Chloe's immediate fear caused her bottom jaw to jitter, “Huh?”
After a breath, he continued, “There's things about this world, you know nothing about. Dark secrets. Forever secrets. I'm part of that.”
Whining, she inched herself further away.
He pulled her back, “Chloe, I won't hurt you but I need you to at least entertain me tonight and... trust me.”
“T-trust you?” She blubbered, “Trust? You?”
He sighed, “Yeah, well...”
She swallowed the lump her throat, “Why should I trust you? You just picked me up and put me in your truck. This is what kidnapper’s do.”
He chuckled, “Yeah, I guess... it's just,” he paused, looking over to her, “I can't help myself.”
Accepting that as an answer should have been a no-go but she didn't want to fight him. That was a new feeling for her.
“Okay, I'll go with you.” Her abdomen tightened. Her father had taught her well and here, Grayson Holtz was breaking down all her cop-daddy rules.
“Thank you.” He turned to the steering wheel, “Don't be afraid.”
Choosing to say silent, she looked out the passenger window as the truck started. She could run, Henry's lectures from her tween-stage entered her mind.
She could get away.
No, she wouldn't be able to get away from him. He'd hunt her down, like a wolf on fresh meat.
The truck rolled down the drive and onto the winding, glistening highway. It lead them away from town and any civilization.
“You're not going to kill me?” frozen bobbing pieces of herself in a lake popped into her thoughts.
Grayson was smiling, “Chloe, no.”
Ghost pale, she stared out to the serene mountains, “You're such a stalker!” she snapped at him.
He lifted an eyebrow, “What?”
“Yeah, why do you know about the gun and the wolf!”
Grayson smiled, “Chloe, you're just thinking about this now?”
“Yes!” she hissed. “You're a freak. Do you just camp outside my house or something?”
“Sure...” he gave her. “I camp outside your house and while I'm at it, I make snowmen in the snow. They help me stalk you.”
She rolled her eyes, “how'd you know?”
He swallowed, “Try to think, Chloe and if you still don't know, then I'll show you.”
Her eyes widened as she started to think. There were multiple possibilities and one stuck. She grabbed the door handle and Grayson's eyes snapped to her.
“What's wrong?”
“Nothing,” her voice a sharp squeak. He couldn't possibly be what she thought.
Grayson's hand reached across the cab and pulled at her elbow, releasing a sweaty palmed hand from her lap, he entwined their fingers.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“I'm thinking,” trying not to sound afraid, interested or anything he might be able to sense.
“I'll show you, babe.”
Chloe blanched, “Don't call me that!”
He laughed, “Alright.”
She ground her teeth and looked away, convinced she lived in a dream or true glacial hell.
He pulled the truck off the highway onto a small, narrow road, the vehicle climbing the steep mountain face. The distant lights of Polar, Alaska far below.
The truck came to the top of the ridge and he shut off the engine. Leaning over, he pulled out gloves and a toque and passed them to her, “Put these on and come outside.” He jumped out and left her.
Pushing through her budding nerves and cold night air, she tugged on the beanie and gloves. Agile through the deep snow, she met him at the tail-gate.
“So?” He looked to her, “Do you know?”
She paused, “Uh... What?”
He shook his head, smiling, “Alright, make me do it the hard way then.” Shaking off his jacket, he popped the gate of the truck open.
“Sit up here...” He grabbed her around the waist and hoisted her in the air.
“Oh my god!” She yelped.
He sat her down in front of him, they stared at each other and she felt that same tightness in her core.
“You're so close to my face. I could kiss you.”
Her eyes bulged, “What?”
“Nothing.” He ripped off his shirt.
“Oh my god!” Chloe screeched. “What are you doing!” a million new death sentences entered her mind.
He chucked his shirt next to her, “Just give me a minute.”
With the stripping of his pants, she threw her hands up to shield herself from his indecency.
“Grayson! I'm a virgin!”
He paused in his underwear, “If I was a pervert and about to rape you, Chloe, that would not have been a smart thing to say.”
She opened one eye, peaking through her fingers. He pulled off his boots and socks, stacking everything beside her.
In his briefs, he stood in front of her, moonlight haloing his cumbersome frame.
He shivered, “Alright, umm...”
“Grayson...” she breathed, dropping her hands.
“Kay, don't... err... don't freak out.”
“Freak out!” she echoed, wrapping her arms around her cold body.
“Just...” he sighed, “Don't freak out. I won't hurt you, I promise.”
“Grayson...” She started as he turned and walked ten feet, “Grayson!” Trying again as he trudged away, bare feet and all.
Stopping quite far, he turned, “I've never done something as dumb as I'm about to do now, but you really need to know this because...” He trailed off.
“Grayson!” She called. “If this is a self-sacrifice, you can tell me with your clothes on!” He was crazy, she was sure of it.
“Chloe! No, shh...”
She whined, “Grayson, you're gonna die of hypothermia!”
He laughed at her, “Chloe. Stop.”
Swallowing, she prayed, “Please, don't let him die, please. I don't think I can drive his truck.”
He chuckled, hearing her, “This is why I knew what happened outside your house.”
She blinked, watching as his shoulders began to shake, his muscles bulging, his hands snapping into fists at his sides.
“Oh, crap...” she put her hands to her mouth and cringed.
He lunged forward, his body, his perfect muscles, turning into something unworldly. In a rush of energy, he landed in the snow in front of her. Large and sleek, a coat of grey fur, four paws, and a snarling mouth.
She screamed and flung herself across the bed of the truck, not getting anywhere. Turning, her eyes returned to him.
With her ability to breathe gone, she was forced to deal with fact. Leaning over, she watched him lie in the snow. He snorted and the air around him crystallized. It was her grey wolf from home, with his burning stare and somber enigma.
She had known all along, and that frightened but fascinated her. Crawling across the truck, she leaned over the edge, looking him over.
Handsome and seductive, he set a fire within her.
A tremble in her fingers, she reached out, “Grayson.”
He stood and moved across the fresh snow, tipping his warm muzzle into her palm. She let out a gasp.
“I knew it was you.” She breathed, relieved she didn't have a wild animal out for her.
He titled his head, taking his nose from her hand and trotting off to the side of the vehicle. Hearing a groan, she clambered to the side of the truck as his well-defined human face, peaked over the side.
She flinched, startled to see him in human form, “Grayson.”
“Hey.”
She stared at him, blinking.
He winced, “Can you pass me my clothes, Little? It's a bit cold, naked.”
Flustered, she scooped up his clothes and passed them to him.
He dressed quick and came around to the tailgate as she came to the edge, feet dangling.
He jumped up beside her and they stayed quiet.
He went to speak when she did and they both shut their mouths.
He rubbed his neck, “Ugh.”
“Did that just really happen?” She breathed.
“Yeah.” He grumbled, “Do you hate me?”
She winced, she wanted to but she didn't, “No.”
“Really?” He perked.
She shrugged.
“You're being quiet.” He noted.
“You just turned into a wolf, I'm trying to process, Grayson.”
“You seem to be processing okay. Better than I thought you would.” He chuckled.
Her eyes snapped to him, “What did you think I would do?”
“Try to run.” He laughed.
“I can barely walk through the snow.”
He inched closer, “You're so little.”
With a thudding heart, she admitted, “I was born like this.”
He laughed and moved back from her, “Chloe, you're funny.”
“Well, you're a monster!” She blurted.
He stopped and looked to her, “You think I'm a monster?”
“Yeah,” Her hands fidgeting, “You're massive...”
He smiled and moved into her again, “Oh, you meant I'm a monster because I'm tall?”
Her eyes met his, “Yeah.”
He smiled, “Thanks.”
Her brow creased, “What? Why?”
He smiled at her, “Well, I thought you meant because I'm a werewolf.”
Her eyes widened and she blinked, “You're a werewolf!”
His head lowered closer to her, “Nah. I'm just a guy that turns into a wolf.”
“But that is a werewolf.” She deadpanned.
“You said it, not me.” He clarified.
She reached out and hit his shoulder, rolling her eyes, “Shut up.”
He smiled, watching her.
Sniffling, her nose protested the crisp air, “It's cold.”
“Yeah...” his voice deep in his chest.
Mesmerized by the image of his wolf, she looked to him again, “You're very handsome... as a wolf.”
He smiled and moved his mouth close to hers, “Wait, does that mean I'm not good looking as a human?”
She giggled, “I didn't say that.”
He grunted, his nose brushing against hers, “Let me kiss you.”
Her chest slammed, it wasn't that she didn't want to kiss him, it just didn't seem right.
“I don't know.” She breathed, “Why?”
“Why?” He echoed, “Cause I like you?”
She went to pull back but he took her cheek, “Grayson.”
“I can do better. I'll ask you. If you say no, I'll take you home.”
Swallowing, she waited, his fingers caressing her, when finally, he asked.
“Can I kiss you, Little?”
She squeaked, unable to form the word no.
He took the silence as a non-verbal yes, and dropped his lips gently upon her.
Whimpering, she accepted his heavy mouth.
His hands found her waist as he brought himself closer. If he was going for a true first kiss, he'd accomplished it.
With a moan escaping her, a low growl erupted from him and in a quick movement, she was pinned under him. He drew his nose along her rosy cheeks as he breathed her in, snapping at her fair skin.
Chloe whimpered, “You're not going to eat me... are you?”
He pulled back a few inches, his shoulders still barricading her, “That's a joke, right?”
Swallowing, she raised her hands to his thick neck and pulled him back.
He kissed her cheek, “I realize, we have a bit of a culture difference.”
“A culture difference? Is that what you're calling it?” she breathed.
He sunk his mouth against her neck, pushing past the poof of her parka.
“Where would you like it done?” pulling at her zipper. “Maybe, here.” his fingers running the length of her lean neck.
“What done?” trying to stay focused against her body's writhing.
“I want to...” he groaned and bit into her neck.
Chloe gripped the thin shirt under his jacket and pressed her hand to his firm chest, feeling his heart race, “Grayson.”
He moaned, lifting his open lips from her skin, “Will you go out with me?”
She stared up at him, “Huh?”
“I'd like you to.”
“Are you asking me out on a date?” she blinked.
“Exclusively,” his eyes locking on her.
“Exclusively? What if I want to go out with other people?” she joked, but he didn't take to it.
“What other people?” he snapped.
She shoved him up and surprisingly, he complied. Huddling in her parka, she continued, “We hardly know each other...”
“I know you. You're Chloe Pryce.” He informed her.
“How insightful,” she snapped; her attitude returned from the fading hormones.
He sighed, “You want to get to know one another, is that what you're trying to tell me?”
“Generally speaking, that's what happens before you exclusively ask someone out.”
He grumbled, “So, you won't just be my girlfriend?”
“Are you joking?” Chloe made a face, “I can tell you've never done this before.”
“Chloe...” Grayson retorted in frustration.
“No, Grayson, I'm not going to be your girlfriend. At the moment.” Saying the last part because she almost wanted to be his girlfriend and maybe one day she would.
His eyes flashed to hers, “There's a possibility then?”
“A small one,” she lifted an eyebrow and held her budding smirk.
“Good enough for me,” he jumped off the back of the truck and pulled her off with him. Yelping as he put her over his shoulder and slammed the tailgate.
“Grayson, I'm not a sack of potatoes!”
He opened the driver's door and put her inside, “Sorry, Little.”
“Why do you keep calling me that!” She huffed.
He hauled himself inside and slammed the truck door, “Why do you call me wolf-boy?”
“Because you are.” She grunted.
He smiled, “I could say the same.”
She wrinkled her nose, crawling away, “I'm not that little.”
He stiffened from her distance, “That's too far.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her to the middle seat, “I won't bite.” Flashing his teeth at her.
“You don't have a bubble alert, do you?”
“A what?” He turned the key in the ignition and the truck rumbled to life.
“It's called a personal bubble.” She explained.
He grunted, “I have one, I just don't want it to exist between us.”
“Ha!” She laughed, “You're weird.”
Grumbling, he pushed the truck in drive, “Where are you supposed to be tonight?”
“At Dayna's house.” Chloe rolled her eyes, “Not that I want to go there.”
“Do you want to come to my house for a bit?”
She swallowed, “I don't know, Grayson, if my dad finds out about the party, I'm already toast.”
He smiled, “I won't get you in trouble, Chloe.”
“You've already gotten me in trouble. I should go back to the party.”
“You're not going back to that party,” he snapped.
Chloe creased her brow, “Excuse me?”
His expression softened and he tried again, “Just a little while, Chloe?”
She raised an eyebrow at him, “Fine.”
He smiled like a little boy that had gotten his way, “Cool.”
“I'm not an easy girl, if that's what's on your mind though.” She had to make that point clear.
“I would never assume something like that, Chloe. I just want a little more time with my...” he cleared his throat, “With you.”
“Okay...” She wrinkled her nose, “So,” she started as the truck crept the snowy road, “You're a supernatural superhero?”
“Umm... not really,” he swallowed. “Look Chloe, you can't tell anyone and don't tell my parent's I told you either.”
“I won't.”
“Good,” he nodded. “I don't think my parent's will agree with my decision tonight.”
“Why did you show me then?”
He winced, “I think you deserved to know what I am, what we...”
She waited, but he didn't finish, “What?”
He shook his head, “I just had to show you.”
She accepted that answer, “Is there a lot of you?”
“A few,” he glanced at her. “We are a larger pack.”
“And your parents are too?”
He nodded, looking back to the road.
“So, it's like a born-with-it thing?”
“Yeah, I guess, sort of.” He shrugged.
She replayed the moment of his transformation in her mind. Granted, it was weird; a bit abrupt, but somehow, it didn't surprise her. Grayson Holtz came off supernatural, it was reflected not only in his stature but his mannerism. A wolf-boy.
“Why do you like me?”
He sighed, not answering.
“Apparently, you don't date girls.” She prodded, “What's the deal? Why me?”
“It's sort of like a pull.”
She made a face, “A pull?”
“I think you feel it too, Chloe.”
“Grayson, I haven't had a chance to even breathe since I moved here. So, no, I don't feel a pull,” at least she didn't believe she did.
“You do,” he corrected.
“You're insane, I don't.” she crossed her arms, trying to keep herself warm.
He scoffed, “Bull...”
“Are we seriously arguing over this?” she shot.
He shrugged, “I think you feel it.”
“I think you're nuts.”
“If you don't feel it, why did you smell like that the day I met you?”
She was confused, “I smelled at school?”
“I mean at the gas-bar.” He explained, “And you don't smell. You just reacted.”
“Reacted?” She paused, “What the heck does that mean!”
“To me.” He clarified, “Chloe, I know you did. I felt it.”
“Now, that's bull!” she argued.
“Even tonight, I could sense it. You were staring at me; when I had shifted. You liked me like that.”
Her stomach overloaded with butterflies, “What?”
“I think I excite you.”
She clenched her thighs and looked away, panicking. He was right, he did excite her and that thought alone scared her.
“So, do I?” he pressed.
“Oh, you're impossible!” she snapped, not about to get pushed on the subject. “I take back saying I'd go out on a date with you.”
“You agreed,” he pouted, correcting her at the same time.
“Not really, but so what?”
He growled, “Chloe...”
She smirked and looked away, his angry pouting amusing.
“Chloe...” his voice a warning.
“Oh, don't get so agitated, Grayson. Fine, one date. One.”
“One?” he grunted. “We'll see about that.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Next Friday night?”
Chloe's blue eyes fell on him as he drove, studying his heavy jaw and nose, the way his thick neck met his broad shoulders, even the way his hands gripped the steering wheel.
She swallowed, “Okay.”