Page 46 of A Wolf’s Wound

Hannah

It’s been two days since my encounter with Creepy Man, as I’ve begun calling him. And I’m still at the cottage.

I didn’t plan on staying this long. But the door still hasn’t been fixed at my apartment so staying there isn’t safe.

Apparently the construction guys had a problem fitting the new lock, and now they’re waiting on a random part to be located.

One more day, they told me this morning.

Okay, maybe two. Three at the most. I’m not holding my breath.

So Shadow and I are just hanging out with the Stone pack, which is not a sentence I ever thought would apply to my life. It’s not awful, honestly. The compound is pretty quiet although whenever I go outside, I notice all the guards around.

I haven’t seen Ryder’s parents or brothers. I guess they’re also on patrol or in strategy sessions with Gavin. The image of a fierce Lori guarding the streets of Stonehaven makes me smile every time the thought crosses my mind.

And I’ve hardly seen Ryder, even though he spends each night at the cottage.

When he is back, he looks exhausted and stressed.

We haven’t had sex again, have barely even kissed since the other day.

He comes in after I’m already in bed, looking ready to drop.

And then he falls asleep almost before I turn out the light.

I know the city is under heavy guard, but I also know they haven’t found Creepy Man yet. I’m relieved to be at the compound with all the protection that affords.

After breakfast, I decide to call April and see how she’s doing at her parents’ house. I use the cottage phone, since my cell phone’s been turned off to limit the odds of anyone tracking it.

“Hello?” April asks hesitantly, and I realize she has no idea it’s me.

“Hey, it’s Hannah.”

“Hannah! What number is this?” she asks.

“I’m on a landline at…Ryder’s family’s,” I explain.

“Still with him, huh?” April says and I can hear the smirk in her voice. “What have you been up to? Besides not checking your phone, I mean. I think I left you, like, fifty messages!”

“I’m sorry. Ryder had me turn off my phone the first night here. He’s afraid someone could track me on it.”

“I guess that makes sense,” April says. “How is it playing house with Ryder?”

“Shut up,” I say, glad she can’t see me blush. “How are you doing?”

“Fine. My parents are glad to have me back for so long, and I’m glad that my mom thinks it’s funny to cook for me and do my laundry, not annoying.”

“Yeah, that sounds like a pretty good setup.” I catch her up on the saga of the apartment door. “So I’m not sure when we’ll be able to move back,” I conclude.

“As long as it’s sometime this calendar year, I can handle it,” April says. “Although you might have to get your butt away from Ryder and come back to meet me for a drink soon.”

“I want to!” I tell her. “We’ll definitely do that.”

“And then you’ll have to catch me up on how things are with Mr. Stone,” April says, and I smile. “I want all of the details. The filthier the better.”

“Then you’re buying the drinks,” I say, and she laughs.

“Have you talked to Melinda?” April asks, her voice suddenly serious. “I ran into her earlier today. Sounds like things at the clinic are kind of chaotic.”

“No, I told her I wouldn’t be reachable. What’s going on?”

“Hannah, several animals have started to come into the clinic in pretty bad shape again.”

“What do you mean? Were they attacked, like the ones in the forest?”

“Yes,” April says somberly, and my heart plummets. “She mentioned an injured owl and a hurt wildcat.”

“Oh no,” I murmur. “Who’s taking care of them?”

“Melinda said the county vet came in to examine the animals. He’s good but he’s not that skilled at performing the kind of surgery they need. She said they’ve mainly been treating the animals with painkillers and doing what they can.”

“Those poor animals! I wish Melinda had told Lori. Not that I’ve actually seen her,” I add. “Wait, is that where Lori’s been?”

“No. Melinda said she couldn’t reach Lori either. I’m guessing her phone is also off. Poor Melinda, she’s just been trying to hold it all together without stressing anyone out more,” April says.

“I know, and I didn’t mean to imply she did anything wrong. I know she’s doing a great job. Thanks for letting me know, April.”

“Sure. Look, I have to go. But now I know how to reach you. And keep me posted on what’s happening with Ryder.”

“I will,” I say and distractedly tell her good-bye. I hang up the phone and lean against the kitchen counter, deep in thought.

I know how dangerous it is for me to be in the city. But these animals are badly hurt, and need help.

“I need to go in,” I tell Shadow, who was listening to the entire conversation. He nods.

But I can’t just run off again. I reach for the phone and call Ryder, but his phone must be off because the call goes straight to voicemail. I call the number to the main house, but it just rings and rings. Everyone must be out on patrol.

“I’ll leave a note,” I say, and Shadow nods again. He watches as I rifle in the drawers until I find a pad of paper and a pen. Then I write:

Ryder, I talked to April. Several badly injured animals have been brought into the clinic.

The county vet examined them and said that they need surgery, but he doesn’t know how to do it.

I do. I’m going into the clinic. I hope to be back before sundown, but if I’m not, you know where to find me.

I tried to call you, but your phone was off, and no one answered at the main house. Take care of yourself. —Hannah

Okay, it’s a little overly explanatory. But I’d rather give him too many details and have him know I tried to reach someone than think I’ve been cavalier about my safety—or risk every wolf in the town converging around the vet clinic.

I go into the bedroom and grab my doctor’s bag, glad that I remembered to pack it. Shadow follows me as I make sure I have all the supplies I need, but at the front door I stop and look down at him.

“You’re staying here,” I say firmly. “You’ve already been hurt twice trying to defend me!”

Shadow crosses his arms and shakes his head. I know he’s coming whether I like it or not.

“Well, I don’t like it,” I tell him, “but if you’re so determined to come with me, I have one rule. You can’t try and protect me.”

Shadow rolls his eyes, but I don’t care. “Promise me that you won’t get hurt,” I insist.

Finally, the most stubborn raccoon in the world agrees. I run back to the kitchen and scrawl P.S. Shadow’s with me. on the note, and then we get into the car. Luckily, Ryder left his keys.

As I drive out of the compound, I keep an eye out for Ryder. But I don’t see him among the pack members I pass. I think about stopping one of them and seeing if they can find Ryder, but then I think about the wounded animals. I don’t want to waste any more time.

“I just hope Ryder can forgive me,” I murmur as I reach the edge of the compound. I turn onto the main road and drive away, leaving the pack behind.

And I try to quash any anxiety that bubbles up as I head back to the last place I saw my stalker.