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We settle our tab and head out of Sweetwaters in the direction of Whispering Pines. Soon, we’re making our way through the trees toward the sanctuary grounds. As we near the perimeter, Edirn turns to me.
“I’m going to shift now and scout ahead. You take the trail, see what you can find out.”
“Sounds good. Be careful out there.”
Edirn gives me a look that says he doesn’t need the reminder, then closes his eyes. A shudder runs through his body, and suddenly, his large, steel-gray wolf is standing before me. He turns and slinks off into the trees without a sound.
I watch him disappear into the underbrush. Then, I adjust the brim of my cap and head for the trail, putting a slight hitch in my step to sell the clueless hiker act. My senses are on high alert as I keep walking, thinking about my next move.
Should I go to the visitor’s facility?
It would be risky, but it might be the best way of getting a closer look at the place. I slow my steps as I consider my options. If I veer off the narrow path now, I can make my way to the road that leads to the entrance. Once I do that, there’ll be no turning back. They’ll know I’m around, and if I don’t play my role carefully, I’ll blow my cover.
I mull this over, almost coming to a halt. I stop completely when I hear something.
There’s a crackling in the bushes alongside me. Not far from the trail, something is moving. I go totally still, quieting my breathing as my senses heighten. My muscles tighten as I pick up the unmistakable sound of bones crunching.
Fuck.
My nostrils flare as I turn to face the direction the noise is coming from.
Wolf.
Her!
Without thinking, I stride off the path and shove my way through the thicket. Brambles and branches hook onto my clothing and tear at my arms, but I push forward regardless.
Find her. I have to find her!
Images of our run through the forest come flooding back to me. The thought of her at my side…wild…so beautiful…
I burst out of the dense shrubbery and stop short. A few feet away, the she-wolf is crouched over the fresh carcass of a hare. The golden fur around her jaw is stained red as her head swivels up, and she stares at me.
“I came back,” I say breathlessly.
There’s no response, just a flicker in her amber eyes.
“I told you I would,” I add. “I just… I had something important to do.” I still do, actually. But I can’t turn away from her now. I take a step forward. A guttural growl comes up from deep in her chest.
“Easy,” I say soothingly, extending a hand. She narrows her eyes on it, then fixes them on mine. The golden glow there is pure animal.
But I can’t turn away from her wild, untamed beauty. Every instinct screams at me to back away from this creature, but something deeper compels me forward.
Her eyes blaze with a primitive ferocity as I take another step closer. A deep growl rumbles from her throat, jaws dripping scarlet from her fresh kill.
“Easy, beautiful,” I soothe, my hands raised toward her. “I’m not gonna hurt you.”
Her lips peel back, fangs glistening as she snarls a warning. I should retreat, let her be, but I can’t. I’m mesmerized by her power and grace.
Keeping my movements slow and steady, I edge nearer. A flicker of confusion ghosts across her eyes as I continue my advance, undeterred by her threats.
“I’m not going to leave you,” I say. “I’m here to—” My words are cut off as, with a ferocious roar, she lunges. “Fuck!” I choke out as her weight slams into me, knocking me backward. I crash to the forest floor with her on top of me, those wicked fangs bared inches from my face.
Shit…this was a bad idea.
A slavering sound vibrates through her as her teeth snap together, her breath warm as it rushes against my skin. A strange feeling shudders through me, a visceral ripple that has my breath catching.
“Stop…please…” I manage to get out. I have my arms braced against her as I hold her away, but she snaps at my throat, barely aware of my efforts. I could easily shift, overpower her with my own wolf’s strength, disable her with a single powerful blow.
