“The important thing is to get you out of the way in case the wolf decides to attack. If it’s been hanging around here, there’s a chance it’s established this area as its territory. It might see you as a threat.”
He had the horrible feeling that she might just say, That sounds made up.
Luckily for him, Susan Fowler didn’t know as much about wolves as Aria did. And maybe after having been repeatedly dismissed by Animal Control, she was just glad someone was taking her complai
nt seriously.
“You can’t come inside,” she said.
“I don’t need to.” It would be easier if he could, but he wasn’t going to argue the point. “But you should really leave, ma’am. Just go to the mall, or go out to lunch. I can wait around here to see if the wolf turns up again.”
Susan studied him for a minute and then nodded. She rubbed her eyes.
“I’m sorry. It’s just been such a horrible month.”
“I understand.”
“Just let me get my purse,” she said. She darted back into the house.
Colby turned back towards the car and made sure he could still see Aria. She had moved over into the driver’s seat, ready to run Eli down if necessary, and she gave him a little wave.
This was all going well.
Maybe too well, his wolf said.
What do you mean?
Something doesn’t feel right.
Pay attention to your instincts, Martin had said.
Maybe Eli was learning from Colby in the same way that Colby was learning from him. It was the dark reflection all over again.
Maybe Eli, now that he was desperate, was reaching out to humanity not just to make Susan part of his pack—but to hunt down Aria.
And Susan Fowler had called Animal Control recently enough to expect them on her doorstep.
She rejoined him, her purse now slung over her shoulder.
“Great,” she said, giving him a shaky smile. “I’m ready to get out of wolf country.”
His wolf’s howl almost split his head in two.
SMELL.
He didn’t smell another wolf.
What he smelled were exhaust fumes.
He was sprinting before he even realized he’d turned around.
A truck was barreling towards them, ready to smash right into the car. With Aria still inside.
17
Aria saw the truck in the rearview mirror.
It felt like reality slowed down.