5. Marie

FIVE

MARIE

I couldn’t help but feel a sense of warmth and longing after the tight embrace with Jesse. His concern for my safety had touched me deeply, and the chemistry between us was undeniable. As I continued to prepare Belle’s snack in the kitchen, my thoughts remained on him. Now I knew a little bit more about what was going on here. I knew for certain that there was an intense danger burning between us.

My heart felt a little floaty, and a small smile tugged at my lips, but the grim news I needed to talk about with my father soon pulled me back to reality. I couldn’t let my momentary distraction overshadow the seriousness of the situation.

After finishing her snack, I called out to Belle, who had been playing in the living room. “Belle, sweetheart, your food is ready!”

Her joyful laughter echoed through the house as she hurried toward the kitchen, her tiny feet pattering on the floor. Seeing her brightened my spirits, and I couldn’t help but be grateful for the innocence she brought into my life.

As I parted ways with Jesse, his offer to walk me home hung in the air for a moment before I politely declined. It was a short distance back to my house from here, and I felt like I needed a little time to process everything that had happened during the day.

Knowing that there was a lot going on in this town made me anxious. It was a stark reminder that it didn’t matter where I was. I would have to deal with trouble. There was nowhere safe, and I could understand a little why my father was being so overprotective.

The evening air was crisp and chilly as I walked, the moon casting a faint silver glow over the quiet streets of Wolf Mountain, and I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of paranoia as I walked alone. My steps quickened, and I pulled my cardigan tighter around me, as if the thin layer of fabric could shield me from the unsettling thoughts that swirled in my mind. I knew it was irrational to be so worried, especially in our close-knit community, but there was definitely something in the air.

Finally, I reached my front door, and a sigh of relief escaped my lips as I stepped inside. The familiar warmth and coziness of my home enveloped me, easing some of the tension that had built up during the walk. It was a relief to be in the comfort of my own space, away from the mysteries and dangers that seemed to lurk in the woods. What was it? I should have asked for more details. I was pretty sure the only reason Jesse wouldn’t tell me more was because he knew my father wouldn’t want him to.

I didn’t want Jesse to think of me as a child as well as my father. That would crush me. But then the hug definitely didn’t feel like he saw me only as a child. Hmm, I was definitely very confused. This was all so perplexing.

After a quiet dinner, I knew it was time to talk to my father at last. I cleared my throat, my heart heavy with the burden of delivering such troubling information. “Dad,” I began, my voice quivering slightly, “I need to talk to you about something.”

My father looked up from his plate, concern etched across his features. “What is it, Marie? You seem troubled.”

I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words to convey the seriousness of the situation. “Dad, today Jesse told me that there is something going on in this town. Something bad. And I know you’ve been skating around the subject, but I would like to know more. I’ve been told to avoid the woods at night, which affects my wildlife photography, so I deserve to know why.”

Dad sighed, his face paling with concern. “I didn’t know you knew that much.”

“So, what’s going on?” I demanded.

His brow furrowed and he set his fork down. “Okay, well there has been a lot going on. There have been a lot of issues that the town is facing…”

“Stop beating around the bush.”

He sighed heavily. “People have been killed, Marie. Hikers and people out in the woods on their own are being murdered. I didn’t want you to know that, but I do think it’s a good idea for you to keep safe. You should stop photographing for a while.”

My blood ran icy cold as I contemplated the gruesome fate of the hikers, their lives cut short in the heart of these once peaceful woods. In a place as small and tight-knit as Wolf Mountain, such horrors were never supposed to occur, especially with the presence of numerous wolf clans dedicated to our protection.

It had been three long decades since humanity first discovered the existence of wolf shifters living among them. Since then, the two races had managed to settle into an uneasy peace, one that balanced on the precipice of a fragile coexistence. However, this newfound harmony was far from universal.

Some humans had reacted poorly to the revelation, sparking a surge in shifter hunters who sought to exploit and harm them. Others had pushed for legislation that aimed to control or restrict the wolves. In response, the shifters had dispersed across various regions, seeking refuge in more remote areas like these rugged mountains of Wyoming.

Yet, even in these serene landscapes, tensions simmered. The popularity of certain regions had attracted different packs, sometimes from distinct clans, all vying for space and resources. Although it was strictly forbidden for wolves to kill one another, except in cases where dangerous rogues posed a threat, the competition for territory often forced these groups to resolve their disputes in less savory ways.

In the face of such challenges, some packs formed alliances, while others engaged in covert machinations against rival groups, and occasionally, these power struggles escalated into violence. It was a complex and volatile dynamic that underscored the delicate balance between peace and chaos in our hidden world.

Was that what was going on here? Was this a war between the wolf clans? That would be an issue for all of us. How were we going to keep safe if the wolves started warring?

“I don’t know if I even want you out of the house or working for Jesse anymore,” my father suddenly mused, making me feel sick to my stomach. “You walking home alone at night and being with that young girl by yourself… It doesn’t feel right.”

No way. There was no way I was going to lose that job as well or I would never get out of here. Ever.

“Dad,” I began gently, trying to reassure him, “I know this is frightening, but we need to trust Jesse and his pack. They’re the ones who will be tracking down the killer, and they’ll do everything they can to keep our community safe. He reassured me of that.”

My father gripped my shoulder, and he shook his head. “Marie, I can’t help but worry about you. You’re my daughter, and I can’t bear the thought of you being in harm’s way.”

I understood his concern, but I also knew that I needed to stand my ground. I took a deep breath, my voice firm but empathetic. “Dad, I appreciate your worry, but you have to understand that I can’t stay cooped up at home all the time. Jesse’s place is one of the most secure in our area, and even with this unsettling situation, I need to live my life. If I can’t take my wildlife photographs, then I need to earn my money somehow. Surely you understand that.”

My father’s expression grew more tense, and he looked at me with a mixture of fear and stubbornness. “Marie, you’re still my little girl. I can’t help but see you as a twelve-year-old, and I can’t bear the thought of you being out there when there’s a potential threat.”

I could feel my patience wearing thin, and frustration crept into my voice. “Dad, I’m not a child anymore. I can take care of myself, and I trust Jesse to keep me safe. Besides, Belle needs me. I promised him that I would look after her, and that’s what I intend to do.”

My father was shocked by my assertiveness, hurt evident in his eyes. It pained me to see him like this, but I couldn’t back down. I needed to make him understand that I had to be independent, especially in times of uncertainty.

I softened my tone, reaching out to place a reassuring hand on his. “Dad, I love you, and I appreciate your concern. But I promise you, I’ll be cautious, and I’ll stay safe. We need to trust in our community and those who protect it.”

My father nodded slowly, his grip on my shoulder loosening. I could see the conflict in his eyes, the struggle between his protective instincts and the reality that I was growing up.

I leaned in and gave him a gentle hug, whispering, “I’ll always be your little girl, but I need to live my life, Dad. I promise, I’ll be careful. We can’t let these frightening times define us and change our lives. Otherwise, the bad guys win.”

He sighed and finally gave me a small smile, though it was still tinged with worry. “I know you will, Marie. Just remember to be cautious, okay?”

I nodded, grateful that we had found some common ground. “Well for now, I’m pretty tired, so I think I will head out for a little walk. Just to the store. You know it’s just around the corner. I won’t be long, okay?”

Dad nodded, just the once, and it was a very tense nod. I could tell he didn’t like it, but I was unsettled and needed some air, so I took off without worrying. I slipped out the front door and took a deep breath, letting the familiar scents of pine and earth wash over me. The woods had always been my sanctuary, a place where I could find peace and clarity. I knew I couldn’t go back there now, but I could walk along the outskirts. I would sort of head in the direction of the store, where I knew there would be lots of people, but where I could also be alone.

As I walked along the forest path, the tension in my shoulders began to ease, and the rustling leaves and chirping birds served as a soothing backdrop to my tumultuous thoughts. The woods had a way of grounding me, of reminding me of the simple joys of life.

However, my tranquility was short-lived. Suddenly, the air was filled with a haunting chorus of howls. The sound sent shivers down my spine, and I froze in my tracks, my heart racing.

Wolves .

I knew the shifters had a unique way of communicating, a language of howls and calls that only they could understand. It was a secret world, one that I had always been on the outside of, and now, hearing their voices in the distance, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of curiosity and frustration.

I strained my ears, trying to decipher the meaning behind the howls, but it was impossible for me to understand. Were they alerting each other to something in the woods, something related to the recent incidents? Or were they simply communicating the way they always did, a reminder of their unity and connection as a clan?

I stood there at the edge of the woods, listening to the distant howls, a mixture of fascination and frustration swirling within me. The shifters’ world was a mystery, one that I could only observe from the periphery, and as the howls continued to echo through the night, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of longing to understand the secrets they held.

As the darkness descended over our small hamlet, I found myself lost in my thoughts. The day had been a bit of a roller coaster, and I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that had settled over me. The distant howls of the shifters still echoed in my mind, a reminder that Jesse and his pack, along with other wolves, were trying to fight… something. But I had no idea what. The fact that I didn’t know what sent me back home, I wanted to live my life, but I didn’t want to die…

The nighttime air held a hint of chill as I found Jesse standing on my doorstep, looking at me expectantly.

“Marie,” he began hesitantly, his dark eyes searching mine, “I know it’s not ideal, but could you stay with Belle tonight? We need to be vigilant with what’s been happening in these woods.”

“Oh, right, of course!” I responded without even thinking about it.

“Wait, what?” I didn’t even hear my dad. But there he was, looming over my shoulder. “You’re going to stay at Jesse’s overnight?”

A heat of humiliation burned through me. I didn’t want my father to act like I was twelve years old now . “Jesse needs me while he’s out on patrol tonight.”

My father, ever the protector, immediately voiced his concerns. “Marie, I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to stay overnight at Jesse’s. Not with everything that’s been happening.”

I could feel the tension building in the room, the unspoken fears and worries that had plagued us throughout the day. Jesse, to his credit, was understanding. “I know this is a lot to ask, but I need someone to watch my daughter. I can’t have her out in the woods with me.”

“Then drop her off here,” Dad snapped. “I want to protect my daughter as well.”

Jesse pursed his lips, but he relented. “Sure, okay. I will drop her off here in a moment, thank you. I appreciate this. I hope I’m not affecting your night.”

Just before he left, a current of longing passed between us. It was a look that spoke of unspoken desires, a silent acknowledgment of the attraction that simmered beneath the surface.

My father, ever watchful, seemed to notice the exchanged glances. Suspicion clouded his expression, and he furrowed his brow as he observed our interaction.

As Jesse left, I could feel my father’s eyes on me, his concern evident in his gaze. I turned away quickly because I didn’t want to have to explain myself. There was no explaining this, anyway. I couldn’t make my father understand why Jesse and I looked at one another like that. If I said nothing, I hoped that he would simply put it down to us both worrying about Belle. That would be the easiest explanation for the both of us.