Page 50 of Wolf's Chance

“You’re as helpful as a wet paper bag in a storm,” he snapped. “For Luna’s sake, just lie down already and rest. We have a long drive ahead, and I don’t want you to be even sicker through it.”

“Spare me the caring crap. You sold enough of that baloney to Lily!”

He watched me shrewdly. “Ah, I see, that’s why you’re pissed. Your friend didn’t rescue you?”

With hands on hips, I confronted him. “I thought I didn’t need rescued?”

He ignored me. “You think she should have noticed how out of character this was for you and raised an alarm.” Caleb resumed packing. “I admit, I didn’t think she’d buy it either,” he said, patting his pocket where the truck key was with a smirk, “but I guess we were both wrong.” His look was condescending. “Stings a little though, am I right?”

“Fuck you, Caleb.”

I left my bedroom and went into the kitchen, leaving thelight off and running the tap to fill a glass of water. He didn’t follow me, and I was grateful for that. I just needed some space.

He was right. I never expected Lily to swallow his bullcrap, but she ate it up like a starving man. Okay, that was harsh. I took a sip of water. No, that wasn’t harsh. It was true. He flashed her a dimple, those white teeth, and all the package that he was, and she gobbled him up.

I was herbest friend. She’d known me for years. She saw through me like I was transparent, but put Caleb in front of her, and she was thinking with her vagina.

“Wow, that’s super harsh,” I muttered. Movement in the trees caught my attention. I didn’t know what intuition came over me, but I knew not to move.

Golden eyes watched me from the trees. My mouth ran dry as I met the stare of a predator.

Warmth at my back let me know Caleb was behind me. I almost leaned into him, but his hand on my shoulder pinned me in place.

“It’s okay,” he murmured into my ear. “Just a hunter. Don’t let it show you are prey.”

What the actual hell was that supposed to mean?

“Shh,” he warned, his voice in my ear no more than a whisper. “I’ve got you.”

The trees rustled once more, and the eyes were gone.

My body was trembling, and Caleb squeezed my shoulder. “It’s gone.” He moved away from me, and I sagged forward, my heart racing as if I’d just sprinted the hundred meters at the Olympics.

“What was that? A wolf?”

“Maybe a bear,” he said with a shrug. He was already walking back to my bedroom.

“Since when do bears have golden eyes?” I snapped, following him.

“I dunno, Willow. Never seen one up close.”

“You are so full of shit.” His shoulders straightened as I spoke to him, but other than that, he looked unimpressed. “You’re a hiker who’s never come across a bear?”

“Not so unusual. I’ve found that the ones who do, have a scar or, I don’t know, adeathcertificate to show for their encounter!” With arms crossed and that frown on his face, his stance of aggravation was one I was all too familiar with. “People hike, they don’t go looking for bears. If they do, they’re stupid.” His look was cutting. “I’m a lot of things, but stupid isn’t one of them.”

“How did you know it was out there?”

“I didn’t. I came to see if you were okay.” He waved his hand casually over my body. “You tend to faint.”

Bristling even more, I was ready to throw down with the asshole. “I am not weak,” I growled at him.

“I never, at any time, said you were.”

“So, it’s a coincidence? You here and a wolf outside.” I held my hand up. “Don’t insult me by saying bear again.”

He sucked his teeth, looking away briefly. “A coincidence? Yes. What do you think it was? Planned?” Caleb’s sarcasm was scathing, but I wasn’t perturbed.

“You seem very interested in the fact I draw wolves.” Pointing behind me to the window, I carried on. “Thatwas a wolf. Was it the one I drew?”

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