The Alpha Dire Wolf

“Are they Natives? The forest people I mean. Are they a local tribe?” “Unknown. It would make sense, but we just don’t know.” “Do they still exist, these forest people?” Desmond Crane’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly. “Why would you ask that?” “Curiosity,” I said, glad I had the answer prepared ahead of time. “I’ve…

“Try me,” I said, unlocking it. “You won’t, because you want to know why I’m here. You want to know what I have to say. Whatwe have to talk about.” He paused, leveling a look at me that was hard enough to make my stomach tie itself into knots. Nobody had ever looked at me…

The semi-intelligent beast then did something I didn’t expect. It used the smoke for cover and fled. Except it didn’t run deeper into the forest. It made a beeline for the forest’s edge. For Sylvie. Fear for her well-being poured through me as I tore off after the misshapen beast. Dirt flew up in great…

The image of him disappeared right next to the coffee table, as my eyes landed on my grandmother’s journal. She had left the journal for me, and me specifically. “All right, Grandma,” I said, kicking off my shoes and sitting on the couch, journal in hand. “Just what were you trying to tell me by…

There was nothing. I couldn’t come up with a single gushing, prideful moment when he had bragged about me in any way other than my body. Which had been flattering then but was awkward now. Not fighting for that relationship was probably in my best interest. A warmth filled my belly, a surefire sign from…

Just like there was a reason a giant wolf with the same eyes as a forest lumberjack man would jump in front of a rabid bear for me. I glanced out the front window of the house at the gently swaying trees of the forest across the street. That wolf had looked at me. It…

The drumbeat was getting faster and faster. Practically right on top of one another. The muscles on my spine tightened, and I knew that something bad was coming. And it wasn’t the wolf. I’ve made a big mistake. Without thinking, I got to my feet and took off for the river. If it was a…

Lincoln hadn’t moved the entire time I spoke. Now he stepped forward, grabbing my outstretched arm and holding it tightlyas he entered my personal space, invading my bubble with his presence and holding it hostage. “Yes, you do,” he rumbled, looking down at me, the closeness between us emphasizing just how much taller he was.…

“I’m sure you did,” I said, too deep in thought to properly enjoy her embarrassment. If her grandmother had told her about the guardian, I had to wonder whatelse the old witch might have told her. Thoughts of Sylvie’s ignorance to all the goings-on diminished greatly. I had to find out what else she knew.…

She was gone and wasn’t coming back. The brittle chains around my soul snapped and broke free, flying away and leaving me untethered, exposed to a sudden, brutal acceptance of the fact. She’s dead. And you’re all alone. The shock evaporated, and I hunched forward over the steering wheel, huge sobs racking my shoulders and…