Page 43 of Winning the Wolf

“I’m not going to do that.” Pressing myself against the side of the house, I listened for any sign of movement at the front of the house.

If I had to go and get Dinky, I would take my car. I just had to make sure that no one was on guard. We had high security at the headquarters, but we were still allowed to come and go as we pleased. If I could at least get a head start, I would make it to Dinky before Killick woke up.

“Fine, I’ll kill your friend.” Jeremy’s tone was dismissive, almost bored. “I don’t have time to waste. The mating bonds final is coming up and I need to be alpha before then. By–”

“Wait!” I snapped, sneaking a look around the corner.

There was no one by the parked cars. Good. The cameras would catch me leaving, but my DNA would be sensed, hopefully leaving me free to make my escape.

“Will you bring him?” Jeremy’s smarmy voice was hitched, excited.

Ew, he liked what he was doing to us all. The bastard would pay for his treachery, to both Nyla and Killick… and now Dinky.

“Yes,” I said, keeping my breathing even as I waited, “I’ll go and get Killick now.”

“Come alone, just the two of you.”

He hung up, clearly confident in his decision to trust me. It didn’t take much to persuade me to go and get Dinky, but if he thought I was going to drag Killick along, he was a stupid man.

Making sure it was still clear, I crossed my arms over my chest and stayed by the shadows, avoiding the crunch of gravel on the drive. I didn’t want anyone to question why I was leaving before I’d had a chance to go. It was risky behaviour, and quite frankly, I had no bloody idea what I was doing.

My breathing was loud in the silence as I skipped to my car and flicked out the keys from my phone case. Wrenching open the door, I smiled briefly, pleased that the old heap had no internal light.

“Don’t worry, Dinky,” I proclaimed, starting the engine, “I’m coming to get you.”

*

The puff of white steam left my lips as I sniffed the air, trying hard not to pant loudly. A badger scurried past, rushing back into the undergrowth as I took several steps towards the hut, my paws silent on the dirty ground.

I'd followed the coordinates on my phone, driving to a nearby field before having to abandon my car to continue on foot. Well, paws technically. I hadn't wanted to waste time and I was stronger in wolf form.

Alarm bells rung in my mind as I trod through the trees and came into the clearing in front of the hut. There was no sign of life, no Jeremy waiting to greet me. There wasn't even a strong scent of Dinky. In fact, the scent of her was so faint, it might not have existed at all.

What was Jeremy playing at? Had I just walked into a trap?

Hovering by the edge of the clearing, I held my breath and listened. The early morning sounds of the awakening woods came back to me. Rustling of leaves, hooting of owls and the branches of trees swinging ever so slightly. No sounds of human or dog-like breathing. There were no strong scents, except for remnants coming from the hut. I could still smell Nyla's scent of lavender and Miranda's blood.

Maybe there was a clue inside the hut.

Treading carefully, I made my way across to the door. My insides quaked as I approached, feeling like a complete fool for risking a look. Jeremy was a nasty bastard, maybe he was hiding further away, waiting patiently. He wouldn't have expected me to drive up, it was too risky. I had saved at least half an hour, so I was earlier than he expected.

Nudging the door with my nose, I sniffed as I entered the hut. The darkness consumed the inside, making the empty space seem bigger than before.

A pull of sadness tugged my chest as I avoided the corner where I scented Miranda's blood. Everything was such a mess.

The snap of a twig outside made me go back to the door. Using my paw, I dragged the door open, halting when Killick's wolf frame bounded across the clearing. I had to stand back as he barraged into the hut, almost knocking the door off its hinges.

His smell wafted up my nose, making the hairs on the back of my neck lift. The sound of his snarl echoed as he searched the hut. When his gaze landed on me, the pupils in his eyes flared. He was angry.

Coming closer, he raised his paw in warning. I backed away, yelping despite his non-physical touch. He had berated me, showing me that he was alpha.

My breath came heavy as he pushed his head forward and started to shift back into his human.

His long limbs and naked arse stretched out on the floor, drawing my gaze. He really was a fine specimen of a man and even though it was totally the inappropriate time, I admired his physique as he stood, his mere presence demanding that I follow his lead.

Closing my eyes, I forced my bones to break and shift, finding my human form again. Once the fur retreated into my skin, I flipped my purple hair out of my face and got to my feet.

"It's dangerous being in here, we need to leave."

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