Chapter 5

Zora’s Point of View

“You’ve been so distracted Zora,” Cassidy said.

I couldn’t get that man’s image out of my head. He was a wolf. He knew my scent and if he came across me again what if he threatened me? He could easily dispose of me, no one cared what happened to the humans.

Cassidy would care though. I knew how to defend myself but wolves were naturally stronger and faster.

“I think I’m pregnant.”

“What?” I gasped.

She rolled her eyes. “Finally! I thought I lost you.”

I settled on her couch and sighed heavily. “I’m sorry Cass. Something happened at work.”

“Did one of the old bags attack you?”

I gave her a pointed look. “No. Some guy was there. He intimidated an old man. He shouldn’t have been there I know he knows I was there.”

Cass leaned forward. “Geez, Zora. You think he’s dangerous?”

“Anyone willing to threaten an old man is dangerous. He wanted something, I have no idea what.”

“You should tell Kaleb.”

“I don’t know, Cass.”

She grabbed her phone and frowned at me. “You’re kidding me. Wolves can be dangerous. If he has your scent he can track you down. Did you get a name from the register?”

“He didn’t leave one. He walked in unnoticed.”

“Fucking kidding me.”

I listened to her call her older brother. She exaggerated the details to make Kaleb come over faster. Typical Cass. Must run in the family because Kaleb was good at it too.

“You shouldn’t have told him I was hurt, Cass. He’s going to be pissed.”

“Zora, Kaleb cares about you.”

My heart slammed forward. What did she know?

“He’s always cared.”

Cass wasn’t giving away much so I played along the safe side and kept my mouth shut. Minutes later the front door burst open. Kaleb and Gunner burst through the door. Why was Gunner here?

“What happened?” Kaleb asked.

He picked me off the couch and raised my arms, searching for marks.

“Stop,” I hissed. “I’m fine.”

“Then why did you tell us she was hurt,” Gunner shot Cass a heated glare.

“No one touched me but Mr Dean got a visitor this week and another man was aggressive with him today. He knew I was there.”

Gunner clenched his jaw. “Tell me everything about him. Outside.”

I stared at Cass. She lifted a shoulder. When I looked into his eyes I saw the boy who bullied me because he could and I wished I could shake this feeling but it was easier said than done.

Gunner walked out, expecting me to follow.

“Go on,” Kaleb said gently.

I sighed and rolled my shoulders before walking out. I found Gunner by his black truck.

“You sure you’re okay?” Gunner asked.

“He didn’t see me but he may have grabbed my scent.”

Gunner caressed my cheek and grabbed my chin gently.

“You have a strong, distinct scent. I’m sure he got it. Tell me everything.”

I quickly relayed the events, what I heard and what I saw.

“Don’t tell anyone else about this, got it?”

I nodded. A breeze passed through me and I shivered or was that because of Gunner’s body so close to mine? He traced his fingers down my arm, causing another set of shivers. This time it was him.

“Do me another favour, Zora,” he asked smoothly.

“I don’t know if I should,” I looked down and tucked a strand behind my ear.

“Come on, Pointer’s Bar tomorrow night.”

“I shouldn’t.”

He grabbed my waist and pulled me close.

“Going to play hard to get?”

“Trust me Gunner this isn’t a game. If Cass is going I might show up.”

“I’ll take it.”

“I should go. I’ve got stuff to pack up.”

Suddenly Gunner’s brows dipped and his lips formed a straight line.

“You and I have to talk, okay?”

Thunder clapped in the distance. I looked up to see a dark grey sky. Shoot, how did I miss that? I needed to get home.

“See you later, Gunner.”

I rushed into my car as lightning flashed in the sky and thunder rumbled. Minutes later I drove into my property. The grass was tall and dry. The front porch was no longer lined with vibrant welcoming flowers. When I looked at the top floor I saw the burned window of the master bedroom. I let this place go.

I walked to the front door and I dug around my bag for the house keys. I looked down and noticed the yellow envelope. I hunched to pick it up.

To Zora Fisher, it read.

“Keegan,” I muttered.

I unlocked the door and pushed it open at the same time wheels screeched against the grovel. I scurried into the house and locked the door. I didn’t see the car but it had to be Keegan. He must have left the envelope and parked somewhere to wait until I arrived.

I couldn’t call the police yet he hadn’t done anything.

Hammering rattled the door.

“Zora, open the damn door.”

“Dash?” I rasped.

“Open up!”

“You drive like a maniac!” I stood and unlocked the door.

Dash stormed inside and inspected the foyer.

“Ugh, what do you want?”

“I heard you were attacked.”

Darn, Cassidy and her lie. He must have been with Kaleb and Gunner when Cass called her brother.

“No, I’m fine. Cass just wanted her brother to come home quickly.”

He turned. His green eyes stunned me into paralysis.

He kept his hands to himself but all I wanted was for him to touch me even a little.

“I drove all this way for nothing,” he grumbled.

I heard the soft fall of rainwater on the porch. The soft subtle sound turned into a heavy downfall within seconds. Lightning illuminated the house for a second when violent thunder roared the electricity went out.

“No,” I gasped.

Another clap of thunder and I jumped.

“Relax do you have backup power?” Dash asked.

“You mean candles?”

“Candles? What is this a gothic novel? Don’t you have a torch?”

“No… we never get power outages so there wasn’t a need for one.”

Dash sighed in frustration. “There’s nothing you can do about the power until the storm stops.”

“You’re not going to drive in this weather are you?” I asked, my hands shaking.

“I’m not scared of a little rain but no. Let’s go find your candles.”

I led Dash into the kitchen. He used his phone torch to light the way. Ten minutes later the rain showed no signs of slowing down. The river in the forest would be flooded tomorrow morning.

Dash and I sat in the lounge. Illuminated by candlelight it felt older than it was. He sat across from me, staring at my Mother's hand-picked or custom-made decoration. The last time he was here there wasn’t time to sit and stare.

“Sorry about your parents,” he said.

I picked at my jeans. “Thanks.”

“They find out what caused it?”

“No… no one’s given me answers but I have to keep moving. I might have to sell this house.”

“Why?” The light from the candle shone on the side of his face.

“I can’t afford to keep it. It needs a lot of renovations.”

“What about your parent’s insurance?”

“Insurance? I never heard about that.”

“You should find out there might be money that can help you.”

My heart was filled with renewed hope. I might not have to sell this place after all. I could keep it in the family and find something to do with it. Another thing that plagued my mind, was Dash’s presence.

Why would he burst onto my property like that?

“Dash… why did you come?”

“I told you, I thought you were hurt. A wolf attack on a human can be lethal. You would have been better off if you moved, Zora.”

“Now you want me gone?” I raised my brow.

“You don’t get it. I don’t think you ever did. It’s not safe for you here.”

I muffled a laugh. “I can take care of myself, Dash.”

He chuckled and leaned forward, crossing his fingers.

“I heard about you giving Gunner a bloody nose. I was surprised but I liked it.”

I nodded and eyed him. He was already gone when that happened. “So you’ve been stalking me.”

He stood suddenly and found himself behind my chair. His natural earthy scent made my skin tingle and my breathing hike.

“I like to call it keeping myself involved.”

He forced my head upwards so our gazes could mix.

The storm raged on, beating against the windows and slamming on the concrete. Dash was officially stuck here but I didn’t trust myself enough or my emotions the ones from the past or the present.