Page 10 of Alpha
Once I got out of the bath, I put some clothes on and then headed downstairs for an early dinner. It was one of the perks of having a chef: I got him to make all my favorite meals.
It was late when I went back upstairs to my room and Gary disappeared into his study. The sun had set already and it was dark outside. I stood by my bedroom window, looking up at the bright stars in the sky, admiring at how beautiful it was.
I inhaled the distinctive smell of fresh rain. I searched for the source and my eyes widened in shock when I saw a huge wolf sitting on the inside of my property by the boundary wall.
It was a massive black wolf—I’d never seen a wolf that big. I even rubbed my eyes and looked again to make sure I wasn’t seeing things. It was completely black and its amber eyes glowed in the darkness as it watched me.
Feeling vulnerable, I shut my window and took a step back.
I had more questions running through my mind. Why on earth did a wolf smell like the group of students at my school? And, why was it so large? I knew it wasn’t possible that a wolf could be that big, but I had seen it with my own eyes. Maybe someone had fed it steroids.
Also, why had it been on my property, watching me? I felt a shiver run down my spine.
It was creepy.
There was no way I was going to tell Gary any of this because he’d make me move and I liked it here.
That night, I fell into a restless sleep and I dreamed about the massive black wolf with the glowing amber eyes that had been watching me.
The wolf chased me through the dark forest. No matter how fast I ran, it was faster. In the next moment, I felt myself fall and I lay face down in the damp grass. Fear spread through me as my heart hammered in my chest. I closed my eyes for a moment and I smelled fresh rain.
Something inside of me that I’d nurtured for years refused to allow me to lie on the ground and tremble in fear. No matter what life threw at me, I wasn’t one to cower from a challenge.
I pushed myself up onto my knees and then I stood up. The smell of fresh rain surrounded me as I struggled to hear any sounds. Slowly I turned to see the wolf watching me with its amber eyes.
The forest was dark, but the streaks of moonlight illuminated the massive wolf in front of me.
My heart pounded in my ears. The fear in me fought against my actions; it made me want to turn and run, but I kept rooted to the spot.
I knew none of my training would help me against this massive animal in front of me. It was the first time I felt vulnerable because I couldn’t defend myself.
The wolf sniffed the air before it took a step forward. Against all my instincts, I remained unmoving with my eyes fixed on the wolf that was slowly approaching me.
It sniffed the air again as it stepped closer. It was only a couple of feet in front of me but I stood my ground, my heart still hammering with fear in my chest.
Slowly it pressed its wet snout into my hand. I held my breath, unsure of what the wolf wanted from me. I opened my hand and the wolf angled its head so my hand rested on its head.
I felt a tingling sensation start up in my hand as I touched the wolf. It was the strangest thing I’d ever felt.
You’ve got to be kidding me! I thought when I realized it wanted me to stroke its head. I gently moved my hand over its fur and it nuzzled my hip.
This made no sense. The wolf didn’t want to hurt me, and suddenly I felt safe even though I’d feared for my life just a few moments ago.
I bent down on one knee and it brought its eyes level with mine. It licked my face and I felt a smile tug at my lips.
“Why are you here?” I asked in a whisper. I knew it was ridiculous that I was talking to a wolf. Don’t ask me how, but I knew without a doubt that it could understand me. If anyone saw me, I had no doubt they would lock me up in the looney bin.
I watched its eyes as they began to change. Slowly, they changed from the amber color to a turquoise-blue color. I’d only seen those eyes once but I would recognize them anywhere.
Cade.
I shot up in my bed, tangled in my bed sheets. My heart hammered in my chest and it felt like it was going to take off.
I rubbed my temple, trying to sort through the remains of my strange dream while I tried to calm my breathing.
There had to be a logical reason why the wolf and Cade were plaguing my subconscious. I’d seen a wolf before I’d gone to bed so that explained why the wolf had followed me into my dreams.
What stumped me was why the wolf’s eyes changed to Cade’s piercing ones. It made no sense. Somehow my first and brief encounter with him had left a bigger impact on me than I’d first thought.
