Chapter 3

The growl emerged low and menacing from the shadowy mouth of the alley beside her. Deep and primal, it didn't belong in the city and caught her attackers' attention.

Adara turned her head to see and gasped. Bright green, glowing eyes hung as if suspended on invisible wires, luminous and frightening. So scary, she almost didn't notice the wolf they belonged to. But as he stepped into view, she couldn't ignore the immense beast.

He stood as tall as her shoulder, thickly muscled, his fur the black, sinful deepness of the witching hour, his teeth white, gleaming, pointed fangs.

All in all, the wolf looked dangerous. And angry.

The arms around her relaxed as her captor stepped away.

Sure, run and leave her as the snack.

She held out her hands and whispered, "Good puppy?" The words held a querying note. Possibly the last thing she'd say if the wolf were hungry.

A low rumble emerged from him, and the hackles on the beast's back rose in a ridged spine.

That didn't bode well. She closed her eyes tight. She didn't want to see him coming. She uttered a cry as fur brushed past her fingertips. Soft fur, not sharp teeth.

Opening her eyes, Adara watched in astonishment as the wolf, paying her no mind, stalked past her, intent on the two brutes who no longer looked so cocky.

Tom and his friend threw themselves prostrate on the ground and addressed the wolf.

"We didn't know she was protected," said Tom, his eyes wide with fear.

"We didn't mean her any harm," blubbered his friend.

Still growling, the wolf continued to stalk them, slow steps, his back low.

"Don't kill us!" Tom begged.

The wolf feinted in their direction. Tom and his buddy scrambled to their feet and ran, squealing in high-pitched fear.

Good. She almost applauded but didn't want to draw the creature's attention. Let him chase bad guys instead.

Except the wolf stopped moving. He stood still and watched the retreating thugs until they faded from sight. Then the beast turned those bright green eyes on Adara, and she had the sudden urge to pee. Like, right now. In her pants.

Am I imagining this? It seemed so real.

The wolf padded toward her, pounds and pounds of muscle and teeth. Adara held tightly to a hysterical giggle. How's that for luck? I avoided rape so I could be mauled and eaten.

Run, you idiot. Run before he gets you. Because she could totally escape a wolf on foot. Wouldn't giving in to her fear and making herself into fleeing prey paint a larger target on her?

Despite the icy cold coursing through her veins, she stood her ground. Clenched her fingers into tight fists and waited breathlessly as the beast approached. At least the wolf had stopped growling, and its hackles were down again.

Could it possibly mean me no harm? I should be so lucky.

Stopping in front of her, the large wolf sat. The big shaggy head tilted as it stared.

Adara's heart stopped, and she held herself extremely still. This close, she could truly size up the beast. Immense, at least compared to her.

The vivid green eyes stared at her. No hint of Cujo in the gaze. More like reassurance and, oddly enough, intelligence.

Does it understand what it saved me from tonight?

He dipped his head then glanced at her again, his muzzle parted, but gave the impression of a grin, not a growl.

She blinked. If this weren't a wolf, she'd almost get the impression he wanted her to pet him.

He is a canine. Why not pet him?

Because he was liable to bite off her hand.

If he wanted to bite her, he could. But he hadn't. He'd done nothing but save her. Surely, that deserved a reward.

Swallowing hard, and with a courage she didn't know she possessed, she held out a trembling hand and stroked the top of the wolf's head. She didn't speak, though. Somehow, saying "good doggie" seemed insulting. Besides, she didn't trust the words to come out.

The fur between the wolf's ears slid softly across her fingers, softer than she would have thought given its shaggy length. Like warm silk. She rubbed him, the contrast of her pale flesh against his fur stark. In the dimness of the street, he was pure darkness, making him blend well with the night.

Her body relaxed as she realized that the wolf didn't intend to eat her. A miracle she didn't want to question.

"Thank you," she whispered to her bestial savior. Never mind that it probably couldn't understand her, and his very appearance was strange. After all, wild beasts did not roam the city. But then again, dead things should not walk either, after being laid to rest. Perhaps she hallucinated or dreamed still.

At least this is a good fantasy for once. Perhaps her luck was about to change.

"I should go home now." Before she tempted the Fates.

Those nasty bitches always meddlingÉ

She blinked. The voice in her head quieted, but the wolf was still there.

The beast stood and faced the direction she'd traveled in before the untimely encounter. It glanced back at her as if to say, Are you coming? Maybe she did imagine it. Maybe she was already at home in bed. She didn't care. Adara smiled at her unlikely hero, a tremulous curve of her lips that felt alien. "Will you walk me home, sir wolf?"

Again, as if it understood, the great beast nodded its head and, with a slow pace to match hers, escorted her home. And for the first time since she'd woken in the hospital, Adara felt safe.