an
itchen, "Hey, Meg." "It's Sharon'
However, I pretend to be polite and say, "Of course, Clyde," t
similarities stop. Since he owns the restaurant and humans and wolv
t because he's the only one willing to offer me a
about my experience th
e," was m
fe's solution to
prior ex
Not a
rdians?
None,
butt being tightly pinched by two stony fingers. Enough to make me yell. I whirl around a fera
air and bright green eyes. I recognize this face. He is the local pack's Gamma, and he visi
l. He has a beautiful scent. Plus,
ooks up at me an
. Did the Gamma give
r someone else. As it happens, you are a nobody. My e
stop myself from saying anything I may later regret. For far less than a hurtful remark, someone lik
ent to wait on table 12 since that's what I
am that way. Me
r as it gets close to closing time,
isper to myself. But he i
that has been well cushioned, folded inside out, an
d of scoffing. "You know I do
tic. Nearly. "But I'm already running
type of thing I can t
and places the envelope beside the cash regist
"It
ith one last grin, Cl
or heaven's sake, I'm twenty, not that
en I realise I'm still wearing my apron over my "uniform," which consists of only a black pair of slacks and black shoes with
completed. Just
tape. He agreed with their Alpha years ago to establish and run a cafe in their territory, prom
I could run much faster, but what would I do with the envelope? Have I spoken it aloud to myself? It would then be completely so
All you have to cling to when you have nothing is hope. I withdraw into my thoughts and relive the enchanted fantasy I've had sinc
charming
deal fulf
My fr
I've probably had at least one encounter with every male wolf within fifty miles. I'm
d be nearly at the drop point. Usually, I jog along a route through the shorter park, but this trail is made of old dirt i
in my thoughts to the point that I failed
hey would become terrified. Nonetheless, I like the night and find my vision sharper during
coloured, crooked knot. However, it looks li
moment later I smell something.
I've fed the conceited Gamma enough lunches to kno
's tone and pitch may convey a multitude of meanings, but that particular howl gives me chills dow
w foolish it would be for me to continue pursuing it. That would be
velled route. Something rustles quickly and much to
rvival instincts activating,
vement. One more rus
an't quit even if my lungs hurt.
at my mind is buzzing with anxiety. It hurts to realise I'm making
shoulder. Hot on my trail comes a massive wolf with sable-coloured
e leaps over me with a substantial leap and lands elegantly
is eyes, the wolf cha
tant, I decide
, I make a split-second
before I hit the wall of fur and muscle in front of me. My black shoe mak
mental scream. You hurt one of t
defend myself. All I can do is try to cross the border b
oa! My
st as I run. Though absurd, the strategy could be sufficiently rid
hen turn
owering guy standing be
as he glares down at me. His e
y time, my mind went into overdrive, and I thought, Well, at l
t and black pants. The short sleeves push up against impressive bicep
move because I can se
attempt to make sense of things. Staring into them is like floating o
tchy voice, and I find myself backing away
e he won't murd
espass," I mumble, terrified a
r to me, saying, "But you did t
uickly. I'm unable to identify it; it's something
think," I stammeringly attempt to clar
ought not to have fled," His
ugh. To defend myself, however, I just-I made a flying gesture with my
gaze, he asks, "Do
find that I speak a lot when I'm afraid, and you're
e corner of his mouth
eplies, "You're beh
sm," I responded right
says, "Okay," "Give me a solid excuse not t
e terror has subsided, and I realise w
tend th
way," I'm starting to get a little
As he approaches, his
I am pretty embarrassed by my greasy stench, and I'
e to speak, bu
h a raised eyebro
suddenly feeling quite ov
l. His finger brushes a
tion shivers down my spine, weakening my knees. I briefly f
osh, o
also s
g it all this time. I won
is eyes become even more intense and enraged, the hint of h
soulmate. And there's nothing