Page 21 of Season of the Wolf

He mumbled something under his breath that I didn’t catch as I rounded the corner. Flipping the switch beside the door, I locked myself in.

… And that’s when the world around me fell away, plunging me into total darkness, all that awaited was emptiness

Emptiness like none I’d ever experienced.

*

Gasping for air, I bolted upright, fighting through a fog of confusion, unsure where I was, how I’d gotten there, how much time had passed.

It was the feel of cold wetness beneath my hands that gave the first hint of being outdoors. Then the tall, surrounding shadows shifted into focus, suddenly becoming white pines and oaks, familiar. A heavy breath puffed from my mouth as I stood, rising from all fours, naked.

There was no doubt in my mind I’d shifted into my wolf, despite not remembering. I blinked, trying to get my bearings.

I spun slowly, but couldn’t make heads or tails of which direction I was facing, where I might have been headed.

Nothing. Just trees, melting snow, and moonlight.

I breathed deep, knowing there was only one way to tap into my body’s internal compass, and that was to shift back into my wolf.

So, I did, grunting and panting until each bone had moved into place and I was on paws instead of hands and feet.

I turned right and sniffed the air. East—the direction of my grandfather’s estate. I aimed my body that way and walked. My steps were sluggish, which meant I’d been running at full-speed for a long time.

Why did this keep happening?

Where was I going?

What did it all mean?

My foot smashed down into a cool puddle of slush and mud just before I heard it—a second set of steps tailing me. I stopped, but didn’t turn, just listened. I heard it again, coming closer now. When I sensed whoever—orwhatever—it was close enough that I might get a good look, I whirled around, scanning the trees for movement.

There, in the shadows … another wolf. Too far away to catch a scent. Whoever it was, they knew to keep their distance.

We were in a stalemate. If I continued on, they’d follow, and would possibly attack me from behind. If I pursued them, it could be perceived as a threat, ending in a fight.

But … before I could decide what to do, this wolf … he or she took a step towardme.

I stiffened, wondering if it was a mistake not to take off running while I still had the chance. But that’s when I caught the scent—female, familiar.

Roz.

As if she, too, just now realized I wasn’t a threat, her steps quickened. When she ducked behind a tree, I paused, confused as to why she hid. It wasn’t clear until her wolf, silhouetted by moonlight, shrank into the form of a woman. The only part of her visible to me was the shadow she cast in the snow.

I stepped closer on instinct, wanting to go to her, but I quickly reminded myself she might not appreciate me prying. For one thing, she hid herself behind the tree for a reason. Still, the inkling to peek was there.

“You good?” she asked, panting after her shift.

There was no way to reply like this, without being human.

She laughed from her hiding spot. “Just … change back. I won’t look. Promise,” she added.

If I’d been able to, I might have smiled—despite having no idea what was going on or how I got here.

The chilled air hit my skin and I immediately missed my fur. Taking a page from Roz’s book, I pressed my back to the opposite side of the tree, halfway sure I could feel her energy pulsing through it.

Or maybe I justwantedto feel it … wanted to be close to her.

“Chris and Lucas called me,” she stated. “They said you took off and they had no clue where you were headed.”

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