Page 83 of Wolf Trap

“No. It isn’t them. Elsa?”

Fear strangled in my throat, “Yes?”

“I’m going to change and you need to climb on my back. Wrap your arms around my neck and lock your hands together. Wrap your legs around my torso.”

“What?”

“There’s no time. Do it! Put your bag on your back, then climb on mine.”

As he transformed into a huge wolf in his kitchen, I couldn't help but cringe, swamped by his scent of blood and flesh. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to that!

Then unlocking the back door, I could smell the musky scent of horses and the pungent odour of dogs. And something else hung heavy in the air.

Fear.

Probably mine! Riding a wolf? Once again, I questioned how was this society so powerful. I knew the answer lay in our blood. They had our blood and so they could control us. And I realised in that instant that that was how I would destroy them. I’d have to find their leader and get his, or her blood. That had to be my next objective. After riding a wolf!

I climbed wearily onto his back, feeling the warmth of his fur against my skin as I wrapped my fingers around his chest. I clung tightly to his torso as the sound of a horn echoed through the forest.

The forest was filled with a warm, golden glow as amber rays peeped through the tree canopy. I shivered, and the birdsong around me fell silent.

We froze as we heard the voice that we both knew drifting on the wind towards us.

“Lycaon, your arrogance! Calling yourself the father of wolves just because a god cursed you, and then deeming yourself our alpha! The alpha. And your abominable sin with the witch. Youarethe curse Lycaon, and everything you touch is hexed.I willcleanse our species of your infernal disease... we will hunt you both to the death.”