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“Though fairy tales end after ten pages, our lives do not.” ― Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Women Who Run With the Wolves

Gwen Wulf~ Last Week

When I open the door to our newly purchased, three-bedroom, sixties Cape, a cool October wind whips my hair. As it tosses more yellow leaves into my front yard, I whistle to Bear. “C’mon boy, let’s feed the cats.”

“Woof.” The shepherd-collie mix bounds past me and growls at a strange SUV parked across the street.

Once I reach his side, he huffs at the vehicle’s dark-tinted windows and trots to the red asbestos-shingled house next door.

As he noses the flowerpot, I grab the key underneath, then pat his head. “You stay put. I’ll be right back.”

“Ruff.” Head tilted, those sad doggie eyes beg, but I can’t give in. He scares the hell out of Dolly DeClaire’s two tabby cats. Not only that, I want him to keep an eye on the idling vehicle. If anyone exits, he will let me know.

Inside, the two cuties jump off the bright orange Brady Bunch countertop. Meowing in tandem, the siblings weave between my legs.

As I almost topple over, my hand reaches to catch my balance on the kitchen table. “Guys, if you kill me, you won’t get fed.”

The ginger one tries to be cute while her gray-striped brother butts his head against the island’s cabinet.

“Thank you, but I know where the kibble is.” I grab a can from the green refrigerator, place their bowls on the tangerine Formica, and measure out their food.

With them busy eating, I put their chow away, then pull the note from under a magnet. Huh. I’m not wrong. Their mom, Dolly, should’ve arrived last night.

Recalling the brochures she showed me before asking me to pet-sit, I open drawers until I locate the right one. Underneath a checkbook, some matches, and an all-purpose screwdriver, I find the shiny folded paper. At the time, the relaxing, tech-free wilderness weekend sounded perfect.

Now, because I was the one who encouraged her to go, I’m responsible should something have happened to her.

Giiiiirrll, don’t even… My inner Beyoncé, quiet as of late, adds her two cents.

Because I have a teeny-tiny tendency to get into trouble, I state my case to my subconscious mind. What if her car broke down or she had an accident?

Regardless, if she isn’t home by tomorrow, I’ll make some calls.

“Woof, woof, woof.” Bear's excited barks interrupt my thoughts.

They must see me crack open the door because immediately, the vehicle roars down the street.

“ Sitz.” There is no way I want him following that SUV.

My pup whines outside. Soon, sad yowls accompany him, back in the kitchen. Bushy, the big bully cat, drops a toy mouse at my feet and catches my eye.

“You miss Dolly, don’t you? Let’s see what I can do.” I grab three dirty t-shirts from the laundry basket, lay them on the rug, then sit cross-legged.

The smaller sibling, Skitter, kneads the clothes, and she butts my hand until I scratch her chin. Her brother crouches, claws out, ready to pounce.

“Come here, silly.” Reaching out, I pet him while I imagine all the ways his fifty-year-old owner could get waylaid.

Our cuddle time over, I grab the spa pamphlet, exiting the way I came to lock up. As I place the key under the pot, the military-trained dog snorts, his eyes on the street.

“Bear, hier .” On my command, the canine follows me up my back deck. In our dining area, a sense of déjà vu sends a chill down my spine. It disappears the moment Abbie glances up from her homework where she works at our kitchen table.

“Hey, Mommy. How’re the kitties?” Her sweet, toothless smile warms my insides while I tousle her dark locks.

“They’re fine. Did you finish your assignment?”

“Yup.” As she beams, she holds up her lined paper covered in the first five letters of the alphabet.

Axel puts down his spatula, joins us, then pulls me to his side. “Babe, any word from Mrs. DeClaire?”

Not wanting to upset my daughter, I shake my head, retrieve the brochure I took from Dolly’s junk drawer, and point out the dates. “She should’ve been home last night.”

My G-man lifts our Abigail from her chair. He kisses her belly before setting her on her feet. “Hey, Abs, wash your hands, okay? It’s almost time for dinner.”

Bear nudges my giggler into the bathroom to ensure his adopted puppy complies.

Once the grade-schooler skips beyond our earshot, Axel draws me closer. “Did the cat lady mention staying longer? Visiting overnight with friends or family?”

“No. She only left enough wet food for a few days. Frankly, I’m beginning to worry.” Turning to face him, I clasp my arms around his waist and bite his earlobe.

His deep, sexy growl strikes my clit. When I squirm, he kisses me before tapping the brochure. “Call that number.”

“I tried.” Plopping down in a chair, I open my laptop and tilt my screen.

When I log into the day-spa’s slick website, each forest picture is more spectacular than the last. “Well, this place doesn’t appear dangerous, does it?”

“No, but we could dive deeper.” He covers the frypan, leans over my back, then clicks on my keyboard until a satellite view of the address pops up. Unlike what we were looking at, this window shows only trees, no buildings.

My neck strains as I glance over my shoulder. “Perhaps the spa is new?”

“Yeah, or it’s a scam.” My scowling husband walks back to the stove, switches the knob, and lifts our veggies off the burner. “Didn’t she leave any emergency contact info?”

“Yes. I called her cell phone but nothing. She did warn me how the place is crazy strict about their tech-free rules.”

“You would go nuts.” He’s so annoying, I stick out my tongue.

Just because I’m nerdy, doesn’t mean I’m addicted. “It sounds delightful. So there.”

Glancing down the hall, he pulls me close and plunders my mouth. When we break for air, his calloused index finger drags across my cheek before tucking a lock of hair behind my ear. “If she’s not back tomorrow, we can file a missing person’s report.”

His eyes, centers wide and dark, make me wish it was bedtime. Liquid pooling between my legs, I squirm. “I guess… Perhaps I can sleuth a bit more. She must’ve told someone, but how would I know? Other than an occasional hello, I barely know her.”

After dinner, Axel studies my face, picks up his laptop, and places it on the clean countertop. “Alright. I can see Dolly’s absence bothers you. Show me the brochure again.”

My chest warms at my spouse’s support. Unlike my ex, this silver wolf is my rock. Once I point out the address, he plugs it into a custom FBI app to show me the results. “Here’s the LLC’s contact information. Why not contact them?”

A kiss on his deliciously soft lips later, I call the company.

Soon a woman with a thick accent picks up. “Tech Free Day Spa. How may I help you?”

The hum of different languages in the background tells me I’ve reached an offshore call center. Wanting Axel to listen in, I push the phone’s speaker icon.

“Hello, I’m calling about a woman who attended last weekend's event. She hasn’t come home yet.”

“Oh, I am so sorry to hear that, ma’am.” Her sing-song tone says she’s anything but.

“I will be helping you solve this issue. Unfortunately, the facility is closed, but someone will call you back in the morning. May I have your number?”

I repeat the digits four times before she gets it right. Shaking my head, I hang up, then plop on the living room couch beside my daughter. “Why do I have the feeling I will not be getting a callback?”

Bear lifts his head off his bed, glances at Axel, and paces along the sliding glass door. Perimeter clear, he returns to his place.

Recalling the strange vehicle, I make a note to mention it later, but at the moment, we have a new adventure starring My Little Ponies. Not long after, Abbie finishes her bath, I read her a book, and she falls asleep.

Once he’s kissed our daughter goodnight, my husband takes my hand and leads me to the bedroom. “Sex?”

Winking, I shut the door with my lips to his ears. “Depends. Which pony are you?”

“The one with the blue balls.” His deep chuckle strikes my clit while my tits tighten.

As I strip off my shirt, I whisper, “It hasn’t been that long.”

“Doesn’t matter. All that tail wagging made me hard.” His silver-laced brows waggle as he works on his buttons.

My blouse drops to the floor, I slip down my tight black skirt and lose the underwear. “Why, Special Agent Wulf, I had no idea you had a thing for horses.”

“I don’t, but I like to be ridden.” Both undressed, he straddles me and kisses down my neck, pausing before he addresses my aching breasts. “Have I ever mentioned how much I love your sexy scientist outfits?”

“Perhaps, but why don’t you remind me.” My fingers slide through his silvery hair.

As his soft strands caress the sensitive webbing between my digits, he tilts his head to nibble the tip of my nose. “You don’t mind I’m gray?”

Because he's never asked, the question catches me off guard. “God no. I love it. It’s one of the first things I noticed about you. Come here, Mr. Silver Wulf.”

I pull on his ears, his mouth meets mine, and our tongues tangle. While touching each other all over, he bites my earlobe.

“If memory serves, you found my sexy body irresistible.” His chuckle reaches his bluish-steel eyes, creating tiny crinkles in the corners.

Brows raised, he moans at my fist curling around his thick length. “Actually, it was your amazing dog. After all, it was him, not you, who saved my life.”

“You fell for Bear? Are you for real right now?” My husband grabs my waist, swivels onto his back, then shifts me on top. When his thumbs tease my nipples, my center leaks hot slick liquid near his belly button.

“No lie. Girl Scout'shonor.” I laugh until he grips my thighs, my core at his mouth.

Butt cheeks to my ankles, he sucks my clit so hard my brain cells cease firing. On the sharp cliff of an incredible orgasm, he pauses, which makes me moan.

“The truth, babe.” He’s so turned on, his eyes’ black centers almost cover his irises.

My hard nub pointing, I remember that fateful day on Rehoboth Beach. I had face-planted on the sand to avoid a shooter. After, I stood with my nose to his crotch.

“I give, it was your cock.”

One final suck sends me into oblivion. Slipping off his face, I scoot back, place his tip at my opening, and slide down to the bone.

He bucks up into my throbbing, pulsing inner muscles. I delight in his strength. Hands to his shoulders, I ride him hard.

“Aww, fu-” Before his shout wakes Abbie, I shoot my hand over his mouth.

“Shush.” The fleshy part of my thumb stings as he bites down.

When he pistons into my sweet spot, I lose my fucking mind. Bouncing, I meet his pace. All at once, he stiffens, groans, and spills inside me.

I must sleep for a minute because the next thing I know, he spoons behind me. “G’night, sweetheart.”

“Night, wolfman. Sweet dreams.”