Howl of the Wolf Read Online Free PDF Page B

seen anything like him in her life. The urge to reach out and touch him was almost overwhelming, but common sense and self-preservation kept her from following through with the act.
    The wolf was studying her as closely as she was studying it. They stared at one another and she felt a connection to the great beast, which would be totally insane for most people, but not for her.
    She’d only been a child when a wolf much like this one, only not nearly as large, had appeared before her in the swamp, rescuing her from the attack of an alligator. When she’d told her granny what had happened, the old woman had stared deeply into her eyes, nodded and declared that the wolf was her spirit guide, her protector. For an orphaned child, the wolf had been the strong guardian she’d needed to keep the bad thoughts and feelings of abandonment at bay. It also gave her a connection to her dead parents through the last name they’d shared with her.
    But she was an adult now and hadn’t seen any sign of the wolf in a very long time. The creature suddenly snarled, flashing sharp teeth that could easily rip through flesh and bone. Sabrina’s hands trembled. Indeed her entire body was shaking with fear. She locked her knees to keep from stumbling.
    “Nice wolf.” She kept her voice low and, she hoped, unthreatening. “Don’t eat me.”
    The massive beast suddenly whirled around and stared deep into the shadowy trees. His fierce growl sent icy rivers of fear snaking down her spine. She sensed something else had joined them, something evil that seemed to expand, growing larger and larger with each passing second until Sabrina wanted to scream.
    The wolf kept its back to her, facing whatever was coming their way, its attention fixed. She flexed her fingers around the stick, wishing it were bigger and sturdier. Hell, she’d love a hunting rifle right about now, maybe even something more powerful.
    The wolf snarled again, and whatever was in front of them seemed to pause for a moment before slowly backing away. Neither she nor the wolf moved for long, agonizing minutes. Finally, the insects began to hum and the frogs began to croak, and she knew the evil had passed them by.
    Whatever had been there was gone.
    She heaved a sigh of relief, ignoring the racing of her heart and the sweat covering her skin. She was safe.
    Then the wolf whirled back around to face her once again. Oh shit, she’d almost forgotten the beast was wild and not some tame pet or her protector. Black eyes bored into her very soul, as if weighing her worth as a person. It was disconcerting to say the least.
    The large black and gray head tipped back and a mournful howl ripped through the air. The wolf suddenly turned and slid between two large trees and was swallowed up by the swamp.
    Sabrina’s knees gave out and she dropped her stick, sank down onto the path and lowered her head. She couldn’t help but feel as though she’d dodged a bullet, escaped a rather ominous fate. She took several deep breaths before her head stopped spinning and her heart slowed down to a fast gallop.
    The sound of half-rotting leaves scuffing in the dirt brought her head up quickly. She grabbed the stick, which was thankfully within reach, and pushed herself to her feet, ready to face whatever new threat awaited.
    She had to get out of here, get to her granny’s house where it was safe. Why she thought she’d be any safer there, she didn’t know. It was instinct and she’d always trusted her intuition. It had never led her wrong.
    The Spanish moss parted a few feet off to her left and a man stepped out onto the path. And what a man he was. He stood around six feet with broad shoulders and a wide chest. He was shirtless, which allowed her to see his muscled pecs and washboard abs. The guy was wearing only a pair of supple leather pants that clung to his strong thighs. He was barefoot too, not seeming to notice or care about the branches, rocks and insects beneath his feet.
    But it was