Free Beautyandthewolf by CarrieKelly Page A

of his office. I’ve been fantasizing about the shy beast of a man in archives for too long. It’s obvious he doesn’t have a thing for me. As I make my way upstairs and out of the dark library, I decide to call my best friend tomorrow and ask her to set me up. She always knows some interesting men, although none will compare to Caleb.
    My shoes click on the wet sidewalk as I make my way toward my townhouse. I live a few blocks from the library- it makes my commute a lot easier and gives me some much needed exercise. Overhead, the streetlights flicker; the neighborhood is usually totally dead just after midnight. As I turn down the street to my home, I see the man just out of the corner of my eye. He grabs my arm, his hand strong and covered in a black glove, but I swing my heavy purse at his face.
    “Ow, you bitch!” he cries and holds his nose.
    Good! I hope I broke it! Turning to run, I feel the sharp point of a knife dig into my back and freeze instead. Shit! What does this man want to do to me?
    The thick pudge of his belly presses into my back, and I flinch as his hand worms over my stomach. I’m about to scream when something jumps on him from the side, knocking both of us over. I scramble away, grabbing my purse and reaching for my pepper spray as a huge black dog rips at my assailant’s body.
    The man screams, and I slowly back up as the beast claws at his chest and face. I should run. I should get the hell away from that monster, but my body won’t move fast enough. What’s wrong with me?
    Slowly, the dog backs away, its fangs barred and its ears low and threatening on its head. It growls at the man as he climbs to his feet and limps down the street. As I watch him go, I come to my senses and call the police. That bastard should be put away before he tries to hurt another woman.
    Looking down, I notice my knees are scraped and bleeding and my tights are ripped. The dog pads up to me slowly, its great black snout pointed like that of a wolf, and wags its bushy tail. Staring into its brilliant golden eyes and the scarred flesh on the left side of the animal’s face, I think there’s something familiar about it. No. That’s not possible. It’s just a dog!
    The beast stays with me while I give my statement to the police, and then it follows me home, its huge paws paddling down the street with me and right up to my door.
    “Thanks for the help,” I say and feel pretty foolish for talking to a dog. But something in its eyes seems clever, more intelligent than most animals. “You should go on home to your owner. I’m sure they miss you.”
    As I unlock my door, the dog nudges the back of my legs with its large soft head and whines.
    “I don’t even know if you’re house trained. What if you rip up my couch or pee on my shoes?”
    Sitting back on its haunches, the dog whines again. Damn it! It’s not like I can leave it outside after it saved my life. “Come on in,” I say and open the door for the beast.
    It watches me as I clean up and slip on my blue nightgown. “Usually when I undress in front of a man I get embarrassed, but I doubt you’re judging me,” I tease and walk into the kitchen. After making a late night cup of tea and giving the dog some leftover chicken, I settle on the couch with a good book. Sure, my nerves are a little shot, but the animal makes me feel safe and protected. Weird.
    “I think I should give you a name, but I’m not even sure what kind of dog you are. You almost look like a big black husky- oh! I know. You can be Ulven. How’s that?” I ask and rub the dog behind the ears.
    He cuddles up next to me, his hulking warmth just like home.
    I must have fallen asleep on the couch, because that’s where I wake up the next morning. Sunlight streams through my living room windows and a blanket is wrapped around me, keeping me warm. Funny, I don’t remember going to the linen closet.
    Looking around my room, my eyes settle on the man in my comfy chair, his large bare feet