Free Wolves at the Door by Veronica Blade

pick up, but at some point that would change and I didn’t know when that would be.
    She was the first female I’d come across and seemed far less intimidating than Charles or Renzo, but probably every bit as dangerous as them.
    I grabbed a fitness magazine and let my dark hair fall forward to conceal my gaze. As I watched her on the sly, I quickly became fascinated by her flawless toffee-colored skin and tight curls that cascaded over her shoulders. Spaghetti straps curved over imposing yet feminine shoulders and held up a red, sweetheart neckline tank top. Black skinny jeans sat below a tiny waist and molded to her lean hips. She couldn’t have been much older than me.
    “Don’t stare. We don’t want to call attention to ourselves,” Zack said so quietly at my temple that I almost hadn’t heard it.
    A girl that pretty wouldn’t give our stares a second thought. She had to be used to it. But I averted my gaze to avoid any further interaction with her. As my eyes scanned the thin pages of the magazine I’d grabbed, instead of seeing the text before me, in my mind I saw the image of the girl. Who was she? Why was she there?
    I was dying to talk to Zack, see if he recognized the she-wolf. But we couldn’t risk her sensing the energy that silent communication creat ed. So I shifted in my chair, a ball of angst growing in the pit of my stomach.
    Winnie approached and we rose from our chairs. “Dr. Preston is looking at your mother’s x-rays now. He’ll be ready for you shortly.” She gave Zack a reassuring smile and turned, the crisp fabric of her uniform whispering to the rhythm of her stride. We sat again, resuming our vigil.
    After what seemed an eternity, we were led into an office with maroon carpet and cream walls. Zack and I each took an overstuffed chair opposite the doctor who sat behind a wide, wooden desk.
    “It’s pneumonia, but it’s more advanced than I’d thought,” Dr. Preston began. My stomach tightened at his grave expression. “We’ve already started her on antibiotics, but with her compromised immune system, there’s no telling how quickly she’ll get better. If she gets better. She’ll stay overnight for observation and, hopefully, we’ll know more in the morning.”
    “Thank you.” Zack’s voice sounded strained.
    “Go home. If there are any complications, Winnie will call you.”
    Zack shook his head. “No way. If there’s a chance she won’t make it through the night, I’m not going anywhere.”
    “It’s not that bad. Yet. If the antibiotics don’t kick in soon, tomorrow could be a different story. But that’s tomorrow. Get a good night’s rest. You can call us in the morning and we’ll give you an update.”
    Zack frowned. “No, thanks. I’ll stay.”
    I ran my hand lightly over his arm. “If she’s really okay for tonight, you should get some sleep. What if she needs you tomorrow and you’re too wasted to be any use to her?”
    “Um… Yeah, I guess you’re right.” His brows lowered, like he was still struggling with the idea.
    I laced my fingers with his. “You’re not abandoning her. You’re just taking care of yourself , so you can do the same for her.”
    He nodded and we rose together. Favianne didn’t stir as we crept into her room, but we said our good-byes to her anyway and took off. On the way home, Zack gazed silently out the passenger window while I drove.
    “Since everyone knows I’m sleeping at your house, I don’t have to snea k in later, right?” I asked, stopping alongside the curb in front of his house. He nodded and reached for the door handle. “After my shower, I’ll come back, okay? Unless… unless you’d prefer to be alone.”
    “No.” He swept a thumb across my cheek and his gaze fell on my mouth. “I want you with me.”
    Well, if you ask like that…
    Twenty minutes later, I returned wearing a soft, faded gray T-shirt and pink flannel lounge pants. Zack was camped out on the front steps. From the curb, vestiges of