Page 169 of His Hungry Wolf

“And you’ve never experienced anything like that before?”

“Nothing.”

“I saw what might have once been a wall back there.”

“I saw that too. My guess is that none of this is a coincidence.”

“Do you think we should keep going?” I asked hesitantly.

“Shouldn’t we? Don’t you want answers? I know I do.”

“I do too.”

“Then, let’s keep going,” he said with a smile.

Driving for another half-mile, we entered what looked like a functioning town. Although it couldn’t have much of a population, there was a gas station, a restaurant, and a mom-and-pop grocery shop.

“What do we do?” I asked as Quin scanned our surroundings intensely.

“Let’s go say hi?”

“I had to force you to go to a party back on campus, yet this is where you’re choosing to be social?” I asked teasingly.

“Somewhere here could be answers. And not just to where the dragon came from or who he was… or, who you are. There could be something here that will tell me what I am.

“I’m thinking that whatever is dampening my sense of smell was designed to keep people like me out. But, why would they be keeping my kind out if I’m the only one like me who exists?”

Pain gripped my chest hearing Quin’s words. I understood what this meant for him. But, what it meant for me was just as important. The thing lying dead or comatose in my kitchen was my father. Did that mean that I am what he is? At some point, was I going to sprout wings and fly away?

We both needed answers. Here was where we were most likely to get them.

“Where do we go?” I asked.

“Should we see if the general store has jackets?”

I parked the truck in front of the quaint wooden building and took a breath.

“Are you okay?” Quin asked watching me stare at the building.

“It’s a little overwhelming.”

“It is for me too. You would think that shifting into a wolf would prepare me for dragons and magical barriers. But, nope. It’s all nuts.”

His admission made me feel better. I had thought that I was the only one having a hard time with all of this. It was good to know that I wasn’t alone.

The two of us left the comfort of our heated truck and were hit by the biting cold evening air. I had a bit of bulk to me to keep me warm, but I could see the cold air cut through Quin like a knife. It was only a few feet to the door, but I quickly wrapped my arms around him. Holding him like I was, aroused me immediately.

Scrambling into the general store, I wasn’t quick to let him go. A bell sounded when we entered. Still holding Quin, a portly, dark-skinned man with a friendly face approached.

“Can I help you two?” He said in a way that told us he was surprised to see us here.

“Yes. Do you sell jackets?” I said forgetting that Quin was still in my arms and that there was anything unusual about it.

“We sell a few. They’re right over here,” he said leading us to the far side of the small store. “You two here to check out the falls?” He asked confused.

“The falls?” Quin replied holding onto my waist not allowing me to let go.

“That’s how most people end up here. They make for incredible viewing this time of year.”