongside Jace and protect him.
Deni brought to life the rage that had washed over her then, remembering the feel and taste of it. She let go of all rational thought, and let the beast come.
Her Collar sparked once, but her coherence left her, and instinct took over.
The wolf put her head down and sniffed the ground, walking at first, then moving faster. She crisscrossed back and forth over open earth and then down a rocky wash.
She found nothing, but Deni’s wolf wouldn’t let her grow frustrated. Tracking by scent took patience and time. She climbed up the other side of the wash, continuing to hunt, covering every inch of ground she could. She moved farther and farther from the wreck, leaving the other Shifters far behind. Still she found nothing. Either Jace had left some other way than his own feet, or he’d hidden himself well.
Deni sat down in the darkness, hearing the slither of snakes in the dried grass, they giving her a wide berth. She could scent nothing but the night now—the grains of dust on the wind, the coolness of water far away, the wild dryness of Texas, unchanged for centuries. No wildcats, except those at the wreck behind her, no Shifters at all.
Maybe scent wasn’t what she should be following, the dim thought came. Deni contemplated that in her quiet wolf way, then she closed her eyes, wrapped herself around the mate bond, and sent it outward.
There. An answering tug, far to the west and south of where she stood. Jace was there. False scents could be laid, and scents could be covered, but nothing could disguise the almost painful tug of the mate bond.
Deni loped back the way she’d come, across the wash, and started running, drawn to Jace with surety.
She heard Ellison howl in frustration somewhere behind her. He’d lost her scent and couldn’t find her in the darkness. No matter. Deni would find her mate and bring him home, and all would be well.
* * *
Jace sensed her coming. The snow leopard stopped in midrun, pulled up short as though someone had snapped a tether on him and yanked him to a halt.
He’d been running, putting as much distance between himself and the wreck as he possibly could. Whoever found him—Shifter or human—would want to drag him back to captivity, Collars, and rules. Shifters taming themselves, Jace was realizing, didn’t mean safety. It meant submission.
But his mate was coming.Jace stopped on a little rise, a rare thing in this flat world. He sat down, panting, wrapping his cat tail around him as he waited for her.
Deni raced out of the dry grasses, her body a streak of gray under the moonlight. She came fast, running up the rise, not stopping. She let out a joyful yip and barreled into Jace so hard they rolled together down the other side of the little hill and ended up in a heap on the bottom.
Deni shifted into her human form, naked, her body outlined by starlight. Tears streaked her face.
“I found you.” She wrapped her arms around Jace’s leopard, who huffed and nuzzled her. “I found you.”
Jace licked her face, tasting her tears, and Deni laughed as his rough tongue nearly pushed her over. Come with me, my love, Jace urged. Into the wild, where we belong.
Deni pulled back, studying him. “Are you all right? It looks like they’re taking Marlo to a hospital. You should get looked at too.”
For answer, Jace jumped on her, knocking her to the ground. Deni’s mouth curved to laughter as she held an armful of fur. “Seriously, Jace. I was worried about you. Everyone is. I thought you were dead.”
The tears returned. Jace licked them away again, this time being gentle.
“I was so scared for you that I jumped on my motorcycle and rode away without realizing it. Did you hear me? I rode. My motorcycle. By myself. And I wasn’t afraid!”
Jace licked her again. I’m glad, my heart. You are healing.
“Ride back with me. That will be even better.”
Nope. Not going back.
“Jace.” Deni stroked his head, and Jace wanted to purr. “I don’t speak Feline very well. Change and talk to me.”
Jace didn’t want to change. He’d stay cat, she’d stay wolf, and they’d make a den somewhere. They were smart enough to hunt and evade hunters, and to teach their cubs to do the same. He loved her scent, which was stirring his mating frenzy.
“What’s wrong?” Deni asked him, stroking him again. “I let go of my biggest fear just now—losing control of myself—to let my wolf take over so I could find you. And you know what? I’m fine. Look.” She spread her arms. “I didn’t go feral. I found you, and I didn’t lose myself. I don’t have to be afraid anymore.” She held Jace again, his mate strong and warm. “The crash must have been horrible. But don’t lose yourself, Jace. Please. Come back to me.”
There was nothing wrong with Jace. He was free, and Collarless. But it was dark and Deni hadn’t touched his neck. She didn’t understand yet.
“Please, Jace. I need you.”