Kraven continued, “Isn’t the most important thing getting them swiftly to where they’ll be safe and we have backup? We’re going to be outnumbered if Decker sends a dozen of his enforcers after us. You can deal with the fallout later.”

Drantos wasn’t so certain of that. Dusti had already suffered enough traumas in a short period of time. Humans could hear stories of other kinds of creatures and chalk it up to harmless fiction, but he’d heard of people whose minds had snapped when they were actually confronted by the world they didn’t know existed.

He focused on Dusti, picking up her rapid heartbeat. He reached out again and ran his hand over the blanket covering her hip. She shifted just slightly, pulling away. He let her.

“We’ll leave at first light—and walk it,” he decided. “Decker doesn’t know we’re with them. He’ll expect to find his granddaughters waiting here to be found by the rescue party and totally unprotected. We’ll skirt any areas where we think we might run into them. They’ll make a beeline for where they think the plane went down.”

“Damn it, Drantos.” Kraven bared his teeth. “You’re not being rational.”

“I’m being cautious, and I don’t want to traumatize her any more than necessary.” He left the rest unsaid, since Dusti could hear his every word. “She needs time to adjust to everything before it’s in her face.”

Kraven closed his eyes and long seconds passed before he held his gaze again. “You think she’ll reject you if she sees anything before she’s ready?”

“I’m certain of it. We’ll walk.”

“This one doesn’t even have shoes.” Kraven glanced at Bat. “I couldn’t find anything that would fit her. All she has are those high heels. Can you imagine a hike in the woods wearing those? She’ll break her ankle.”

“Are you out of shape?”

“Fuck you.”

“Then just deal with it. You wanted some sleep. Lie down and rest. We’re out of here at first light. We’ll make sure the passengers are kept warm and send them help if they haven’t been found by the time we reach our people. They’ll have to make it one night alone at the most. I figure we’ll reach home within twenty-four hours.”

“That’s pretty damn slow.”

“The terrain is going to be rough, and don’t forget the river. We’ll have to find a way to get them across it while keeping them dry at the same time. They’re weak and susceptible to hypothermia or catching a cold. I’m thinking we might have to build a little raft and float them over. The water is still going to be pretty cold. I’m not taking any chances with their health.”

“Shit.”

“Our people will be looking for us too, so I doubt it will take that long. They could run across us by nightfall tomorrow. Best situation.”

Kraven lay down, curling against Bat’s back. “You owe me.”

Drantos lay down and scooted closer to Dusti to keep the wind from hitting her back. He wanted to pull her into his arms but refrained. He desired her too much and it would be too tempting to do more than hold her.

Once he got her to his home, all bets were off. He’d take her. She wouldn’t be able to deny there was something special between them. He’d just have to help her learn to trust him before she discovered how different he could be from anyone else she’d ever known.

He knew there were still going to be issues once he took her home. His parents wouldn’t be thrilled that she was so weak-blooded. He was their firstborn. That came with responsibilities but he doubted they’d refuse to accept Dusti. They knew him too well. He’d leave before giving her up. His father would understand though. He knew the importance of a true bond.

Decker would probably try to come after Dusti and Bat, even if that meant he’d have to attack the clan to get them back. Drantos didn’t have to worry about anyone wanting to hand Bat or Dusti over to prevent bloodshed. The clan would fight to the death to prevent Decker from becoming their leader. They’d stand up to him to make certain he couldn’t use either woman as leverage to force Aveoth into backing his plan to merge the clans, so he could become the sole leader of all VampLycans.

Drantos inhaled Dusti’s scent and couldn’t resist reaching up to brush his fingers through her hair. She sucked in a sharp breath but didn’t jerk away. He smiled.

He’d have to treat her like a timid animal that needed to learn how to trust. It was the best way to show her that he’d never hurt her. Patience wasn’t his strongest trait but he’d learn some—for her.

Chapter Four

The sun hadn’t risen yet when someone’s touch drew Dusti from sleep. Bat stirred next to her where they huddled together tightly under a blanket. They both shivered from the cold air as they sat up. The fire blazed strongly in the clearing but little of the warmth from it reached them. Dusti looked at Kraven, who crouched next to them.

“We need to leave now. Get up, go to the bathroom, and eat quickly. I figure the search-and-rescue planes will take off from the airport in Anchorage in less than an hour.”

“Go where?” Bat yawned. “You think the rescue teams will find us soon?”

Dusti knew that wasn’t the plan. The brothers wanted them to hike away from the survivors so they wouldn’t be rescued with them. Whoever they believed their grandfather would send looking for them would probably arrive before help did. Dusti wondered if Bat remembered anything from the night before, but one look at her sister’s calm expression assured her she had no memory of what Kraven had done to knock her out.

Bat stood. “Damn. It’s too cold.” She bent, grabbed one of the blankets, and wrapped it tightly around her body as she walked in the direction of the woods. “I’ll be right back if my girl parts don’t freeze when I yank up my skirt.”

Kraven sighed. “Hurry, and don’t go far.”

Dusti peered around the clearing. The survivors still slept and there wasn’t a sign of Drantos. Kraven seemed to guess who she was searching for.

“He’ll be back soon. He’s collecting more wood for the humans in case it takes another day for help to reach them. He doesn’t want them to die tonight when it gets cold. We’re hoping they’re found before nightfall but it’s best to take precautions.”