Walker's Run Read Online Free Page A

zipper and then digging…Rising to her feet, Casey scuttled cautiously but quickly in attempt to put as much distance between herself and the snarling wolves. Another growl rose to her right and brought a halt to her progress.
    Adrenaline flooded her mouth; the acrid taste of coffee burned her throat. She crouched for protection, raising the knife. Casey wasn’t going down without a fight. As the growling wolf moved closer, it was one she also recognized.
    He too was one of the pack-mates, though the other male was far larger. She watched as his eyes stared over her shoulder toward the fray as the howls, growls, and gnashing jaws stopped.
    Dread settled over her. Now she had a pack of wolves to defend herself against. She wished she had her three-eighty. At least with it there would be a fighting chance against three wolves. With a knife, she knew her chance was slim to none.
    A growl sounded behind her, and Casey knew at least one, if not both wolves were approaching. She heard a soft whine that made her think one of them had been injured in the fight; the winner was behind her. It was foolish but she couldn’t resist a glance at the creature who would most likely be the cause of her death. Fear mixed with relief when she saw the male looking largely unscathed save for one scratch on his cheek. Once again, his eyes weren’t on her but on the other wolf.
    When he neared, the other male averted his eyes, lowered his head, and backed away. The larger male snuffed and stepped closer to her when the other turned and fled.
    Less than two feet separated her from him. She struggled not to make eye contact, but his eyes were so beautiful and uncommon. The paleness of them completely belied the usual golden of most wolves.
    “Please,” she whispered. Her hands shook from cold and fear; she wasn’t sure which was more prominent.
    The wolf lowered his eyes and bowed his head.
    It was the same pose the other male had given before he’d slunk away. Adrenaline still coursed through her, she was afraid to think the wolf had shown her signs of submission only to fool her enough to drop her guard.
    Her hand tightened on the hunting knife, not ready to give in. It wasn’t over.
    The thunderous reverberation of running footfalls jerked her attention. She turned just in time to see the female wolf lunge. Casey didn’t have time to raise the hunting knife before one hundred and fifty pounds of wolf slammed into her chest.
    Its teeth gnashed mere inches from her face. Rolling out from beneath the blow, she covered her face and throat. At the same time, driving her elbow into the wolf’s ribcage, using every bit of strength she could manage with the blow.
    Casey howled in pain when the wolf sunk her teeth into her left shoulder. Her mind reeled when the cry echoed and was joined by a chorus of howls that rose in the forest. The pain made her vision grow dark. Managing to get one leg under her, to regain leverage, Casey shifted, using the wolf’s own weight to toss it over her shoulder.
    Viciously sharp teeth had torn through the heavyweight parka. Casey hoped the elbow driven into the bitch’s ribs had done enough damage and was relieved when she noticed the female was slow to get up.
    Casey tried to ignore the intense pain in her shoulder that traveled down into her back and chest. The exposed wound burned as the cold air leached the warmth from her. But she was alive, and this wasn’t over yet. She couldn’t give in. With a grunt, Casey rose to a crouch and raised the knife when the wolf got back to her feet.
    Blinking away the rapidly falling snow that landed on her lashes, Casey tried to ready herself for the next attack. The handle of the knife was smooth in her palm. A strange tingling began to flow through her. She feared blood loss had sapped too much of her strength.
    With another snarl, the animal bolted for her. Holding her breath, she gave up a silent prayer and slid to the side at the last moment. Turning, Casey sank the