Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 61468 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 307(@200wpm)___ 246(@250wpm)___ 205(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61468 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 307(@200wpm)___ 246(@250wpm)___ 205(@300wpm)
The Wolf waits patiently, not moving a muscle, as I approach him. God, he’s huge—his head is bigger than mine. But he doesn’t bare his fangs or make any aggressive gestures—he just waits.
Feeling like I’m in a dream, I put up a hand…then I hesitate.
“Hello. Er…can I pet you?” I ask him.
I don’t really expect an answer, but the enormous, shaggy head nods slowly. Apparently he’s giving me permission.
I take off the oversized gloves and shove them in the pockets of my coat. Then I put my hand on his ruff, feeling the warm fur. His scent is Logan’s scent, I realize—only wilder. I have the urge to bury my face in his neck and restrain myself. We just met, after all.
Instead, I pet him carefully, stroking my fingers through his thick fur until he makes a soft rumbling sound of approval.
“You like that?” I ask softly and reach up to scratch behind his ears. He lowers his head to make it easier for me and when I stop for a moment, he nudges against me, asking for more.
Before I know it, I have both arms around him, scratching and petting. I press my face to his furry ruff, just like I wanted to before. It just feels so natural and I love the soft brush of his fur against my skin. He’s so warm, just like Logan always is.
That thought makes me pull back a little. Is this Logan I’m petting and caressing and getting entirely too friendly with? I would never act like this around my brother-in-law when he was in his human form—it would be way too awkward. I mean, he’s held me when I fainted and also held my hand at the Doctor’s office during the ultrasound, but I would never put my arms around him and nuzzle my face into the side of his neck. But that’s what I’m doing with his Wolf—and it feels so right I just can’t seem to stop.
“Mumm, you’re so big and warm,” I murmur, pulling back at last. One large, golden eye regards me. “I like you,” I tell him, stroking him some more. “I mean, it’s hard to believe you’re real and this isn’t just a dream, but I really like you.”
He snorts softly and a long pink tongue slips out and swipes my cheek. I laugh and stroke his ruff.
“Okay, I guess you like me too.”
I’d be happy to spend all night stroking him and hugging him—he’s like an enormous stuffed animal come to life—but then I remember that Logan said he wouldn’t stay in his Wolf form for long and that we would talk afterwards.
“I guess I should let you go so Logan can come back,” I say to the Wolf.
He snorts and shakes his head and I laugh again.
“All right—a few more minutes. Lay down and let’s cuddle.”
He seems to understand me perfectly because he lays down on the grass at once. I sit beside him and he puts his huge, furry head in my lap. I stroke him gently, running my fingers through his fur and scratching around the bases of his pointed ears, which he seems to really enjoy. His golden eyes close to slits and he breathes out a sigh of pure ecstasy.
I can’t help thinking that the most surprising thing about this whole encounter isn’t that my brother-in-law can turn into an enormous gray Wolf—it’s how much I like his Wolf. He’s so warm and he smells so good. Despite his enormous size he’s incredibly gentle—I feel safe with him, just like I feel safe with Logan.
I wonder if Dirk had a Wolf inside him, too? For that matter, do I have a Wolf inside? I don’t think I do but Logan and the Doctor both seem to think I’m at least half Were. Maybe that’s what my father was—a Werewolf. My mom would never tell me much about him—just that their relationship didn’t last and he left before I was born.
At last the cold, hard ground is making me uncomfortable. I glance at my watch and realize we’ve been cuddling for almost an hour! Wow—I never meant to let it go on so long. I just feel so drawn to the huge, furry animal with his head in my lap. But we can’t sit like this all night. Despite the coat I’m wearing and the warmth of the Wolf’s fur, my face is getting cold from the wind and my butt is almost completely numb.
“I hate to do this, but I think we should let Logan come back,” I say, looking down at the Wolf as I stroke his head.
His golden eyes look sad and he whines softly. But he seems to agree that we’ve had enough time together—for now.
“I’ll see you again,” I promise him. Leaning down, I place a kiss on the top of his head. “I promise I will. Anytime you come out, I’ll cuddle with you.”