Wolf on the Hunt Read Online Free

she wanted everything cleaned and put away today so she could start fresh in the morning. She grabbed two bottles of water and Shadow’s bowl and headed out onto the porch.
    She sat on the step and set the bowl beside her. Shadow made himself comfortable on the porch and lifted his head, his big ears perking up.
    “Lots to see and hear around here, isn’t there, boy?” Gray opened one of the bottles and emptied it into his bowl. Then she opened the other one and took a swig.
    “It’s real nice here.” She liked being alone. It wasn’t that she didn’t like people. It was simply that she was always aware of being different, of not quite fitting in.
    Shadow drank deeply, his slurping sounds mixing with the twittering of robins and the squawk of a blue jay. Gray swiveled around and leaned her back against the post. “Do you think the news reports were right? Do you think there’s a wolf out there?”
    Since she was a child, she’d always had an affinity for wolves. Her mother had feared them, but Gray never knew why. Her mother had died in a car accident when Gray was only eight, and since she had no idea who her father was, she’d gone to Wyoming to live with her grandmother. It had been just the two of them until her grandmother had lost her battle to cancer. Knowing she was dying, her grandmother had made Gray promise not to grieve, but to go out and live her dreams. And she had. But some days it was lonely.
    Shadow whined and plunked his head in her lap. He was always very aware of her moods. “I’m okay.” He raised his head and gave her such a look of disbelief that she laughed. “Really. I’m just a little melancholy.” He huffed and put his head back on her thigh, and she rubbed his fur, content to sit and listen to the woods.
    Nature spoke to her in a way most people couldn’t understand. She could sense the rhythms of the forest and the animals. Her grandmother had called it a gift. To Gray, it was as much a part of who she was as the color of her eyes and the shape of her nose. She couldn’t imagine herself any other way.
    Gray shivered and realized that the sun was no longer shining on the porch but had shifted location. She glanced at her watch and was surprised to find she’d been sitting out here for almost two hours. Shadow stirred when she stood and grumbled as he climbed to his feet.
    “I’ve got work to do if I want to start sketching tomorrow morning. You can stay out here if you want.” He started to follow her until she reminded him. “I’m probably going to have to use the vacuum.” Shadow might not understand everything she said to him, but he did understand the word vacuum . The dog stopped in his tracks and plunked back down on the porch.
    Gray laughed. “I figured that would be your answer.” She left the door open in case Shadow wanted to come inside. It didn’t take her long to dig out some cleaning supplies she’s brought with her and set to work.
    * * * * *
    Louis leaned back in his chair and patted his full stomach. Gator and Anny had outdone themselves. The table was filled with empty platters and bowls. They’d devoured everything—the thick slabs of turkey and roast beef, potato salad, pasta salad, bread and more.
    “Time for dessert.” Anny popped up from the table and went into the kitchen. Gator was already there pouring coffee into thick pottery mugs.
    He almost groaned but knew he’d find room for a slice of pie or cake. Anny had made both. Cherise ferried the mugs over to the table and Louis nodded his thanks when she placed one of them in front of him. Each day, he was thankful for this pack, marveled at how they all worked as one unit for the greater good. This was how it should be.
    “Everything okay?” Gwen asked.
    He smiled at her. “Everything is fine, chère . Just looking forward to dessert.”
    As he’d hoped, she laughed. “You men are always thinking about your stomachs.”
    “And you’re going to turn it down?” he teased.
    She shook