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There was a rhythm to this kind of physical labor.Like it had a meditative quality, allowing my mind to settle and focus on the task at hand.

My phone buzzed, and I paused, sniffing, as I grabbed it from my back pocket.

My heart started thumping wildly beneath my breastbone.It was from her.

My Angel

Pick me up at seven.

“What’s got you smiling like the cat that got the canary?”Dante asked, hands on his hips as he dropped another roll of fence on the ground.

“She said yes.SHE SAID YES!”I whooped, and the two guys just shook their heads at me.

Seven o’clock couldn’t come fast enough for me now.Demon’s growl had my entire body rumbling, and the monster Wolf didn’t let up for the entire rest of the day.

Mine.

Chapter Eight-Jezebel

Irubbed my hands down my arms.My gaze kept sliding to the copse of trees beyond the fence surrounding my place.The last few nights, the shades had been quiet, but the animals, well, that was another story.

Between the goats bleating and the dogs yapping, I was hardly getting any sleep.At least, I thought it was dogs.But did domestic dogs howl?

Just last night, I’d crept to the window and thought I saw the same big black dog sitting outside my fence that I’d seen almost every day this week.

His hackles had been raised as a shade appeared at the edge of the forest, and he snarled at the figure who then blinked out of existence.

I was beginning to be grateful for my furry guardian and when I smiled, he turned his big head, and those bright green eyes were just staring at me.

It was like he stood watch over me.And I wished his unwavering presence was enough to chase the monsters away permanently.But they would be back.The shades never stayed gone for long.

There was something profoundly comforting about having a large, silent protector in a world that often felt chaotic to me.

When I smiled at him, he turned his big head, and those bright green eyes met mine, piercing and full of intelligence.

It felt as if he could see right into my soul, understanding the unspoken thoughts swirling in my mind.

The animal must be some kind of designer breed to have eyes like that.

He was a gorgeous creature.Big and muscular with fur black as pitch.So dark it appeared almost otherworldly.A vivid contrast against his bright and steady gaze.

Like Mother Nature had tested her mettle by blending pure elegance with raw power in one magnificent creature.Oh, he was a monster, I was sure.

No other animals dared go near him as he kept watch.Like some dark, furry sentinel.I grinned just thinking about him.

It was silly, feeling connected to an animal.But I couldn’t help it.What if he was there for me?Wouldn’t that be amazing?

I was being fanciful, but who could blame me?Every girl wanted a savior, right?A protector.

Well, what could be better than a black monster dog with glowing green eyes?

My guardian beast radiated strength, grace, and mystery.

I didn’t think such a creature would exist in a world like this.So full of sadness and terror.But he did exist.And that alone was a comfort to me.

God, I was curious about that animal.

There was something special about him, and I did not mean that in the way I was special,er, cursed.He was not a shade or a spirit.I was sure of that.