Page 1 of Wolf Bound

1

Pruitt

“Good God, are you even helping?” I grunt as I hoist the heavy dresser up another stair step.

“Would you prefer to walk backwards up these stairs? You’re more than welcome to switch positions with me!” Aunt Addison hisses down at me. Her usually sweet voice is harsh and has a bite to it I’m not used to.

“I don’t think moving has been conducive to our relationship.” My arms burn as I struggle to keep my hold on the large piece of wood furniture. “You’ve been very testy, and you seem to be taking it out on me. But let me remind you, moving here wasyouridea, not mine. You were the one who said, and I quote,‘The fresh Montana air will do us some good,’” I mimic in my best Addison voice going up an octave. “But you’ve been a brat the whole time, and you’re not lifting with your legs!Heave woman!”

“Pru, don’t make me laugh,” Addison says with a snicker. I can’t see her face from this angle, but I know she’s biting her lower lip and her brow is pulled together in frustration. “I’ve had an itch on my nose for the last three minutes, and if you don’t think I haven’t thought about letting this thing go and scratching it, you’re wrong. So don’t tempt me!”

With a final push, we’re able to get the dresser to the top landing. Once we have the dresser secure on flat ground, I step back and flop to the ground. “I can’t believe you told those mover guys we didn’t need help lugging the rest of this shit up these stairs.” I push a lock of blonde hair off my sweaty forehead. “What were you thinking?”

“I didn’t want them to think we were weak girls who couldn’t move our own furniture.” Addie leans on the top of the dresser and rests her head on her arm.

It’s only ever been Addie and me. We’ve always been strong-headed and are always reluctant to ask for help, but in this case, we really do need it.

“Addie, weareweak girls who can’t move our own furniture,” I say straight-faced. “It took us a half-hour to get this beast up the steps, and that’s not even the largest piece of furniture we have to move!” Addison looks over the railing to the pile of boxes and belongings we have yet to haul up.

“Yeah, I know.” She groans as she stretches her back. “That’s why I called them an hour ago, and they’re coming back in the morning.”

“So what you’re saying is, I just risked my life moving this damn thing for no reason?” Addie’s lips thin in a stubborn scowl, and she offers no defense because she doesn’t have one. “Well, in that case, I’m going to bed.” I pull myself off the ground and head down the hall, kissing Addison’s cheek as I pass. Her hazel eyes look tired, and her light brown hair is falling from the French braid she had tied it into this morning. I hope she follows my lead and goes to bed.

“Don’t even think about coming and asking me to help you until there are double digits on the clock!” I warn her over my shoulder.

I should be missing San Francisco more than I am. For a place I’ve called home for fourteen years, I’m shocked at how easy it was for me to walk away from it all. I didn’t think twice about agreeing to move with Addison to Montana when she made the decision to leave. At the age of twenty, I had the option of staying in California by myself and continuing to go to the local college there. But Addison is the only family I have ever known, and the idea of being on my own did not sit well with me. So, I packed up my life with Addie a couple of days ago and made the drive to Montana with her.

Addison is originally from Montana, and though all her family is gone now, she felt the need to return to her roots and come home. She bought a farmhouse on a large piece of land and for the past six months, has had it renovated and readied for our arrival. It still has many of its original characteristics, like the exposed wood beams in the ceiling and heavy oak doors. Having lived in a modern condo for most of my life, the rustic feel of my new home is a welcomed change. I am, however, thankful she had every bathroom and the kitchen updated. The old fixtures were antiquated and damaged. And the original wallpaper in my bathroom with the colorful birds on ithadto go.

I close the door to my new room and can’t help but feel happy looking at the amazing little reading nook under my large window. I can already see myself spending hours painting or sketching there. Addison knew that as well, and that’s why she allowed me to have this room. It’s a bit larger than the one she chose for herself, but she said I would get more use out of this space, and I know she’s right.

I pad across the dark hardwood floors to my bathroom and quickly brush my teeth and wash my face. As I braid my long pale-blonde hair, I study myself in the mirror. The same light green eyes stare back at me as always, but something in them has changed. A softness or calmness sits there now. The fast-paced life of living in a big city must have affected me more than I had realized.

I climb into my freshly made bed and snuggle under the white comforter, resigning myself to a rough night since I never sleep well in unfamiliar places. But to my surprise, I fall asleep the second my head hits the pillow.

It’s raining.

No, correction, it’s pouring.

But I don’t feel it hit my skin or soak through my white sleep shirt. Nor do I feel how my hair now hangs around my face like a wet curtain. I don’t shiver when the wind picks up or jump when the thunder cracks above my head so loud I swear it rattles my bones. I should be scared and feeling seconds away from hyperthermia, but all I feel is an unexplainable warmth.

I find comfort in the woods surrounding me, they welcome me like an old friend. I’ve never been here before, but I know this path like the back of my hand.

I skillfully weave between brush, gracefully leaping over fallen trees and rocks as I go. I have a feeling in my gut, it tells me something is waiting for me. And at any second I will come face to face with the source of my calmness.

My heartbeat echoes in my ears as I step into the clearing. The full moon above is the only source of light, its beams creating shadows and dark shapes in the trees. I force my eyes to focus on what’s in front of me, and I gasp when I finally see him.

A wolf.

He stands across the clearing from me, moving like a shadow in the dim light. His dark coat reflects the moonlight, and I can barely make out his silver undercoat.

Somehow, I know it’s a male. I can feel it in my gut. Just like I know, he has golden eyes. I can’t see them from this far away, but I know all the same, and I would bet my life I’m right.

I stare at the wild animal in front of me and notice a gold shimmer shines around his large frame. It’s barely visible, but I can see the shimmering gold light glowing in the moonlight.

There is something familiar about that aura around him, like many of my memories, it’s right under the surface, but I can’t reach it. I know I’ve seen it before, but I can’t place where.

We watch each other for what seems like hours, but I know it has only been mere moments. Neither of us moves, afraid if we do, it will be all over, and I’ll never see him again.

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