Free Innocence: Under the Werewolf's Protection (Alpha Male Were Wolf Shape Shifter Paranormal Erotica) by Sierra Wolf Page B

my breath, I'm just so fucking shocked and also so fucking grateful that I wasn't harmed and I didn't lose anything."
    "That's amazing," Sandy says.
    "But that's not all," I add. "Like, earlier this week I was having dinner at Dana's place -- you remember Dana? She was a freshman when we were sophomores -- and since she was just two blocks away I decided to walk, but then I immediately get followed by this really shady guy. I decide to just head away from my apartment so he doesn't know where I live, I'm about to call 911, but then all of a sudden I hear that same exact howl, and the next time I dare to turn around... he's gone. I walk right home and I've never felt safer before."
    "Someone's clearly looking out for you, babe," Sandy says, nodding.
    "Or something," I mutter back. I don't know... the idea of having some strange, paranormal protector is one that intrigues me. It's even attractive to me. It's really, really nice to feel safe.
    There's a car horn beeping outside the diner. We both swing our heads to the entrance and see that it's Chad's car. "You're gonna be okay, babe?" Sandy asks.
    I pause and wait for her to offer to drop me off at home, because I don't want to have to find my own way back... but I can't bring myself to actually ask, especially since I don't really care for Chad.
    She never offers, anyway.
    "Well, Gina, time to do it the way you always have, you lone wolf, you," I grimly say to myself, paying up at the counter. It's dark outside, like really dark, but I try and focus my mind on less... worrying things.
    Plus, I've got someone looking out for me, right?
    As soon as I exit the diner I want to backtrack right back in and stay there until closing time. There's just something out there that makes my skin crawl. A sort of empathetic understanding that there are some fucked up people out in this world, and I have no idea just how to handle it properly. Then again, I know that as unsafe as this town is getting -- at least in Sandy's view -- as long as I keep myself as vigilant as possible about any possible threats, I'll be golden.
    I start making my way down the road. It's a lonely path with no other buildings, just the woods, but I remember that it's only a ten minute walk to the closest bus stop, which is next to the local hospital. It's bound to be busy then.
    "Hey," I hear someone's voice call behind me. A man. About my age. Husky, not exactly menacing... but I wasn't gonna take my chances.
    I just keep walking.
    "Gina!" he calls.
    I turn around.
    He's got slick long hair down to his shoulders, cheekbones that define his whole gorgeous face, strong and almost burly shoulders making the cut of his denim jacket look absolutely perfect. I don't know who the hell this guy is, but nobody who looks this good could possibly be bad.
    "Who the hell are you?" I ask.
    "Call me Francis."
    "And why should I do that?"
    "Because you just spent the last ten minutes talking about me," he says, laughing.
    I go red. "What do you mean?"
    "Guardian angel? Protector?"
    "That's you? I don't get it," I say, shrugging and ready to turn away. He must have eavesdropped into the conversation and knowing how on-edge I am, thought it was some easy way to pick me up. Fucking disgusting.
    "No, wait!" he calls. "I'm a good guy. It's me. I promise. Look, just listen to this." I turn back to see him and he tosses his head back, hair flying with it, and then howls to the moon.
    It's exactly the howl I've become so incredibly familiar with.
    "Wow," I say, pausing and daring to step closer.
    "Pretty neat, huh?" Francis says, keeping a smug grin on his face. Something like a 1980s rom-com lead actor's smile. It melts me immediately.
    "What's... the deal here then?" I say, unsure of anything.
    "I'm a werewolf. I just wanted to say hi. I've been waiting for a chance to do so, but it's not like I can just pounce on you in public."
    I laugh. "What do you think you're doing right here, then, Francis?"
    "Okay, you got me," he shrugs