Page 5 of Rescued

Something sharp and ugly twists in my chest.Jealousy.

The realization hits me like a slap, and I bite down on the wave of frustration rising in my throat.What the hell is wrong with me?I’m acting like a jealous lover, not someone trying to help a wounded animal. I force myself to look away, focusing instead on the wolf’s breathing.

Todd jogs toward us then, breaking the tension. He waves frantically, his face drawn tight with tension, as his eyes dart from us to the road.

“Y’all need to hurry it up,” Todd says, his voice low but urgent as he steps closer. He glances toward the road, his unease radiating off him in waves. “Kaufman radioed to check on what’s taking so long, and he sounded suspicious. I wouldn’t put it past the fucker to come screaming down the drive any minute.”

His gaze shifts to the wolf for a moment before flicking to Adam. “Think he’s going to be okay?”

Todd’s question lingers in the air, but I catch the way his eyes drift over Adam as he speaks. He’s not just worried about the wolf—he’s watching the vet with an intensity that tells me everything I need to know. I’ve suspected for a while now that Todd has a…thing for Adam. The stolen glances, the way he talks about him with a little too much admiration—it all adds up.

Adam, of course, doesn’t seem to notice. He’s focused entirely on the wolf, his broad shoulders hunched as he checks the animal’s position one last time. Todd’s gaze lingers a beat too long before snapping back to the road, his cheeks flushed as if he knows I’ve caught him staring.

I bite back a sigh as Adam and I move to lift the wolf. The animal doesn’t stir much, just a soft whimper as we cradle him between us. He’s heavier than he looks, but the weight isn’t what makes the situation difficult. It’s Todd, standing there like a coiled spring, tension rolling off him in waves.

If there was any clue—any hint—that Adam might feel the same way about Todd, I wouldn’t worry so much about my friend’s situation. But Adam’s a mystery. I’ve never seen him with a woman, but I’ve never seen him with a man either. He’s a private guy, one who keeps his personal life locked down tight. Todd, on the other hand, has been hiding in plain sight for as long as I’ve known him.

It’s not hard to figure out why. Todd’s family is as old-school as they come, and in a town like Shasta, being openly gay isn’t just frowned upon—it’s dangerous. Sheriff Kaufman would find a reason to fire him in a heartbeat if he ever suspected, and Todd knows it.

Hell, I’ve tried to bring it up before, to let him know I’m here if he wants to talk, but Todd shuts it down every time. Still, I know. And Todd knows I know.

“Let’s move,” I say, adjusting my grip as Adam and I carry the wolf toward the truck. Todd jogs ahead, pulling open the door to the crew cab and holding it wide.

The wolf whimpers faintly as we slide him onto the blanket in the back seat. Adam murmurs something under his breath, soothing and steady, as he arranges the animal as gently as possible.

Todd stares at the road again, his jaw clamped shut. He’s spooked, and I don’t blame him.

“Let’s go!” His barked order is sharper than usual, cutting through the tension like a whip.

Adam and I exchange a quick glance before sprinting to our respective vehicles. I slide into the driver’s seat of my truck, my heart thudding as I rev up the engine. Adam’s headlights flash behind me as he pulls out, following close.

I make a U-turn and press down on the gas, the truck’s tires kicking up a cloud of dust as we head back toward my place. The wolf shifts slightly in the back seat, letting out a soft whine, and I glance at him in the rearview mirror.

“We’re going to get you home,” I murmur. “Just hang on.”

Todd’s warning rings in my ears as I drive. Kaufman won’t need much of an excuse to cause trouble if he catches wind of what’s going on. For now, though, the road ahead is clear.

So far, so good.

All we have to do is make it back to my place without running into that bastard.

Gabe

Back in the washroom, I check the IV Adam set up for the wolf before he left, his detailed instructions still fresh in my mind. I glance at the animal lying on the blanket, his chest rising and falling in shallow but steady breaths. The stark black fur glints under the dim light, dense and sooty, a contrast to the white towel edges beneath him.

He needs a name.

All the dogs I rescue get names. Calling him ’the wolf‘ feels impersonal, and something about this one demands more. He’s not just another rescue—there’s a gravity to him, something I can’t quite put my finger on.

I crouch beside him, one knee on the ground, and tilt my head as I study his features. His eyes remain closed, but the wolf isn’t entirely still. His ears twitch slightly, a soft movement that tells me he’s aware of my presence.

“Okay, buddy,” I say, my voice soft. “We’re going to have to come up with a name for you.”

One of his eyes cracks open, the rich brown of his gaze locking onto mine. There’s something too human in that look—too understanding. It’s like he’s waiting, like he already knows we’re connected somehow.

I grin, a sense of camaraderie bubbling up unexpectedly. “You’ve got a lot going on in that head of yours, don’t you?”

The wolf lifts his head slightly, his tongue darting out to lick my hand. The rasp is rough, but it makes me chuckle. “Okay, okay I’ll take that as a vote of approval.”

---