Wolf Dreams

Chapter 3-1

Chapter 3

“Then this isn’t yours.”

The words should have been a question, but they weren’t. Instead, they were a statement of ownership even as he slipped the silver chain that had recently been around his neck over my head.

The saber-tooth-cat fang tapped against my nose as it lowered from my forehead to my chin then continued its way downward. Calloused skin grazed my cheek as his hand retreated. And I couldn’t seem to stop my fingers from cupping the heavy artifact that seemed to burn through my sweater with borrowed heat.

“No, it’s not mine,” I answered, even though the fang felt right hanging there. Even though the weight around my neck seemed to lift me up rather than bowing me down.

The men on either side of me exchanged loaded glances. “She isn’t...” started Prince Charming.

“Doesn’t matter,” answered Mr. Wolf. Then, spearing me again with his unbreakable attention, he introduced both of them in rapid succession. “Claw.” This was himself. “Harry.” A thumb jab in the direction of the fairy-tale prince.

“Olivia,” I replied, somehow needing him to know my first name even though a second ago I’d been trying to rush him out the door.

“O-liv-ia,” he repeated, the word seductive and warm in his deep rumble. For a moment, we were suspended in the lull that followed. Then: “We need your help.”

Yes, anything. I wasn’t sure if that was me or the monster. But I somehow managed not to speak the words aloud.

As if responding to my caution, Claw raised his eyebrows at Harry. And the latter accepted the conversational ball as easily as he’d dropped it in the first place. “Ma’am, we work for the President.”

“Of the university?”

Adena cackled a throaty laugh at my confusion while Harry corrected me. “No. Of the nation. As you may have noticed, Jim Kelter...hasn’t been feeling quite himself.”

This made no sense. “I’m not a medical doctor,” I pointed out, although my gaze remained focused on Claw. “My PhD is in archaeology. I study cave paintings, ancient artifacts, and old bones.”

“Like this?” Claw’s finger almost grazed my breast as he tapped the fang he’d given me. But his motion was careful, calculated. Only air slid across my sweater to impact the underlying skin.

I shivered, knowing there was no point in explaining that a bone and a tooth were slightly different in molecular structure. No one would care about biochemistry when dealing with an erratic head of state.

“Yes,” I started. “But...”

“Then we need you.” Claw’s voice reverberated through my bones like the beat of a drum.

He smells like home, the monster inside me whispered, forcing my body to lean forward and inhale a deeper whiff of his woodsy scent.

And the monster’s mirroring of my own feelings slapped me back to reality. I couldn’t afford to be sidetracked by a s****l fancy that would send my mental health floundering.

Plus: “You look out for you,” my father was fond of saying. “Everyone else is doing the same.”

Our nation’s President had dozens—hundreds—of people on staff to ensure his well-being. I had myself...plus Adena when she felt like obeying my commands.

Rationally, I was making the right decision. So I wasn’t sure why it hurt so badly to deny Claw’s request.

“I’m afraid I can’t help,” I answered, snapping my fingers at the raven. She landed on my shoulder with the weight of disappointment, head swiveling to peer behind us as I strode out of the room.

***