WOLF (Wolf River Book 1)

by Alaska Angelini

  “Did you come to give me the low-down? To prepare me what I have to look forward to?”

  “What?” He kneeled before me, going to reach for the coffee before his hand came up short. “What is that?” He grabbed the cup, placing it on the ground before lifting my wrist into his grasp.

  “Don’t sound so surprised, Alex. We both know exactly what that is. I’m … infected.”

  Fear shone in his eyes and he shook his head. “No.”

  “Yes,” I nearly yelled. “Are you so surprised? It was only a matter of time, I guess. I mean, with me being completely fucking clueless and all. Werewolves? Real fucking werewolves, Alex? And one in my bed? Jesus!”

  “Erin, please. You don’t understand.”

  “You’re right. I don’t. I obviously don’t know anything.”

  Tears trailed down my cheeks and I turned away as he squeezed and kissed my hand. I could feel it lifted as he inspected my wrist some more, but I couldn’t watch. I couldn’t stop how much I felt betrayed and sickened by the reality of it all. I knew this creature existed, but two of them? Alex being one? Real humans turning and transitioning into monsters? I wasn’t sure what to think about that. I still couldn’t barely believe it.

  “How many of you are there?”

  My arm was rotated and his tongue licked over the wound.

  “Three, I guess.”

  “Three?” I came back to meet his stare. “So, you, Caleb, and our mystery man?”

  Alex’s head cocked to the side. “What do you mean, Caleb? I was talking about my maker.”

  “Your maker?” I blinked, confused. So there were four? Or…?

  I was ripped to my feet as Alex stood. The rage he projected had my heart pounding. “Why do you think Caleb is one?”

  “He has the scratches too,” I whispered. “On his hip. I assumed… I mean, I don’t know for sure. It looked like the same kind, but he was blocking the majority of his chest and stomach with his shirt.”

  Cold blasted me as the door swung open and Alex pulled me in the direction of the house. His energy was downright terrifying. I could barely keep on my feet as he dragged me inside. Caleb was sitting in the chair, awake and watching us as we walked in. He looked ready, as if he expected us.

  “You?” The question roared from Alex as he brought us to a stop not feet away. “It was you? The one who attacked us that day? You killed them, but not me? Is that right?”

  Caleb slowly stood. I couldn’t breathe as he cut his eyes from me to Alex. Seconds drug out and I could tell by his expression that he was thinking very hard about what to say.

  “Don’t fear her knowing. It’s too late,” Alex snapped, pulling my arm up to expose my wrist. “Now tell me the truth. Was it you? Is that why you have this hatred toward me, because of what you did?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Don’t bullshit me! Take off your shirt. Let me see for myself.”

  “I’m not going to fight with you, Alex.”

  “I want to know.”

  Caleb gave a stiff shake of his head. “It’s not the time.”

  “Now is the perfect time! Stop worrying about her and just tell me. Was it you who killed my friends? Your own brother?”

  Caleb let out what sounded like a threatening warning. I could see his battle as he stared between me and Alex. He wanted to talk, but he was holding back.

  “Tell me right now. Did you kill them? Did you kill Kevin? Say it!”

  “It was an accident!”

  A rugged breath left Alex as multiple expressions crossed his face.

  “I was still young,” Caleb continued. “Only a year out. I never meant to hurt anyone. Especially my own brother!”

  “How could not say something after all of these years? Fuck, Caleb. How could you…?”

  “You don’t think I tried? I gave you what you wanted! I left you alone, just like you told me to.”

  “That was years ago! What sort of excuse is that anyway? I deserved to know. After what you did to all of us, you owed it to me!”

  Caleb’s finger rose and he point, clenching his jaw. “No one is owed more than me. I lost my brother at my own hand. He was my life! Do you not think I suffer because of my actions? What you feel is nothing to what I do.”

  “Maybe you’re right,” Alex said, nodding. “But what about your responsibility as my maker? What about what you’ve done, trying to pin these murders on me? You knew what I was, what I was fighting against, and you still came after me. You still grilled me and put me through the fucking ringer, harassing me, nonstop. You could have helped me! We could have helped each other!”

  Caleb’s gaze turned hard as he stepped closer. “What you did you have to be responsible for. It is not up to me to control your wolf. And I didn’t need your help, nor do I. I mourn for my brother every day, just as you do. We do just fine on our own. As for me trying to frame you. I could have pinned your ass to the wall a long time ago if I wanted. What I’ve done has been for your own good, have you not learned? Do you not see that?”

  “I can’t believe what I’m hearing.” Alex shook his head, a sound of disbelief falling from his lips. “What about the dart incident? What’s your reason behind that? Another lesson? I could have fucking killed someone!”

  “But did you?”

  Alex lunged forward and I put all of my strength into pulling him back. “Don’t do it,” I rushed out. “It’s not worth it. Let’s go.”

  “I had to see for myself,” Caleb broke in. “I wasn’t certain it wasn’t you.”

  “I never did anything to you, Caleb. I don’t understand how you could hate me so much.”

  “You think I hate you? I made you! There is no bond stronger than that. Everything that has happened since has been your own fault. You understand nothing! The only reason you’re alive right now is because of me!”

  “Alex, let’s go,” I yelled.

  “Go?” Caleb side-stepped, closer to me. Alex immediately pushed me behind him and put distance between us.

  “Oh, we’re going. You should feel lucky that she’s here and sick or so help me, this wouldn’t be ending this way. From now on, stay the fuck away, just like you have all of these years. Me and Erin knowing what you are doesn’t make a difference. It changes nothing. It’s that simple.”

  “Nothing is simple here in Wolf River. That’s what you fail to see. She may or may not be infected. For all I know, she could have been cut by glass when I pulled her back. She was covered in it. It was all over the floor. Her knowing now puts me at risk. If she’s not one of us, do you really think she’s going to keep her mouth shut about what she’s discovered? I don’t.”

  Alex reached around, pulling me into his body as I tried to keep straight from the sudden vertigo.

  “I know Erin. She won’t say a word.”

  “Such faith in someone you don’t really know.”

  “I do know her. She won’t say anything,” Alex stressed.

  “Then, as your maker, I’m going to take your word. But she has to promise right here and now that she isn’t going to expose any of this. Because if she does and you don’t kill her, by God, I will. And I don’t care if I have to go to Des Moines to do it.”

  A growl tore through the room. Tighter, my nails pushed into Alex’s side. His temper scared me and all I wanted to do was leave before there was a fight between the two of them. I wasn’t in any condition to defend anyone, not even myself, and I wasn’t stupid enough to think I could, even if I was healthy.

  “I won’t.” I cleared my throat through the thickness. “I won’t say anything about you or Alex. That doesn’t mean I’m stopping my search for the other werewolf. He needs to pay for what he did to James and those boys. He needs to be stopped before he kills again.”

  Caleb opened his mouth to say something, but shut it just as quickly. “Ms. Billings—Erin,” he said, an unreadable smile tugging at his lips. “You’re so afraid of what you’re surrounded by right now,
yet you stand here holding to one of us like he’s going to save you. You have no idea, nor does he, what you’re up against. And you tell me, you’re still going to try to solve this mystery?” He laughed. “You’re in so deep that you don’t even see that you’re drowning. But you are. Your air is running out and when that full moon rises, the Erin you know may already be dead. A new Erin might arise. Doesn’t that scare you enough to make you want to forget about this case? Maybe focus on yourself instead? Your days may be numbered.”

  “No. Absolutely not. I will not stop until I find this killer.”

  One of Caleb’s eyebrows rose while he studied me. Whatever he was thinking, I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. He turned his attention to Alex, his expression once again stoic. “Don’t let her leave town. I’m not finished with her yet.”

  “Yeah you are. Erin is my responsibility now. If you need something you can come to me.” Alex breathed heavily as silence stretched out. “So that’s it? Ten years of my life I’ve waited for this moment and this is what I get. There’s nothing you want to tell me? No apology, no advice … nothing?”

  When Caleb didn’t speak, I broke away from Alex, edging to the counter to grab my purse. Alex was still standing there, still waiting. I tugged against his shirt and rage was present as he broke his stare. We started to walk to the side door when Caleb’s voice had us pausing.

  “I never hated you. But I will do what’s best for you. You’d be smart to remember that.”

  Alex’s arm tightened around me and he didn’t say anything as he led me out of the door. My adrenaline was so intense that my legs nearly gave out. “Easy. Everything’s going to be okay.” He led me down the path until we got inside. Luckily, my stuff was packed away and all he had to do was lift the suitcase. I grabbed my stack of files, going back so he could hold me steady as we headed for our vehicles.

  “Are you okay to drive?”

  I opened the back door, placing the manila envelopes on the floor board and reaching over to grab my suit case.

  “I’m good. I can make it.”

  “You sure?”

  The moment I turned from putting the bag on the seat, his hand was pressing into my forehead.

  “You’re burning up. Shit. Do you think what Caleb said was true? Could it have been the glass that cut you? Do you know if you got any of the wolf’s blood in your eyes or mouth? Maybe in the cut?”

  “I don’t know. I don’t think so, but I’m not positive.”

  My voice was shaky as I tried not to think of it. I’d already been through too much tonight. If I let the possibly sink back in, there was no telling how I would take it.

  “If you start feeling the slightest bit incapable, you pull off. No being stubborn here tonight. If you can’t drive or focus, be safe and pull over. Got it?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Okay, I’ll follow behind you.”

  I nodded, grabbing the keys from my purse. I was trembling as I started the car and cranked up the heater. Exhaustion was sinking in and I had to hurry and get to Alex’s. As I put the vehicle in reverse, I took peeks toward Caleb’s front door, almost expecting to see him rush out and change his mind. He had every intention of killing me if I told their secrets, plain and simple. And I wouldn’t forget it.

  Lights quickly settled behind me as I turned and began heading down the long driveway that led to the house. Snow covered the entire area and I used Alex’s tracks to lead me to the main road. I kept a safe, steady pace once I hit the highway, relying on the music humming in the background to keep me going. Each mile seemed to take forever and the newly added warmth to the interior was making the drowsiness worse. I quickly reached, turning it down.

  I yawned, blinking rapidly as I approached Alex’s turn. I was beginning to veer. I knew that. The closer I got to approaching his home, the worse I was beginning to feel. Over and over I replayed the memory of the werewolf jumping into the window, trying to grab me. I waited to see if I recalled his scratch. The answer to my condition didn’t come. Had he got me with his nail, or was I merely getting sick—worn out and reacting to the situation, susceptible to illness? The question was one that plagued me all the way to Alex’s front door.

  Chapter 22

  Alex

  For two days Erin went in and out of consciousness. She awoke long enough to take a drink of water and was out before she barely even swallowed. Worry had me glued to her side. Her fever went up the first night and stayed high through the remainder of the second. It was day three and only hours ago I noticed sweat beginning to glisten her brow. It increased until she was tossing and turning and completely soaked. The moment I had tried to change her and the blankets, she awoke crying out to be covered again. Her body was shaking so badly, she was nearly convulsing. I wasn’t sure what to do, or even if I should take her in to the hospital. There was only one person I knew to call and I wouldn’t allow her over here in case Erin’s sickness was contagious.

  “You’ve been giving her fluids?”

  “Yes, mom. Every time she wakes up.”

  I paced the length of the bed, staring at Erin’s small frame curled into the fetal position. Her face was barely visible with the way she’d tightened the blankets around her.

  “If her fever’s breaking, she should be feeling better hopefully tomorrow. If you notice the fever go up again, or something just doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and take her in.”

  “That’s it?”

  My mother laughed. “It sounds like the flu, honey. There’s not much anyone can do about that. It just has to run its course. As long as she breathing okay and she’s not vomiting, I think she’ll be fine. Just pump her with as much fluids as you can.”

  I frowned. “Alright. Are you sure there’s nothing else I can do?”

  “Make her some soup and try to get her to eat. Homemade chicken noodle. I’ll have your father drop off the ingredients.”

  “At the front door. I don’t want either of you to catch this. It’s really bad.”

  “I’ll let him know. Now get her some water and he’ll be over shortly.”

  ‘Thanks, mom.”

  She paused. “No, thank you for calling. It means so much to know you came to me for advice. I love you.”

  My stomach twisted as my emotions stirred. “I love you, too.”

  Was I ever going to get used to having my parents in my life, again? I wasn’t sure, but I couldn’t go back now. Just like I couldn’t with Erin. They were all in my life and I just had to figure out how to deal with it. Erin knew what I was. She could lock me up during the full moon. This could work.

  I reached over, grabbing the glass of water and sitting on the edge of the bed. There was a paleness to her face, now, yet her cheeks were still slighted tinted pink. She looked so weak. So … sick. I wasn’t sure if this was the transition, and I wouldn’t know for sure until the first full moon. It had me going over my previous assumption that she could lock me away. Would we both be locked away?

  “Erin.” I cupped her cheek, taking in the warmth. She was still coming down. It wouldn’t be much longer now. “Erin, sweetie, wake up and drink some of this for me.”

  My fingers pushed into her damp hair and she stirred, snuggling more into the mattress. It lasted for only a moment before her eyes fluttered open.

  “It’s okay,” I tried to say soothingly. “You’ve been sick. I need you to try to drink some of this water.”

  “Sick?”

  She cleared her throat, lifting her head and reaching for the glass. Her hands were shaking as she took it and began to sip.

  “Yes. Three days now. Your fever got really high. It only recently broke.”

  She held out the glass and I took it, placing it back on the bedside table.

  “Caleb?”

  My teeth bit against each other through the anger. “You don’t worry about him. He’ll stay away from you.”

  “I’m so tired. I can barely stay awake.”

  “I know. It should pass soon. H
ere, lay back down. Let me cover you up.”

  A yawn came from her mouth and she pulled back the covers, struggling to a sitting position. I steadied her as she began to sway.

  “Where you going? Are you going to be sick?”

  Her head shook and she held to my arm as I helped her stand. “Bathroom.”

  “Right.”

  I was so bad at this. I should have known.

  Erin leaned into my side and wrapped her arms around my waist while she took slow steps. I wanted to carry her so she wouldn’t have to walk, but I knew she needed to get stronger too.

  We entered the bathroom and she reached for the counter.

  “You okay?”

  “Yeah. I can take it from here.”

  “Let me know if you need me.” I moved into the threshold, pulling the door shut as I gave her space. Worry was still present and I walked back and forth, pausing at times to make sure she wasn’t in trouble. After a couple of minutes the door opened and she reached for me again. The trip back to the bed was just as slow. Her eyes were closed through the majority of the steps. It had the worry coming back. My only reassurance was that she’d woken to begin with.

  “Here, drink some more water.”

  I eased her into the bed, grabbing the glass. The sips she took were light. Her hand was still trembling due to the weakness. Walking had been too much for her, too soon. It had exhausted her.

  “Here, lie back down.” I eased her to the mattress, covering her up. When she threw me a grin, I couldn’t stop the butterflies.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever been so sick in my life.” She yawned. “Thank you for taking care of me.”

  Words jumbled in my mind and I wasn’t sure what to say. Of course I would take care of her. Didn’t she see? Wasn’t it obvious that I’d do whatever I could to make sure she was okay? If she hadn’t before, she knew my secret now. She would understand why I had distanced myself. She had to.