Looking a bit surprised at my reaction, Kara touches my arm. “We weren’t attacking him, babe. I’m sorry if it came off that way.”
I try to rein in my irritation because I know neither Kara or Sally are mean spirited people. “I just hope people give him a chance to acclimate before they start labeling him as antisocial,” I mutter.
Sally winces. “Sorry. You’re right. He’s only been here one day. I’d be freaking out too if everyone in town was trying to talk to me.”
Kara rubs my back. “I’m sorry too. I should be more empathetic. It’s good that you’re protective of him, honey. He probably needs someone like you to have his back right now.”
“He’s a good guy. I want him to succeed here.” I shrug and finish off my beer.
The rest of the evening passes in a blur of more drinks and conversation. But, if I’m honest, my attention is elsewhere now. I’m thinking about Jude not the people around me. I’m a bit confused about why I feel so protective of him, seeing as I hardly know him. But it really irked me when Kara and Sally started criticizing him.
I also can’t stop thinking about the fact that he also felt like he knew me the first time he saw me. I’ve never experienced that before with any other wolf. It was as if, when I set eyes on Jude, something inside me said, “This one matters.” Then, when we met in the chief’s office, Jude’s scent was calming. Familiar, evenwithout any memory of ever meeting. I don’t know him, but I trust him. How does that make sense?
Once the clock hits 11:00 p.m. I turn to Kara. “I have an early shift tomorrow. I should get going.”
“Really?” She pushes her lips out in a pout. “Boo. I’m having fun.”
“Sorry. You don’t have to leave just because I’m leaving.” I stand, pulling on my jacket. “Too many late nights in a row catch up to me these days. I’m getting old.”
She laughs and also stands, slipping her arms around me. “You’re not old, babe. How about we both leave and you come to my place? I can’t guarantee we’ll get much sleep, but it’ll be worth staying up late.”
Usually, I’d be all over that. But tonight, the thought of having sex with her and losing sleep doesn’t appeal. I really must be getting old if I’m turning down what I know for a fact would be smokin’ hot sex with Kara. “It was stressful breaking in a new partner.” I smile weakly. “Rain check?”
She looks disappointed. “You don’t want to come over?”
Guilt nudges me. “My birthday is in two days. We can party all night then.”
She gives a resigned sigh. “Okay.”
I smile at her. “Don’t be sad. You can have your way with me on Friday. Maybe I’ll even let you use my cuffs.”
She brightens. “Really? That’s a deal.” She bites her bottom lip and leans in to kiss me.
The kiss is nice, but it doesn’t change my mind. My dick just isn’t interested tonight. I hug her and head out of the bar, saying my goodbyes to my co-workers on the way to the door.
The drive home takes ten minutes. My house is on the edge of town, close enough to be convenient but far enough that I’ve got space and privacy. My home is a modest two-story cabin-style place I bought two years ago, nothing fancy but it’s mine.
Inside, I strip off my jacket and try to settle, but my skin feels too tight, my wolf restless, pacing under the surface and demanding release. I haven’t felt like this in a while. I shift for pack runs, but not on my own so much anymore. Not like when I was younger.
I go into my bedroom, trying to ignore the gnawing need to shift, but eventually it wins. Yes, I need sleep, but I need to shift more. I strip out of my clothes and go to the back door of the cabin. The cold nips at my bare skin as I step onto the porch, but I hardly notice. My wolf is already coiling under the surface, eager and insistent.
The shift comes over me fast. Bones cracking and reforming, muscles stretching, dark fur piercing up through my skin. It hurts in the way it always does, but the pain is brief and actually welcome. Then I’m down on four legs, shaking out my black fur, and the world explodes into scent and sound. All my human worries fall away.
I take off into the woods behind my property, letting my wolf take over. The snow is fresh and deep, muffling sound but carrying scents on the cold air. My nostrils fill with the smell of pine and earth and the remnants of fox trails.
I don’t have a destination. I’m just moving, burning off whatever this tension is that’s been building all evening. The forest opens up before me and I run faster, weaving between trees, leaping over fallen logs. My breath comes in steady pants, misting in the cold air. This is what I needed. Space and speed and silence.
At one point I catch a scent on the breeze that makes me stop running. I perk my ears, lifting my nose to inhale the enticing scent deeper into my lungs. It’s another wolf. Not pack though. The scent is different. But I know it. The familiarity of it seeps into my soul, making my heartrate spike.
Jude.
Excitement spirals through me as I follow the scent, moving quieter now, more cautious. It leads me deeper into the woods, toward the neutral territory that edges pack land. And there, in a small clearing where moonlight breaks through the trees, I see him. The sight of him sends an exhilarating thrill through me.
His wolf is smaller than mine. He’s lean and built to be fast. His fur catches the moonlight, showing silvery tips that shimmer with each movement. He’s beautiful in a way that makes my wolf whine softly. I yearn to go to him, but I fight the urge. I’m not sure he’ll be receptive.
Then he notices me, freezing mid-step. His ears flatten slightly, body tensing. Not aggressive, but wary. He doesn’t know if I’m a threat.
I lower my head slightly, a gesture of peace. Not submission, I’m an alpha wolf and that doesn’t come naturally to me, but acknowledgment. I’m not here to fight. I’m not here to challenge.
