Page 114 of Scent to the Feral Cowboys

A strange whistling now.

The low, thrumming warning of approach.

My blood seemed to crystallize in my veins, turning to ice that spread from my core to my fingertips. The chill of the air around me felt warm in comparison. I should have found a weapon in Cooper’s room. I should have risked it. If I screamed right now, would they hear me back at the ranch?

The irony hit me with nauseating force. I'd escaped five Alphas only to offer myself as an easy meal to whatever lurked under the cloak of night. Not only that, now I wanted the Alphas to hear my screams and come running to save me. All my bluster about being strong and capable, and I turned into the cliché damsel in distress at the first signs of danger.

The unseen threat released another snarl. This time closer. I turned, choking on panic. Was it in the cluster of bushes to my right? Was it on the other side of the fence? Was it just beyond the tree line? My muscles tensed, fight-or-flight response shouting at me to run, but my mind paralyzed with indecision. Run where? Back toward the ranch? Into the unknown darkness of the dirt road? One. More. Vicious. Growl. Broke my paralysis.

I started running back towards the gravel driveway as fast as I could in the flopping boots as the blisters and raw skin stung. The first trickles of wetness began, blood pooling below my feet, making the worn inner leather slick. My chest heaved, lungs aching, as I raced below the sign. My brain was a frenzy, buzzing like a beehive, as I desperately moved back to the house.

I gasped when something hit the other side of the fence.

Another growl.

But… different pitch. Not as high.

Don’t look! Just run! Don’t try to see it!

It took all my willpower not to glance over when I heard a thud and the soft sounds of pursuit. Behind me? No… in front of me. Or, God, both? Were there two predators stalking me under the stars?

A large, hulking shadow began to materialize, heading straight for me. Four legs. Terrifying eyes catching starlight and glowing like floating orbs.Jesus, it was big.

Terror exploded through my system, forcing a scream from my throat before I could swallow it. It tore through the night, seeming to echo off the surrounding world, startling even me with its volume.

I stumbled away from the approaching shadow, and my heel caught on an embedded stone sticking up through the gravel. The too-large boots betrayed me. Balance lost, I felt myself falling backward in horrible slow motion, arms flailing uselessly. I hit the ground hard, the impact driving air from my lungs in a painful whoosh. Tiny bits of rock embedded themselves in the bare flesh of my arms. The thin shirt and borrowed sweatpants offered minimal protection against the rough surface. Sharp angles and dull edges dug into my spine and ass and calves.

Scrambling to sit up, wincing at the pain, I stared down the driveway that led to the rambler. I should have stayed there. If I had, I’d be safe instead of about to die. My ability to move was gone. My resolve to runaway evaporated. For the first time in my life, I gave up.

Just close your eyes.

Hopefully you’ll die before whatever it is starts eating your liver.

Clamping my lids together, I tried to think of something happy.

Chess with Grandpa.

Grandmother’s birds.

The first solo at Imperial.

Just kill me already.

The creature was closer.

Quick, soft footsteps shifting gravel.

Warm breath was suddenly pulsing against my face, faintly gamey and metallic.

I waited for the death blow.

Instead, something licked my face.

Confused, I opened my eyes. I blinked oh-so-slowly, trying to make sure I was seeing what I was seeing.

Not the massive bear or mountain lion my terrified brain had conjured, but a dog. Medium sized, with patches of light and dark fur. Even in the night I could see his alert ears and intelligent eyes. He padded around me, stocky body tense as he positioned between me and the darkness beyond the property line.

Relief hit me with such force that laughter bubbled up in my chest, half-hysterical. Just a dog. Not a wild beast about to tear me apart. The animal maintained his protective stance, a continuous low growl rumbling from his chest as he stared into the darkness beyond the bushes. I’d never been around dogs much, but I found myself instantly trusting this one.