Wolf on the Hunt by N. J. Walters Read Free Book Online

was no time to wash and dry it.
    She was in and out of the shower in record time and quickly toweled off. Naked, she strode into the bedroom and yanked clean clothes out of dresser. She felt someone watching her and swiveled to see both dog and wolf staring.
    “What?” she demanded. “I’m in a hurry.” It wasn’t like Shadow hadn’t seen her naked before. The dog often followed her into the bathroom when she was taking a bath and sprawled on the floor to wait for her. Still, she quickly yanked on clean underwear, jeans, a tank top and her sneakers. The wolf closed his eyes again and huffed out a sigh. Shadow rested his head on the pillow and continued to watch her.
    She left both of them there and went to assess the damage in the living room. There was blood there, but not as much as she’d feared. Since she’d cleaned only yesterday, she knew where to find all the necessary supplies. It didn’t take her long to fill a bucket with warm water and cleaner and grab the mop.
    Gray was already compiling a list of things she’d have to buy to replace what she was ruining. A new mop, several blankets, a towel, and depending on if the wolf bled through the blankets on the bed, she might have to spring for a new mattress.
    “It’s worth it.” She quickly mopped the floor, a sense of urgency pushing her. Something rolled across the floor and landed near the leg of the table in the foyer. Gray bent down and picked it up. It was metal of some kind. Compacted and oddly-shaped.
    It took her a second to realize what it was—a bullet.
    “It must have come from the wolf.” She curled her fingers around it. “How is that possible?” It probably hadn’t been too deep and all the moving around had loosened it. That settled the nerves in her stomach until she found another one and still another one.
    Impossible. Bullets didn’t just fall out of a wound. She swallowed hard and glanced toward the bedroom, a deep feeling of dread filling her. What had she done?
    Sweating, she grabbed the mop and bucket and quickly disposed of both. After a quick peek in the bedroom to make sure the wolf was still sleeping, she put on a pot of coffee and forced herself to rationally think about the situation.
    When the brew was done, she poured a big mug and took a fortifying sip. She heard a noise outside and jolted, sloshing her coffee over the rim of the mug. She swore, grabbed the dishcloth and wiped up the spill.
    Shadow appeared by her side and began to growl. Not good.
    Gray hurried to her knapsack and dug out her phone. She didn’t hesitate to hit the number she’d programmed in.
    “Salvation Realty. Mark Harrison speaking.”
    “Hi, Mark. It’s Gray Everson.”
    “Hi, Gray. What can I do for you?”
    She hesitated and that prompted him to speak again. “Everything okay?”
    “I’m not sure,” she told him. “There are a lot of gunshots in the area. I didn’t think it was hunting season. I was down by the stream sketching, but it got so close I came back to the house.”
    “Damn. Okay, let me call the sheriff and get back to you.”
    “Thanks, Mark. I appreciate it.” Gray hung up and tucked her phone in her back pocket to keep it close. She gathered her coffee and went back to the living room window and looked out.
    Two men stepped out from the woods, both wearing camouflage pants and shirts. It was the rifles they had in their hands that gave her pause. She was still trying to decide what to do when they headed toward her front door. That made her decision for her.
    She gave Shadow the signal to stay. He sat just out of view but his gaze was intent on her. She hurried to the door, flung it open and stepped outside. She didn’t close it in case she needed to get back inside in a hurry.
    She immediately went on the offensive. “I heard the shooting. I didn’t think it was hunting season.”
    The men seemed surprised to see her. The taller of the two studied her intently. “Thought this place was empty.”
    Was that the