Thunder rumbled overhead, the scent of rain heavy in the air. He’d been running for nearly two hours, doing laps around the surrounding area, checking scent markers for any sign Bret had discovered their location. But other than some hare and a couple of coyotes, nothing had crossed within miles of the homestead since they’d arrived. His wolf slowed to a trot, sniffing the ground as he headed back toward the house. This was the third time today he’d ventured out, using the guise of protection to give his other half the freedom it needed to keep from breaking through his hold every time McKenna so much as glanced at him. They’d been holed up in the abandoned home for four days, and the constant pull was starting to take a toll. And not just on him. Ethan had been disappearing for longer runs with each passing day, and Jude knew the cost of being so close to their mate without being able to bond with her the way they needed was driving his friend mad. His wolf snorted, stopping to paw at the ground in frustration.
