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PROTECTED BY THE WEREWOLF 14
When someone shifts into wolf form, the first need is always breakfast.I caught the scent of a rabbit that had crossed in front of me and followed it for a mile until I was able to track the creature. A quick bite of the jugular, and I had satisfied the hunger rumbling in my stomach.My thoughts changed as instinct hummed through my body. But unlike previous times, if I focused on Pietra, I was able to retain my independent human thought. So I found myself in a sheltered place in the hollow of a rotten tree trunk and thought of her.Last night… meant so much more to me than just sex.My body burning for her, the image of her face flashing across my vision. I could barely concentrate on the task I gave myself. I gave the camera crew a cursory glance before heading off into the woods.Now that I was in my wolf form, I knew I wouldn't attack her. The thought of doing that turned my stomach. But still, asking her to find me was a risk. She could be followed and we'd both be discovered. B
PROTECTED BY THE WEREWOLF 15
“So… I don't think it's a coincidence. He could be here because of the caves. You have to be careful…The wolf lifted its head, baring its teeth. His eyes bore into mine, the deep brown irises of a killer holding the focus on his prey.That wasn't Josh.My stomach plummeted. Shit .The wolf charged, galloping towards me with strong paws. Time seemed to slow down. His shoulder muscles rippled as he narrowed the space between us. My throat closed up. Its jaws parted, revealing those rows of sharp teeth.Run.I willed my legs to move. I turned and ran back to camp. I seemed to move in slow motion, my legs dragging through the air like I was trying to run on honey. I shoved my hands in front of me, diving through the trees without a clue as to where I was going. The lantern light waved wildly around me, lighting up the forest like a fire. The wolf slammed behind me, panting as he approached. In the distance, someone was screaming. It took me a few moments to realize that that someone was
PROTECTED BY THE WEREWOLF 16
- Okay. That is good. I took a deep breath. The wolf even smelled like Josh. That deep, primal scent that took me over the edge. At the moment, it was the most delicious smell in the world. "Josh," I whispered against his fur. “It's been such an intense day for me. Listen, I'm really sorry about the way I reacted this morning. I know you know my dad died. He was killed in a factory accident. But what you don't know is that five months ago my boyfriend died here in the woods. He went hiking with a friend, and they decided to hike over one of the rocky ravines beyond. Ben slipped and fell into a crevice. He broke several bones and his head. The friend couldn't get him out, and when he returned with help, Ben was dead.Tears welled up in my eyes. Josh licked them, his tongue rough like sandpaper against my skin.“Last night… it was the first time since Ben. And it was amazing. I really like you, Josh, but it's hard for me to be here in the woods without him. My mom withdrew into herself,
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Josh tilted his head to the side and placed a heavy paw on top of my hand. I smiled despite the tears.“The clock is ticking for me to accept postgraduate placements. I was accepted to Yale, Auckland and Cambridge. They're all in exciting, faraway places that aren't here, but when I think about telling my mom I'm leaving… I just can't. I sighed. “I'll stay in Crookshollow forever, trapped here by the ghosts of the dead.Josh pressed his nose against my hand and whimpered. That's exactly how I felt when I thought about the pile of acceptance letters burning on my desk at home. His weight pressed against me, warm and reassuring, and my anxiety about the future disappeared. Calm washed over me. That would work.I had Josh now. With his strong body and sharp mind by my side, I knew that, one way or another, I would work things out.“Good night, Josh. I kissed the soft fur on top of her head. He tapped my chin with his wet nose, then curled up next to me, a reassuring weight beside me. He
PROTECTED BY THE WEREWOLF 18
“I'll be fine,” I promised, pushing off his paw and pulling off the shirt I'd worn to bed. I put my arms in my bra and did that, then pulled my pink thermal shirt over the top. “That wolf is unlikely to attack the site in broad daylight, especially now that he knows you're around. And I promise I won't go anywhere else without you. I know you won't be far from me if I need you.Josh looked at me for a few moments, then slowly shook his head.- Good boy. I scratched behind his ears. Josh stood up and swayed his body down. I admired the toned muscles in his legs, the beautiful shape of his jaw, the powerful slope of his back. Even in wolf form, he was an impressive creature.I opened the flap and a blast of cold air hit my face. Josh left, his beautiful tail flying behind him. I watched as he bolted towards the bushes.“Josh? I poked my head into the frigid air. He turned his head, those big green eyes swimming in my vision. - Be careful.Josh nodded and walked away, his tail disappeari
PROTECTED BY THE WEREWOLF 19
This thing was getting too dangerous. My father had told me that there were other packs who wanted the caves and paintings to remain hidden. The alpha of Bleddyn's pack wanted to marry my grandmother, but she chose my grandfather. If they knew the caves had been discovered, and my grandmother's paintings brought to light, they might come here to claim the territory they thought was rightfully theirs.And then there would be the wolves who wanted to act on behalf of shifters everywhere in order to keep the true origin of the paintings a secret. It wouldn't take long for an archaeologist or a reporter to uncover the local legends about the caves, and then stories of werewolves would appear in every tabloid across the country. There were packs that would kill everyone involved to stop that from happening.Dad, I wish you were here. I fell under a tree, feeling defeated. I licked my skin, cleaning off some of the mud that had dried there . I don't know what to do about all this. Now it's
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PietraFFrances had completely abandoned work on the Neolithic cave. I was almost relieved. The thought of going back to cataloging fox bones and stone chips after everything that had happened filled me with dread. Instead, she and Ruth spent most of the day in the caves, delicate brushes in hand, cleaning dirt and dust from the paintings, ready for the university's professional photographer, who would arrive tomorrow. The cave was narrow and couldn't accommodate more than two people at a time, or so Ruth had happily explained when she'd ordered me to stay behind at camp.Fine by me. Rain clouds rolled over the forest, sending enough water to restart a biblical flood. Instead of walking through the cold caves, I sat in the trailer, wrapped in a wool shirt, scarf, and gloves, reading Heinlein while sipping my third hot tea of the day.It was my job to talk to the Daily Post reporters, who would arrive later that morning. Meanwhile, I was enjoying one of the rare downtimes on the site.
PROTECTED BY THE WEREWOLF 21
JoshDreams assaulted me in technicolor, the frantic images of past hunts, of running with my father from rangers and hunters, of hiding in caves and hollow trees. Always in movement,always running from something, my father's face always closed and sad.Beep-beep.Something shrill woke me from my dreams. I shook myself awake, looking around for the source of the noise. Pietra's cell phone. I tapped my muzzle in a vain attempt to shut him up. One of the downsides of being stuck in my wolf form… no opposable thumbs.“Urrrgh. Pietra rolled over, throwing one arm out and hanging up the phone without opening her eyes. I felt a flash of shame at myself. I fell asleep. I was supposed to be guarding Pietra, but I was so exhausted from the night before and all the running…but Pietra was fine. She was still alive. That was all that mattered. I swore never to let my guard down again.Pietra stroked my cheek.“Hey Josh.His voice sounded hoarse with sleep. The eyes fluttered open, the long lashe
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