Chapter 14

14

EMMA

Hunter's explanations the other night put a lot of things into perspective, especially his concern about his sister. Holly’s symptoms have become a little more concerning over the past few weeks. She comes in every few days for intravenous hydration therapy and has started keeping a diary of what she’s eating. If she can't start getting enough calories, we are going to have to order supplements for her.

The labs have cleared many things up, showing increased white blood cells and a cell regeneration rate nearly ten times that of a human. The toxicology reports also eliminated many of the household substances that would cause poisoning, making me believe a plant causes it. However, I need to know the exact poison affecting them in order to develop an antitoxin or decontamination plan. I need to do more digging about plant life in the area.

Amy walks into my office. Her light brown hair is thrown up into a messy bun, and her pink scrubs scream Barbie girl . She’s been on the night shift, we don’t have anyone in the clinic full time but just in case something happens I wanted the clinic available.

“Hey, Boss.” Amy's voice is chipper as she slides into the chair opposite me.

“Hey, Ams.” We’ve done this shift change several times, so we catch up quickly, and she explains the excitement around Jackson’s return.

Amy asks, “Are you going to the pack house tonight for the run?”

I shake my head. “No, I’m staying in. I honestly can’t wait to have some alone time.”

Even though Hunter has been the best roommate, there is something freeing about doing what you want in your own space. Amy and I finish going through the clinic, and I head home to take a long shower, curl up in my favorite blanket, and watch a movie.

Warm soapy water runs down my body as my brain continues to work over how I can use cell regeneration to aid in healing and overcoming the poison. The regeneration explains why Holly’s symptoms appear mild but don’t explain what's blocking her healing abilities. The idea that they have been living in a state of constant nausea and lethargy means the poison is not strong enough to kill, but it inhibits the cell regeneration enough to affect bodily functions.

Climbing out of the shower, I wrap up in a plush towel, eyeing the beautiful bouquet of wildflowers on the bathroom counter. Hunter brought them over yesterday. Thinking of him has my body flooding with heat and comfort. He hasn't kissed me again since the night he gave me the necklace, but my lips tingle at the memory. There is this underlying thread of sexual tension anytime we are home together.

My fingers slid over my lips softly, remembering the way he took control and held me through the anxiety attack that followed. He’s been doting and kind but not overwhelming. He also got me a new phone and took my old one, which has eased a lot of the anxiety over Cole. Add in Hunter staying here full-time, knowing there is a giant wolf standing between me and danger.

I grab Hunter's oversized flannel off the dresser. I never told him I was taking it, but I have found so much comfort being surrounded by him, and wrapped up safely in his shirt. I smell the fabric loving the woodsy scent.

I smile to myself as I head towards the kitchen loving this feeling. Cole left a sour taste in my mouth regarding relationships, and Hunter has been nothing like him, proving to me every day that relationships don't have to be a power struggle. There is a note on the fridge:

Emma,

I am going to miss you tonight. I left steak in the fridge for you with a salad. Please stay at the house while I’m gone, and I'll see you in a few hours.

Yours, Hunter

I laugh as if I would go outside. That overly lush couch and chunky knit blanket are calling my name. The leftover steak is right in front and I quickly throw it in the microwave before heading towards the couch to pick a movie.

As I sit, I hear scratching and whining at the back door—my pulse skyrockets. Of course, on my first night alone, there’s a creepy sound coming from the back door. My eyes flit to the doorknob, watching it carefully as another set of rhythmic scratches and a small howl causes the door to shudder slightly.

I forgo the spatula I picked up on my way toward the backdoor. Gathering up my last remaining bit of courage, I turn the knob. Peering out into the murky gray valley, I don't immediately see anything. Just as I turn to go back inside, I see a flash of dark eyes—a small, fluffy silver wolf pup. His tiny frame is curled in a tight ball on my Adirondack chair, the pearly black of his eyes blinking at me.

“Baby?” I gently whisper. "Oh, sweet thing. Why don't you come inside? Are you lost?” His ears perk up. “Is your momma out there? Do you want me to go look?” His tiny tail wags as he leaps gracefully from the chair and saunters towards my door.

What do I do? I’m talking to a wolf puppy. “Okay…are you a part of Hunter’s pack?”

His head bobs as if he can understand me.

Alright . “Can you shift back yet?”

His entire body falls as if I have brought some terrible shame upon him. “Oh, hun. It's okay.”

I pause with my hand on the doorknob. My rule of not having wolves in the clinic is a rule I should maintain at home, but I can't just leave this little guy outside. Dang it.

“Alright, come inside.”

Even as a little wolf, his tiny being is full of attitude as he walks over the threshold and into my house. I watch while he assesses my space as I think over what I'm supposed to do. Hunter told me that pups stay at the Lodge with their parents to work through shifts, so how did this guy end up here?

I’m unsure how to handle a wolf puppy, so I send a text to Hunter.

Hey, I know you’re doing pack stuff tonight if anyone is missing a little boy or pup, he ended up on my back porch.

Peeking up from my phone, I scan my room for the little guy. He’s wrapped up in a tight ball, snuggled into the corner of my couch, and lying on the blanket I got out for myself. His chest is softly rising and falling. The poor thing is probably so scared and exhausted. The pack house is at least a mile from here.

As I consider my options, the microwave beeps again and I pull the steak from it as I look out the back window. My motherly intuition wants to return this little guy to whoever he belongs to. Almost automatically, I make my way over to the back door—the fear and memories of going into the forest last time cause my heart to pick up. As I turn the knob I check back over my shoulder at the tiny fluff ball. It’ll be a quick look to see if someone is missing him . I grab a flashlight from the drawer and head down my back porch steps.

The valley is eerily quiet. The wind isn't even moving the pines. I rub my arms gently as I huff down the small hill towards the forest.

“Hello?” I pause to see if anything is moving. A faint howl has me jogging quickly to the forest's edge. “Are there any wolf mommas out there? Hello! I found a puppy.” The silence seems unnatural, but I swear I hear a wolf. I decide to peek into the forest trail, but the flashlight only gives me a few feet of view into the darkness. It feels like the darkness could swallow me. My skin pebbles, and I check behind me to ensure I can still see my house. I take a few steadying deep breaths, and then take a couple more steps forward.

“Hello?” My voice is quieter now, and I'm less sure this was a good idea. Something doesn't feel right.

Snap.

“What the hell?” I turn to run back to the safety of my house. The flashlight gives only slight glimpses of the world around me as my arms pump at my sides. I jump up the three steps of my porch and slide over the threshold, slamming the door shut behind me.

“Oh my god.”

There's a sound of boots outside the door. I silently curse Solaris for not having deadbolts. The wolf pup's ears perk up and his head tilts to the side as he watches me slide down the inside of the door. I’ve never felt more frightened in my life as I look at the puppy, shaking my head. The heavy boots tread steadily up the back porch. Each step mocking my fast heart beat. I can feel the vibrations of each step. I press harder into the door as the handle turns slowly next to my head. I hold my breath pressing all my weight to hold the door shut. Hunter's truck comes tearing up the drive, his lights shooting straight through the front window.

The handle next to my head releases, and I hear the person behind the door retreat as Hunter barrels through the front door. His bright blue eyes search the room quickly, only briefly pausing on the puppy and then on me, pressed against the back door.

With him here, the tears finally fall. “Hunter?—”

Before I finish saying his name, he pulls me into his body, breathing deeply.

He whispers against my ear, “You’re okay, but I need you to stay here.” His thumbs swipe at the tears still falling down my face. He sets me in a kitchen chair as he stalks to the back door and wrenches it open.

My fear doubles as he shuts the door behind him and heads toward the forest. The small puppy comes over to me and jumps into my lap, offering me a little comfort.

It feels like an eternity before Hunter reappears in the doorway.

He heads straight to me, dropping to his knees at my side. He slides his hands over the puppy and removes him from my lap. “Emma, what happened?”

“You didn't see my text?”

He shakes his head.

“There was a puppy on my porch, so I went out to look for his momma.”

Hunter’s body visibly tightens, but his voice stays soft. “Keep going, sweet girl.”

Taking a centering breath, I continue. “I went down to the forest, but something didn't feel right, so I ran back to the cabin. Hunter, a man chased me back here. I swear. I heard his boots, and then he tried to come inside.”

Hunter wipes at the tears. “I know. I know, I could smell him.”

Hunter then pulls me into his arms, holding me as I breathe through all the feelings, kissing my forehead softly and a chaste kiss on my lips, his hands running delicately down my cheek, “I’m always going to be here for you. Keep you safe. I’m sorry I wasn't here sooner.”

He turns to the wolf still sitting next to us. “So you came all the way down here?” His tone is both impressed and something else. Worried?

“Why? What's wrong with that?” I ask.

“We set up a run radius within the regional park around the Lodge to stay protected until we figure out the poaching situation. I don't know how this little guy could’ve crossed the river to end up here.

Let's drive him back up to the Lodge. I’m sure his mom is worried about him.”

I scoop the small pup up in my arms and snuggle his face. Hunter watches the interaction with a glint in his eyes, an emotion I can’t quite read.

“You look good holding a puppy.” Is all he says as we slide into the truck.

“Why is he still a wolf?”

Hunter starts up the truck. “Typically, a shifter can shift between forms easily. Puppies struggle to shift between forms, so they stay at the Lodge to keep them safe. This little guy and his mom live at the Lodge. We went on a pack run tonight for my brother. But, how he got separated, I don't know. ”

I nod as my hands brush through the puppy’s fur. We turn up a large driveway and find Nan standing next to a distressed-looking woman. “Is that your momma?” I baby talk to the small wolf as I open the door.

“Kyler Reed, you had me so worried.” Her voice is threaded with concern as the puppy leaps from my arms and runs straight to his mom.

The small wolf collides with his mother as she picks him up and kisses his face. Then, she places him back down in front of her as she coaches him through shifting. “Focus on your feet. Press them into the soil and let your body relax.” Her tone is soft as she runs a hand down his back.

I take in the interaction with both fascination and wonder, how she gentles her voice and helps him find his human form. Hunter steps beside me, pulling me close to his body as I watch with absolute captivation. The little puppy drops his head. His small toes wiggle slightly, then a gentle ripple runs through his form, and he shifts into a boy with dirty-blond hair.

The smile that lights up his face as he straightens fades as a giant of a man comes jogging down the driveway.

Oh my god. Is that the man from Anchorage?

I turn to Hunter trying to hide my apprehension, “Hunter, who’s that?”

He looks up at the man in question, smiling brightly. “That's my brother, Jackson.”

Jackson is the man who saved me from Cole sexually assaulting me. Oh god. I’m not ready to face Jackson after he saved me. I fully turn into Hunter's arms, hoping Jackson doesn't recognize me.

Instead, he is solely focused on the puppy, his voice a deep rumble. “Hunter, you said he was at your house, and there was a man there?”

Hunter gives him an affirming nod. “Well, Emma’s house, but close enough.”

Jackson's eyes flit to me but don't linger as he turns to the small boy. “Why don't you come inside and let's chat?”

I worry he is about to say something. Instead, he leads the little boy and mom back to the pack house.