Chapter 1

Chapter

One

REECE

I ’ve worked hard all my life, and for what?

Fucking wolves .

This shouldn’t have happened. Coming to the mountains should’ve been refreshing. It should’ve given me a chance to get to know myself. Instead, I’m trying to fit into wherever the hell I’ve just stepped into.

I fight to steel my nerves when I notice the wolves creep closer. They stop as our gazes connect.

Shit .

Even they know I don’t belong here. The story of my life. As an orphan, I’ve never belonged anywhere. I thought these mountains would accept me. The three hungry-looking wolves seem to disagree.

They crouch down in the snow and growl. I take a step back, but freeze as they snap their teeth.

What the hell do I do? Run? Play dead?

I glance around. Damn . There’s nothing to defend myself with. I’m in an open field with nowhere to hide and nothing but snow to throw at them.

I should have stayed closer to the house, where I could have darted inside, but I was itching to take a walk. To feel the serenity of the forest echoing inside me. I desperately needed the crisp air to clear my mind so I could understand why my life was so empty.

I have no friends, no family, not even a dog. There’s no job waiting for me back in the city or a home to call my own.

Considering my life from an outsider’s perspective is even more pathetic than living it. I sigh.

God. Is this really how I’m going to die? Denied of a promotion I worked my ass off for, quitting a dead-end job I stayed at for over ten years in a fit of rage, and freezing my ass off in the middle of nowhere on the first vacation I’ve ever taken? This trip was meant to help me turn a new page, restart my life.

Instead, when my life is already at rock-bottom, I’m going to be torn to shreds by wild animals.

Just fucking great.