Coyote Run | Rhian Cahill

Released September 2, 2010

ISBN: 9781419930270

Available from:

Also available in print - Coyote Hunger

Prequel to the Coyote Hunger series.

Forced to make the heartwrenching decision to leave Whispering Mountains, Rowan Wilder isn’t about to go without securing her bond with Quinn MacClellan. Neither expected their first time to be on the forest floor or while running to escape a madman but when it comes to claiming their mate, nothing can stop the hunger from burning out of control and consuming them both.

Publisher’s Note: This is not a standalone story; it has a cliffhanger ending. The next book in the series, Coyote Home, is needed to reach a satisfactory conclusion.

Excerpt

The thump of paws hitting hard ground echoed off the valley walls, twigs snapped and leaves were crushed in the mad dash through the forest. Adrenaline pumped through veins pounding with the exhilaration of running free. Rowan loved to run in coyote form but tonight wasn’t any old frolic in the woods. Tonight was about escape.

Quinn raced beside her, his beating heart and heavy breaths a welcome comfort. They ran together, darting between trees and through the underbrush as they made their way over the mountains. Speed was important. Quinn needed to be back in Whispering Springs before morning or questions would be asked too soon. Rowan needed to be far from home before anyone discovered her missing.

Her injuries from Marcus’ attack were quickly repairing but she still felt dull aches rippling through her muscles. She leapt over a fallen log and the pack strapped to her back shifted to the side, throwing her off balance. Rowan stumbled, her front paws losing their grip in the slippery debris of rotting leaves littering the forest floor. The ground rushed up to meet her and pain exploded in her head. With a yelp, she crumpled to the dirt.

“Rowan!”

Quinn had shifted back to human form and was on his knees beside her, the strap of his pack digging into his bare chest. He ran his hands along her fur-covered limbs, her side and over her skull. His fingers gently probed for any injury. Rowan panted for breath and waited for the dizziness to fade before she changed from coyote to human.

“I’m okay,” she gasped. “Just winded.”

He reached for the snap on her pack and flicked it open. The tightness in Rowan’s chest eased slightly and she drew in a deeper breath as the bag fell to the ground behind her.

“Thanks.”

“We’ll rest here for a bit.” Quinn removed his own pack and placed it beside them.

Rowan pushed off the ground and sat cross-legged, her uncovered ass connecting with the cold floor. Her body protested the move but she didn’t have the luxury of being a wimp tonight or ever again for that matter. She dragged her bag closer, unzipped it and pulled out a water bottle. With a flick of her wrist, she popped the top and took a couple of gulps before handing it to Quinn.

His hand wrapped around hers but he didn’t take the container. Rowan looked up to find him staring at her. The naked longing swirling in his gaze heated her blood and called to her coyote. Already close to the surface, her beast answered with a call of her own. Need and want zapped through her. Quinn’s hand shook, the fine tremors vibrating along her skin in an electric wave that made every instinct she had scream with desire.

He squeezed her fingers before he removed his hand with a growl. “Damn, I want you.”

Rowan watched the struggle he waged inside, every emotion crossed his face as he fought to gain control. She knew Quinn was trying to hold back for her benefit but she didn’t need his protection. She needed him.