Page 9 of Wolf's Whisper

"I'll be around, Janelle. Anytime you need me," I tell her, my voice low and earnest. "You're not in this alone."

She nods, her expression softening. "I believe you," she replies, and there’s a weight to her words that suggests they are more than just a polite response.

As I push off the counter to leave, Janelle walks me to the door. Her hand brushes against mine briefly as she hands memy helmet. The touch is electric and fleeting but charges with an unspoken connection.

"Stay safe out there," she smiles, concern lacing her tone.

"I will. You do the same," I reply, securing my helmet. I pause, looking back at her from the doorstep. "And remember, call me, day or night, if anything feels off. There will also be guys doing rotation day and night, so try not to worry."

Her nod is firm, a small smile touching her lips. "I will, Wolf. Thank you."

With that, I climb onto my bike, the engine roaring beneath me. As I pull away from Janelle’s house, I can't shake the feeling that everything will change. Not just for Janelle and her kids but for me, too.

Chapter Seven

Janelle

It’s late when I finally manage to get the kids to bed. Abel, always the protector, asking me a dozen questions about the security around the house. Dillion, who is less concerned with the details, simply wanted to know if Wolf would be stopping by often. Chloe, too young to understand the full gravity of thesituation, has been content with a simple assurance that "Wolf is watching over us."

Alone in the quiet of my kitchen, I replay my earlier conversation with Wolf. Her presence brings a mix sense of relief and anxiety. Relief because I know her capabilities and trust her implicitly, anxiety from the looming threat that make such protection necessary. And then there is something else, a fluttering in my chest whenever she looks at me a certain way. A feeling that’s so foreign to me but welcomed.

I pour myself a glass of wine and sit at the kitchen table, my mind wandering back to when I first met Wolf. She has come into my life during a time of turmoil, wearing her strength-like armor but carrying a gentleness in her eyes that contradicts her tough exterior. This complexity draws me to her, the silent understanding that she has faced her share of battles. The phone on the counter buzzes, snapping me out of my reverie. It’s a text.

WOLF: Everything is quiet outside. Settle in and try to get some rest. I'll be around if you need anything.

I smile, my fingers hovering over the keyboard as I type out a quick response.

ME: Thank you, Wolf. Goodnight, and stay safe.

I place the phone down and stare out the window into the neighborhood's darkness. It’s a clear night, the crescent moon in the pitch-black sky. It’s the kind of night that’s perfect for sitting on the porch and listening to the quiet of the world settling down if circumstances were different.

Instead, I wish that Wolf could be here, not just as a guardian but as someone to share the silence with. The warmth in her words through that simple text message feels like a small beacon in the dark, comforting yet highlighting how much I want her close.

The wine swirls in my glass as I take another sip, letting the rich flavor settle my nerves. I glanced at the clock; it was getting late, but sleep felt distant. My mind is too wired, filled with what-ifs and plans for keeping my family safe.

A soft noise from upstairs catches my attention, and I stand up quickly, heart pounding with a mix of fear and readiness. But then I hear a small giggle; Chloe probably snuck out of bed again, looking for one last adventure before sleep claims her. I shake my head with a soft chuckle and make my way upstairs.

As I tiptoe into Chloe’s room, I find her sitting in bed, clutching her teddy bear and grinning sheepishly. "Mommy can't sleep," she whispers, her small voice filled with mischief and innocence.

I smile, moving to sit beside her on the bed. "It’s late, sweetie. You need your rest," I whisper back, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she leans into my body.

Standing, I help her in bed, and as I get her tucked in, smoothing back her hair, Chloe looks up at me with sleepy eyes. "Will Wolf keep the bad dreams away, too?" she whispers.

I smiled, brushing a kiss on her forehead. "Yes, baby, Wolf will also keep the bad dreams away."

Back downstairs, I settle on the couch with my wine, thinking about how much my life has changed. From thinking my soon-to-be ex-husband is one thing and turns out he is something else to meeting the Wild Jesters, especially Wolf. Pausing for a moment, not only have my physical surroundings changed, but my emotions are also in turmoil. Am I developing feelings for Wolf? It’s a question that keep nudging me, persistent andunnerving. She’s strong and protective, yes, but also surprisingly gentle, the exact opposite of everything I've known before.

The house is quiet now, with only the occasional creaks and whispers of a settling building. I wrap a blanket around myself, feeling oddly exposed despite being alone. It’s funny how the mind plays tricks on you at night; every shadow seems to hold a threat.

I must have dozed off because the next thing I know, there’s a gentle knocking on the front door. Startled, I glance at the clock; it’s past midnight. Heart racing, I grab the baseball bat I keep by the couch and creep toward the door. I pray quickly before peeking through the peephole, my breath caught in relief. It was Wolf, standing there with a small but reassuring smile.

I open the door, trying to appear composed despite the adrenaline coursing. "Wolf, is everything okay?"

She shrugs, eyes scanning the quiet street behind her before returning to meet mine. "Couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Wanted to make sure everything was okay here."

I let out a nervous laugh, feeling both grateful and slightly embarrassed by my anxiety. "I must look like a mess."

Wolf steps inside, her presence filling the small entryway. "You look just fine, Janelle. Better safe than sorry, right?"

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