Page 7 of Riding with the Rejected Wolf

“You too.”

I take a bite of my sandwich, chewing slowly as I watch him through the diner window when he leaves. Silas moves with a confident stride, like he owns every inch of ground his boots touch. There's something about him that feels... solid. Familiar, even.

Finishing off my meal, I down the last of my coffee, then head to the general store to gather my supplies. They weigh down my bag, but as I make my way back up to the cabin, my steps feel lighter. I don’t know if it was the meal or the fact I’m so far off the beaten path that it actually feels like I can relax for once, but for the first time in a while, I feel like maybe, just maybe, I’m going to be OK.

SILAS

Not the Only Beast in the Woods

Ikeep my distance over the next twenty-four hours, but I keep an eye on Mary—hell, Mika. She's good at keeping low, moving through the forest off the beaten track to reduce her chances of being followed. But I've been doing this for too long to be fooled. Plus, I have the ability to follow her through scent alone. I could find her with my eyes closed.

Adjusting my pack on my back, I move from tree to tree, keeping a respectful distance. This would be a hell of a lot easier if I could transform into my wolf instead of posing as a hiker. But he’s too restless, too eager to get closer, so I need to keep him in check. Even though he’s a part of me, there are times when our instincts clash.

I watch her as she crouches by a bush, carefully picking wild berries and placing them in a small basket. I can't help but admire the way she moves—deliberate, cautious, like she's always thinking two steps ahead. It's a trait I respect. But it's also a damned shame she's had to learn it that way.

The wind shifts slightly, carrying her scent more directly to me. My wolf stirs restlessly, clawing at the surface of my consciousness. I take a deep breath and force him back. Easy there, big guy. We’ve got a job to do, not a date to plan.

I step on a particularly loud twig and Mika’s head snaps up. She's got that sharp look in her eyes again, scanning the surroundings like she expects a monster to jump out at any moment. Can't blame her. We all got our demons, and there quite literally is a monster following her around—me.

That’s when I see it—a massive shadow moving in the trees behind her. Fuck. It’s a bear, and it's none too friendly-looking either.

The beast lumbers closer, sniffing the air as if it’s caught wind of something interesting. Mika’s still got her back to it, her senses not yet tuned to the danger creeping up on her. Dropping my pack, my instincts roar to life, and I’m moving before my brain fully wraps around the situation.

My wolf side lurches to the surface as I place myself between Mika and the bear. My teeth bared and eyes flashing as my wolf growls out a warning low in my throat. Immediately, the bear stops its advance, focusing on me instead. It tosses its head back and lets out a deep, menacing roar. Don’t make me fully wolf out, pal.

"Silas?" Mika’s voice is a whisper behind me, filled with confusion and fear. I keep my back to her, not wanting her to see the half-transformed state I'm in. My muscles are bulging, skin itching for the full shift, but I force myself to stay mostly human.

"Stay back," I grunt, every syllable a struggle to keep control.

The bear takes another step forward, and I can feel its hunger, so I crouch lower, raising my hands in a gesture that's part human warning, part wolf threat. The bear seems to finally understand that it’d be on the losing end of this battle and drops to all fours, turning with a growled complaint before it lumbers away into the woods. I push my wolf back down immediately.

I turn toward Mika, wiping the sweat off my brow. Her eyes are wide, darting between me and the path the bear disappeared down.

“What the hell was that?” she asks, her voice shaky.

“Just a friendly neighbor saying hello,” I quip, trying to lighten the mood despite the adrenaline still thrumming in my veins.

"Friendly? That thing looked like it wanted to have us for lunch!"

"Well, it changed its mind," I say with a wink, picking up my pack and slinging over my shoulder. “Lucky I was hiking through the area.”

“I suppose you’re right.” She looks at me with wide eyes, clearly shaken but grateful. "Thank you for doing that. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn’t stepped in."

"It’s no problem," I say, my voice steady. "But you seem pretty shaken up. Are you fine to get wherever you’re heading, or would you like me to walk you?”

“I’m fine. Thanks.”

Mika’s voice doesn’t quite match the way she’s clutching her basket like it's a lifeline. I can see the tremor in her hands, and it makes my gut twist. She’s not fine, but I get it—pride is a stubborn beast.

“All right,” I reply, keeping my tone casual. “I’ll be on my way then.”

I start to walk away, my boots crunching against the forest floor, but her voice pulls me back.

“Wait,” she calls out, her voice stronger now. I turn to see her looking up at the sky then back to me. “It looks like the weather is turning. The least I can do is offer you shelter to wait it out.”

I glance up at the sky, and as if on cue, the first drops of rain begin to fall.

"Well, that's a decent offer," I say, squinting as rain droplets hit my face. "Got a thing for playing host to strangers who save your hide from bears?"

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