Page 12 of Cursed Wolf

Dr. Stone called me the very next day to, “Discuss matters of my employment,” as he put it.

My heart pounded a furious drumbeat, and my hands started to sweat so much that I almost dropped the phone. “Of course, Dr. Stone. I’d be happy to answer any questions you have.”

This is it, I thought. I really am getting fired.

“Let’s not do this over the phone, actually,” my boss answered. “Why don’t we meet for a drink at your other job?”

I blinked, confused. “At Buck’s Peak? Are you sure you want to talk there?”

“Why not? Hear what I have to say and everything might work out.”

My heartbeat started to calm while questions raced through my mind. That didn’t sound like I was being fired. This could be a good thing. A recommendation to another clinic, maybe? Could it be that he actually didn’t hold the wolf’s release against me?

“Emmaline? Are you still there?”

“Yes! Sorry, Dr. Stone. Um, sure, we can meet at the restaurant. What time sounds good?” It took all my resolve to not shout, Do I still have a job or not? But that was unprofessional and Dr. Stone was old-school, a man of decorum.

He didn’t strike me as the type to meet with an employee at a restaurant, but that could just be a misread on my part. It was normal for bosses to treat their employees to a meal or drink, right?

We agreed on a time this evening, several hours away. It was a day off for me and I knew I’d go crazy wondering what he wanted to talk about until then. I needed to burn off some energy, calm my nerves.

Five minutes later, I threw on a coat, a beanie, and a pair of hiking boots. It was time to go on a walk.

The great thing about living in a small mountain town was the abundance of nature and walking trails. I set off on the trail next to my apartment, which meandered through dense clusters of trees at times.

It was a bright mid-morning, the air still crisp despite the sunlight. Others were out walking dogs, pushing strollers, or jogging. I stopped to chat with a neighbor of mine walking his Siberian husky.

Petting that dog reminded me of my wolf, even though they were practically night and day different. The husky was maybe half of my wolf’s size, not to mention excitable and dopey to the wolf’s watchful alertness. But it made me wonder if the wolf had reunited with his pack. If he possibly remembered me, even just as that human who opened his cage and let him free.

Again with the projection of human emotions, I chastised myself. Maybe Marcus is right. You have no business being a vet.

I followed the trail until the loop completed, trying to keep the negative thoughts at bay. I was crossing through the last copse of trees before reaching my apartment when I heard it.

A growl.

I whipped around, scanning the trees. A twig cracked and I spun again. Was that a four-legged animal I saw slinking away at the edge of my vision? It was impossible to be sure.

For a moment, I stood frozen, just feet away from my front door. Nothing moved, and I didn’t hear anything else. I thought about going toward the noise to investigate but that was dumb, not to mention dangerous.

But if an animal was injured...

Scoffing at myself, I headed to my apartment. Who was I kidding? My dumbass had actually hoped it was the wolf coming to see me again. Which was so deluded, it was embarrassing. He was a wild animal. Not a lost dog that had grown attached to me.

The sooner I realized that, the better.

Six hours later, I walked through the front doors of Buck’s Peak Bar & Grill, a few minutes early for my meeting with Dr. Stone. My attire was the epitome of business casual, a blazer over a simple blouse, my nicest straight-legged jeans, and ankle boots with a low, chunky heel.

I didn’t want to overdress for a casual setting, but figured I should still look polished and professional if there was any chance of keeping my job.

“Hey, Emmaline,” Joey, the bartender , greeted me. “You’re not working tonight, are you?”

“No, I’m meeting someone.” I slid into the middle stool at the currently-empty bar.

“Ah, hot date?”

“No!” I laughed. “It’s actually with my boss at my vet job. He wanted to talk about work stuff.”

“Alright, I gotcha. Well can I get anything started for ya?”

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