Page 66 of The Doctor's Wolf: Part Two
Gordon stopped as if he’d heard the thought, giving Adler a sense of relief.Pride too, because if he was being honest, Gordonexistingmade Adler proud these days.
Moments passed, and the small noises of Maxim’s tool charming the lock made Adler fear they’d be discovered, would have to fight, but then he heard the metallic click of the tumblers, and the door cracked open.
Adler wanted to see who was inside, but he looked at the ground instead, no matter how ridiculous that made him feel.Maxim beckoned for them to follow and silently stepped inside ahead of them.He was a ghost in black the way he moved, just a blond shadow with knives in his hands.
The door opened to a wide, tidy hallway with art on the walls that looked too modern for an old lady’s taste.The walls were white, and everything seemed bright.The only thing that clashed with that was the scent of blood that still hung in Adler’s nose.
There were doors to the left and right, and Maxim, now ahead of them, had walked past an archway that looked like it opened to a wider space, living or dining maybe.
As Maxim continued on, the door to Adler’s left opened, and all of a sudden, he found himself looking into the face of a handsome, fair-skinned man with dark curls.From his scent, he was a wolf, and instead of showing aggression or screaming, he smiled at them, not appearing to notice Maxim behind him.
“Good morning.”He was wiping his hand with a towel.Adler smelled something chemical though he couldn’t place it.
“The door was open, and I smelled blood,” Adler said.“Did you hurt yourself?”
He’s going to know we broke in here, but we have to buy Maxim time.And I can take this one.I can keep my mate safe from one wolf, no problem.
Maxim, his black form moving onward in the corner of Adler’s eyes, seemed to think the same thing.
The strange werewolf smiled at him.It was the oddest expression, his face, while handsome, appearing vacant.
“You have a good nose.I was developing my photos in there.It’s my dark room, kind of old school, I know.My scissors slipped.It happens.You smelled that from all the way at the other side of the door huh?”
Oh, shit.
Something about the guy made Adler’s skin turn into goose bumps.Maybe it was the tiny, almost unnoticeable note of disdain in his voice or maybe it was the way he stood, something about his body language just off for a wolf.Then again, maybe it was just that there was not a single cut or nick on his hands.
Faintly, Adler heard the sound of movement from further back in the apartment, a door being opened, footsteps, shuffling.And he picked up another scent.His eyes widening.
Then the handsome wolf cocked his head, and Adler realized Gordon had moved.The strange wolf was looking right at him.
“Ah.You with the blue hair.It’s really pretty.I wanted to tell you, but he said I couldn’t, not yet.”
The words made Adler run hot and cold all at once.He had no time to react.
The wolf in front of himshifted.Without the full moon.
“Irregular day shifter,” Adler hissed and took a step back so he could push Gordon away from the teeth and claws that were breaking free from human skin and clothing with a vicious snarl.
The wolf was gray, darker on his back, lighter under and around his belly and paws.He was large, showing his teeth.
If his body language had been off in human form, this was clear as fresh spring water.
Last night, Adler could have taken him, but as he was, it would be tough.
“Fuck,” Gordon said, and the wolf jumped at them.
Chapter 36
Gordoncouldn’tcomprehendwhathe was seeing.He froze when the werewolf broke his human form, turned wild and snarling, predatory gaze focused on him.
Adler, his body the shield Gordon didn’t want to use, stepped back into a ready stance, thereby pushing Gordon onto the landing.And then, instead of the absolute worst—of the werewolf burying his violent teeth in any part of Adler, things got weirder.
I WILL PROTECT YOU.
Adler’s single thought was clear as an orator’s finest address to a room full of a spellbound audience.To Gordon, it almost came with a physical force, another push to get him out of the way.He stumbled back another step, but then something even stranger happened.
Adler, one day after the full moon, broke his human skin and turned, right in front of Gordon’s eyes.
