Page 12 of The Crimson Wolf
Wolf? So that’s what he’s calling that creature I saw in the clearing. I know for damn sure it was the size of a car, but now that I think of it, my fear could have dramatized the size.
“Why do you chain the animals inside your house?” The boldness of my voice surprises me. I’m dealing with a suspected murderer, yet my mind can’t help but wonderif he’s just the person who would have the answers to the mystery of the attacks unless he’s the culprit. Sure, the reports indicated that the wounds were from animals, but a man of his size could make it look that way.
“They’re injured. If I leave them outside, other animals will attack them.” He steps closer, and I step to the side, trying to get around him.
“Surely your station would have a better place to keep injured animals.” My dad was a park ranger, but I don’t know shit about where they work. They never seemed to havetake your kids to work dayduring the first five years of my life.
“Station?” He scrunches his thick eyebrows and chuckles.
We’re both taking slow steps, him toward me, me toward the door.
“Yeah, doesn’t the Department of Parks have a home base or something?”
“You’re looking at it.” He extends his arms and motions to the space around him. “You’re looking at a department of one.”
“You are the only park ranger in Dayton?” I had always assumed my dad had co-workers back then.
“You must be new. This town isn’t known for its size.”
I’m now steps away from the door. “I’m not new. I grew up here.”
His steps track mine, and he wags his finger. “I knew you looked familiar. What’s your name?”
“You don’t look familiar.”
He chuckles and rubs the back of his head. “Fair. I did stay pretty secluded growing up.”
I really don’t care about carrying on this conversation. “Cool.” I slip outside of the door and rush down his porch, my heart pounding out of my chest.
“Hey, wait. Where are you going?” he calls from behind me, following me out.
“I told you, my big, strong boyfriend is picking me up. I don’t want him to get lost.” I’m trying not to look like I’m running, but I’m moving fast, almost toward the edge of his clearing.
Suddenly, I’m whipped back around. My heart hammers as I look up at the stranger holding my arm. I don’t know how he got to me so fast.
Terror swims through my veins, but somehow, being this close to him makes me unable to look away. I get lost in his dark eyes, his straight jaw, the veins pulsing at the side of his neck, and the perfect slope of his nose. Adrenaline surges through my veins, my head lightens, and my skin becomes itchy. Something familiar pangs in my chest. It almost feels like déjà vu—like a part of me has lived this moment with this manbefore.
He doesn’t say or move, seeming lost in his thoughts as he gazes down at me.
Birds call in the distance, and I’m knocked out of our trance, pulling back and yanking my arm free from his grasp.
He shakes his head as if gathering his thoughts. “Sorry, you shouldn’t go back out into the woods by yourself. It’s dangerous, especially now that it’s getting dark.”
A small voice inside of me yells that this man is dangerous. His story about the chains in his cottage doesn’t seem to make sense, and his entire essence screams danger, but if he wanted to murder me, wouldn’t he have done it by now?
I know one thing for sure. If anyone knows more about the attacks, it’s him. He lives just seconds from where it transpired and appears to be the only park ranger. Although it terrifies me, I need to meet with him again and get some answers.
Leaves crunch as Jack’s truck drives down the trail toward where the stranger and I stand.
God, I don’t want to deal with Jack again, but it doesn’t seem like I have a choice.
I take a deep breath and extend my hand to the stranger. “I’m Red. I’d like to talk to you again.”
The stranger gives me a quizzical look before accepting my hand and shaking it with a strong grip. “Okay, Red.” He gives me a devilish smirk.
Jack’s car door slams. “Red, are you okay?” He rushes toward me, his eyes examining me before turning to the dark stranger whose hand still grasps mine.
“Cameron,” Jack grits through his teeth.
