Page 76 of Wolf

The sun is just starting its slow descent in the sky and I’m so damn tired of the woods. My bones hurt. I don’t have a plan beyond survival and with a broken sob, I slide to my bottom and close my eyes.

What’s going on? Why would the sheriff come after me?

Would that man have killed me? He was MC. Is he one of Wolf’s brothers or whatever?

I thought I could trust Wolf but how do I explain the man wearing a similar vest and with a gun pursuing me through the woods?

Stifling a sob, I lean over my knees and shake my head. No. Wolf wouldn’t do this.

After a while, the sounds of the forest rouse me and I look up. Luckily, the moon is bright overhead because otherwise, it would be pitch black amongst the tall fir trees. Something howls to my right and the rustling sound of a critter in the trees comes again from my left.

Beyond that it must be late, although I don’t know what time it is. I’m wearing nothing but a T-shirt without even underwear.

I have no money. No nothing. I barely know Wolf and going back to my parents is a hard no. I have no way of contacting my sister, which could be foolish anyway. I’m stuck.

My feet throb from my trek and as I ponder my miserable life, I vow to move to a place surrounded by buildings and concrete. I never want to be in a position where I have to flee into the damn woods again.

What felt like hours before goes by pathetically quickly and all too soon, I find myself back at the cabin. My skin crawls and I glance around. What if the sheriff and that man are still here?

Maybe it’s foolish but while I sat there alone and weary amongst the trees, I concluded that I have to put my faith in someone, and I choose Wolf.

Besides, the sheriff said he had a man on the inside. Wolf wouldn’t do something like this, but the sheriff would.

Warily, I scan the area before following the tree line around the house and to the front drive. There’s one lone bike in front, and I pause when I spy someone sitting on the steps.

Cautiously, I approach, my heart jumping into my throat when Wolf lifts his head. His eyes are glacial as he looks me over, from my braless t-shirt-clad chest, down my legs, and ending at my bare feet.

When he reaches my gaze once more, he says, “Where were you?”

Tears fill my eyes, and I race into his arms, snuggling against his warm chest as he picks me up and carries me inside.

When I glance around nothing is out of place. It’s like it never happened and I shiver as he sits down on the sofa.

“What happened, baby girl?” he says, and I raise my gaze.

His gray eyes meet mine and collapsing against him, I start babbling. “The sheriff. Some guy. They came. He shot a gun at me.”

“Okay, slow down,” he says, grabbing my cheeks. Although his eyes are storm clouds of icy gray, his voice is soft when he says, “The sheriff came here?”

When I nod, his eyes narrow. “What were you doing out there?”

“I lost him in the woods.”

If possible, he stiffens up even more before saying, “He chased you through the woods?”

Shuddering at his deadly soft tone, I nod.

“The dead man walking who threatened what’s mine?” he rasps, and I whip my eyes up.

There must be a sickness inside me because my core pulses at his words. Do I want to be his? Yes. But that sounded positively archaic, right?

“Lilli?” he snaps.

“Yes.”

His arms tighten before he closes his eyes. After a moment, he says, “Tell me about the other fucker.”

“I don’t know, he was wearing a similar vest to yours,” I say.

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