Page 17 of No Harm No Howl

After eating, cleaning up from dinner, and going over her notes, Gia had no idea what to do with her spare time. Normally, she’d work well into the evening on projects for her old boss. But since she had just started her new job, there had been nothing to bring home to work on. She flipped through the TV only to shut it right back off when she found nothing that could hold her attention.

We need to go for a run,her wolf whispered in her mind.

“I think you’re right,” she said out loud. She pulled out her phone and texted Kendall to see if she wanted to go with her.

Up for a run?

Now?

Yep. At the park?

I’d love to, but Mason has a concert tonight. I’ll catch up with you tomorrow. Want to hear all about your new job. Xoxo

“I guess it’s just us tonight.”

Gia opened the garage door. The second it opened, she pressed the close button and quickly shifted into her wolf form, running out before the door came down on her ass. Her wolf had been right. The second her paws hit the grass, the stress she had been feeling fled from her body. Her mind cleared, and she finally felt like she could breathe easier.

Looking left and right to make sure there were no cars or pedestrians around, making sure that no one saw her, she shot across the road. Though it was dark, several streetlights illuminated the sidewalks and road. Darting into the dark cover of the pine trees across the street from her house, Gia bounded along a path and over fallen trees.

As she was running toward the river, the sound of twigs breaking behind Gia had her heart racing. She was a few miles away from her house now with no easy way to quickly turn back and avoid whatever was behind her.

Her wolf suddenly stopped dead in her tracks. Her ears twitched, listening to the volley of noises approaching them. Throwing her head back, she let out a lone howl.

What are you doing? We should be running! Not stopping to sniff whatever is chasing us. And certainly not inviting them to come near us! Go! Now!

ELEVEN

RUSS

Russ’s phone dinged, announcing a new message. Glancing at the text, he felt his heart skip a beat and excitement tear through his body.

Looks like she’s going for a run, boss.

Where?he quickly replied.

She’s heading toward East River.

“She’s so close.” Russ stood and pulled his tie from his neck.

“Where you off to?” Stephen asked.

Russ looked up to see his brother standing in the doorway. “Gia’s going for a run. I think it’s time our wolves meet up,” he replied.

“You need backup?” Stephen asked.

“Nope. I’m good. Just let me out. I’m going to have to run my ass off if I want to catch her.”

Stephen checked his watch. “Everyone should be gone by now. Go ahead and shift, and I’ll open the back door for you.”

“Thanks, brother,” and Russ called forth the magic within him, the magic he’d been born with. Quickly shifting, he dashed through the hallways to the back door where Stephen stood waiting for him.

“Go get your girl.”

Russ raced across the back lawn of the office building before seeking cover in a patch of trees. He was less than a mile away from the river. With any luck, he would catch up with Gia in no time at all.

This was the first time since finding out that Gia was his mate that he’d let his wolf take control of their form. Though the thought worried him just a bit, he had no choice at this point.

Don’t make me regret this,he said to his wolf.

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