I FREED A WOLF

Hansville, Germany

The snowflakes were cool and delicate as they landed on her face, their tiny crystals melting on her skin. She shut her eyes, sinking into a moment that felt endless, stretched thin by the vast white.

“Dahlia,” a voice cut through her thoughts. She looked up, startled.

“Coming,” brushing snow off her heavy coat as she stood.

Tod shoved a mug of hot cocoa into her hands. “You’re going to turn into an icicle out here. What’s your deal?”

Jason handed her a cookie. “Here, eat this before you start crying again.”

A small smile broke through.

“See? Told you she’d crack,” Tod said, grinning.

“Love you guys,” Dahlia said, pulling them into a hug.

“Yeah, yeah, we love you more,” Tod replied, patting her back. “You’ll get through this. Now, let’s hit the antique shops before you freeze solid. I need few more gifts to get”

Jason made a face behind Tod’s back, and Dahlia laughed.

“Keep that up and your face might stick like that,” Tod warned, pointing at Jason.

By the time they reached the hotel, Dahlia was drained.

She kissed their cheeks and retreated to her room, grabbing her iPad to sketch. Tears fell again as she replayed the moment she’d overheard Henry in his office, the door slightly open.

“She’s just a dumb intern,” laughing with his secretary. “I’m bringing her home for the holidays to shut my family up.”

“You, sure you’re not into her? I’ve seen the way you look at her.”

“Relax, I’m dumping her in couple of months”

It stung. She’d trusted him, believed in his charm. He’d been nothing but polite, never pushing things too far.

Tod had warned her, though. “There’s something off about him,” he’d said. “Those eyes… they’re dark. Be careful.” Tod always swore he had a sixth sense for people.

She grabbed her coat and slipped out the back of the hotel, wandering into the woods. It stung, why did he do that, she really liked him. The air was crisp, quiet, unreal, almost.

Then a scent hit her, sweet and sharp, she liked it and something else she couldn’t place. It warmed her chest as she followed it deeper.

Another smell, metallic and heavy. Blood. She kept walking, surprised at how far it carried.

“Guess I’ve got a bloodhound’s nose or something,” she muttered to herself.

Then, she saw him—a massive wolf, his leg caught in a trap.

She rushed over, and his eyes locked onto hers, tracking her every move like he understood her.

Dahlia yanked off her gloves and gritted her teeth as she pried at the trap’s jaws, cutting herself in the process her hands slick with blood.

“Almost there,” she whispered, and he lifted his leg gingerly, their blood mingling with his.

Her stomach felt warm. “Don’t eat me after I save you, deal?” she joked, meeting his gaze.

She smiled faintly, then reached out to touch him. He nuzzled her bleeding hand, his eyes shifting, softening.

Liking her hands.

Dahlia pulled back, startled, but he leaned into her, and before she knew it, she was wrapping her arms around him. “You’re softer than I expected,” she admitted, her voice barely audible.

He growled, low, warning—and she turned to see a hunter with a rifle aimed at the wolf.

“Move, little girl he’s mine,” the hunter barked.

“Not happening,” Dahlia shot back, stepping between them.

The wolf shifted to the side, and the hunter fired, but Dahlia lunged in front of the shot. A chorus of growls erupted as the pack emerged from the trees, circling.

“What the hell are they feeding these things?” the hunter muttered, bolting.

The wolf, shifted, standing tall. “Motherfucker’s dead,” he snarled to his pack, then knelt beside Dahlia, hey, stay with me.

Open your eyes. Dahlia did to see a bare-chested man with long hair, his eyes a blue gray like the wolf.

Wow, I’m dying she thought.

The roar of a jet sky engine cut through the air. He threw on some clothes, scooped her up, put her on the jet sky and sped toward the hospital, his foot throbbing in pain.

Hansville, General hospital

Dahlia blinked awake to see Todd and Jason hovering over her.

“Girl, you scared the shit out of us,” Todd said, exhaling hard. “You’re okay, though. Just the arm. What the hell were you doing in the woods?”

“I…,” she gestured weakly toward the water glass, took a sip. “I freed a wolf. It was trapped.”

“A wolf?” Todd raised an eyebrow. “What are they pumping into you? Hook me up.”

“Keep it down,” Jason muttered, nodding toward the curtain dividing the room. “There’s someone else here.”

“Get some rest,” Todd said, brushing her hair back. “We’ll come back tomorrow when whatever they gave you wears off.”

They kissed her forehead and left. Dahlia drifted back to sleep, dreaming of running, the hunter’s gunshot echoing. She jerked awake, scanning the room.

The man in the next bed was talking softly to someone on the phone. He caught her looking and smiled.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you,”

“You didn’t,” Dahlia replied, her eyes landing on his bandaged foot.

“This?” He chuckled. “Snowboarding accident. Third time.

I’m Lupin, by the way.”

“Dahlia,” she said, smiling back. She tried to sit up, but pain shot through her left arm, and she let out a sharp gasp.

“Damn it,” Lupin muttered under his breath. “Call the nurse if you need more meds.”

“No, I’m good,” Dahlia said. “I was just… never mind.” His eyes were a pale blue-gray, just like the man in her dream. Okay, I’m officially losing it, she thought.

Todd walked in, holding a cup of coffee. “Morning, Sleeping Beauty. They’re releasing you in a week. You know what, Jason? Let’s move here. I’m digging this place.”

“You’ve been complaining about the cold since we got here,” Jason said, rolling his eyes.

Dahlia laughed. Lupin tried to keep his composure, but he couldn’t help glancing at her.

Does she know what she is?