Page 11 of Wolf Forgotten

I didn’t know what I was up against. At first, I thought he was just a man that had a superiority complex. Now, I was getting the vibes that he might be dangerous.

“You know what? Here.” I reached in my pocket and pulled out four of the five hundred-dollar bills he had given me. “Who the hell knows where this came from or if it's even real.” I threw the money across the desk, half of it landing on the floor.

Someone needed to invent money that was easier to throw in anger; fluttering bills did not have the affect I intended.

“Thanks, I’ll use this Wednesday at Morrow’s.” He quickly gathered the bills and left before I could speak.

After the door closed, I let out a frustrated grumble. Whoever had invited him to Morrow’s for my birthday was now on my shit list.

Chapter Six

Ivy

Wednesday night, I stood in front of my closet staring at my clothes. Nothing was really calling to me. I had been in a foul mood all week and just wanted to curl up on my couch with a container of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. Maybe I was PMSing.

Around mid-afternoon on Monday, I had ventured into Barbara’s office to sniff out why she hadn’t been by to see me. There was no mention of wolves, guns, or any damage to the helicopter. In fact, she said that Cole had told her I was the most professional and pleasant colleague he’d ever had. What the hell was his game?

When I had been sure no one would see me, I had snuck out to the helicopter hangar and examined the door. There wasn’t even a scratch on it. I was either losing my mind or something fishy was going on.

My phone buzzed, snapping me out of my thoughts.

Jessica:Pick you up in thirty?

I had been staring into my closet longer than I had thought. I shot a quick reply before settling on a pair of faux leather, high-waisted pants and a purple shimmering top. The combo accentuated my waist and arm muscles. I quickly put on my favorite pair of strappy heels before going into the bathroom to do my eye makeup.

The only thing I had been blessed with from my biological parents was clear and smooth skin. I liked my red hair, but the Ariel comments and the question about the carpet matching the drapes had worn out their welcome.

I did a quick smokey eye, making my gray eyes pop, and brushed my hair out from my ponytail, letting it fan around my shoulders. The past few days it had looked more voluminous than usual.

I went down to the kitchen and took a quick swig from my tequila bottle. I was having enough issues getting myself out the door, might as well have a little help. Even if it had almost no effect on me, I liked to think it did.

My phone rang, and I picked it up while making my way to the door, grabbing my leather jacket. I would freeze a bit, but sometimes one must suffer to look hot on their birthday.

I was trying to forget that there was a real possibility that Cole had been invited. I hadn’t asked Reid if he had because I'd been too angry.

“We’re here, bitch! Get your ass outside!” I held my phone away from my ear as Jessica’s loud voice assaulted my ear, along with loud music in the background.

I hung up on her, turned my porch light on, and locked the door behind me. I jumped in the backseat of Reid’s SUV and laughed as Jessica handed me a flask. “Let’s make this a night to remember and utilize our vacation day tomorrow to nurse our hangovers.”

"Sounds like a plan to me." I had taken the two days left in the week off. I took a gulp from the flask, and my face scrunched in distaste. Jessica skimped when it came to spending money on alcohol. It was like she had no taste buds. “Ack! Reid, we really need to have an intervention for this girl.”

Reid threw his head back and laughed, and headed toward Morrow’s. It was our favorite bar that never disappointed in booze or liveliness. It also helped that they allowed drunken patrons to leave their vehicles in the lot overnight.

As we rolled into the parking lot, gravel crunching under the tires, my stomach suddenly knotted with nerves. I wasn’t going to be happy if Cole showed up. He had taken up permanent residence under my skin.

“I hope you don’t mind that I invited Cole. It will be nice to not play the third wheel to you two,” Reid said as we exited the vehicle.

My worst fears were realized, and I stopped abruptly, staring after Jessica and Reid as they walked hand in hand toward the bar. I wanted to enjoy myself, not listen to another lecture about wolf etiquette.

Who did he think he was, the wolf whisperer? The encounter out in the field had been a one-time occurrence, and I'd probably never see a wolfthatclose again unless it was in a zoo. The thought of a wolf being in a zoo made me nauseous, and I shivered.

Just as I was about to pull open the Uber app on my phone and order a ride, the devil himself approached from the front of the building, looking like a delicious specimen of man. Cole and Reid did some elaborate handshake that men like to do, before all three sets of eyes turned in my direction. I was still standing in the middle of the parking lot, thumb poised over the app that would lead me to a warm bed and a pint of ice cream.

“Are you coming?” Jessica gave me a weird look. I couldn’t blame her. I just hoped my face wasn’t showing my true emotions in the faint overhead lights.

“Yeah, sorry, rock in my shoe.” I casually bent my leg up and acted like I was picking a rock from between my toes.

With a sigh and a deep breath, I joined them, and Cole gave me a head nod before walking with Reid in front of us. He had even dressed up in dark wash jeans and a button-up shirt. He looked amazing, and that made me dislike him even more.

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