Page 12 of Stealthy as a Wolf

Feeling like I was walking toward my own gallows, I turned and headed toward the cabin, the dream of escape like ash in my mouth. I swallowed hard, uncertain how to explain to the alpha what happened without making him want to rip off my head.

I stopped on his doorstep, shuffling my feet, but I couldn’t do it.

I couldn’t make myself knock.

I wasn’t sure how long I stood there before the door was wrenched open, then I completely lost my ability to think. The alpha stood in the doorway, obviously having just pulled on a pair of jeans, the top button still undone. In his hands was a plaid, button-down shirt, leaving his chest bare.

Holy naughty Santa vibes!

When he chuckled, I blushed and realized that I must have spoken out loud. His deep, husky laughter played whack-a-mole with what was left of my brain cells. I should’ve been embarrassed, but my bodily functions seemed on the fritz…like the ability to blink.

Because damned if I could take my eyes off him.

The spit evaporated from my mouth at the wide expanse of his chest. He was buff, his muscles extremely toned for an old man. A dusting of chest hairs decorated his pecs, then trailed down to his stomach before disappearing into his pants. My hands itched to follow the path with my fingers, and I curled them into fists to stop the impulse.

It was only when he tugged his shirt over his broad shoulders and closed two of the buttons that I blinked and dared to lift my head and look up at him. Heat seared my cheeks at the humor dancing in his blue eyes, the slight quirk to his lips doing funny things to my insides.

“I must say that I’m surprised to find you on my doorstep.” He leaned his shoulder against the doorjamb and crossed his arms, distracting me again when the muscles of his chest flexed just inches in front of my face.

It was all I could do to resist my wolf’s demand to lean forward and bury my nose against his chest and bask in his glorious scent. I was so thrown by his flirting that my control over my wolf slipped. She rolled over in my head, presenting him with our stomach, and I was torn between bashfulness and mortification.

Then his eyes narrowed, his focus sharpened, and he scanned my disheveled clothing. His gaze landed on my bloodstained shirt, and all amusement vanished, leaving me standing in front of an imposing alpha. He dropped his arms, taking a step toward me, as if he would gather me to his chest. A muscle jumped in his jaw as he battled the impulse, then he lifted his nose, as if scenting the air. “What happened?”

His gruff voice hardened my nipples—the complete opposite of my normal response to authority. I stiffened and quickly crossed my arms, unnerved by my reaction to this man. Despite knowing full well that running from a predator was the worst thing I could do, I took a step away from him, my mind screaming at me to flee while I had the chance.

Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!

Just when I turned to bolt, his hand landed hard on my shoulder, and I froze like a rabbit caught in a hunter’s snare.

* * *

GRADY

The poor girl was trembling, and I unconsciously tightened my hold, a growl rumbling in my chest when the sour scent of her fear permeated the air. Every protective instinct came roaring back, my wolf digging at the underside of my skin with the need to shift and protect.

I struggled against the urge to tuck her behind me. It was only when my fangs lengthened and claws sliced through my fingertips that my sanity returned. As much as my wolf howled in protest, I managed to uncurl my fingers and pry my hands away from her, hating that it felt like I was cut adrift when she pulled away.

She gazed up at me with big, bright golden eyes.

Frightened eyes.

My insides curdled at the thought of her being afraid of me. Which was ridiculous. I was an alpha, I was used to people cowering or showing deference, but it was different with her.

Maggie was different.

Even my wolf let out a pitiful whine, hunkering down to show her that we meant no harm.

The girl was so close to feral that I hunched my shoulders to appear less of a threat, which was stupid, since there was no way that I could disguise my alpha status. I stifled my huff of annoyance for acting like a pup and letting my emotions cloud my judgment.

I came here to get away from people and their problems.

I never should’ve offered my help to this little slip of a girl with big, sad eyes.

She had trouble written all over her.

Part of me never expected her to show up on my doorstep, and I couldn’t help but be curious to learn more about her. As I buttoned my shirt, I quashed my amusement when her gaze dropped to watch.

Like she couldn’t help herself.

---