Hunter let out another roar, letting his body jump from the dumpster onto the ground beside the man. The woman screamed hoarsely, and scrambled against the wall as the man who had been about to rape her jumped to his feet and attempted to run. He let out a strangled cry as Hunter grabbed him by the back of his hair and ran him face first into the wall on the opposite side of the alley. The man groaned once before crumbling to the ground and rolling onto his back, his forehead cut and bloody.
Hunter grunted with satisfaction and turned his elongated snout towards the woman. She was shaking uncontrollably while staring up at him with large blue eyes. Hunter hesitated only a second before trotting back across the road to his truck. He knew he couldn’t drive in his current state, but needed cover to make sure the woman made it out of the alley. Luckily for him, no cars drove past to see him.
The woman emerged from the alley a few moments after him, obviously shaken. A blue hatchback screeched to a halt in front of the restaurant. A woman with short dark colored hair jumped from the driver’s seat and ran to the blonde, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.
“Oh God! I’m so sorry that I’m late! What the hell happened?”
Hunter perked his ears up trying to catch the woman’s nearly inaudible response.
“I was attacked.”
“Oh God! Where’s the guy?”
The blonde shrugged, her eyes moving across the road to the pickup. Hunter tried to flatten himself further under the truck, but he knew she had seen him.
“I…don’t know.”
“We have to call the police!” The other woman let go and began running to the car.”
“No!”
The other woman stopped and looked at the blonde with concern.
“Are you crazy?”
“I don’t….I don’t know where he is because another man scared him off.”
The other woman slapped her leg impatiently.
“Ok…where’s he at?”
The blonde shrugged and hugged herself around the middle.
“Probably still chasing him.”
Hunter could feel his body cooling, and knew he would turn back soon. He hoped the other woman wouldn’t want to wait for the blonde’s savior to come back.
“Alright. We better wait for him.”
Hunter hung his head for a moment. Shit!
The blonde glanced at the truck again and shook her head.
“No. I just want to go home.”
Her friend looked doubtful.
“Really…I’m fine. I think he thought I was a waitress and could get my tips.” Hunter had to admire the brave front she was putting on.
Her friend nodded reluctantly and opened the passenger door for the blonde. Hunter saw her look towards the truck once more before the little car pulled away from the curb.
Hunter pulled into the motel parking lot, naked and starving. He normally kept a change of clothes in the truck for such occasions, but the best he had was a pair of boxers shoved under the seat.
He slid them over his hips and took a deep breath before climbing out of the truck. With wallet clenched tightly in his hands (Thank God that was on the seat before the shift!) he pulled the room card out and trotted up the stairs to his room. An aging African American woman was walking down the stairs with an ice bucket in her hands. She took one look at him from head to toe before murmuring, “Mmmhmm” and winking at him. Hunter simply shrugged and went to his room.
Once inside he sat on the end of the bed and ran a hand over his closely cropped dark brown hair.
What a night.
Chapter 2
Hunter awoke the next morning before eight, even though the night before had been a long one. He dreamed of the blonde woman over and over again. He knew he needed to contact the closest pack in the area, but all he really felt like doing was heading to IHOP and eating the biggest breakfast they offered. He also knew, without taking the time to really think about it, that he was going back to Papa’s as soon as they opened.
Hunter tried to convince himself that it was just to make sure the woman was alright, but he knew better. He just wanted to see her again.
His cell rang as he left the restaurant. He felt full and the effects of the near sleepless night were tugging at him.
“Hello?”
“Hey! How’s it going?”
Hunter closed his eyes. Oscar. He hadn’t even been gone quite a full day, and the man already wanted an update.
“Fine. I’m in Williamsburg.”
“Williamsburg?” Oscar said doubtfully. “Are there packs there?”
“Don’t know. I just got here last night.”
“Well, you probably should find the closest one, and soon. You know how territorial some of our kind can be.”
“Yes, I know.” Hunter replied tightly. “I plan on finding one today.” Hunter took a deep breath before continuing. “How are things there?”
“Fine. Everyone’s glad you went.”
“I bet. I’ll call you with an update tomorrow.” He didn’t wait for a response.
Hunter spent the rest of the day napping and took a trip out to replace the clothes he had ruined the night before. The day drew out and every time the thought came of finding a pack, he pushed it aside promising himself that he would look tomorrow.
He made his way to Papa’s just after seven, a nervous flutter in his stomach that he couldn’t justify. Why would he be nervous about seeing the woman again? She certainly had no way of recognizing him, yet there it was.
The bar was significantly busier than the night before, but he was pleased to see the same bar stool he had sat on previously was vacant. As soon as he sat down he saw the blonde woman at the far side of the room taking an order. Tommy came to his end of the bar with a large grin.
“Ah, the upcountry traveler! What can I get you tonight?”
“Just a Heineken for now.”
Tommy took a moment only to get the beer.
“I see your other daughter is waiting tables tonight.”
“Yeah, they both are. My other waitress will be here soon, and I’ll pull one of them off the floor; although it’s a little busy tonight. I may need all of them out there.”
The blonde walked into the bar and began making mixed drinks. Tommy, in his current good spirits, called her over to where he was leaning on the bar.
“Chelsea, this is…” He gave Hunter an apologetic look. “Sorry, I didn’t catch your name last night.”
“Hunter. Hunter Allison.”
“Well, this is my daughter Chelsea Ratliff.”
Hunter held his hand over the bar, keeping his eyes steady on her pale face. She hesitated, then took his hand and shook it lightly.
“Hunter was in last night. He’s here visiting from West Virginia.”
Hunter laughed. “Actually, my home is near the border. I’m a Virginia resident.”
The woman nodded absently. Tommy looked at her with concern, touching her cheek with his fingertips.
“You don’t seem yourself tonight. Are you feeling ok?”
Chelsea shook her head. “Not really, but I’ll be fine.”
“I can send you home.”
“No, it’s fine. You know I need the money.”
Both men watched as she resumed her construction of the mixed drinks. Tommy spoke softly.
“She’s a good girl. She’s trying to get herself a car.”
“Does she live with you?”
“Nah. After she graduated college she had a rough spell. She had a boyfriend but it ended badly. Instead of coming home she started renting a room from one of her college friends.”
“Independent.” Hunter simply stated, sipping on his near empty beer.
“That, my friend, is an understatement. She’s tough as nails, that one.”
Hunter noticed Karlee and laughed. “She’s working the pool room again?”
Tommy grimaced. “Now that one will be the death of me.” He wandered away, barking orders to his younger daughter
about how many tables she had neglected, and checked on the few men sitting at the bar already.
A curly red haired woman rushed in through the front door, tied an apron on and quickly pulled her hair up into a bun. Tommy grinned at her and gave her a mock bow.
“Lady Penelope Aaron!”
The woman cut her eyes sharply at Tommy as she dug under the bar for an order pad and serving tray.
“Don’t start with me, Tommy! I’m in no mood! My old man’s in a foul mood, the baby was squalling when I left, and those mangy other two were plying on the XBOX.” She walked away grumbling about a sink full of dirty dishes that would no doubt still be there when she returned home. Hunter was amused how she transformed when she went to her first table. Her posture relaxed and he could hear tinkling laughter.
Tommy shook his head. “Penny’s a hoot.”
“I see. Hey, let me go ahead and get some mozzarella sticks and a side salad.”
“We only have ranch and honey mustard.”
“Ranch is fine, and I’ll take another beer.”
Tommy nodded and went into the kitchen area. Hunter looked out over the restaurant and frowned when he saw Chelsea stop near the front doors and lean her shoulder in like she was losing her balance. Hunter slid off the bar stool and went to her. Her face looked even paler than when Tommy had introduced them, and her head and hands held a tremor.
“Hey.” Hunter said softly, stooping slightly to look into her face. Her eyes were watery and slightly blood shot. “You don’t look so good. Come sit down.”
Tommy led her to the empty table her assailant had sat in the night before. He grimaced, wishing he hadn’t placed her there, but she didn’t seem to notice. Poor woman probably didn’t even realize that man had been in the bar the night before anyway.
Tommy saw Hunter helping her to the table and rushed around the bar to them. Chelsea’s breath was rapid.
“What’s happening?”
“I don’t know. Get her some water.”
Hunter sat down and took Chelsea’s hands in his. They were cold and clammy.
She’s having a panic attack.
Tommy returned with the ice water and encouraged her to drink it. She sipped it, and sputtered slightly like she was choking. Tommy’s eyes were full of concern as he knelt before her.
“What is it? Can’t you tell me?”
“I just…I just don’t feel well.” She avoided her father’s eyes.
“Ok. I’ll have one of the girls take you home.”
Chelsea shook her head. “It’s too busy. I’ll just stay until Amber can come and get me.”
“You’re in no condition to stay!”
The front door opened and a small group of men and women walked in laughing and talking. Tommy looked at them, then back at his daughter.
“I can take her home.”
“I don’t know…”
Hunter understood the man’s hesitation, he also understood the way Chelsea looked up at him with large fearful eyes. He was a stranger.
“I promise, no harm will come to her.”
Tommy nodded, a frown pinned to his lips. “What about your food?”
“I’ll be back for it.” Hunter stood and held his hand out to the girl. “Do you need your purse or anything before we go?”
She nodded, and Tommy walked away from the table, returning moments later with her little black handbag. Hunter knew as soon as she saw his truck, she would know who…and what he was, but that wasn’t his concern at the moment. Either she would accept it, or she wouldn’t.
Light from the summer sky was failing as they walked into the parking lot. He watched her reaction as the truck came into view. Chelsea’s footsteps faltered, but she regained her composure, allowing Hunter to open the passenger door for her. He could feel her eyes on him as he walked around the front of the truck and climbed in. Neither spoke as he started the engine and put the truck in gear.
“Where do you live?”
“Magnolia Place.”
Hunter gave her a half smile. “You’ll have to tell me where that is, honey, remember I’m from the ‘upcountry’.”
“Make a left out of here. Three lights down, make a right onto Magnolia. It’s at the end of the street on the left.”
Hunter nodded. He could sense her eyes on him again. She let out a deep but shaky sigh.
“You…”
“Yes.” He knew what she wanted to know, and a simple answer seemed the best course of action.
They didn’t speak again until he pulled in past Magnolia Pace’s paint peeled sign. It was a small stucco colored apartment building. He doubted there were more than eight or nine apartments there, but it had a quaint look with tall shade trees and a few unruly box hedges bordering the place.
“Do I just let you off here?”
“My apartment’s around back.”
Hunter drove around the building and parked where she indicated at the far side of the structure. His headlights shone on the gold colored “12” on the dark green door.
Chelsea stared at her hands. “I can’t thank you enough for last night.” Her voice was small and sounded far away.
“You don’t have to thank me.”
She turned her head, looking at him sharply.
“How were you there? Were you waiting for me too?”
Hunter rubbed his jaw. “No. I saw that man last night and…he didn’t seem right. I saw the way he looked at you when you came and went out of the kitchen. Your Dad said he had been there a few times already.” Hunter shrugged. “I just wanted to make sure was all.”
Chelsea nodded her acceptance if his explanation. “I’m glad you stayed.” She opened the passenger door and stopped before shutting it. She kept her eyes on the ground. “After you eat, I’d like for you to come back here.”
“Why?”
“I would like to ask you a few other questions.”
Hunter’s muscles tensed. He knew exactly what she wanted to talk about.
“Sure.”
He waited for her to unlock the apartment door. She threw her hand up once, before disappearing behind the closed door.
Hunter walked back into the bar, and the relief that passed over Tommy’s face was a near tangible thing.
“How is she?”
“I think she’s fine. Could just be a stomach bug.” He easily lied.
Tommy nodded. “I’ll get you another set of mozzarella sticks.” Hunter had no doubt the man would call Chelsea to make sure she was fine before coming back out.
An hour later Hunter was knocking on the door of apartment 12 at Magnolia Place. Chelsea opened the door, her hair damp and her face looked freshly scrubbed, and held it open silently for him.
The front door opened immediately to a sparsely furnished living room. He could see a light on in the adjacent kitchen, Chelsea shut the front door and walked into the kitchen. Hunter assumed he was supposed to follow. A hallway lead off of the kitchen where three doors were closed.
“Please sit.” Chelsea said, as she poured two mugs of coffee. Hunter complied, lowering himself slowly onto one of the two light brown kitchen chairs. The kitchen was small, but sparkling clean. He smiled lightly as his eyes rested on a canister set that looked like three pigs, each one smaller than the first. Chelsea’s eyes followed his.
“My roommate has a thing for pigs. Do want anything in your coffee?”
Hunter shook his head no.
Chelsea sat across from him and wrapped her hands around her mug. “I personally have a thing for wolves, but I’ve never seen one that quite looked like you.” Her eyes were steady, and Hunter fought the urge to squirm.
“I’m sure you haven’t.”
“What would I call you? A werewolf?” Her eyes held the hint of disbelief. Hunter found himself irritated with that look.
“You know what you saw. What would you call me?”
“A monster?”
“You could, but would a real monster save a woman from rape and possibly death?
”
Chelsea stood suddenly, beginning a short circuit of the kitchen. She touched a few items in no particular order, her head down. She finally stopped and gave him a level stare.
“No, I suppose not.”
Hunter tilted his head to the side, his eyes narrowed slightly. “Why did you ask me to come back here?”
“I don’t know. I just needed to hear the words I guess.”
Hunter felt a tug in his chest, like a string was attached to her and she was reeling him in. He stood and walked carefully to her. She watched, but didn’t flinch, her large blue eyes simply stared at him. Hunter stopped in front of her and brushed a stray hair from her cheek. She smelled like flowers and something woody.
“Do I scare you?” Hunter whispered.
“No.” She answered firmly. “In all honesty, you were…beautiful.” Her voice trailed away at the end.
Hunter had never been a truly spontaneous man. He thought things through, but ever since his snap decision to swing his truck onto the southbound exit and head to Williamsburg, he felt like perhaps that part of him was changing. To affirm the thought, he ran his hands along Chelsea’s jaw and into the still damp hair at the back of her head.
“I want to kiss you.”
“Then do it.”
Hunter lowered his head, forcing her face to his with pressure from his hands at the back of her head. He lips were full and soft. He didn’t require a passionate kiss, he just needed to taste her. It nearly proved too harsh of a demand on him, and he flicked his tongue lightly onto her lower lip before lifting his head.
Chelsea’s eyes searched his face. “I’ve never allowed a complete stranger to kiss me before.”
Hunter thought about it for a second, then grinned. “I don’t think I’ve ever kissed a complete stranger before.”
Chelsea laughed, and just like that, all tension evaporated.
A couple of hours later, the front door opened then slammed shut. A female voice rang out clearly.
“Some asshole parked in my spot!”
She Wolf and The Detective: (Suspense, Crime, Thriller, Mystery, Fantasy) (Book 1-3) Page 13
