WOLF (Wolf River Book 1)

by Alaska Angelini

  “Don’t apologize. You’re right. You have been through a lot. And I don’t just mean the wreck. The last two years must have been very trying for you.”

  “Excuse me?”

  More footsteps. Was he getting closer? My bare feet pushed into the earth. The feeling of wanting to stop him was all I knew in the moment.

  “Don’t get defensive that I know your history. The loss of your fiancé couldn’t have been easy on top of everything you’ve gone through.”

  “Get out.”

  “Erin, I wasn’t saying that to upset you. I’m clearly stating—”

  “Out! And don’t call me by my first name again. We’re working together. We’re not friends.”

  Pounding against the floor was followed by a crash in the front. Her voice grew louder and I knew she’d opened the door.

  “If you’re going to wait, you can do it outside. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Slowly, I could hear Caleb move. The material of his slacks rubbed together as his steps grew further away. “Fine. If it makes you feel better, I’ll just wait in the car.” He paused in walking. “I really didn’t mean to upset you. I lost someone close to me, too. I just wanted you to know that I’ve been there and I’m sorry for your loss.”

  After a moment of silence, the bottom of his shoes hit the wooden deck. I slowed my breathing to listen as the barrier shut and his footsteps led him further away. When the car door shut, I put my attention to listening inside. A sniffle had my eyebrows drawing in. Involuntarily, my hand reached to my pocket, gripping the tape recorder through the jeans.

  “Fu-uck.” The broken up word was followed by the bang of something. The familiar creak told me she was back on the sofa. “Nosey fucking detective. I should have known. I should have prepared myself.”

  Another sniffle, and the sounds grew quiet. Several long minutes went by as I focused on her pulse. It was strong. Not too fast, but not in a normal rhythm. My beast held to it while I positioned myself to sit alongside the cabin so my back was supported. Time dragged out and I kept my eyes closed to focus only on the beating. It wasn’t until I began to drift off that I realized an odd transition had taken place. Thump-thump. Thump-thump. The sound was soothing me when before, I would have been wired to continue the hunt. Fast, slow, it wouldn’t have mattered. I would have counted the beats as I waited. Yet, now I wasn’t.

  Leaves cracked as a car neared. I blinked heavily, listening as it came to a stop and the sheriff and Caleb began to talk.

  “Got the files and suitcase, but I didn’t come across no tape recorder.”

  “Shit.” Caleb let out a deep breath. “She won’t be happy to hear that. Here, let me have these. I’ll break the news to her.”

  “The girl’s looking for trouble if you ask me.”

  The sheriff’s voice was low, but I still managed to hear every word.

  “What do you mean?”

  A twig snapped and the sheriff continued. “She’s got all kinds of experts in on this. The bear expert bothers me the most. Says it’s not a bear. Not a bear, can you believe that?”

  “Every expert will give a different opinion. Don’t worry about it. I’ll have a talk with her tomorrow during out meeting.”

  The sheriff made a sound, much like a grunt, before the car’s engine changed gears and the vehicle disappeared. Knocking sounded briefly and the knob clicking open brought my head to the side.

  “Great, you got everything.” Erin voice was scratchy, but something about it had lust hitting from nowhere. I shook my head, trying to dismiss the way my cock was hardening. This wasn’t right or natural for my wolf.

  “Sheriff said he couldn’t find the recorder. I can take you to search the car tomorrow if you’d like. Maybe we’ll have better luck locating it. It is pretty dark out.”

  “What?” Panic was edged into her tone. “He couldn’t find it? But … it was in the console.”

  Hesitation. “Maybe it got thrown out during the crash. We’ll find it. It has to still be in the car.”

  “Yes. Okay, thank you, I’d appreciate the ride.”

  Her breathlessness made me breathless. I pushed to stand, trying everything to relieve the pressure of my jeans on my cock. Again, my hand came up to the recorder to hold, but it wasn’t the only thing I wanted to grip. The throbbing down my length was new. I couldn’t remember the last time I felt aroused from a woman … or anyone. The closest thing to release I got was from my occasional kills.

  “No problem. Are you sure you don’t need anything? You look a little off-balance. Here, let me help you back to the couch or bed. I don’t feel comfortable leaving you this unsteady.”

  There was no argument as the footsteps retreated deeper into the cabin. My jaw clenched and I pushed my palm against the wood that separated us. Fuck, there was my wolf, again. He surged protectively to the front.

  “I think the room is right back here,” Caleb said, closer.

  Light flooded the window next to me and I moved over to the side even more.

  “Thank you. This should be fine. You can just put the bag on the bed.”

  A thud told me he complied, but I didn’t like the awkward silence.

  “Right. I’ll lock the door behind me. There’s a phone in the kitchen if you need anything. You have my number, right?”

  “Yes. It’s in my purse.”

  “Good. Call me if something happens. I don’t live too far away. I can be here pretty fast.”

  The bed squeaked and I stepped closer to the glass. Her outline through the thin curtain had me gripping to the frame of the window.

  “I will. Thank you.” She tucked a piece of her long brown hair that escaped the ponytail behind her ear, as Caleb’s form stepped back. It looked as though he gave her a small wave before I heard him making his way back through the house. When the door shut, the top half of Erin’s body fell back to the mattress. I barely recalled the detective’s car driving away. I was too fascinated by watching her lay there, sideways on the bed. There was nothing special about it. From the split of the curtain I could see her eyes were closed, but I knew she wasn’t sleeping. She looked beautiful. It didn’t compare to the next moment.

  She sat, reaching up to pull her hair free from the rubber band. The waves fell down to the middle of her back. She appeared softer … more feminine than the hard-ass female who pushed herself to the point of passing out.

  I bit my bottom lip as the aching in my cock broke my concentration. The need to take care of myself only grew as she pulled off her shirt and began searching through the bag. Surprise over her half-sleeve tattoo registered, but her generous cleavage stole every ounce of attention I harbored. Dammit, I had to leave. I shouldn’t be invading her privacy like this. The man I used to be knew it wasn’t right. For the life of me, my feet wouldn’t move, nor would my eyes redirect.

  A white and lavender nightgown was pulled from the bag and Erin walked from the room, disappearing through a door in the back. Water sounded and I shook my head. I couldn’t imagine her undressed anymore. I would become the lowest scum on earth if I did. Shit, I already was. There was no way I could go through this much longer. If I was smart I’d leave while the connection was broken.

  The shower started and I stepped back, beginning to retreat, only to find myself doubling back. Four more times it happened until the shower finally ended. Dammit, why was this so hard? Just when I went to head home for sure, she reentered the room. I managed to walk, but not in the right direction.

  In a fast pace, I broke around the side of the house and headed right to the deck. I had no idea what I was doing. Not when my bare feet connected with the deck, and sure as hell not when my fist pounded against the heavy wooden door. Within seconds, she opened it. Her wet hair was pulled back, exposing her neck, and the soft colors she was covered in nearly undid me.

  “Alex. What are you doing here?”

  I didn’t miss the gun she held down at her side. It wouldn’t hurt me, but her pulling the trigger would. If
for some reason she shot me, she’d see what she shouldn’t. My beast wouldn’t be contained after that. The truth would seal the deal. She’d have to die for knowing the truth. That was, if my wolf didn’t kill her out of pure greed first.

  “I wanted to check how you were doing.”

  Erin’s features drew in and I knew she didn’t believe me. Skepticism flashed, making me shift even more.

  “I’m fine. I’m going to bed. Is there anything else I can help you with?”

  The recorder had me reaching in my pocket, regardless that I didn’t want to give it back. I hadn’t even had the chance to listen to it yet. Erin tensed at my fumbling. I knew she was debating lifting the gun. Her fear was still there, but she wasn’t showing it as badly as before. Or I wasn’t reacting to it the same way. I wasn’t sure.

  “I found this. I forgot to give it back before.”

  A gasp sounded. “Oh, thank God!” Erin surged forward, pulling it from my hand before I could lift it completely. “You didn’t listen to it, did you?”

  My head shook. “No. Why, what’s on there?”

  The relief faded, melting into a mix of emotions.

  “Just work stuff.”

  I lowered my eyes to the recorder at her chest, but couldn’t stop myself from taking in the gentle rise of her breasts again. Even though the nightgown was actually pajamas, the material was on the thin side. And with the majority being white, it wasn’t see-through, entirely, but it left little to imagination. Her nipples were pushing through and I nearly moaned at the urge to suck against the hard nubs. I licked my lips and I couldn’t look away. Heat swirled my insides, racing through my arms and legs, only to burn into the middle of my stomach.

  “Alex?”

  Erin stepped back and I had to force myself to avoid stepping forward. My eyes rose to hers and her fear returned, but something entirely different was there, too. Arousal? Attraction? God, I was almost positive. Show me a sign. Give me an excuse to hold onto. Anything.

  My mind raced as I searched for an excuse. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come. I just needed to make sure you were okay, and I thought you’d like to have the recorder back.”

  “Thank you. This is going to save me so much time. I appreciate it.”

  I nodded, standing there like an idiot. What the fuck was the matter with me? Leave! My mind was screaming it, but my wolf kept my body from reacting to the orders. I’d never had this problem in the last few years. I’d gotten better and done so well.

  “Is that it?”

  Again my head bobbed up and down. Erin’s eyebrows drew in and with the slightest movement, her head tilted to the side. Then, she gave me a confused smile. It left me even more captivated.

  “What are you doing here in Wolf River? You mentioned you were an investigator. What exactly are you investigating?”

  The curve of her lips fell and seriousness replaced it.

  “Animal attacks—dead residents and tourists. You know anything about that?”

  The switch of her personality snapped my wolf from possessive predator to defensive destroyer. A twinge in my ribs had me rotating the top half of my body to the side.

  “Not anything more than I already told the cops. I never saw a thing.”

  Erin’s stare rose to glance behind me.

  “There was a woman attacked not far from here. Probably somewhere between your house and this one. You never heard anything? You never saw any suspicious tracks or an animal that might have stood out from the rest?”

  “Stood out from the rest?”

  “Yeah,” she said, pinning me again with her hazel eyes. “Kelly Morrison didn’t die from a bear attack. I have experts that blow that theory out of the water. Whatever killed her was bigger than a black bear. At least a foot taller if it were standing.” Her hand rose to come inches from my face. “And its claws weren’t as dull or even the right width of a bear. Tell me, Alex. What sort of animal could filet a woman alive with the ease that this one did? You said, out of the darkest nights can crawl the deadliest creatures. Tell me what you mean by that. Have you seen something you’re afraid to speak about? ”

  I took one step back. Then another. Lust was gone. Her eyes were accusatory, though I knew she wasn’t necessarily blaming me. She was genuinely curious if I knew anything. My guilt wouldn’t let me see it that way.

  “No. I have no idea if there’s something like that out here. But the fact remains. Something is hurting people. If you were smart, you’d be very careful. Maybe even leave.”

  “I’m not going anywhere until I get to this bottom of this. If something or someone is out there killing innocent people, I’m going to find out exactly what it is.”

  “Someone?” Silence stretched out between us as she searched my face. Regardless of the cold, I was beginning to sweat. “Something.” I stressed. “Not someone. Drop the crazy talk and don’t take this so lightly. You may end up dead too if you go about this recklessly. Did that ever cross your mind?” There it was. Anger. To hell with wanting her. If she was going to stay alive, I had to prepare her—and myself. The saying, keep your friends close and your enemies closer had never been so clear. With the way my wolf was responding, I wasn’t so sure exactly where she stood. Enemy?

  The edge of Erin’s lips pulled back into what I could only assume was a smirk. “I’m not sure if I should perceive that as a threat, but I assure you, I’m not taking anything lightly. Whatever it is can sure as hell try, but I assure you one thing—I won’t go down without giving it the fight of its life. I may win, or I may lose. Regardless, I’ll make my mark, and when I do, the world will know the truth. Evidence is in everything, Alex. I’ll be sure to uncover enough to expose the secrets of Wolf River. You can bet on that.”

  Chapter 5

  Erin

  Wolves blurred through the trees, their sprint graceful and fluid as they raced forward in slow motion. I could feel them all around me, moving together as a pack. The internal call of prey pulled at them. Food. Death. Yes, something was dead. Or would be soon.

  The light from the moon didn’t give view to much of the forest’s surroundings, but I didn’t have to see when I was so in tune to the killers around me. We were flying, regardless that I felt like I wasn’t moving at all. Everything swirled—my mind, my energy. For once I wasn’t afraid of them. They were beautiful in their togetherness. This was the way it was supposed to be in the circle of life. They had to eat. Did it really matter how they got their food?

  The question registered, but I felt no need to answer it or even question why the thought was there. I was more along for the ride, floating, just like the snowflakes that were beginning to fall around me. Yes, snow. It was cold outside. So cold.

  A sound left my lips and I hugged to my chest, trying not to feel sick from the instability of my hovering form. We were going so fast now. And in circles? Yes, I’d been here before. Why were we going in the same loop?

  My grandfather’s story broke through, along with a tinge of fear, but it didn’t last. There was a certain numbness associated with my mindset.

  Once again I brought my attention to the wolves that were slightly ahead and underneath me. I could feel their communication, even if I couldn’t quite hear it. We were getting closer. To our hunted, or to the location, I wasn’t sure.

  Leaves and earth crunched in my ears from the push of their paws and I had to clench my jaw at the volume increasing by the second. My hands shot up for cover, but nothing I could do managed to buffer the loud crunching. The constant crinkling of broken pieces of leaves and snapping twigs nearly had me screaming. Or, was I screaming? Someone was.

  The high pitched murderous tone had my chin snapping up from my chest. My eyes widened as I took in the wolves circling a kneeling woman on the edge of a river bank. White from her gown blew back from a gust of wind, as did her medium length hair. But I couldn’t see her face. She was looking into the water.

  Suddenly I was walking up from behind the wolves. A threatening aura
was pushing against me and my fear rushed through in a burst of my pulse. Growling sounded at my sides as I walked between two wolves at the very front. I had to jerk away at the last moment to avoid one snapping at me.

  “Hello?”

  The word fell from my lips, stolen by the frigid breeze that chilled me to the bone. My legs didn’t want to move and walking was like trudging through quicksand as I pushed forward. The woman didn’t look up or reposition from where she was.

  My breath held and I turned to the right, trying to look around her. She was just kneeling there, staring into the dark water. What was she looking at … or for?

  I opened my mouth, but I wasn’t able to speak. The compulsive need to swallow past my fear was constant. Everything in me was beginning to feel the need to run. The growling was getting louder and something told me it wouldn’t be long now. I had to help the woman.

  Shakily, my hand moved forward to touch her shoulder. The moment my fingers connected, wind whipped her hair against my palm and the light strands began to come free from her scalp. A scream locked in my throat, stuck there as the woman’s face snapped to me. Claw marks were torn into her forehead and across her cheek. One of her brown eyes were missing. The sight had me stumbling back into the water until I felt myself falling.

  I flew to a sitting position in bed, gasping. My head was throbbing and my throat was so dry that I could barely swallow. Pieces of my dream began filtering as I reached for the glass of water on the bedside table. I took deep gulps, trying to stop the shaking.

  Fuck, I needed more pain relievers … and coffee.

  I swallowed the last drink, pushing the dream away as I stood and reached into my purse. My eyes would barely open due to the pounding. As I fumbled through the contents, flashes of the woman’s face registered. My fingers grasped around the medicine bottle and I popped two pills, barely paying attention as I took in the claw marks carved into her face. Kelly Morrison. It had to be. I’d seen pictures of her months prior to her death. It was a close match. My mind had invented what I couldn’t remember, but it was clear who I had seen.