Page 1 of Sanctuary

Chapter 1

“Gemma, I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Larry shook his head and then spat a nasty wad of tobacco over his shoulder.

“Obviously.” Gemma snorted but didn’t take her eyes off the wolf who was staring intently at her. “Just be ready to slam that gate open.”

“If I were a betting man, which I’m not… anymore…” Larry’s voice carried toward her. “I’d be betting on that wolf beating you to this here gate.”

Gemma rolled her eyes but kept the rest of her body absolutely still. This was no wolf-dog she was standing in front of. This beautiful creature was a full wolf, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. How it ended up in Ridge, Kentucky, she had no clue unless the Department of Fish and Wildlife were totally wrong and wolves were making a comeback.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” Gemma said calmly to the wolf. Its slanted eyes watched her so intently she was afraid she was going to lose her nerve and run for the gate. She knew her limits and didn’t go far into the enclosure, but close enough to show the wolf that she meant business and that she wasn’t afraid. That was a total lie; she was scared to death and knew the wolf could smell her fear. Yet there she stood, face-to-face with the magnificent creature, and because of her love of the species, she would stand her ground. The wolf was hurt, and she needed to gain its trust to see just how bad he really was. She needed to prove that she was alpha, but deep down she knew the truth, and she was truly afraid the wolf knew it too.

She took a small step. The wolf lowered its head as it continued to glare at her through his slanted eyes.

“Gemma, can’t you wait until someone else gets here?” Larry asked, his tone edged with concern, which wasn’t like Larry at all. “I really don’t want to be the one explaining to the sheriff how I watched you become wolf food.” And there it was, concern, not for her, but for himself and what he would say about her demise.

“Larry, if you can’t be quiet, then leave,” Gemma all but growled. She noticed the wolf tilted his head at her tone, but only slightly. Okay, that was something at least.

She heard the other wolf-dogs around them barking and howling, but her attention was strictly on the task at hand. She had tried to feed him, but he didn’t show any interest in the raw meat she had tossed in. As for the water, it didn’t look as if it had been touched either. With the howling and barking going on around them, the wolf grew restless and began pacing side to side, but never once took his eyes off her.

“Dammit, Gemma,” Larry said harshly. “I’m seriously about ready to shit my pants out here. Now come on and get out of there. That’s enough for the day.”

In all honesty, Larry wasn’t the only one who was about to crap themselves. Gemma could tell the wolf was getting more and more agitated; she also knew she should go ahead and step out. Did she listen to that little voice in her head telling her to back off? Of course not. Instead, she pushed as she always did because she knew this wolf needed help, and she was determined to do just that, in spite of her own safety.

Without thought, she took another step. The wolf lowered its head more this time and gave a low warning growl. His lip curled showing large, sharp teeth. Yeah, maybe not listening to that voice telling her to get the hell out would be her downfall. It was obvious this wolf didn’t want help, especially from her.

******

Eric Jackson’s keen eye spotted the woman standing in front of the caged wolf before his car came to a complete halt. Shutting off the car without taking the keys, he was out and passing the sheriff who he had followed into Stone’s Wolf Sanctuary lot.

“What in the hell is she doing?” Eric didn’t pause as he quickly made his way to the man who stood ready to open the gate.

“With Gemma, you never know.” Sheriff Brennan rubbed his rounded stomach with a shrug. “She marches to her own beat, especially when it comes to her wolves.”

Eric didn’t even listen to what the sheriff was saying, didn’t take the time to care. His main purpose was to get this foolish woman out of harm’s way. Heading to the gate, his eyes still on the agitated wolf, he knew without a doubt he didn’t have time to get between it and the woman by casually walking through the gate.

Without hesitation, he took off at a run, jumped up on the high enclosure, and climbed until he reached the top. He then propelled himself between the two just as the wolf was ready to make its move. Eric landed lightly but stayed in a position of intimidation eye level with the wolf. Eric showed his dominance immediately. When the wolf didn’t flinch, Eric knew this was going to be a test of alphas, and he’d be damned if he lost that battle.

“Who in the hell are you?” He heard the woman’s shocked voice as she took a step toward him.

“Get out of the cage, now,” was all he said, his no-nonsense tone making his meaning clear, or at least he thought his meaning was clear. But it seemed this woman had a death wish.

“No, you get out of the cage. I don’t know who you think you are, but this is my property, and you need to leave.” The woman took another step, which set the wolf in motion, straight through him toward her.

“Shit!” Eric leaped at the wolf, his arms catching the huge beast, and they both hit the ground hard.

The woman’s scream had echoed before she shouted, “Oh my God. Don’t hurt him.”

Eric wondered briefly if she meant him hurting the wolf or the wolf hurting him. He had a suspicious feeling she didn’t give a damn what happened to him and was only worried for the wolf, who was weaker than it should be, indicating that the wolf was injured already.

“Stop fighting me.” He spoke harshly as he gave the wolf a hard squeeze to show dominance. The cry the wolf gave told him exactly what he already knew. It was injured and cornered. He couldn’t blame the wolf for feeling the need to attack. The woman should have backed off. “You will not win.”

His eyes met that of the wolf’s and saw the crazed, injured look fade slightly. Something passed between them, and the wolf calmed, as did he. Cautiously letting go, Eric waited and watched as the wolf stood slowly, walking further into the enclosure, its head low, its eyes still on him.

Knowing it was safe, he turned on the woman with a rage that he couldn’t contain. “What in the hell is wrong with you, woman?” Eric paused for a second at the sight of the beautiful woman who stood glaring at him with her hands on her hips. “Do you have a death wish?”

“There is absolutely nothing wrong with me, asshole,” she shot back. “Everything was under control until you came jumping in here like a maniac. You better not have hurt him.”

Eric couldn’t believe she had not only called him an asshole for saving her but worried about the wolf being injured and not him. “You’re crazy, lady.”

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