Page 19 of Only Human in Strangeville

While I was petting the wolves, Nimbus stared around me at them, eyes wide but not acting afraid or even aggressive. That, more than anything, helped me relax.

“Davin, are you okay?” I asked while I marveled at the wolves rubbing against me.

“I’m fine, Hannah, don’t worry about me.”

Another truck pulling up behind us interrupted any more questions I might have asked. Two women and a man piled out of the newer truck, all built like muscular tanks. They brushed past the wolves, obviously familiar with them, running hands along fur before doing similar with Davin, touching his arm as they came to the front of the truck.

“Wow, that’s shit, Davin,” one of the women said. “Let’s get this tire changed.”

“Thank you, Rachael. Everyone, this is Hannah. Hannah”—he pointed at each person—“Rachael, Jamie, and Maggie.”

“Hi.”

They all acknowledged me, friendly enough but a touch wary. I swear I recognized at least one of them from the grocery store. Nimbus jumped from the seat to the foot well and, before I could stop him, onto the ground. I was still somewhat surrounded by wolves and couldn’t grab him. He trotted calmly to my side, pausing to sniff noses with the two wolves.

My heart was in my throat, however neither wolf acted aggressive at all. Their heads were bigger than my puppy, but they treated him gently.

I had a lot of things to ask Davin tomorrow.

The newcomers had the tire changed in no time, hopped back into their own vehicle after again brushing their hands against Davin and the two wolves, and left. The wolves also left, and I wondered if I’d meet them again.

“Wow, that was efficient roadside service,” I said.

Davin chuckled. “Yes. Let’s get you something to eat.”

I bent over and scooped Nimbus up, then climbed into the truck.

Davin went around to his side, opened the door, and leaned his seatback forward, grabbing a small bag from behind his seat. “I should probably put on a clean shirt.”

“Are you sure you’re okay? That looked nasty.”

“I’m fine, Hannah. Just a scratch.” He turned his back as he took off his shirt, but holy hell the view… I couldn’t help staring at all that defined muscle he briefly exposed.

Fuck me, I thought and hoped I didn’t say it out loud. He seemed to have uncommonly good hearing.

As soon as he was dressed again, he climbed into the truck and fired it up.

I had myself under control by the time he pulled back onto the road.

“So, things like that happen often around here?”

“No.” Davin sounded troubled. “Beechworth is a pretty quiet town, believe it or not.”

“I’ve seen that creature before. Once over by my apartment.”

“Are you sure it’s the same one?” Davin glanced at me with a frown. “There’s a friendly one in the area.”

“Really?” I blurted. “Of course, there is.” I sighed.

“Hannah, if you want to stay in the area, you’ll have to get used to the strangeness. Oh, and you’ll have to agree not to tell anything to Bridger. He’s an outsider.”

“Bridger? Wait, are you telling me he actually knows what’s going on here?”

Davin laughed as he pulled into a parking lot. The scent of hamburgers made my stomach growl, and Nimbus perked up from where he lay on the truck bench next to me.

“No, Bridger has no idea what really goes on here, and it needs to stay that way.”

“Are you telling me I’m going to know? And why do I get to be an insider when I’ve only been here a few days and he’s been here much longer?”

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