Page 36 of Rescued

She went to close it, and saw the broken screen door.

What had happened here? Was this what had woken her up?

She stepped outside, listening. Across the compound she could see lights on in the command center, but otherwise the compound was dark and shadowy. There was no movement.

Maybe Switch had just gone out to run as a wolf? Mikey had told her wolf shifters often did that at night, even though Switch usually stayed close to the cabin.

But if that’s all it was, then what had happened to the door?

Anxiety gnawed at her stomach. Something was wrong with him, but she didn’t know what.

That’s silly, she told herself. If anyone can take care of themselves, it’s Switch.

But maybe she should just go and see if he was in the command center?

Mikey had said not to go out at night, but that wasn’t very far, right? Just a little ways away.

She dressed quickly, and grabbed Switch’s phone to use as a flashlight.

The command center wasn’t far, but she felt like things were watching her from the shadows, waiting to pounce.

Well, they probably can’t kill me before I get a scream out, right? she told herself. So, whoever is in the command center will save me.

Probably even with most of her limbs intact.

Stop being a baby, she scolded herself.

She peered through the window of the command center. Dealer was in there with a couple of guys she didn’t know, playing cards.

Everything seemed quiet.

Breanna backed away—she didn’t want to talk to them or try to explain why she was out.

She was halfway back to the cabin when she heard the howl once more. It was the same one from her dream—lost and lonely and unhappy.

Switch. She knew it was. Without thinking, she turned toward it.

She walked up the hill toward the forest, following the trail. She wouldn’t go far into the woods. Only a little way.

The trees were thin at the edge of the forest, without much underbrush. “Switch?” she called out softly. Wolves had sharp ears. Maybe he’d hear. “Switch? Are you okay?”

It hadn’t occurred to her that other wolves might hear as well.

They appeared like demons out of the night—one minute they weren’t there, and the next they were. Three big, bulky wolves, golden eyes gleaming, circling her so she couldn’t escape.

Breanna froze. “What to you want?” She tried to keep her voice firm and steady, but she heard the quaver in it.

They did too. The stopped circling, all at the same time, and stared at her.

They were in a triangle—one right in front of her, and the other two to the sides and a little behind, just on the edges of her peripheral vision. The back of her neck prickled with a primal warning of danger.

The one in front of her bared his teeth. Damn. He could take her hand off with one bite.

Still, they didn’t seem out of control, like Mikey had warned her. They seemed to know exactly what they were doing.

Scaring her. On purpose.

"Stop messing with me,” she said, trying to sound brave. “I’m looking for Switch.”