He looked around, expecting to be jumped by a pack of wolves any second. He turned to run, only to bump into a massive man.
“Oh, careful there. Good I was going for a refill and not the other way around.” The man held up an empty cup and smiled at him. Human.
A hand grabbed his arm, and he barked—not a human sound. Myka’s eyes widened. “Oh…” Then she frowned. “What…eh…” The frown deepened. “Are you a…wolf?”
“What?” He stared at her. She smelled of wolf, but this close, Dahy could tell she wasn’t one. She was with one. This was a trap. He whimpered and yanked to get her to let go.
“Sit, Dahy.”
He shook his head and wished the human man would move faster so he could run toward the door without causing too much of a scene.
“Come on now. Sit.”
He shook his head again.
“I’ll get us a cup of coffee, and you’ll tell me…I always imagined bears would be big in human form, but maybe that’s prejudice.”
Dahy’s mouth dropped open, then he composed himself. “What?”
“If you’re not a wolf, you have to be a bear, right? I’m pretty new to this world, and I didn’t mean to insult you. I’m sorry if I did.”
Dahy gaped at her, then he snorted only to chuckle. When the chuckle threatened to turn into something resembling sobs, he snapped his mouth shut to prevent any sound from leaving him.
She looked into his eyes. “Sit. I’ll get coffee or do you prefer tea or eh…hot cocoa?”
“Cocoa.”
She smiled, nodded, and gestured at the chair. “Don’t run. You’re safe, I promise.”
He wanted to scoff. Safe. She believed he was a bear.
It didn’t take long before she was back carrying two large mugs, one with tea and one with whipped cream on top. She placed the mugs on the table and sat. “So…you need a place to hide?”
Dahy glanced over his shoulder. There was a long line by the counter. How had she managed to get their drinks so fast? “Where did you get these?”
“Oh, I work here. I’m off now, but I popped in behind the counter and fixed them.” She blew on her tea. “Enjoy. They’re on the house.” She winked.
Dahy cradled the mug in his hands, allowing the warmth to seep into his soul.
“You’re hiding from someone?” Her voice was no louder than a whisper.
“Several someones.”
She grimaced. “I don’t know much. I’m mated to Roan who’s part of the local pack. I could ask him.”
Dahy shook his head and nearly spilled his cocoa.
She sighed. “I could…Konrad Brody is the alpha.”
Ice washed through Dahy’s veins. She wanted to take him to the alpha?
“He’s a reasonable man.”
Dahy scrunched his nose. No, alphas were not reasonable men. They were brutal and ruthless. They had to be if they were going to keep a pack in line. And sometimes they needed to reward their pack with a squirrel hunt or two. He’d heard wolves took great pleasure in those.
“I could ask if there is some place you can stay for a while.” She grimaced. “I know there are a few empty apartments at the moment.”
“Apartments?” Did wolves live in apartments?
