Trust: A Twisted Wolf Tale Read Online Free PDF Page A

could she possibly understand me? But I knew she could. She had spoken before, meaning she held at least enough intelligence to be able to listen to reason.
    In response to my words, she gave me a quizzical stare, which further proved my theory that this was not just some animal attacking out of instinct alone.
    An idea struck me then as I continued to analyze her gaze. I wasn’t sure where it came from, or why I’d thought of it, but I couldn’t stop myself as the words came tumbling from my lips.
    “Take me instead,” I blurted, holding my arms out wide, inviting her to accept my offer. “Let him go, and you can have me.”
    “Beau, no!” Pop yelled. “Just run! ”
    Ignoring his words, I took a step closer to her in an attempt to show her I wasn’t a threat. “Please, if you let him go, I won’t fight you. You can have me, and he’ll just go home and say nothing to anyone if he wants me to survive. Your existence will be kept secret, and you’ll have me.”
    Her eyes narrowed in thought, still studying me intently, probably ensuring it wasn’t a trick. I kept my arms held out in a non-threatening manner, praying to whomever would listen above that she’d take the deal and let my dad go. I didn’t care what happened to me, as long as he was okay.
    Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of silence, she answered, her voice clear as day.
    “Deal.”
    At the sound of her voice, my father’s eyes widened in disbelief. He continued to stare, jaw slack, as she pulled away from him, standing to her full height, her stance still on full alert. He didn’t move for a few seconds, frozen in place after hearing her speak, unable to pull his gaze from the agile female.
    His lack of movement caused her to snarl with impatience. “Leave!”
    Jumping at the sound of her demand, he quickly stood, stumbling away from her and toward me. Grabbing my hand, he tried to pull me along, his movements frantic, disbelieving.
    “Beau,” he pleaded. “C’mon. We need to get back to town, now!”
    I pulled my hand from his grasp and shook my head. “I’m sorry, Pop, but a deal is a deal, and this is the only way to keep you safe. I’ll be fine. You just head on back and don’t tell anyone.” Fishing my keys from my pocket, I threw them at him. “Take my Jeep.”
    He wore his thoughts on his face, and I could easily tell he thought I was bluffing—or had lost my mind—I wasn’t sure which.
    “Beau, it will kill you!” he blubbered, trying to reason with me. “We need to go while we still have the chance.”
    I knew he wouldn’t just let me go. What caring father would leave their only child to die? But I needed him to go, or else he may be killed as well.
    “I’m sorry, Pop.” I turned to face him fully. “But I’m staying. You need to go, right now!”
    I shoved him as hard as I could, knocking him off his feet and onto the ground. A loud groan emanated from him as his tailbone took the brunt of the hit. I felt bad having hurt him, but there was no other way. I had to push him away, show him that it was best to leave me behind.
    He lifted his head to yell at me, but stopped abruptly, swallowing his words when his gaze veered past me. I furrowed my brow in confusion, but understood why as soon as I felt a clawed hand grip my shoulder.
    “We’re going,” she said to me with a gentle demand. “Leave him.”
    She pulled on my shoulder, tugging me in the opposite direction away from the old, trembling man. He gave me one last pleading look, begging me with his eyes not to go. But I couldn’t listen to him. I had to go, or else he’d surely die.
    Steeling myself to my fate, I turned and followed the beastly woman away from my father—my life.

The Hike
    Fatigue overtook every muscle in my body as I continued following the beast-like creature up the mountain, my tired legs barely able to find purchase on the slick, leaf-covered ground. I couldn’t help but wonder why she hadn’t just done me in already.