The Bad Wolf

by Michelle Clay

  “Just listen for a minute,” Chloe tried again. She had to make Karen understand that nothing happened.

  “No, you listen, young lady. You obviously have no respect for me or my rules.” Karen wouldn’t look at her and instead concentrated on the road as she drove through town. “You know better than having a boy over without my knowledge. And you broke restriction as soon as I turned my back on you.”

  “What I told the sheriff is true. Ryan and I didn’t do anything.” Tears of frustration stung her eyes. “We talked then fell asleep. That’s all, I swear!”

  Karen still wouldn’t look at her. They’d reached the clinic by now. “Since you’ve proven that I can’t trust you, you’re coming to the clinic with me. You can help check on the animals and clean out the kennels.”

  “This isn’t fair.”

  “Life isn’t fair.” Karen’s face and neck were blotchy. Her hands gripped the steering wheel so hard that the leather cover creaked. “The sooner you realize that, the better.”

  Chloe trudged into the building behind her mother. “He didn’t do anything mom. I trust him with my life.” The words fell from her lips, rapid-fire quick. “He’s actually saved it a time or two. Travis and his friends were total shits and Ryan kept them from hurting me.”

  Her mother picked up a stack of newspapers then thrust them into Chloe’s hands. “Change the kennel liners.”

  “Why won’t you listen to me?” Chloe yelled. “Whatever Mackie and Coach Lewis told you isn’t the truth. Ryan’s a good person and I’m in love with him.”

  Karen snatched up a clipboard and began checking off the inventory of pet food. “We’re not having this discussion right now. You have a month of school left. Can you just get through it without causing any more problems? Honestly, Chloe… you go from one extreme to another.”

  Chloe dropped the stack of papers to the floor. Dust puffed out across her shoes. “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “It means one moment you hate Hunde with a passion and can’t stop talking about going back to Fort Collins. Then the next minute you’re moon-eyed over some boy you just met and you let it consume everything you do.”

  “Just like you’ve done with Coach Lewis? Your divorce with dad was just finalized and you’ve already found a rebound guy. And I’m sure you haven’t just been talking to him!”

  Karen’s eyes widened and her skin became blotchy again. There was a fire in her eyes that Chloe knew she shouldn’t have ignited.

  Chloe turned to flee the clinic. She’d go back to the house and lock herself in her bedroom until Karen calmed down. She didn’t know if she could endure another talk about teenage girls becoming pregnant because they were too stupid to seek precautions or had fallen for some loser. It always ended with Karen complaining about the mistakes she’d made and wanting better for her daughter. All it usually accomplished was making Chloe feel like crap.

  Karen’s hand closed around her upper arm and yanked her back inside. “The kennels, please.”

  Grabbing the stack of papers, Chloe stomped toward the back of the building. It would be pure torture. Blocking out the thoughts and emotions of animals always proved hardest when Chloe was upset or preoccupied. Today was no different. As she pushed open the back door that led to the cages, everything the animals felt was dumped over her.

  Shuddering, she moved toward the dogs first. Some of the kennels weren’t messy at all. Others had spilled water and food. Worse of all was the ones that had excrement in them. Trying not to think about what she was doing, she hurriedly cleaned the cages then refilled food and water dishes.

  Next was the cats and god, how she hated dealing with them. They hissed and yowled at her on top of sending their frightened, hate filled emotions. One particularly nasty feline swiped at her with its claws when she opened the kennel door. It was the same cat that had escaped the night the clinic had been broken into. Not giving the spiteful creature another chance at escape, she quickly changed out the lining and refilled his food dish.

  “Chloe!” Karen shouted from the front of the building.

  She slammed the door shut then sighed. Now what?

  “I need your help, hurry.” Karen’s voice had taken on a frantic tone.

  Running through the building, she reached the lobby just in time to see her mother dragging a huge black dog inside. Dark fur was matted and dirty as if he’d run through brush and brambles. Gravel pebbled an open wound on his left hip and blood oozed past his paw to puddle onto the floor.

  Chloe’s heart sank when the animal’s blue eyes fluttered open. So many emotions emanated from the wolf all at once. Fear, pain, relief and affection drifted through her mind. Ryan!

  Karen said, “Help me get him to the exam room. It looks like he might’ve been hit by a car.”

  “Oh my god,” she said on a shaky breath as she stumbled forward. Her hopes and dreams crashed around her as her own fear surrounded her. He’d somehow broken free of Mackie’s pack and had come to her.

  She helped Karen lift him then awkwardly carry him to the closest exam room. Her mother appraised the wolf with a grim frown.

  Tears stung Chloe’s eyes and she didn’t care if her mother saw them. “Can you fix him?”

  Karen bit her bottom lip then turned to rummage through the cabinets for saline to wash out the wound. “I’m going to try.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Ryan drifted in and out of consciousness while Chloe stroked his fur and cooed words meant to soothe.

  “Be careful,” her mother warned as she readied a shot that would undoubtedly put him to sleep. “He’s injured and animals sometimes attack when their scared or hurt.”

  Chloe ran fingers along the length of his ear then said, “He knows me.”

  “Does he belong to someone you know?” Mrs. Williams asked.

  Ryan’s eyes drifted shut as Karen injected the contents of the needle. He was already beginning to drift, but caught Chloe’s reply. “He doesn’t belong to anyone. He’s a stray.”

  His tongue flicked over her fingers and he whined. Sending a thought directly to her, he said, “If I don’t wake up…”

  Tears sprang to Chloe’s eyes and her hand stilled on his fur. “You’re gonna be okay.”

  He didn’t get to finish his thoughts. Already the tranquilizer had entered his bloodstream. The medicine felt like liquid fire as it coursed through his veins. Within seconds, he was out.

  ***

  Later, when he awoke, he was in a cage and his leg felt like it had become a home for a colony of fire ants. He sat up and bumped his head. Shifting his eyes, he realized he was in a wire cage. What the hell?

  He tried to turn his head to peer at his injured leg. Something flexible was tied around his neck to prevent him from tearing out the stitches. It made a plastic-y rustling sound as it bent and flexed. He shifted his ears in annoyance as he realized Mrs. Williams must have put him in one of those lampshade things.

  Most of the other animals in the back room were asleep. Only one dog sat up and watched him with wary eyes. An ugly grey cat with a ragged ear hissed at him and backed into the corner of its cage.

  Somewhere in the clinic, a door opened then closed. Soft footsteps made a quick rhythm toward the kennel area. Thankfully, he was still in wolf form. He sat up best he could then whimpered when his leg throbbed. It felt as if liquid lava oozed from the wound.

  Chloe quietly moved through the room, looking for him. Or at least he hoped that’s why she was here. His ears shifted forward as she approached. He couldn’t keep his tail from thumping happily.

  “I can’t stay long,” Chloe said as she opened the cage. “I snuck out the window. Karen could notice any moment.”

  He licked her face.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Help me out so I can change,” he thought at her.

  After much struggling and jarring pain, Chloe was able to get him out of the metal pen.

  She untied the cone then laid it aside. “You’re bl
eeding!”

  He twisted to look at his hind leg. The fur near the wound had been shaved and washed in what smelled like iodine or some other medicinal concoction. The fur around it was matted with dried blood and Chloe was right, more had leaked between the sutures.

  Chloe’s arms twined around him and she pressed her face against the fur at his neck. “I was so worried about you.”

  He licked her cheek then limped a few paces away. The transformation was pure agony. Pain radiated up his leg as his bones and body shifted back to human form. The injured leg refused to hold him and he crashed to the floor.

  “Ryan!” Chloe grabbed his shoulders and hugged him close. She was shaking as she helped him sit up. “Your leg is open. Some of the stitches busted.”

  He pointed at the exam room closest to them. “Can you help me get to that table?”

  Chloe turned to rummage through a cabinet near the door.

  “What are you doing?” he asked as he hobbled closer.

  “Mom keeps blankets in here. Some animals need something soft and snuggly to help calm them down.” She selected one then thrust it at him.

  Ryan started to ask why he needed one then realized he was naked. His cheeks heated as he took it from her then wrapped it around his waist. He threw an arm around Chloe’s shoulders and together, they made a slow progression toward the exam table.

  He climbed up onto it and lay down. Just going that short distance had exhausted him and he was breathing hard. A fine sheen of sweat broke out over his forehead.

  Chloe stooped to wipe away the dribbles of blood that had trailed after them then threw the paper towels away.

  Ryan pressed the heels of his hands against his eyes and took a calming breath.

  Within seconds, Chloe was at his side, stroking fingers through his hair and gently touching the bruising around his eye. “They hurt you.”

  He took her face in his hands and kissed her gently. “Yeah, but I escaped. Listen, Chloe, it’s not safe for you if I stay here. I just had to make sure you were okay.”

  She peeked at his leg and winced. “What happened to your leg?”

  “Car,” he said as he pushed up onto his elbows.

  “You’re not going anywhere.” Chloe put her hand on his chest, refusing to allow him up. “It needs to be stitched again and you’ll need antibiotics and pain killers.”

  “I can’t just hang out here and wait for them to find me.” Ryan’s fingers twined with hers. “Plus, if they think you helped me in any way, you could be in danger.”

  Pressing her cheek against his, she said, “I don’t care about any of that.”

  “What about your mom? She’s not going to let me hide here.”

  “She doesn’t have to know.”

  “Chloe…”

  She turned to rummage through drawers and cabinets. “First, we need to stitch you up. Next, you’re going to get back in that kennel. Tomorrow, I’ll come help her again and will accidentally let you out.”

  He nodded, seeing a plan forming in her eyes.

  “You can hide out until she leaves then I’ll let you in the house when she isn’t looking.”

  “They’ll expect me to be there, Chloe. I don’t want you in the middle of this.”

  “Then hide here. There’s so many animal smells, they might not pinpoint yours.”

  Ryan winced then looked at his leg again. “Well, I’ve got a little time to think about it. I’m not going anywhere tonight.”

  Chloe rummaged around the building until she found everything she needed. “Okay, this will numb the area around your wound. I’ve seen her use it on dogs before.”

  She didn’t give him time to argue. In a blink of an eye, she’d already given him two shots of general anesthesia to the leg. In moments, his leg felt numb, like it was a dead limb. Next, Chloe threaded a needle with what looked like fishing line then moved closer.

  “Dissolving stitches,” she explained. “You let me know if you feel any of this and I’ll give you another shot.”

  He nodded grimly then looked at the wound. It could have been worse. In his single-minded determination to get to Chloe, his attention had wandered. He’d crossed the road a little too soon and was clipped by a passing car. The edge of the blue hatchback’s bumper had slashed him and tossed him into the ditch. He’d limped the few miles until he reached the clinic.

  Chloe’s fingers caressed his cheek and his eyes fluttered open. Had he dosed off?

  “You’re all stitched up,” she smiled then pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead.

  His leg was still a little numb though it was beginning to tingle as the nerve endings reawakened. He swung them over the side of the table anyway. He pulled Chloe closer and wrapped his arms around her. Resting his chin on her shoulder he sighed. “Thank you.”

  She yawned softly and smiled. “It’s getting late. I’d better go before she finds out that lump beneath the blankets isn’t actually me.”

  “Chloe, be careful, okay?” Worry burned like a pit of acid in his stomach.

  She crossed to the cabinets on the wall and removed another blanket from the shelf. Handing it to him, she said, “Sleep on the table tonight. I’m leaving my phone so you can set the alarm. You need to be back in the kennel by seven in the morning.”

  He nodded glumly, wishing she could stay.

  “There’s a mini fridge with water and fruit in the office. If the pain gets too bad, there’s a bottle of pain pills in mom’s desk drawer. She had a root canal this spring, but didn’t use them all. Take what you need.” She took his face in her hands and gazed into his eyes. The press of her lips was gentle.

  He groaned and pulled her closer. “Do you have to go?”

  “Oh, there’s a wash station in the back where you can get cleaned up.” She moved away far too soon and grinned. “You smell like wet dog.”

  He laughed and watched her retreat into the darkness. The clinic’s front door jingled as she opened it and went out then the building. Then everything fell silent. Occasionally a dog would whimper or bark, but for the most part, eerie silence filled the darkness.

  Taking Chloe’s advice, he limped toward the back of the building. He took a quick shower then checked for any trace that he’d been there. Satisfied, he returned to the exam room, made a makeshift bed on the table then set the alarm on her phone. Within seconds of shutting his eyes, he fell asleep.

  Chapter Twenty

  The next morning, Chloe bustled about getting ready for school. She tucked Ryan’s shorts in her backpack then went into the kitchen.

  Karen turned from the coffeepot and said good morning. Her hair was a little messy and she hadn’t changed out of her pajamas. That was odd. Karen usually was ready to start the day by now.

  “What’s wrong?” Chloe asked as she poured herself a glass of milk.

  “I didn’t sleep well,” Karen said then smothered a yawn.

  “Are you sick?”

  “No.” Karen lowered her gaze. “It’s Mike.”

  “What about him?” Chloe asked with a frown.

  “We got into an argument last night.”

  Chloe rejoiced silently. She’d never liked the idea of him and her mom dating. Instead of saying so, she asked, “What happened?”

  Karen shook her head then sat across from her. “I’m not sure. I thought we were having fun, you know? Anyway, last night when he called, we got into an argument and he started yelling. I’ve never seen him like that before. It kind of scared me so I broke it off.”

  “I’m sorry, mom. It’s better that you found out about his anger issues now rather than later.” Chloe patted her mom’s shoulder with understanding. “I just want you to be happy. You deserve it.” Even if you don’t want the same for me, she fumed silently.

  Karen sipped her coffee and nodded. “Maybe you were right. He was just a rebound.”

  “Doesn’t make it hurt any less,” Chloe said. Taking a chance, she smiled. “Tell you what, I’ll stay home and help with the clinic and y
ou get some rest. I don’t have any tests today.”

  At first she thought Karen might refuse. Instead, she nodded then said, “Thank you, sweetie. Are you sure you don’t mind?”

  “Nope.” She tried not to sound too eager about it. “I’ll go check the animals and feed them.”

  “The grey cat’s owner will be by to pick him up later today.”

  Ah, the hissing, spitting nightmare was going home. Wonderful! This meant she’d have to put her hands in the cage and pull him out. What fun!

  Chloe ate her breakfast in silence while keeping an eye on her mom. She’d never done anything like this before. She had always done as her parents asked and followed all the rules. That was over now. This was a big step for her, but she wasn’t willing to give up on Ryan just because her mom didn’t like him.

  Karen yawned again. “I’m going to take a nap.”

  “I’ll check on you later. I’m going to stay at the clinic until lunch in case someone calls.”

  Her mom stood then deposited her cup in the sink. “Thanks, honey.”

  Chloe put her cereal bowl into the sink then patted her mom’s shoulder. Karen was a bit teary eyed and that worried her. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  Karen nodded then hugged Chloe. “It’s just that sometimes I feel like I’m not good enough, that I’m going to fail at every relationship I have.”

  Holy crap, her mom was having a mental break and Chloe had no idea how to handle it. Not knowing what to say or do, she simply hugged her tighter.

  “Your dad left me for a younger, prettier woman. That really hurt me.” Karen said past a sniffle. “Mike was just a rebound. I know that, but I really liked him. I failed at that too. Maybe I’m supposed to be alone.”

  “You know that’s not true, mom.” Chloe released her then stepped back to look her in the face. “The right guy will come along. You just have to be patient.”

  Karen wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “I know, I’m just feeling sorry for myself. I’ll get over it.”