Savage Hunt

Chapter 19

Chapter Nineteen: Just a normal wolf and a question

Stepping out onto the balcony, the wood of the patio was cold under my feet but it made me feel connected to everything out here. I sucked in a deep lungful of the crisp night air. This was my favorite view in the whole world. The way the balcony looked out over the water and the view of the trees. It was breathtaking, the way the moonlight reflected on the dark, calm surface of the water.

A snarling growl vibrated through the air, making chills shoot up my spine. My pulse raced and I could hear the quick thumping loud in my ears. Something was out there. It hadn’t just been in my dreams. I moved closer to the wooden railing that surrounded the balcony. Resting my hands on the peeling, weathered top, I looked out at the forest.

I held my breath as I waited for the sound again. My eyes moved along the treeline, trying to pinpoint where the sound had come from. It could be Travis, Ryan, or Jason. They didn’t know where I was and Ryan had asked me not to tell him.

A howl sounded out and I whipped my head around in the direction of the deep sound. A gray wolf was at the entrance of the walking trail, his big head thrown back as he let out another howl.

It was just a wolf, a normal wolf. Not a shifter, just one of the creatures that lived in the forest. I let a breath, relaxing as I watched the beast move to stand. He padded back into the woods, not looking back at the house. I didn’t know why he was this close to the house. Normally, we didn’t see too much wildlife unless we went deep into the woods.

Scott said that most of them avoided the walking paths so it was strange to see the gray wolf on the trail. I guess that they were getting brave. Maybe I wouldn’t be taking any late night walks into the woods this trip? Or if I did, I was going to have to take the bear spray that was by the back door.

Turning back towards the house, I walked back into the house. Closing the balcony doors and clicking the lock into place. I turned on the small pink salt lamp on my nightstand, watching it glow to life. It wasn’t incredibly bright, but it made the room feel less dark.

I grabbed my overnight bag and my purse. Taking them both over to the closet, I opened the door and sat them on the floor. Tomorrow, I would unpack my bag. For now, I just wanted to bundle up under the covers and check my phone.

I needed to listen to the voicemails and look at the text messages that Travis had sent. Walking over to the bed, I pulled the covers back; I crawled beneath the cool cotton sheets with a sigh. They smelled like Gain detergent and fabric softener. I burrowed beneath the blankets, settling into place. Reaching down my body to the pocket of my yoga pants, I worked my phone out of the tight pocket.

Bringing my phone up, I swiped my thumb over the screen. I worried my lower lip as I clicked on the text message icon, scrolling through the messages from Travis. Taking a deep breath, I pressed my fingertip over the first message that I hadn’t read earlier.

Travis: Matilda, I’m sorry. I know that I messed up. Please call me.

I pressed on the number, adding his contact information. Well, his first name. It dawned on me that I didn’t know his or the others’ last names. I should really ask them about that. Pressing the phone symbol, I lifted the cell phone to my ear, waiting for the ringing to start.

It didn’t. Instead, Travis’ voice sounded from the other end of the line. “Matilda?”

“Travis, hey. It, um, the phone didn’t even ring.” I said, resting my head on the pillow.

“I know. I’ve been waiting for you to call me. I was worried that if I put the phone down, I might miss your call. And there is so much that I want to

“Travis, you need to calm down,” I said, cutting off his rush of words. “I’m sorry I didn’t answer earlier

“What, sweets? You don’t need to apologize. I should be the one saying sorry. Tillie” His words were calmer, but I shook my head, letting out a sigh as I listened to what he was saying. “I’m sorry. I know we sprung all of this on you. We have known about mates all of our lives and you didn’t. When I claimed you

“Thank you, Travis.” It was nice to hear him apologize but I had already caught the gist of what he was going to say. “I’m okay with you guys claiming me, I think.”

“It’s forever. I could say that I wished I had done things differently, Matilda.” Travis breathed out. I could hear the slaps of his steps against the hardwood floor and it made me wonder if he was still at the pack house with Jason and Travis. “But I wouldn’t change anything that’s happened between us.”

“What about what happened after?” I asked, bringing my thumb up to my lips so that I could bite at my thumbnail. “Would you change that?”