A bark came from behind her.
“Yes, you can come too.” She smiled at Arne as he bounded toward them.
“You don’t have your coat on.” he observed.
“I don’t feel the cold like I used to. I guess it was habit. Plus, I thought my gram may notice if I suddenly started leaving it.”
“So why leave it today?”
“I just didn’t think about it. It’s exhausting trying to remember how I used to be.”
They walked in silence for a while. Katalina didn’t really take in her surroundings. She clung to Bass and let him guide her along, listening only to the sound of their feet sinking into the snow. Arne ran in front of them, jumping around, digging at the snow. He ran up to Katalina pressing his wet head against her legs. She patted his head laughing, “Silly dog.”
Her laughter died, goose bumps broke out across her skin and she suppressed a shiver.
Just as she was about to look behind her, Bass whispered, “Don’t look. They’ve been following for a while.”
“Do you think they’ll attack?” she sighed, irritated.
“Not in the open.”
“Maybe we should start heading back?”
“If you’d like.”
They turned around, heading back down the road toward the house. “Come on, Arne,” Katalina called, slapping her hand on her thigh. Arne paused, looking at the few trees in the distance.
“Here!” Bass growled.
With a whine, Arne made his way over, his head down looking sorry for himself. “No sulking, boy. You know what happens when you mess with wolves.” Katalina ruffled his ears, cheering him up.
“Do you think Jackson will eventually just give up?” she asked hopefully.
“Sure, maybe.”
Katalina glanced up at Bass. “If you’re going to lie, lie better.”
He smiled down at her. “I’ll keep you safe.” He kissed her forehead.
“I know,” she replied.
*****
Katalina’s grandmother left a few hours before dark, her car loaded with boxes. Standing on the front step watching her drive away, Bass came up behind her, his head resting on her shoulder as his arms wrapped around her waist.
“I have you all to myself now. What wicked deed shall I do first?” He bit at her neck playfully.
“Oh, so now you show your true colors.”
“I’m the big bad wolf, remember?”
“You’re the shadow wolf,” she smiled, turning her head to kiss his cheek.
“What makes you say that?” he murmured against her neck as he kissed and nipped at the sensitive skin.
Katalina shuddered, his onslaught of kisses turning her mind to mush.
“Katalina?”
“Hmm? Oh, yeah…because when you stand in the shadows, it’s as if they swallow you. You become a shadow yourself.”
He turned her toward him, claiming her mouth with a demanding kiss. His hands made their way to her hips, branding her with his touch. Slowly, he guided her backward and into the house, never taking his mouth from hers.
Katalina’s knees weakened when he touched and kissed her with such heat and possession. She was powerless to stop him and didn’t want to.
“I think we should eat,” he whispered, his mouth working its way across her jaw.
“Mmm…” was all Katalina could muster as a reply. She slipped her hands beneath his t-shirt, needing to feel skin.
Bass pulled back, but Katalina held him tighter.
He chuckled against her mouth as she reached up on her toes and covered his mouth once again. “Food, Kat,” he breathed into her mouth.
Katalina pulled back, breathless. “We’ll get pizza delivered. Now, kiss me.”
“Do they deliver this far out?”
Katalina sighed, “Yes, but they charge. Menu is by the phone.”
He kissed her once more. “Go find something to watch while I order.”
“Okay,” she replied, reluctant to leave.
They ate pizza and watched a movie, although not much of the second half was watched. Wrapped up in each other’s arms, it was hard to concentrate on a film when all Katalina wanted was to lose herself in the feel of Bass.
Chapter 18
Katalina woke with a start. The TV was on with the start menu of the film filling up the screen. She sat up on the sofa, pulling the blanket off her. “Bass?” she called, wondering where he was. Looking around the room, she spotted the half-eaten pizza. “Bass are you here?” She stood.
She doubled over as a feeling of dread rolled through her. Katalina was running out the door, before his name left her lips. “Bass?”
She skidded to a stop as she flew out the back door, the scene before her, too horrifying to take in. Two wolves lay dead at the bottom of the garden. Bass was unmoving while the remaining wolf tore at his flesh.