11. Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

Emm

I spent a lot of time with the members of the infamous biker club. I don't know what it was about them, but I felt drawn to the group. They were nice. I don't know if it was because they were trying to draw me in to get to know me and who I was, to find out the real reason I was here, or if they were genuine.

They were pulling away the bricks I'd built around myself, though. The women made me laugh, and the men weren't intimidating like I thought they were in the beginning. They were giant, golden retriever cinnamon rolls to the ladies they were dating, and I wasn't sure what to make of it.

Grim, for example, scared the shit out of me at first. Big red beard, tattoos and muscles. He was huge with a constant scowl on his face, but when he saw Journey, you could see the wrinkles soften around his face, and he followed her around like a helpless puppy, touching her, everywhere she went.

For the first time in my life, I felt a pang of jealousy. I've never, ever wanted a man. I've even toyed with the idea to become a lesbian. I even watched a few pornos to see if I would get into it, but unfortunately, my body didn't react like I'd hoped. It wasn't in me. I still liked dick far too much.

I think my ovaries just about exploded when I saw Hawke holding his baby while Delilah served drinks around the bar. The woman was a fairy, prancing around, and Hawke looked at her and his child-like they both hung the stars.

Yet, these women took the time out of their day to become friends with me.

Nadia was another that was hell bent on getting to know me. She was a tiny thing that barely came up to my shoulder. I think if I sat on her she'd disappear, but the woman ate as much as I did, which I had to give her credit for.

"You should come by Bear's gym." She cut up part of her steak. "You said you really liked kickboxing. They are starting up classes soon. If you stay, maybe you can be the permanent instructor. You look like you have powerful legs."

I tried not to smile and brushed the napkin down my lap. I don't remember ever being complimented so much, especially about my body.

"Uh, thanks, I'll think about it. I don't know if I'm staying here that long."

Nadia wrinkled her brow. "Why not? You fit in here great. Everyone loves you here. I think you'd be a great addition. We could get you a vest, too."

I took a sip of my whisky. "To be a part of a motorcycle club, I think you need a bike."

Nadia smirked and stuffed a hunk of meat into her mouth. "Well, you could always ride on the back of one of the guys'?"

My lips parted, my eyes narrowing at her until a man, not of the Iron Fang, strode up to the both of us at our two-person table. He leaned toward me with his hand on my shoulder to steady himself.

"Hey, baby. Did you sit on a box of Lucky Charms? Because that booty…" He looked down at my ass, which was hanging slightly over the chair. "Looks magically delicious."

A long, deep growl came from the shadows of the bar. I turned my head to find out where the noise was but as I did, Nadia stood and gripped her hand around the man's neck who was at least a head and half taller than her.

"This is a safe space," she declared, her voice filled with determination. With a forceful shove, she propelled him backwards, causing him to slide on his rear. The sound of his body hitting the floor echoed through the room, as he collided with the table next to us.

What. The. Hell.

I stood with my mouth hung open. There was beer all over the man, and the club members rushed toward him and pulled him up.

"Whoa, dude, the fuck is your problem? You know the rules in here," Karma, one of the members, snarled. He hovered over the now-standing man with a stern glare. "This is our bar, and we don't take kindly to that kind of bullshit and disrespect, especially to Emm. What's your name?"

I blinked in surprise.

"Beck," he said, and looked around nervously. He clearly realized that he'd made a huge mistake. "I'm sorry, I meant nothing by it. I just thought it'd be funny to mess with the new girl in town, you know?"

Nadia shook her head, clearly disgusted with him. "I suppose you learned a lesson about not treating a woman with disrespect like that. Now get, and don't come back."

Beck hesitated for a moment, clearly contemplating arguing or trying to play it off as a joke, but then he turned and swayed out of the bar.

With the tension broken, the group of Iron Fang members returned to their normal chatter, laughing and joking. Nadia sat back down and offered me a weak smile, clearly embarrassed by the incident.

"Sorry about that," she said, gesturing to the table. "Sometimes people can't help themselves, especially when they see someone new."

I smiled back, still a little shaken by the experience. "It's alright. I just didn't expect that kind of reaction from you."

Because you are so damn small.

Nadia nodded. "I know the club can be intimidating at first. We've tried to be really welcoming, and we are. We really care about you, and we want you to feel welcome here. If you're looking for a sense of belonging and a group of people who will have your back, I don't think you'll find a better place to settle down than here. Even if I do look small, I got some fight in me." She held out a fist and waved it in the air.

As we continued talking, I couldn't help but feel a swell of gratitude for the acceptance and warmth that these people had shown me. It's a stark contrast to the loneliness and isolation I've felt for so long, and I wonder if maybe, just maybe, this place could be a new beginning for me.

But, that isn't why I'm here. I'm not here to find a home. I'm here to find Locke, which I was not any closer to doing.

Now I felt too guilty to even ask where Locke was. No one has brought up his name, and it would be far too suspicious now if I brought it up. They would know I've used them and played them. And I didn't want to do that because, finally, I felt like I belonged.

The sun was high and the days were getting warmer. It was close to summer and the water didn't feel as cold anymore. It could very well be I was getting used to the cold dips in the lake, or the heat I felt on my body when I stepped in.

I took my caddy, one that floated in the water as I waded out about waist deep. I dunked my head under the water to soak myself and rose above the surface. The sun heated the skin on my back but also another heat filled me; from eyes watching.

I turned to check my surroundings, but the only eyes I could see were those of the wolf that had not left my side when I stayed at the campsite.

"Hey wolf," I said. I didn't shout at him, I figured he could hear me. Animals had excellent hearing, right?

He tilted his head, his eyes gazed upon me with a fierce intensity, like he always did when I bathed or he saw me naked. Do animals realize when people are naked? Do they know humans are at their most vulnerable?

"Watcha doing, big boy? Just going to sit there?"

He didn't wag his tail. He continued to stare at me, inching closer and closer to the water.

I haven't purposely touched the wolf. I've been far too scared since that one night. The wolf has taken plenty of times to brush up against my leg, begging me to touch him or give him some sort of companionship, but I have been far too reluctant.

But now, as the wolf crept closer to the water's edge, something within me shifted. Maybe it was the newfound sense of camaraderie I had experienced with the Iron Fang members that made me more open to connection, or perhaps it was the isolation of living in the wilderness that drove me to seek companionship in unlikely places. Without overthinking it, I extended my hand towards the wolf, offering a tentative gesture to come forward.

The wolf paused, his eyes meeting mine in a moment of silent understanding. Then, with a sudden grace that belied his wild nature he took tentative steps into the water. The wolf was large, so walking out toward me wouldn't drown the beast, he would just stand right beside me.

When he came closer, he dipped his head and nuzzled my hand. A rush of emotions flooded through me - surprise, joy, fear - as I felt the warmth of fur beneath my touch. It was comforting and not as scary as I thought it would be. The thoughts of blood running over its body when we first met, of when he killed an intruder weren't there now. Only calmness and trust.

This wolf wouldn't hurt me. This animal was here beside me for a reason. Maybe he was my spirit guide? My alebrije? Because he was a canine, I would consider him as a symbol of loyalty and protection. I wondered if anyone else could really see him?

I let out a huff of laughter. He looked up at me with questioning eyes. "Yeah, I think I've gone loco."

The wolf came closer and his nose nuzzled in between my breasts. I stilled, and watched as he did so, worried I had made a wrong movement. But, he did nothing except purr.

A purr?

I stroked his head and reached for the caddy that continued to float. I pulled out a bottle that I had asked Bones to get for me; for a wild dog I'd found and started to befriend.

This wolf had mange, and I'd have to treat both of us if we were to be close to each other from now on. Maybe I had all along thought I would get close to this animal, if I'd put the soap in my caddy. Anyway, this wolf was going to be treated for fleas, ticks, scabies and, if I could, I was going to get him vaccinated, too.

Bones said he wouldn't get near any sort of animal, and that I'd have to do it on my own.

"Easy now," I cooed at the wolf. "I'm just going to soap you up, and get you feeling and smelling better."

The wolf didn't move; he stayed contentedly between my breasts as I massaged the soap into his fur.

It was an odd feeling, the warmth of the sun on my skin, the water around me and the weight of the wolf's body resting between my breasts. I tried not to focus on it, knowing that I was doing the right thing for both of us. We were forming a bond, a connection that I hadn't felt in a long time.

As I massaged the soap into his fur, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the wolf's presence. It was as if the universe was sending me a sign, and letting me know I wasn't alone. For a moment, I really felt like I belonged in this wilderness, like I was part of something bigger.

The wolf seemed to enjoy the massage, purring softly as I worked my way through his matted fur. I could see the difference already - his skin was looking healthier, and his fur was regaining some of its original shine.

As I rinsed the soap from his fur, I noticed, again, the wolf's eyes had a human-like quality to them. It was as if he was looking into my soul, understanding the complicated thoughts and emotions that churned within me.

I finished rinsing the soap from his fur, and carefully wiped his face with a clean cloth when I led him out of the water. The wolf let out a small whine, and I realized I had grown quite attached to him myself. I didn't know washing your pet could be so—intimate, but it was.

I pulled a towel around myself now that my wolf was dry, and he let out a whine again.

"Well, I'm cold now and you're all dry," I told him, pulling out the glass bottles of medicine for him to take. It was some antibiotics to help with any open wounds he might have that I couldn't see. Bones said it was important to give it to the wolf I'd found, because it would really speed up his healing process.

I knelt to the forest floor and tapped his nose. "Open up, Bones said this would help you heal faster. It won't taste good, but if you're good, I'll give you some meat he gave me. Wild animals don't like dog food."

My wolf's lip curled in disgust and I shoved the syringe in the side of his mouth.

He gagged, and I laughed, falling backward. He jumped on top of me, his large thick, warm body hovering over me. He licked my neck and pawed the towel away. His smooth tongue went between my breasts, and my body instantly heated.

Oh shit.

His tongue grazed over my pierced nipple, and I yelped in surprise.

"No, no, bad boy." I went to push him off, but again, he licked my nipple. "No!" I slapped his nose and he stopped, his eyes boring into mine.

"We do not lick those! Off!" I pushed him away and he retreated with a sad face.

I stood, readjusting the towel and pushing the leaves out of my hair.

My pussy was drenched and my body was on fire, all because my pet wolf licked me in places where he didn't know any better.

When was the last time I practiced some self-love? Maybe that was the problem? Dios mio, I'm fucking drenched.

"I need—a moment." I said breathlessly to him, turned on my heel and rushed to the RV.