Page 31 of Secret Wolf Baby

Today, I was wandering through a small grocery store, the type that sold niche goodies and treats that you wouldn’t find at a typical supermarket. I slowed along the candy aisle, looking for a treat for Claire. She was adjusting well to the new environment, but I could tell she was still struggling and missing her friends back in Rowen, so I was going out of my way to spoil her until she got used to the new setting.

As I studied some of the options, a shadow loomed over me. I ignored it, assuming it was another patron doing their own shopping. I crouched down to the shelf I was looking at, trying to make myself smaller so the other shifters could grab what they wanted.

“Hey there,” a gruff voice said.

I craned my neck upward to see a broad-shouldered shifter with unkempt stubble looking down at me.

“Sorry,” I said, standing and shuffling back. “I didn’t mean to get in your way.”

“No, no, you’re not in my way,” he said as his eyes looked me up and down. He gave a slow, sleazy smile that I assumed he considered charming. “And I doubt anyone would complain if you were.”

I gave a thin-lipped smile and a sound that might have been a half-laugh. I reached out and grabbed a thing of peanut clusters—one of Claire’s favorites—and began walking down the aisle away from the man.

“Good choice,” I heard him say from right behind me, looming at my right shoulder. “Those are some of my favorites.”

“They’re good,” I said tersely.

“So, are you new around here?” he asked. “Don’t think I’ve seen you before, and I’m pretty sure I’d remember a face as pretty as yours.”

“I’m new,” I said, trying to engage with him only as much as was strictly necessary, hoping he would get the hint. I could sense him looking at me, eyeing me up and down. It made me feel like I needed to take a shower.

“Cool.” He moved until he was right next to me. The aisle was small enough that it would be easy to brush against him if I wasn’t careful. “I’m Hank.”

“Nice to meet you,” I muttered. I wanted to tell him to beat it, but I couldn’t get the words out. All I could do was hope he would finally register that I wasn’t interested.

Apparently, hope wasn’t enough.

“Aren’t you going to tell me your name?” he prodded.

Fuck off, I thought. Instead, the word that came out was, “Audrey.”

“Cute name,” he said. He paused, clearly waiting for me to thank him for a thing I had nothing to do with. When I didn’t give him the response he craved, he pressed on.“Need someone to show you around?” he asked. “There are some pretty cool places around here you probably don’t know about. Bars and things like that. Some of them are pretty exclusive, but I’ve got connections.”

“Good for you,” I said. I had been trying to remain polite, but anger was starting to seep into me. How the hell was he not getting the hint yet?

He moved to stand in front of me so rapidly that I nearly ran into him, only stopping myself inches from him.

“Is that a yes?” he asked.

“I’m good, thank you,” I said. I tried to move around him, but he moved, blocking my path yet again.

“What? You don’t enjoy having fun?” he asked, openly leering at me.

“Apparently not,” I retorted, then weaved around him before he could cut me off again.

At this point, I’d had my fill of town. All I wanted at the moment was to get out of here and go home. I walked up to the register and handed over the groceries.

“Aw, come on.” He materialized next to me, leaning against the counter as I handed my card to the cashier. “Let me show you a good time.”

“No thanks,” I said. “Please just leave me alone.”

His eyes narrowed, and a jolt of anxiety lanced through me as I saw a glint of anger flicker in his gaze.

“I—” he started.

“Hank, she said to leave her alone,” the woman at the register snapped. “Listen to her before I get George to kick you out.”

Hank glowered, first at me, then at her, before slinking outside, muttering something about “stubborn women.”

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