Free Insatiable by Jenika Snow Page A

the other end.
    “Don’t tease us , Scarlett.”
    I laughed as I picked up my picnic basket, the perfect accessory to my costume. I didn’t think deeply into what he said since we teased like this all the time, but to say I didn’t wish he truly meant it would have been a lie. “You guys aren’t bailing , right?”
    “You know we wouldn’t miss it . B esides , our favourite girl is going to be there.”
    “Did you guys decide what you’re going to dress up as? Please don’t come as a carton of milk and an Oreo like you did last year.” That was the thing with the two of them, they were so sickening when it came to certain things—those little things that couples did that made you want to gag.
    They had been dating for several years, and every Halloween they would coordinate their costumes as a couple. One year they went as a vampire and a bag of blood—yeah, that was what they actually went as. I admit it was cute, and all of their little quirks just made my love grow for them.
    “It’s a surprise.”
    “Alright, well I gotta go if I’m going to get there while the free liquor is still flowing.” I hung up and turned off the light, heading out the door and walking towards the tree line directly behind my house. Forrest Haven was a typical skier’s paradise in the massive snow - peaked
Colorado
Mountains
, with thick woods that took up most of the town. This was where I had grown up, where I worked and lived.
    The annual Halloween party at Wolf Lodge was a pretty big thing in Forrest Haven. Wolf Lodge was a huge ski resort that catered to not only my small town, but also to the rich and famous. It was also where I worked as a front desk receptionist. Actually, a lot of Forrest Haven worked at the resort , which was a good thing since how much employment could a small town offer anyway?
    I didn’t live too far from the resort, just having to cut through the woods that bordered my meagre home. The moon was full in the sky and I shivered, not from the cold, but from the thickness of the air that seemed to wrap around me.
    A path had been cleared from my property to the lodge, not something I did, just something that had been there for as long as I could remember. As I walked further into the thick covering of the forest , I pulled my hood on and brought my cape closer around me.
    The moonlight didn’t penetrate the heavy branches of the pines or evergreens, and because of that, shadows crept from every available place like fingers wanting to grab me. I could hear the scamper of animals on the forest ground, could hear the steady sway of the tree tops and the crunch of leaves beneath my feet. Heels were an awful choice when walking through the woods, but with beauty came suffering.
    I was about halfway into the woods when I heard the distinct growl of a wolf. It wasn’t so close to me that I was frightened, but it was close enough that it had my heart rate picking up.
    I increased my pace, trying to see through the heavy darkness and hoping I made it to the party in one piece. I stopped and gripped my basket when I heard heavy panting in the brush to my left. I knew well enough not to run because if there really was something this close to me, running would only excite it.
    I started walking again, swallowing audibly and keeping my pace steady and even. I could hear the panting keep pace with me, the creature’s heavy footfalls matching my own and driving my emotions higher.
    Seeing the lights of the lodge up ahead , I breathed out a sigh of relief. My palms were sweaty and my heart was still beating so fast I could feel my pulse in my throat. I exited the woods, the moonlight bright and illuminating everything it touched. S topp ing and look ing over my shoulder, I gasp ed as I saw two sets of glowing blue eyes staring right at me.

Chapter Two
     
     
     
    I ran towards the main entrance as fast as I could, finally stumbling to the front entrance and getting a lot of confused looks. I was breathing heavily