Free Isabel and the Wolf: (Part 3) by Ariana Hawkes Page B

something streaked in front of the truck, and leapt on top of it. Isabel shrank back in the car seat, trying to move as far away as she could, as the thing was revealed to be a huge wolf, with black fur and yellow eyes. At least, it looked like a wolf, but wolves weren’t that big. Its hind legs were on the ground, and its front paws touched the base of the windshield, the black, gleaming points of its claws just visible. It had long, velvety ears and sharp, pure white teeth. Isabel was barely aware that she was making a sound of terror, a low whimper, as the wolf stared at them.
    “It’s ok,” Josie murmured. “It doesn’t mean us harm.”
    “How can you tell?” Isabel said, in a tight voice.
    “Look at it. Does it look like it wants to eat us for dinner?” Isabel forced herself to focus on it more calmly. Its mouth was open, and its tongue was almost lolling between its teeth. In fact, it kind of looked like it was grinning at them. The wolf glanced away. Isabel’s fingers loosened their grip on the sides of the car seat, and she became capable of tearing her eyes away, risking a quick look at Josie. Josie didn’t seem terrified. Instead, her face was radiant, like a little girl waiting for a birthday cake to be put on the table in front of her. The wolf’s huge head swung back, and it was looking directly at Isabel. As she stared, her heart throbbing in her chest, its tongue slid out of its mouth, and, she swore, it licked its lips. Then, it jumped down from the truck and bounded off into the forest, agile and powerfully muscled, its long tail fanning out behind. Isabel let out a ragged moan. At that moment, Josie’s walkie-talkie crackled loudly. She snatched it up and adjusted the volume and frequency.
    “What was that?” she hollered into it.
    “Rob… knocked down… not hurt bad… coming back… be careful,” what seemed to be Trey’s voice said.
    “Did you get that? Something’s happened!” Josie yelled. She opened the door and got out of the car.
    “Josie, get back in! It’s not safe!” Isabel screamed. But Josie ignored her. She started running in the direction that Rob and Trey had headed off. Isabel’s hand was poised on the door handle. Her instinct told her to follow Josie, but her fear kept her rooted to her seat. Trying to calm herself down, she watched as Josie disappeared around a turn, and kept her eyes trained on the furthest spot she could see.
    Within minutes, she saw the flash of clothing through the trees, and all three of them came into view. Josie was hooked under Rob’s shoulder, her arm wrapped around him, and Trey was carrying all their stuff. Isabel jumped out.
    “What happened?” she yelled, running towards them. Rob was pale, but otherwise looked uninjured.
    “A wolf jumped me,” he said. It came from behind, so neither of us saw it. It pretty much pounced on me and knocked me to the ground. It jumped on my back, and closed its jaws on my neck. To be honest, I thought I was a goner, but it didn’t really bite me.” He turned around and pulled the neckline of his polo shirt down, to reveal an unmarked neck. “It just gave this deep, long growl. Then, it picked up my sedative gun that I’d dropped in the shock, and it crunched it in its jaws.” Trey held it up as evidence. It was broken in half.
    “It all happened so fast. I couldn’t do anything,” Trey said, shame-faced. “Even if I’d been able to shoot it, I was so shocked, I probably would’ve missed my aim and shot Rob instead.”
    “Don’t worry, dude. There’s nothing you could’ve done. And I’m fine. I’ve got a couple of skinned elbows and I’m a bit shaken up, but that’s all.”
    “Are you sure, honey?” Josie said, putting her hand to his cheek. “You didn’t hit your head?” “No, not at all,” he said, smiling down at her. “I’m ok, I promise.” She stood on tiptoes, and they touched lips. Isabel watched them, struck once again by the intimacy between them. She was