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    Under the cover of darkness, she was only able to make
    out the deadly, shining eyes. Paralyzed with fear, Laura found
    herself unable to move. It was the creature's deep, angry
    growls that at last set her into motion. Sprinting in the
    direction of the car she ran faster than she had thought
    herself capable ... but not fast enough.
    The animal's vicious roars were enough to tell her that it
    was far too close and gaining. Laura imagined that she could
    feel its hot breath on her neck. Her foot caught on a rock and
    she was sent sprawling to the hard dirt.
    She rolled just in time to see the huge mass of fur and
    fangs looming above her. Fear closed off her throat and she
    found it impossible to take another breath. Laura felt herself
    falling into a pit of welcome darkness. She never saw the
    huge, gray wolf spring on the creature that was preparing to
    devour her flesh.

    * * * *
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    Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance
    by Lorraine Kennedy

Chapter Six
    Laura woke to the soft light of early morning. She tried to
    move, but found that the effort caused extreme pain. Every
    inch of her body screamed in protest when she forced her
    limbs into action.
    Finally making it to a sitting position, Laura saw that she
    was still on the road—in the same place she had fallen the
    night before.
    Bits and pieces of the previous night flashed in her mind.
    The terror returned and with it, an uncontrollable trembling.
    Laura could remember nothing after looking into the eyes of
    the creature.
    She was not even sure what it had been. Mostly it had
    resembled a cat, but one that was badly malformed. Or
    maybe it had been her fear that had made it appear so? What
    she was sure of is that it wasn't a bear.
    Mindful of the odd fact that she was actually still alive, and
    for the most part—she had not been seriously hurt, it still
    took all her strength just to get to her feet. She saw that her
    purse lay only a few feet away in the brush.
    After retrieving her handbag, Laura began the long walk
    back to the logging camp, each step taking tremendous
    concentration to complete. To think any further ahead than
    her next step would have only given her a feeling of
    hopelessness. Her dry, parched throat screamed for even so
    much as a swallow of water. Laura could well imagine that
    she must appear a scary sight.
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    Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance
    by Lorraine Kennedy
    Her thoughts totally submerged in the task of walking, she
    didn't hear the bike until it had nearly reached her. Justin cut
    the engine and reclined against the tall back bar. Folding his
    arms against his chest, he smiled.
    Laura felt the sudden urge to smack the smile right from
    his face.
    "Let me guess ... your truck broke down?"
    "Yes ... and I know that I'm very stupid, so would you
    please not rub it in?" Laura told him as she placed her hands
    on her hips, hoping to claim some sort of composure.
    "Would you like a ride back to your cabin?" he offered.
    Laura came close to declining his offer, but thought better
    of it. "Sure ... I'd really appreciate it."
    Justin slid forward, allowing enough room for Laura to
    squeeze in behind him. Once she was settled, he revved the
    engine and they shot ahead. Laura had to wrap her arms
    around him tightly to keep from falling off the side of the
    bike. She found that his closeness still brought on that little
    tingling feeling that had a way of sending her into thoughtless
    acts of passion.
    Several moments later, they pulled up to her cabin. Laura
    slid off the bike and offered him her hand.
    "Thanks for the ride ... Mr. Gray Eagle."
    He let his gaze travel from her hand to her face. "I think
    we are a little past these kinds of formalities, Laura."
    Blushing scarlet, she was angered that he had brought
    their indiscretions into the open and put voice to what she
    was trying very hard to forget. Laura turned away, intending
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    Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance
    by Lorraine