Chapter 9

“I’ve never seen that breed of wolf before, Lyanna. And I’m an animal—specifically carnivores—fanatic.” Paul said enthusiastically.

I couldn’t tell if he was freaked out, amazed at what he saw, or just trying to process his near death experience by doing research.

I kept cleaning his wound as he rambled on, in marvel.

“The largest wolf alive right now is the northwestern wolf. That was something else. A breed between bear and wolf, if you ask me.”

He shook his head and continued furiously tapping at his phone screen, scrolling through the internet for information on whatever creature he had just encountered.

“Maybe some psycho scientists cross bred a bear and wolf.” I volunteered.

He snapped his fingers in agreement. “You’re unto something. But Willowbrooke has no structures or bases that give off that kind of weird science-ey vibe.”

“The Darkhowl timber factory? It’s always given me the heebie jeebies.” I shuddered.

“Nah my dad worked there. The only strange thing they ever saw was once, the mayor put his arm in the wrong place and almost lost his hand in a gruesome accident but in a week, when he came to do his routine inspection, they noticed he was back to normal.”

Okay that was strange. But also could have been a workplace myth to spice up their lives.

As I put bandaids on his raw flesh, he yelled with excitement. “Epicyon Haydeni!”

“What?” I asked confused.

“The big doggie you were playing with…” he said sarcastically. “Epicyon Haydeni.”

He shoved his phone in my face, making me flinch. On it were search images of hideous dangerously looking predators.

My wolf doesn’t look like that. I thought defensively, while handing him his phone.

My wolf.

“The Epicyon Haydeni also known as Hayden’s bone crushing dog, was a prehistoric creature that measured up to eight to ten feet in length, and stood up to three feet tall at the shoulder. They weighed up to 370lbs.” He read out loud.

“And get this, not only did they exist at a time human beings weren’t alive, in that time, they were the top apex predators of the food chain.”

He turned to me with an expectant look.

Did he want me to contribute something?

I didn’t know what to say so I just said, “wow.”

He tilted his head slightly and with a warning tone added, “you do know whatever that thing is, it’s hunting you right?”

“Why would it be hunting me”

“I don’t know. What were you doing with it?”

“I don’t know, Paul. I was at the hospital and it just followed me here.” I shrugged.

“What do you mean? Did you do something to trigger or entice it?”

“No. I was just sitting in my car and it was just there. Staring. Then when I reached here I looked through my window and it was here. Still staring.” I explained.

“I think it’s just lonely and wants a friend.” I added wistfully.

“Friend? Lyanna, that thing shouldn’t exist. It predates human history and it’s an apex predator. It wants to eat you. Probably loves the smell of your flesh or something. You’re it’s target prey. And now it’s going to come after me too, because I’ve associated with you.” He stated dramatically and began pacing frantically.

This was getting more boring and irritating by the minute. What was he? Four?

Paul was either in his mid to late thirties. He was too old to be believing in fairy tales.

But hey, I wasn’t one to yuck anyone’s yum.

“Paul,” I tried to say as gently and patiently as I could. “It had every chance to maul you, and deconstruct your entire torso but it didn’t. And it would have attacked and mauled me in the hospital parking lot, but it didn’t either. I think it’s just a lost animal that’s wandered far away from home.

Oh, and I really don’t think it’s prehistoric or anything. Don’t trust everything on the internet.”

“I work with animals Lyanna. This is my field.” He replied with certainty.

I work with toddlers and you’re acting like one, I wanted to snap.

But instead I replied, my tone dripping with condescension , “Paul you work with pets.”

I then picked up my shotgun and added, “anyway it’s already dark. And I have some errands to run. Take care of yourself, okay?”

“Yeah. Sure.” He replied dismissively, still obsessive tapping at his phone screen.

As I stepped out of his apartment and climbed the stairs up to mine, I spied the gorgeous full moon through the stairway windows. I decided to buy some wine, probably sit at my balcony and read a historical romance until I felt sleepy.

Then, I had the bushes around the forest edge rustle, and saw two bright yellow glints in the shadows.

It was back.