Page 24 of The Wolf

When you said plane, I didn’t think you meant private jet.Julia’s voice resonates in my mind as we board the chartered aircraft.

It’s safer for you,I reply, scanning the spacious cabin for any signs of foul play.In case the government’s keeping watch.I sniff the air, laced with the faint smell of polished wood, leather, and jet fuel, then add,And I don’t like people.

She giggles under her breath uncontrollably, and the flight attendant gives her a funny look. I can feel the confusion radiating from her. The woman’s stare darts nervously to me. As I meet her eyes, she stiffens, quickly averting her gaze. Sure, she might have been told I’m just an abnormally oversized dog, but her instinct is screaming that there’s more to me. Fear means she knows there’s a threat, even if she doesn’t quite understand it. Being scared is a natural human reaction.

Except for Julia, who instead of being terrified, invited me to her bed.

She is quiet for the rest of the flight, blushing every time our eyes meet and quickly turning her face away, smiling coyly at herself. Of course, I know it’s because I’m currently pretending to be her fucking pet—as if anyone in their right mind could believe that. Especially, in broad daylight. The flight attendant is already side-eyeing me like I might tear up the cabin at any second.

I really shouldn’t have eaten her out the other day, not as a wolf. I can still recall the moment vividly—what started as playful teasing quickly escalated when I picked up on her eager responses. She seemedsointo it, though, and I gottooexcited. The memory of her sweet taste, the way her body arched under my tongue… it’s enough to make my heart race even now. I hadn’t given much thought about switching between my forms before. To be honest, it doesn’t make a whole lot of difference to me which one I take. Yes, the sensations may differ a bit, but it’s stillmeand the same helpless obsession I have with her. However, for Julia, who’s only human despite the wolf gene she carries… I can imagine allowing me to indulge her in my animal form had to be a big deal.

She’s such a sexy little thing. I’m convinced she’d let me do just about anything I wanted with her.

When we touch down, a black SUV waits for us on the tarmac, windows tinted for privacy, and a bribed driver who’ll keep quiet. Just like the rest of the hired staff for today. I hop out of the plane first, my paws padding across the asphalt, as we make our way to the waiting vehicle.

A few of the ground crew members freeze when they see me. One of them pulls out his cell phone, sneaky but hesitant, clearly debating whether to snap a photo or maybe call animal control. I fix him with a low growl, and he quickly hides the device back in the pocket of his pants.

Once we’re settled in the back seat, Julia gives the driver directions to Meg’s place. He glances at me in the rearview mirror, eyebrows raised, but wisely keeps his mouth shut and we leave the airport.

I stare out the window as we weave through the traffic. It’s early afternoon, and the city hums with activity, sunlight glinting off high-rise buildings and bouncing off the water. Palm trees line the streets, their fronds swaying in the breeze, and I catch the scent of saltwater mingling with the fumes of car exhaust.

Julia’s fingers are drumming against her knee, her usual confidence tinged with nerves. She knows this visit is risky—but we don’t have a choice. Meg needs to know what she’s up against.

What if she doesn’t want to go with us?Her question floods my mind.

Well,I look her deep in the eyes.All we can do is tell her the truth. The choice is hers.

Does that happen often?

Unfortunately.I sigh.With male werewolves, it’s their instinct to join us. But human women, if not mated to any supernatural being, tend to refuse. And then, the government usually finds them.

I hope she’ll listen.She sounds worried, and I nuzzle her side to comfort her.

We eventually pull into a quiet, modest neighborhood, a small residential area far removed from the bustling beaches and tourist spots. We arrive at our destination and the SUV slows to a stop. Meg’s place is nestled in the middle of the cluster of single-family homes. It’s small, with faded blue paint, and seems to be made out of paper—more decorative than functional.

Julia looks over at me, and smooths down some of my fur, as if that’ll make me look any less like a wild beast.

While the driver is left waiting, we approach the front door, and Julia rings the bell, fixing her wig.

I hear the footsteps inside, and after a short moment, a tall, brown-haired woman opens. She has matching brown eyes, and sort of a sour look on her attractive face. Her sleeveless top reveals her tattoo-covered lean arms and tanned skin.

“Hello,” Julia greets her with a casualness that doesn’t quite match the gravity of our visit. “Meg, I assume?”

The woman nods slightly but narrows her eyes. “Do I know you?” She has a slight vocal fry that makes her voice sound smoky.

Julia shakes her head, undeterred. “No, but I promise you’re gonna want to hear me out.”

“Oh, really?” Meg’s tone drips with sarcasm, her nostrils flare, and I notice a small hoop ring in one of them.

“My name is Julia, and I’m here to help you.”

“Fascinating,” Meg continues her cynical pose. But as her gaze drops to me, her expression shifts from irritation to surprise. Her dark eyebrows shoot up and a shadow crosses her face while she takes in my wolf form beside Julia.

I lower my head a little, doing my best impression of a friendly dog—oradog, any dog—but I can see she’s not at all convinced.

“Woah, that’s a huge fucking wolf!”

“Don’t worry about him. This won’t take long,” Julia insists, avoiding the subject.

---