To my surprise, Chase said, “And who do you think owns this nonprofit?”
I paused, blinked, and let my arms fall as my cheeks grew hot. “Oh.”
“Yeah,oh,” he said, scowling. “And I wasn’t lying when I said I will take care of the wolf.”
I grimaced and turned to look at the wolf for the first time since he almost attacked Dr. Danvers. He was lying on the floor, seemingly exhausted, and yet his brilliant eyes were open, and they were almost glowing with the intensity of his fury as he glared at Chase. His teeth were slightly bared too.
This was the first time in eight years I had come across a supernatural being in the flesh—and I was completely sure that was what he was, now, considering he was supposed to be a wild wolf and yet acted human enough for me to suspect him of being a werewolf.
Never before did I think a supernatural being would simply find its way to me like this after I’d been searching for any proof of its existence. Itmight be my once-in-a-lifetime chance to get an “in” to that world—and finally find out what happened to my sisters.
I couldn’t let Chase take him away.
“No,” I said slowly, drawing both Chase’s and the wolf’s gazes, but my eyes rested on the arctic-blue ones of the half animal. “He’s going to stay here with me until he gets better.”
Chase let out a frustrated sigh. “And this is exactly why I need to take him, so he can get fixed—”
He yelped suddenly when the wolf stood up from his repose and walked toward him. Or rather,stalked. Like a predator measuring up prey. Showing his teeth, a murderous energy spreading in my far-too-small living room.
Chase froze, and I stared in utter amazement when the wolf put himself between Chase and me, as if to protect me from Chase, and let out a furious growl.
My neighbor watched with a deep frown, tense, and silence stretched thin as he stared at the wolf like he was trying to read its mind. My muscles were locked tight as my mind reeled, trying to make sense of what was happening, when Chase suddenly raised his hands and sighed again. “Fine. I give up. You can die for all I care.”
Before I could ask Chase what the hell this was all about, he left my apartment, slamming the door shut behind him.
I looked down at the wolf, who now turned to look at me. “It seems like you offended him,” I informed the possible werewolf.
Still baring his teeth, I swear he was smiling.
I stared at the dog—or wolf, rather—as he reclined on the sofa, his back freshly bandaged, his eyes closed, and his body heaving in deep sleep. I was at a loss as to what to do now.
Dr. Danvers, to her credit, had tried her best, but aside from leaving me some bandages before she left, she was of no use.
Chase hadn’t been much help either.
Later, I received the request for payment. Dr. Danvers charged me the mandatory three hundred bucks (after discount, by the way) for her visit, which put a huge dent in my already frail bank account. Now I was broke with a still-injured ... wolf.
Right. This was a wolf. Or rather, perhaps, an honest-to-God mythological creature right before my eyes. It made sense now that it had a bronze coat, which wasn’t very wolflike.
Exhaustion seeped deep into my bones from the last twenty-four hours. I wanted to go to bed, since I hadn’t really slept since finding the wolf, but I was reluctant to leave the creature alone in my living room.
Especially since I had come to the conclusion he wasn’t just an animal.
So I took my glasses off, grabbed my patched quilt, and huddled down on the couch. Since I was a light sleeper, I would wake up if he made any sound.
But despite how tired I was, sleep refused to come. My head was too full of thoughts and worries. What should my next steps be? Even though I was wary of the wolf, I didn’t want to leave him to rot on the street. I had vowed to take care of him, and I didn’t go back on my word. But then again, he was still injured, even after all the fuss earlier. Yet given how he reacted to both Dr. Danvers and Chase, it didn’t seem feasible to let him near another stranger ...
Though wasn’t I a stranger as well?
Why did he findmypresence acceptable? Because I saved him? But was that enough to gain his trust?
My thoughts ran in circles late into the night, when the darkness finally came, and I fell into a restless slumber.
I woke up with soft fur in my face.
At first, I thought I might still be dreaming. Then I realized I wasn’t hugging a huge stuffed animal but rather a wolf who was cuddling with me, his head leaning against my head.
Apparently, at some point during the night, I’d rolled off the couch to the floor along with my quilt, and the wolf saw it as an invitation for a cuddle session.