by Emma Wolfe
I reached into my back pocket and pulled out my phone, grateful for modern technology. I clicked my screen on.
Zero bars.
I held it up to the sky as if that was going to do something. It didn’t. I glanced over at Cora, who was doing the same. When our eyes met, neither of us had to speak. We both knew what the other was thinking.
We were in serious trouble.
I swallowed down my fear and forced a smile. “We’ll be fine. We haven’t walked that long.” I glanced down at my phone and realized that was not true. We’d been out almost an hour and a half. Which meant we weren’t just lost, we were seriously lost. I shone the flashlight back behind us.
Cora looked skeptical, but then she nodded. “Right. We’ll be fine. You practically grew up in these woods.”
“Right.” Except that exploring the woods was one of the things Grandma had forbidden me from doing. She said our family had had enough of the forest’s mysteries to last a lifetime. Which had been fine by me. I wasn’t super adventurous. I preferred my adventures to happen in a book.
I linked arms with Cora and started to lead her back the way we’d come. “Come on, let’s head back. I could really use a mug of hot chocolate right now.”
I felt Cora stiffen. Like what I had said bothered her. Which was strange. Here I was, worried that my friend would be upset with me because I’d gotten her lost. But I was getting the feeling that she was upset because I’d said it was time to go home.
“Everything okay?” I asked, pausing to glance over at her.
Cora’s gaze swept over our surroundings, and for a moment I wondered if she’d even heard my question.
“Cora?”
She startled and glanced over at me. She sighed. “Sorry. I just wanted to make sure you got your answers.”
The desire to discover more about my parents burned in my stomach. I don’t know why I’d latched onto this notion that whatever was lurking in these woods knew what had happened to my parents. Maybe it was because the answers the police gave had never sat right with me.
Or maybe I was hoping that if someone had been there, if someone had seen it, I could finally come to peace with their death. It was the not knowing that was so painful.
Cora must have noticed my change in demeanor ’cause she moved to wrap her arm around my shoulders and pull me in. “We’ll figure out what happened. We’ll find a way to get you the answers you’re looking for.”
I chewed my lip as I nodded, grateful to finally have a good friend. I’d spent so much of my time in Smoky Hills alone I’d forgotten what it was like to have someone I could rely on. I smiled at her. “Thanks. I’m happy you’re here with me.”
She gave my shoulders one final squeeze and then dropped her arm. We started off, walking side by side in what I hoped was the direction of the diner.
We fell into an easy conversation about our childhoods. She told me about Waco. What it was like living there. How life had changed when her dad died.
It was nice, listening to her stories. It helped take my mind off my own problems.
I asked her about the boys in Waco, and she said they were sorely lacking. I laughed, making a joke that that was how I felt about Smoky Hills.
Cora grew silent, and I glanced over at her, hoping I hadn’t hurt her feelings. I shot her a sympathetic look.
She just shrugged. “It’s fine. Things are over between us. We don’t have to talk about it.”
I wrinkled my nose. “I’m sorry, Cora. He’s an idiot to walk away from you.”
She chewed her lip, and I could see her eyes brimming with tears. “I’m the idiot. To think that he could care for me.” She held up her hand. “Never again.”
I nodded. “That’s the spirit. Besides, there are other guys in Smoky Hills.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Oh, like who?”
“Well, I can’t think of anyone right off the top of my head.” I tapped my finger on my chin. “Anyone pique your interest? Anyone in your classes?”
When Cora grew contemplative, I shoved her shoulder. “There is! Tell me who.”
Cora sighed. “It’s nothing. It’s just when Liam switched home ec classes, I got paired with someone new. His name is Chris, I think?” She looked over at me as if hoping I knew who she was talking about.
There were a few Chris’s in our school. “Birmingham?” I guessed.
Cora shook her head.
“Potter? Larson?”
Cora stuck her finger out. “Larson. That’s it.”
I nodded. “Well, you’re in luck. I heard he just dumped his long-term girlfriend. He’s available.”
Cora’s expression stilled as her gaze drifted off. Then she blinked and shook her head. “Nah. He’s nice, but I’m not looking for anything.”
“Yeah, I get it.” I gave her a sympathetic smile. “But it’s something you can think about. It doesn’t even have to be a real thing. Sometimes, you can just have fun.”
She pinched her lips together and nodded. “You’re right. Who says every relationship has to be serious?”
I patted her shoulder. “That’s the spirit.” Then I glanced down at my phone—its battery was just about out of juice. Perfect. We’d been walking back in the direction of the diner for over an hour. We should have found it by now.
Trying not to panic, I glanced over at her. “Any of this look familiar to you?”
Cora glanced around. She shook her head. “Not really. But then again, I wasn’t really paying attention.”
I swallowed, pushing down the fear that was threatening to take over. “Okay. Maybe just a little bit further now.” I flashed my light in the direction I thought we should go and then swept it over to illuminate the forest floor right in front of us.
Just as I did, the light dimmed, flickered, and went out completely.
I cursed under my breath as I smacked the flashlight with my hand. When that proved ineffective, I unscrewed the bottom and slid out the batteries. After changing them up, I replaced the bottom of the flashlight and clicked the switch a few times.
Nothing.
“Rose?” Cora asked, glancing over at me. Her eyes were wide, and I could see her confidence waning.
Thankfully, it was a clear evening, and the moon was bright in the sky. I took a deep breath and shot her a big smile. I could use my phone, but the battery was almost dead, so I couldn’t justify its use. Not when we could get cellphone service at any minute. “We’ll be fine as long as we stick together. We’re not too far now.”
Cora glanced around and then back at me. She nodded, but it was jerky and panicked. I hated to admit it, but I felt the exact same way.
Frustrated with the dead flashlight, I tucked it into the waistband of my pants and turned to focus on Cora. “We can do this,” I said, my uncertainty evident in the waver of my voice.
Cora didn’t look confident either, but she forced a smile. “All right,” she said.
We linked arms and started off in the direction that felt right.
I’d gotten her into this mess, and it was my responsibility to get her out of it. My friend’s safety was in my hands, and I wasn’t going to fail her.
We walked a hundred yards, and I was beginning to give up hope. Nothing looked familiar, and the only sound that greeted us was the low hum of crickets and frogs.
No cars. No people. It seemed like we were stuck in a world of never-ending darkness.
The crack of a branch breaking drew our attention. Cora grabbed me, and we hid behind the trunk of a tree. My heart pounded in my chest as I peered up at her. Cora’s finger was pressed to her lips as she stared at me, willing me to stay quiet.
She didn’t have to tell me twice. I pinched my lips together and nodded.
We crouched there, completely still. I strained to make out anything in this darkness. My ears and eyes as wide as they could be.
When no sound came, I glanced over at Cora. She was still sweeping her gaze around the woods. It was like she knew something that
I didn’t.
Which didn’t make any sense. I’d lived in Smoky Hills most of my life. She’d only just moved here.
Frustrated, I leaned forward. “Cora,” I whispered.
Her gaze snapped over to me as she raised her eyebrows.
I mouthed, what are we waiting for?
She pressed her finger to her lips again and pointed to her ears. Just as I moved to speak, a deep voice sounded from behind us.
“What are you two doing out here?”
Fear coursed through me, and before I could stop myself, I let out a blood-curdling scream. Turning as fast as I could, I faced the person I was sure was going to attack me.
But all I saw were the very wide and very startled eyes of Grayson Smith and Liam Bronson.
7
Grayson
I winced at Rose and Cora’s screams. Their eyes were wide and their skin pale as they stared at us. I reached out and grabbed Rose’s elbow, hoping that physical touch would persuade her to stop.
“Rose.” I tried to ignore the electricity rushing through my body. Heat permeated my skin and caused my body temperature to sky-rocket. “You’re okay,” I said, keeping my voice low and calm.
Rose pinched her lips shut, and she glanced between me and Liam.
Cora seemed to have calmed down as well, but I could feel the tension between her and Liam. It was a dark cloud hanging over both of them. However, I was quite proud of how Liam was handling her proximity. He was exhibiting more control than I was.
I dropped my hand, but the feeling of Rose’s warm skin under my fingertips still pulsed through my body. Desperate for a distraction, I ran my hands through my hair. Then I met her gaze once more. “What are you two doing out here?” I asked, glancing from Rose over to Cora.
Cora pinched her lips together and glanced at Rose, who was still white as a sheet. I shot her a sympathetic smile, cursing myself for freaking her out.
“We’re out for a stroll,” Cora said as she shot us a smile.
I didn’t know much about Cora, but from the agitation that rose inside of Liam, I realized her smile was disingenuous. She was hurting as much as Liam was, and it made me sad.
I blew out my breath, hoping to get control of my thoughts. I needed to focus on the fact that Rose was in the woods, doing exactly what I’d overheard her mention to Cora at school—find what was lurking in the woods.
“Really?” Liam asked, his gaze directed at Cora.
Cora folded her arms across her chest, protecting her heart. I knew that stance well. “Yes,” she said.
I cleared my throat and nodded in the direction of town. “Can we help you get back?” I knew what was lurking in these woods, and I wanted to get Rose out of danger.
Even though Liam and I had combed these woods already and turned up nothing, the situation could change at any moment. The wolf he’d encountered with Cora didn’t seem too keen on coming back. But I wasn’t willing to risk Rose’s life.
Rose followed me with her eyes. “You know the way out of here?” she asked.
I furrowed my brow. I knew these woods like the back of my hand, and I couldn’t help the smile that emerged at her surprise. “Town is about six hundred yards in that direction,” I said, pointing.
Rose’s cheeks hinted pink, and I couldn’t help but stare at her beauty. My soul yearned to touch her. To be close to her. I could smell her scent and hear her heartbeat. It was intoxicating.
“Great,” Rose said as she turned her attention back to Cora. “Shall we?”
Cora nodded.
Liam and I stepped forward at the same time. “Wait,” I said before I could stop myself.
Rose and Cora glanced over at me. Rose raised her eyebrows, and Cora looked annoyed.
“What?” Rose asked.
I mustered my courage and stepped forward. “We’ll come with you.” I wasn’t going to take no for an answer.
Rose glanced over at me and then met Cora's gaze. There was some interaction that passed between them that didn’t make sense to me.
Rose sighed and nodded. “Fine,” she said, turning and heading in the direction I’d pointed.
Grateful that I wouldn't have to stalk her, I fell into step alongside Rose. It was a struggle, walking next to her. When I was this close, I could hear her breath and feel her warmth. And when her arm brushed mine, I almost lost control.
I could hear Liam and Cora walking behind us. I felt his agitation, and it was probably feeding my own. This clashing of emotions wasn’t good.
“Was it nice?” I asked, desperate to get my mind off how comfortable I felt in Rose’s presence.
Rose glanced over at me. “What?”
I cleared my throat. “Your walk in the woods. Was it nice?”
She sighed, and I felt her disappointment. “I’m looking for answers,” she whispered.
“Answers?” I asked. Even though we could never be together, I wanted to hear her worries. Perhaps I could fix them.
Rose nodded. “Yeah. But I feel like for every step forward, I take two steps back. I’m never going to get the answers I’m looking for.”
I studied her as I reached out to push aside a low-hanging branch. Rose paused as she glanced over at me. I shrugged, and my heart picked up speed. I wanted to help her. I felt her pain. I felt her frustration. It was taking every ounce of strength I had to not give in to the animal inside of me.
“Thanks,” she said as she stepped past.
I lost control for a moment and inhaled. The smell of coconut and lime filled my nostrils. It had been a while since I’d allowed myself to get this close to her, but the smell was still painfully familiar. I allowed it to wash over me before I forced my attention back to the present and continued to follow after Rose.
Liam and Cora would be fine on their own. I was allowing myself to do something I hadn’t done for so long—open myself up in Rose’s presence. And nothing was going to interrupt that.
I quickened my pace so I could fall in step with her. We walked in silence for a moment before I heard Rose’s breath hitch in her throat. That always meant she had a question but wasn’t sure how to ask it.
I tensed, anticipating what she was going to say.
“Hey, you know these woods pretty well, right?” she finally asked, glancing over at me.
I studied her. “Yeah,” I said slowly.
She looked at the ground for a moment before she turned back to me. “Do you think you could help me out?” She looked sheepish. “I mean, as a friend helping another friend.” She chewed her lip as she peeked over at me.
“Help you with what?” I could guess what she was going to ask, but I wanted to make sure before I agreed.
“I’m searching for answers, and I think these woods hold them,” she whispered as she leaned into me.
I jumped back. I didn’t like the burn of desire that slammed into me when she got close. I longed for her touch so bad that I was scared of what I might do to get it.
Her eyes widened as she stared at me. “You okay?” she asked.
I cleared my throat and nodded, embarrassment coursing through me. “Yeah, I’m fine.” I hated how gravelly my voice was, but Rose did things to me that I couldn’t control.
She didn’t seem to notice the change as she raised her beautiful brown eyes up to meet mine. She studied me for a moment before she took in a deep breath and tried again.
“I want to find out what really happened to my parents, and I think these woods hold the secret.” She dropped her gaze as she kept in step with me.
Yep. My suspicions had been right on. She was asking me to help her discover the wolves. To discover me. I was desperate to keep her from my world, so I forced a chuckle. “What do you think is in these woods?” My heart picked up speed at our conversation. I needed to calm down. I knew Liam would pick up on the change in my heart rate, and this was not a conversation I wanted to have with him.
Not after I’d told him to drop Cora.
She sighed as she fiddled
with her ponytail. The wind picked up her scent and bathed me in it. I stifled a groan as I clenched my jaw. I would be strong. I had to be.
Rose continued, unaware of my distress. “I don’t want to tell you,” she whispered.
I raised my eyebrows. “Why not?”
“You’ll think I’m crazy.”
I shrugged. “Try me.”
She glanced over at me, and a smile played on her lips. Her full, irresistible lips. I tore my gaze away before I could reach out and gather her into my arms.
“I overheard a man in the diner talking about huge wolves in the woods. And a while ago, I found a journal from my parents up in the attic. They talked about a large animal—bigger than any they’d ever encountered.” She paused as she reached out and touched my arm. Like she wanted my full attention. “They went on for pages about it.”
“A journal?” I asked. I knew very little about the Jordans and what had happened to them. They’d been scientists who got a little too close to the mother pack. But I’d never heard of them keeping a journal.
Rose nodded. “I read it in my spare time. Grandma thinks I’m crazy. She tells me that they were just bored and had doodled an imaginary creature. But I keep thinking I’ll find something.” She sighed and blew away a strand of hair that had slipped down over her face. “But there’s only so many times you can read the same information. That’s why I decided to look for myself. If what my parents wrote is true, then it might help me understand why I’m…” Her voice broke as she wrapped her arms around her chest. “Alone,” she finally whispered.
My heart broke as I stared at her. She looked so small. So broken. And it killed me to know that I had some of the answers to her questions. But I was sworn to secrecy. I couldn’t tell anyone.
Especially not when the mother pack was already agitated.
She took in a deep breath and glanced over at me. “So do you think you can help me?”
I studied her. I was torn between following my heart and following my fear. “Rose, I…”