Page 19 of Night Tales

"Thank you. Wolfie."

I try to get up, but I can't seem to do it. Wolfie pushes against me and I guess it's worth a try and see if I can get up with his help. I grab his fur again and sort of climb up against him. Once I'm up, I don't let go of him because I feel shaky. My head is throbbing. I lean down to grab my stuff and the pain becomes a consistent thump.

My wolf is really big and his head goes up to my chest. He doesn't scare me, though. I feel safer than I ever have in my life. I trace his snout with my finger, contemplating his calm demeanor around me.

"Will you walk with me? My house is just another block and a half away."

I know I'm being silly, talking to him like this. But he whimpers and grabs my hand with his open mouth. It startles me and I think he's going to bite me, but he just pulls me forward towards my house. He lets go when I start walking, but I keep grabbing the fur on his back as reassurance. The night is no longer as eerily quiet as it was before I got attacked.

When my house is in view, I let out a breath of relief.

"We're almost there, Wolfie."

He just looks at me, his tongue lolling to the side, and keeps walking. At the door, I start looking inside my purse for the keys. I pull them out and open the door. I eye my wolf and he seems interested in coming in. I guess the least I can do is give him some food and water.

"Come on, boy. I'll feed you before you go back to wherever you came from."

He follows me and sits down in a corner in the kitchen as I find something to give him. There are some hot dogs and I warm them up and cut them into little pieces. I'm sure he could literally wolf them down but I'm feeling motherly towards him. I put the plate in front of him and he devours everything.

I give him some water as well, but he doesn't seem interested.

"Well, I don't want to put you out, but it's bedtime for me."

I go to the front door and open the door, but he sits in front of the hallway that goes towards my bedroom. After a bit I realize my new friend is not budging, so I close and lock the door. I go towards my room and get my pajamas out. I want to take a bath. When I turn to go inside the bathroom, Wolfie starts to follow.

"Nope, not happening. You can stand guard at the door if you want, but this is my alone time."

Like he understands what I'm saying, he lies on a spot just outside the bathroom and puts his head down on his paws. I reach down to pat him on the head and then start to draw my bath. Forty five minutes later, I come out relaxed and with my favorite pajamas on – snoopy print if you must know – and go to the bed.

I lift the covers and get inside the warm bed. My face hurts and I struggle to find a position where I can get to sleep. Wolfie comes towards me and sits down next to the bed. He whines a little bit and gives me the sad puppy eyes.

"Okay, you can come up, but only on top of the covers."

He jumps up and snuggles against my back. His warmth and comfort lull me to sleep in no time and I'm treated to a deep, dreamless sleep unlike any I've ever had. When I wake up in the morning, he's gone. I look everywhere in the house, to no avail. Was it all a dream? I touch my face and the pain tells me it was definitely not a dream.

I get dressed for work and then start making breakfast. I sort of miss Wolfie now. I could use the company in this lonelyhouse. When I finish breakfast, there's a knock on the door. I hurry to answer, not knowing what to expect. I don't know anyone in town. I open the door and a gorgeous specimen of mankind is standing there.

"Hello? How can I help you?"

"You were attacked last night, weren't you?" The man says in a gruff tone.

"How…how do you know that?"

"That's not important. You can't stay late at work anymore. This town is full of danger at night."

The arrogant way he's saying these things is starting to get me angry. I cross my arms in front of me and put on the sternest look I can on my face.

"And exactly who are you?"

My tone and demeanor seem to make him think twice about how he's talking to me.

"I'm your next door neighbor."

Polite person that I am, I extend my hand in greeting. When his large hand covers mine, I feel a buzz of electricity where our hands touch. Our eyes meet and he seems as surprised as I am. I chalk it up to shock when he gets closer to me than appropriate and leans down to sniff me. I step back immediately, even though I've never been more attracted to a man in my life.

"Did you just sniff me?"

He hasn't let go of my hand and I try and pull it away. He won't let me. I don't know how it happens, but one moment I'm at the door talking to him and the next the door is closed and he's standing in the middle of the house with me in his arms, bride style. I don't move a muscle, because I'm right where I want to be. In his arms.