WOLF (Wolf River Book 1)

by Alaska Angelini

  My hand rose, but I stopped midway. “A deer, I suspect. It’s not a big deal.”

  “Wrong. I don’t think that was a deer, Ms. Billings. That was it. That was the werewolf. Be careful. He might know you’re here for him. He might be watching you.”

  I suppressed the shiver at his words. I didn’t like the thought of anything watching me. Human or not.

  “I’ve taken care of myself for quite some time. I’ll be safe.”

  “See that you are. Maybe only investigate during the day. The night isn’t friendly. Especially this close to the full moon. Lock your doors and keep your gun on you at all times. You can stay here if you feel the need. Ain’t no shame in being afraid.”

  I almost laughed at the thought of me staying at a client’s home because of fear over a mythological animal. Almost. Had I not truly been afraid of something unknown, I might have. “Thank you for the generous offer. So far I’m okay at the cabin I rented.” I lifted the paper. “Thank you for this. I’ll get ahold of you soon.”

  Mr. Morrison led me to the door, opening it for me as I stepped into the threshold. “I’m serious about the offer. If you feel something is around you, or you get fearful for any reason, my door is always open.”

  All I could do was nod as I stepped onto the porch and made my way to the new rental car. Even as the engine came to life, I couldn’t shake the shock of what I’d just heard. I was supposed follow the evidence, but keep an open mind. To investigate all angles. I couldn’t dismiss his fear or the fears of this town just because I didn’t believe. Something was definitely out there and regardless of what it was, I had to find out.

  I glanced at the first name on the paper, scanning the list until I reached Joy Robertson. The word nurse was scribbled next to it, along with what appeared to be a home address. My fingers were slightly trembling as I pushed the buttons on the navigation. This was all too bizarre. What was I supposed to do if this woman told me anything close to what Mr. Morrison said she had? What did it mean? Was there reason to fear Alex Villani? I didn’t think so anymore, but our chemistry was different now. Ever since I saw him smile and he wrapped around me, something within me changed. Hell, I said it was okay for him to make me dinner. Never in a million years would I have let a suspect come to where I was staying. Where I slept! Yet, I was allowing him in? It was so unlike me. It was…

  Dust billowed out behind me as I pulled down the road and headed toward the highway. I knew what it was. One, I didn’t believe in werewolves. Two, if I didn’t, that meant Alex quite possibly wasn’t guilty of anything. I felt sorry for him. He appeared to be a victim and the whole town had made him an outcast. Or so I had thought. Now I knew it had to do with whatever happened at his parents’ house. What transpired that morning? Or that night? The death of the tourist only made me want to uncover even more.

  I glanced at the time, cursing how late it was. I had stayed at the Morrisons’ later than I had intended. I was hoping the nurse wouldn’t mind me showing up unexpectedly. Would she provide me with enough to sweep this werewolf myth under the rug for good?

  Regardless, the next time I talked to Alex, I’d ask him what went down the morning he left home for good. He’d tell me. He already wanted to provide more clues into that night. Cooperation was key, and he didn’t appear to have anything to hide.

  At the highway, I took a left, only going down a mile before the GPS had me taking a right. Within seconds I pulled in front of a beige house with pale red shutters. Two cars were resting in the driveway. One was newer, and the other an older truck covered in rust spots. I grabbed my folder, running my hand down my blouse before I opened the door. Before I could get halfway into the yard, a man appeared at the entrance.

  “You’re not welcomed here. You need to leave.”

  Fear. It lined his features as he gestured his hand away from me.

  “I beg your pardon? I’m—”

  “I know who you are. You’re that investigator lady brought in by Gregory Morrison. We don’t have no time for that.”

  Words wouldn’t come as my lips separated in surprise. “I only want to ask your wife a few questions on a patient she worked on some years back. Alexander Villani.”

  The door slammed shut, leaving me standing there in disbelief. I’d come across plenty of people who refused to speak to me over the years, but I hadn’t expected to hit a hurdle so soon. Was this what I had to look forward to?

  Wolf

  Kill. Blood. Kill. Blood.

  The investigator woman had spoken plenty of words, but I heard nothing but the voice of my wolf. His taunting echoed within my mind, corrupting what was left of my humanity. Where I stood, pretending to listen, my eyes wouldn’t leave the cut along her temple. I wanted to slice it back open with one of my claws—watch the blood pour down her face before I let my teeth shred through her scalp and crack through the strength of the bones structuring her pretty face. My fascination with her wound, with her, became my entire focus as she had continued on.

  Time passed, and off and on her voice broke through. I caught one or two words before I robotically gave the reaction that was expected.

  What would she taste like? Would her trained abilities make for a better fight? Did she like to play games?

  The questions from my wolf poured through like a rushing river and just like that, I had purpose, again—I had a game to play.

  Chapter 10

  Alex

  Dishes were piled all over my counter as I spun in a circle, scanning the trays I’d already made. Nothing had gone as I intended. Erin’s steak was too rare at first. That only caused me to overcook it as I got lost in the sides. The potatoes were … a mushed mess, and even the roasted asparagus I attempted somehow burnt in the oven.

  Who was I kidding? I wasn’t a fucking cook. I lived off meat. Raw, bloody meat. It was fit for an animal, not a human. I couldn’t even remember the last time I ate a vegetable.

  My eyes shot to the door and I wasn’t sure whether to moan or groan as I heard a car pull in and Erin approach. It was earlier than she’d said, but not by much.

  The clicking of her heels sounded and then knocking. I counted to three before I headed for the door. Sweat started to cover my chest and it only made me even more nervous. How many shirts had I gone through since I’d started getting everything ready? Three? Fuck, I couldn’t think. Even staying as close to her cabin as I could and following her around these few days wasn’t helping.

  “Coming.”

  I pulled at the collar of the dark blue shirt and swung the wooden door open. Erin’s eyes widened as she scanned over me, but I couldn’t stop myself from eating her up with my own stare. The green blouse she wore today brought out her eyes and looked damn good with the slacks. I could almost see her curvy body underneath.

  “I’m sorry, did we say we were meeting here? I thought…” I stepped back.

  “I figured it would be easier this way. May I?”

  “Of course, please, come in.”

  Jesus, why didn’t I clean up behind me? I should have expected this. Nothing was by the book with her.

  My fingers weaved through my hair as I battled to come up with some sort of excuse for the disaster of my home. From the shirts in the hallway to potato peelings on my counter … all I could do was throw her an apologetic look.

  “Why don’t you show me what you made? I’ll help you clean afterward.”

  My world stopped at her genuine smile. This interaction… It was so foreign. So … real. And I’d never wanted it more. What was it to have someone to really cook for? Someone to love and care for? I’d never know.

  “I tried. I’m not sure it’s really edible. I tried to get yours done.” I blocked out the sadness my thoughts brought on as I led her into the kitchen. She pulled up the foil and looked at her steak, and then mine.

  “Yes, you did. I’d say it’s pretty well done.” She paused, staring at my rare steak. “Are you sure you’re not a werewolf?” I froze at her statement, but then
one of her eyebrows quirked up, only for it to fall as she awaited my response. A soft laugh followed as she turned her back to grab a knife from the cutting block. “Werewolf,” she mumbled. “I would have never of thought.” My pulse was racing so fast and it had nothing to do with her words. God, that laugh. I wanted to hear more. I wanted to see her when she wasn’t so serious.

  “I’m sorry. I really shouldn’t kid about such things. It was inappropriate. You’ll have to forgive me. I’m horrible communicating with people outside of work.” She grabbed two plates from the counter, turning to throw me a sincere glance. “I really am sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

  “It’s okay. I found it a little funny, I guess.” No way could I show her how she’d rattled me with her teasing.

  “Did you? Why? Because it’s the truth, or because you like bad humor?”

  My mouth opened, only to shut. “Both?”

  She let out a loud laugh, shaking her head. “Good one. I guess we’ll see soon enough.”

  The tip of the knife pointed at the steaks. “I’m more of a rare steak person, myself. Would you share it with me?”

  She wanted to share food? With me? I softened even more, swallowing hard while my wolf fluttered within. God, I’d fucking kill something for her. I’d give her whatever she wanted. “Of course. I’m surprised.”

  “Are you? Why’s that?”

  I shrugged as she went through the sides, fixing our plates, I couldn’t help but watch how she took charge. She wasn’t silently waiting for me to take charge nor did she seem uncomfortable. If anything, she was making herself right at home.

  “Most women I’ve met prefer their steaks well done or medium. Never rare.”

  “I’m not most women. And you could have probably taken off five seconds on each side and I would have said perfect.”

  Had she not laughed, I probably would have stood there like a captivated idiot all night. “Right. Table … shit.” I walked over, removing the remaining grocery bags full of canned goods from the space. It only caused her to smile even more and I liked that.

  “There. You cooked, I made the plates. When we finished, we’ll both clean. Even-steven.”

  I pulled out her chair, pausing as I took in her statement. “Ah, I see what you’re doing. Don’t worry, this isn’t a romantic dinner. You don’t have to try to minimize what’s happening. Nothing is happening. We’re just two people who need to eat. That’s all. See, to prove my point,” I walked to the refrigerator, opening the door. “I bought us beer instead of wine. That says it all.”

  The relief was clear as she took a deep breath and nodded. I grabbed two bottles, opening the tops before sitting down to join her.

  “You have nothing to worry about, Erin. I’m here to help with whatever I can.”

  I felt her mood change before I saw her expression follow.

  “Why? When I first met you, you refused to talk to me. Then you suddenly became the nicest person in this town? It’s odd. What made you change your mind out there in the woods?”

  I slid my knife over the steak, watching as blood spilled free. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. My wolf was hungry and not just for the food. I should have given in and went out hunting. Appeased him so I didn’t lose control. But I couldn’t do that when most of my time had been taken up following Erin. And fuck if I could help myself. I couldn’t!

  “We started the morning off wrong. I was upset over what Caleb said. It didn’t mean I was refusing to help. I just needed time to cool off. My past isn’t easy for me to face. Quite the opposite, actually, but I’m trying. That’s why I went out there to talk to you.”

  “I appreciate it.”

  We both continued to cut the food and take bites, all the while studying each other. She may have been analyzing me, but I sure as hell wasn’t playing the shy role. I met her stare, looking deep into her eyes until she broke the connection to eat more. Repeatedly, she came back to me, always meeting her gaze to mine. What was she thinking? How was she managing to think? I hardly tasted the food I shoved in my mouth. God, she was beautiful.

  “I’m only going to ask you this one more time. Was it a bear that attacked you that day?”

  I took a swig of beer, taking my time. “Do I really need to answer that ridiculous question, again?”

  “You don’t have to just yet if you don’t want. Perhaps you’d like to answer another?”

  “Alright.”

  I leaned back in the chair, trying to appear relaxed.

  “Were you told how high your fever reached while you were in the hospital?”

  I hesitated at the surprise question. “No. Do you know what it was?” It was a lie. I knew, but I had to make sure she did too before I started spilling out information. Especially the kind that pointed into anything abnormal.

  “No. Joy Robinson’s husband ran me off, twice. They’re refusing to speak. And they’re not the only ones. The last couple of days haven’t gone my way. I stopped off at Fred Jennings house, Jack’s brother. He didn’t want to speak to me either. Even pulled a gun on me and told me to never come back.”

  “I’m sorry,” I whispered. “He hasn’t been the same since Jack’s death.”

  “You don’t have to apologize, Alex. You did nothing wrong. Correct?”

  “Correct.” Nothing other than survive the beast’s attack when my friends died and become a monster myself.

  The beer slid down my throat as I took a long drink.

  “So that led me to your parents’ house.”

  Beer flew from my mouth as I began to choke. Of all the people Erin could have told me she talked to, it never entered my mind that she’d go and see them. Rage blossomed through my chest, soaring up and down my legs as I tried to get ahold of the creature within.

  “Sorry,” I coughed. “Please ... go on.”

  Her eyes were narrowed. Each second that she delayed made it harder for me to sit still. I jerked at my collar.

  “Your mother…” she paused. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  Again, I coughed, trying to stop the tickling in my throat.

  “I’m good. Continue.”

  “Your mother wasn’t home but I talked to your father. He’s worried about you.”

  The weight of a ton of bricks crushed into me at her words. I pushed from the chair, taking my beer with me as I walked closer to the kitchen.

  “He told me about what happened the day you left. How you were upset. There was a lot of blood. Do you want to tell me about that morning?”

  My head shook before I could think to speak. The tourist. It was my first kill. The morning I realized what I’d become.

  “Okay.” The chair scraped against the floor and Erin’s presence was a surprisingly comforting pressure against my back as she neared. “Just tell me where the blood came from and I’ll let this go for now.”

  I turned, meeting her eyes as the lie left my lips. “PTSD. It was my first episode. I … thought I was still there in the forest. I flipped out. A lot. Fuck, I destroyed my parents’ home and I hadn’t even known it. I think I cut myself on some glass. After I’d seen the damage and their faces, I couldn’t stay. What if I would have hurt them? I couldn’t be responsible for that when I hold enough blame for my friends.”

  The lines from Erin’s furrowed expression softened and I saw her sympathy. In that moment, I wanted nothing more than to tell the truth. To make her afraid of the lying, manipulating person I’d become. She deserved to know the truth, but in revealing that, I’d condemn myself.

  “Thank you for sharing. There was a missing tourist, coincidentally found the same morning. All of these stories about you that circulate through this town. I swear, you have the worst timing and location.”

  I shrugged, letting out a nearly silent laugh. “Tell me about it. I’ve never had good luck. Shit just follows me around wherever I go. That’s why I’ve learn to stay to myself.”

  “That makes two of us.” Erin walked back to the table, collecting t
he plates. As she headed to the sink, I couldn’t tear my eyes from her ass while she shifted and got the water ready. It was a good distraction from what we had just talked about. And I needed to forget. I needed to get lost in her.

  “I’ll rinse.”

  I pulled up the sleeves, moving in beside her. She was wearing some type of perfume tonight. It was subtle, but definitely altering the way she naturally smelled. I liked it, regardless that my wolf didn’t.

  “Can you tell me about yourself, or is that crossing the line?”

  “Nothing to really tell,” she said, handing over a plate. “I’ve been solving crime for more years than I care to mention. I’ve seen about everything there is to see—good and bad.”

  “You don’t wear a ring so I’m guessing you’re not married.”

  Water splashed as the plate slipped from her hand, soaking through her shirt. “No,” she breathed out. “Didn’t quite make it that far.”

  Waves of anxiety had my curiosity peaked. “Because you didn’t find the right person, or…?”

  “It just didn’t work out.”

  “Cheating?”

  “Jesus,” Erin snapped, glancing over at me. “No, he never cheated.”

  “You weren’t compatible?”

  Slowly, she came to a stop, leaving her hands in the soapy water. The dark green material stuck around her wrists and somehow I knew I’d pushed her way too far.

  “He’d dead. He was my partner.”

  My stomach dropped for some unexplainable reason. I felt sorry for her just as she probably felt sorry for me in my situation. “I’m sorry. I should have let it go.”

  “It’s fine. Martin …he...,” She grabbed another plate, beginning to rub the sponge along the length. “Martin was killed on the same day he proposed. We were actually here in Wisconsin when it happened. Further up north. It was years ago, I just don’t like to talk about it.”

  I nodded, taking the plate. “I can understand that.”