Wolf Blood

Chapter Nine: Powerless

The leaves crunched under my feet. My breath grew heavy as I pushed my burning legs. I knew where I was going, but I couldn’t go home until I was human again and I didn’t know how to turn back. Kinsley would probably say something about thinking human thoughts, whatever that meant.

I was in the woods by my house. I hadn’t often traveled this deep because mum and dad frowned at it. They said the woods wasn’t safe. I thought they were overprotective and slightly paranoid, but after everything that’s happening, I understand where they’re coming from.

The wolf behind me, which I assumed was Ezekiel, never sped up or slowed down. I was grateful for the distance he allowed between us. I felt my anger fading and the thudding in my heart returned to normal. Running as a wolf was a great way to blow off steam. I slowed down and I could feel myself relaxing.

Returning to human form felt tingly. A minor pins and needle feeling. I held my hands up to my face – it was good to see fingers again. I wiggled them and smiled, glad for a semblance of normalcy.

I wrapped my arms around myself as my long hair fell, covering my chest. I was grateful that I didn’t get that haircut a few weeks ago. Being naked in the woods was not as freeing as I expected. Worst yet, was that Ezekiel was following me.

“Glad to see you’ve calmed down,” Ezekiel said. I turned to face him. I didn’t want to meet his eyes, but I did. He looked me up and down with a smile.

Goosebumps covered my body. His eyes on me disgusted me. He walked closer to me. Everything in me screamed to run, but I felt paralyzed. Stuck in place. He stood too close. He was inches away from me. The heat from his body radiated. I kept my eyes on his. His green eyes were dark. It was definitely a wolf thing. I’d never seen anyone’s eyes change like his.

“Stop,” I said as his hand reached for my face. My heart thumbed. I knew he could tell I was afraid. Ezekiel wasn’t a normal man, he was a wolf, and he was strong. When he growled earlier, I could feel myself wanting to tremble. Thank goodness for the rage I felt after his confession.

I didn’t know what happened to the kind man I’d first met. I thought he was like Everette, but they were nothing alike. Everette was warm and truly kind. Everette never put on a show. I felt anger flair up, but the fear remained. His warm hand touched my cheek.

“I thought we were getting along. Before Everette came between us,” he said, his voice came out as a purr. I shivered. I had a better chance as a wolf, but I didn’t know how to summon it. I didn’t think asking nicely would work.

I stepped back, pushing his hand away from me.

“Not so fast, Selene.” He stepped closer. I stretched my hand out and it hit his shoulder. He stopped walking.

“No closer,” I said letting out a quiet growl.

“You’re adorable as a wolf. Truly adorable.” He smiled. “I know you’re strong. I’m assuming Everette didn’t tell you there was a chance you could have died.” He placed his hand on my arm. If my hand wasn’t the only thing stopping him from coming closer, I would have pulled it away.

“It doesn’t matter. Everette didn’t risk my life.”

“I knew you were strong. Strong and beautiful.” His eyes looked me up and down again. “Everette is small. He can’t keep you safe in this world. I can.”

“The only thing I need to be safe from is you,” I said. My stomach tossed. I was afraid and angry. I hated that my emotions controlled my stomach. I felt sick, but I couldn’t show weakness. Gritting my teeth, I tried to bask in the anger. “You’re a monster.”

“Sweetie, you are the same as me.” He let out a fake howl. “We’re both a little wolfy.”

“You know what I mean. I didn’t corner you in the woods.” Being naked wasn’t helping. I kept my eyes on his. He bit me. He made me this monster. He was the root of the fear I felt, but also the anger.

“I won’t hurt you,” he said but the trust he’d built was already broken. “Just accept me and all of this will go away.”

“No.” I could read between the lines. He would hurt me if I didn’t accept him. Everette’s smile flashed through my mind and I knew I could never accept Ezekiel. I’m not weak. I’m not weak. I could feel my anger rising. I wanted to get back to Everette. My eyes widened, I hurt him. I remember. I stepped back and growled loudly, louder than I thought I could.

“Oh, come on, Selene. Must we go through this again?” He crossed his arm and said, “I can chase you all day, but don’t say I didn’t warn you when I catch you.” He furrowed his brow.

A growl pierced the air. Ezekiel’s smile vanished, and he returned an equally loud growl. To my left a large dark coloured wolf slowly approached. The wolf bared its teeth, watching us. His dark eyes met mine before resting on Ezekiel.

“Selene, run,” Ezekiel said as he stepped toward the approaching wolf.

I didn’t know whether to be grateful or afraid of the wolf. There was no way I’d be able to fight either off. I didn’t even know how to summon the wolf in me. Ezekiel started running toward the wolf before I ran toward home. The sound of growling wolves filled the air. I ran and ran. Home grew closer and closer.

I slowed when I came to the path that led home. I didn’t know who would be home and I didn’t want to run into anyone in my current state of clothlessness. Dads chair rested in the backyard with a can of soda. He was home, bird watching, and that meant the backdoor would be unlocked. However, there was also the potential of him seeing me naked.

I crept closer to the house, but I lingered enough in the woods to be shielded. Bingo, dads’ jacket was on his chair. I dashed out of the woods, scooping up the jacket, and put it on. Once it was zipped, I walked through the backdoor, which was off the kitchen. I heard mum and dad laughing from another room. Quietly, I walked toward the stairs.

Zander was home. I could hear him listening to music in his room. I’d never noticed how heightened my hearing became. I could hear him singing along the song and his music wasn’t loud. I zoomed up the stairs and into my room, closing the door behind me.

“That sucked,” I said quietly. I felt like I was handling things well, considering everything. Yet, right now, all I wanted to do was cry. What if that wolf hadn’t showed up? What would Ezekiel have done? Leaning against the door, I slid to the floor. Crying wouldn’t solve anything and right now, I needed to know how Everette was.