“I will.Thanks.”
He kisses my forehead and turns away.I watch him leave,then walk down the hall to check on Daddy for the thousandth time.After, Imake my way to the kitchen, grabbing my favorite picture of Mom.Taking mytrusty bottle of wine with me, I sit on the back porch steps.I don’t even needa glass; I drink straight from the bottle.
My life is such a mess.Well, not exactly a mess… just onhold.It’s been on hold for the last two years.First Daddy got sick, and thenMom.I’m all they had.We only had each other.Then Mom left us.That’s whenDaddy got worse.Now, I finally find someone who makes it all seem better, andI want to do nothing but run for the hills.As tears roll down my cheeks, I laymy head on the support beam.
“Why?Why’d you leave us, Mom?I need you so much right now.”
I stare down at the picture in my hands.She was sobeautiful and happy, waving at the camera from a towel on the beach.That wasthe year we went to the Bahamas.My six-year-old self is off to the side,working on a crappy-looking sand castle.I miss those days.
A rustling sound coming from the trees catches my attention,and I turn toward it, tears temporarily forgotten.
“Is someone there?”
I scan the area, but no one surfaces.Must be my mindplaying tricks on me.I take another sip of wine, and that’s when I see him—mywolf.He’s back.He walks tentatively in my direction with his head hung low; despitethat, he looks so majestic.I sit as still as I can and watch his approach.When he gets to the bottom of the steps, he drops down, sphinx-like, andwhimpers.I must be crazy, but here goes nothing.
“Come here, handsome.”
His ears perk up, and he gazes at me, tongue hanging out ofhis mouth.He moves two steps up, his hind legs remaining on the ground.Still,he’s so big I have to look up to see his face.I slowly reach out to touch him,and he licks my hand.
“I knew it.I knew you wouldn’t hurt me.”
I run my hand through his fur, which is softer than Ithought it would be.He whines, leaning into the caress.
“I’ll have to give you a name, won’t I?”
His huge tail wags behind him and he moves next to me, lyingon his side.I scratch his belly and his leg twitches in delight.
“I think I’ll call you… Sheriff.What do you think?”
He thumps his tail excitedly on the porch, so I assume helikes it.
“Well, Sheriff it is, then.”
I continue to stroke him, and we sit in quiet companionship.
***Ethan/Sheriff***
She looks so sad.I’m glad I came back.It’s not how Iwanted to help, but I’m here, and she’s not alone.I never expected it to belike this.Yes, there’s a natural instinct to protect her, but this is waybeyond that.I feel like my heart is being torn out of my chest all becauseshe’s sad.I want to take away her pain.Is it supposed to be like this?She’snot really my mate until after the mating ritual; we’re not actually connectedyet, so why do I feel like this?That’s it.These are feelings—human emotions,not instincts.This is not about the wolf.It’s about the man… The man whoseems to have fallen in love.I love her.I know she feels the connection, too.Why else would she name me Sheriff?
She finishes her wine, yawns, and stretches.“I’m gonna callit a night, Sheriff.I hope I see you again.”
I’ll be here every night, man or wolf.She stares into myeyes and, for the first time tonight, she doesn’t look so sad.If I hadanything to do with that, then my presence here was worth any risk of exposure.
“Good night, handsome.”
Good night, my love.
She ruffles my fur and walks inside.I move back to the edgeof the woods and, like I do every night, keep watch over her.I need to beextra vigilant now that Stone has her in his sights.I almost died this morningwhen I saw that car force her off the road.The fucker got off easy if you askme; I should have broken every bone in his body first.I just hope Stone getsthe message.He should think long and hard before he fucks with me and what’smine.
***Casey***
“Clara, you’re like manna from the heavens.”
“Oh, hush now, dear.”
Her blush turns her cheeks bright red.
“I’m serious,” I tell her.“You’re exactly what I need.Whatweneed.”
