Chapter 5

Roxy

I have my camera slung around my neck, my faithful friend. I rarely go out without it. Even though I love to take pictures of nature, I do also take pictures of random buildings, people, children and the like. Susan says I ought to put them in a gallery, but for me it’s the pleasure of taking shots.

The Ridge woods have always come with superstitions and rumors which I push entirely to the back of my mind. God, who believes such utter crap anyway? Besides, if there is trouble, I can change easily into my wolf form and let Tate out.

My face is to the ground not just to make sure I don’t fall down a hole and twist my ankle or trip over something, but because I want to see if I can spot any signs of animal or tracks.

It is eerily quiet and I feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. I haven’t felt like this for a long time. Not since I was a child and I got lost in a mall. Stupid thing really since I wanted an ice cream and wandered off even though my momma had told me to stay put.

My trained eyes spot something. I crouch down and let my fingers prod in the damp ground. It’s kind of odd since it is a paw print but even I know that it is way too large for something like a wolf. Then I lift my head to look around me and notice claw prints on a tree.

Snapping photos, I feel like something is off. The hell? Am I being watched? My hairs on the back stand more to attention than before as a shiver runs through my bones that are almost numb from the freezing cold. Why did I swap California sunshine for freezing cold Anchorage? Insane!

I hear a noise, the rustling of leaves. Someone or something is here. I am not alone right now.

 “This isn’t just a wolf. This is something else.”

Then I see him, Blake. Shirtless. AGAIN! What the hell is it with this man and no clothes? It’s freezing cold. He strides towards me like an animal stalking its prey.

“What the hell are you thinking?” he growls at me fiercely. “You are not supposed to be in these woods alone. Woman, you could get hurt.” He glowers at me, his eyes dark with anger.

“Oh, let me guess. Alpha Blake to the rescue,” I say as I stand up and adjust my camera over my shoulder. I replace the lens cap to protect it. This thing cost a lot of money and I do not want it damaged.

The tension between us is high, you could bounce a nut off it. Who does he think he is telling me what I can and can’t do?

He moves closer. His broad shoulders and amazing pecs in full majestic form as his muscles ripple. The veins popping on his forearms.

“Don’t test me, Roxy. You don’t know what is out here,” he says still angry with me. I tilt my head and kick the ground with my foot.

“Pretty sure I’ve photographed more wild things, Blake than you have slept with. And that is saying something.” Yeah, so take that and stick it where the sun doesn’t shine. My eyes seem rather distracted by his chest.

I catch him watching me watching him and quickly draw my eyes back to his.

Blake snorts at me then moves even closer. I can smell his sweat from exertion. All those pheromones are on the rampage making my core heat up like a damn furnace. Obviously, my mind and my body are at some kind of odds with each other.

He places his hands in his front pockets and gives me some kind of funny look; his lips turn up into the briefest of smiles. It is disarming. On second thoughts, him being an asshole and angry is better for my libido. This smiling at me makes me want to fall on my knees in front of him.

“Jealousy looks good on you, Hot Lips.”

“Fuck you, Blake,” I stay as I storm off pushing his bulk out of my way. I can hear him laughing behind me. Dickhead! As I pass him, I can see a glint of something in his eyes. Appreciation? Desire? Time to get away from Blake and pronto!