Page 6 of A Wolf's Wound
Now.
The voice of the wolf, a dark rush of disjointedness and urgency, echoes around my mind.I can barely think beyond the need to find the source of my restlessness as I burst into the foyer of the apartment building.
Danger.
Up the stairs.
Second floor.
I follow the wolf, who guides me quickly up the staircase.
Danger!
I burst through the first doorway, the wood panel normally protecting the apartment barely clinging to its hinges with bits of debris scattered everywhere.My human sight has left me wholly.Instead, I see in tones of wolf, my pupils dilating and contracting, turning yellow as my beast takes control.My sharpened vision picks out the individual dust particles in the air and the scuffs on the floor that point to a sign of struggle.
My sense of smell has only increased, and now the sour scent of a man and sweat make my wolf’s teeth snap into place.It’s almost as if I can trace the scent of violence through the apartment as I stalk forward.
Danger.Hurry,the wolf whispers.It bares its teeth, ready to pounce.
Without hesitation, I leap into the room.
Chapter 3
Ryder
Mywolfgrowls,andI let the threatening sound rip free of my chest to fill the air as my skin prickles with emerging fur.The need to attack nearly overwhelms me, and I immediately spot why.
A woman is lying on the floor, a man bent over her battered form as his fist swings back and aims to collide with her face.
“Stop squirming!”His other hand is pressed over her mouth, attempting to block out the sounds as she whimpers with fear and pain.She twists away and kicks at him, deftly trying to claw at him in an attempt to escape, and my growl has given her an advantage.The man turns toward me, and I recognize him in an instant.
Danger.Save.Her.
My wolf is insistent, and I don’t waste any more time.In two long strides, I’m on the attacker—a councilman and one of my brother’s wolves.I lift him by the collar, yanking him away from the coughing, sputtering woman on the floor.
“Do not touch her.”My voice no longer sounds human, more wolf than man.
He struggles against my grip, spitting and swearing as I pull him away, and it only fuels my violence even more.
Enough!The wolf gives one sharp bark.And I agree with it.
I punch the councilman, halting his assaults, but it’s not enough violence for me.I punch him again and again until his body crumples into unconsciousness.Threat eliminated, I drag him to the front door and throw his body onto the concrete walkway.
The apartment is silent now and my wolf has receded.There’s no more screaming or crying to fill the air.The only sound is my harsh breathing as I struggle to find calm.
What the hell is going on?The councilman is an honorable man.What did this woman do to provoke him?
I leave the councilman and move to help the woman, holding out my hand, when she turns her attention to me.Her gaze connects with mine, and I see her for the first time.
Her face is framed with long, thick light brown hair.Hair the color of honey.Her eyes are a sharp, liquid green.Slightly arrogant intelligence and disdain burns in them.Her face is heart shaped and soft, and her nose is upturned at the end.Her mouth is small, but full.
And I could look at her forever.
She avoids my touch, and I step away from her as she gets up and brushes splinters of wood off her clothing.My mind is stunned as I watch the way she moves.
A thought echoes in my mind.Fate brings you together.Be patient.
I had been feeling her, I realize.In the restaurant, the urgency and uneasiness had been her.She had pulled me here.She demanded that I save her life.
