He Moved Into an Old Ranch Alone — Then Discovered a GIRL Who Grew Up WITH WOLVES

Chapter 3

Pike emerged from the tree line holding a torn piece of fabric in his raised hand. Even from a distance, Boon could see it was dark and rough, fringed at the edges like it had been ripped from something larger.

“Fresh tear,” Pike called out, triumph in his voice. “Still has her scent on it. She was here recent.”

Sterling wheeled his horse around to face Boon, the grin never leaving his face. “Looks like your memory might be improving, Carter. Want to reconsider what you told me?”

“Don’t know what that proves,” Boon said, keeping his voice level. “Could be from anyone. Lots of folks pass through these parts.”

“Folks wearing wolf pelts?”

Boon went still.

“That’s wolf fur mixed in with the cloth, boy.” Sterling’s voice was cold now. “Tell me how many civilized people you know wear wolf pelts.”

The sound of Dalton’s rifle shot cracked across the valley like thunder, followed immediately by his triumphant shout. “Got movement! She’s running toward the creek!”

Boon’s blood turned to ice. If they had actually spotted her, she was as good as dead. These men weren’t interested in capture. They wanted to end what they saw as a threat permanently.

Sterling was already spurring his horse toward the sound when Boon made his decision. He dropped his hammer and vaulted over the fence, landing hard but staying on his feet.

“Wait!”

The hunter pulled up short, turning in his saddle with raised eyebrows. “Finally ready to talk sense?”

“She’s not dangerous.” The words tumbled out faster than Boon intended. “Just scared. Trying to survive. You don’t need to hunt her like an animal.”

“So you have seen her.” Sterling’s hand moved to his rifle. “Been lying to me this whole time.”

Another shot echoed from the creek, followed by cursing. Dalton’s voice carried clearly across the distance. “Missed! She’s fast as lightning, boss!”

Boon stepped forward, his hands raised but ready. “Let me talk to her. Maybe I can convince her to leave peaceful-like. Find somewhere else to go.”

Sterling studied him with calculating eyes. “Or maybe you’re sweet on this wild thing. Wouldn’t be the first lonely man to lose his head over a pretty face, even one that belongs to a killer.”

The third shot was closer this time. And it was followed by a sound that made Boon’s blood freeze.

A cry of pain. Distinctly human. Distinctly female.

The girl had been hit.

“Dalton got her!” Pike whooped from somewhere in the trees.

Sterling’s grin was savage now. “Looks like we won’t be needing your help after all, Carter.” He started to turn his horse toward the creek, then paused. “Of course, if you’ve been harboring her—helping her—well, that makes you an accessory to her crimes.”

But Boon was already running toward the creek, Sterling’s threats forgotten. Behind him, he heard the hunter curse and spur his horse into pursuit.