The Injured Dog

Hayden

Here I was. Deep in the middle of nowhere in the dense Maine forest. Running away from a Hollywood scandal that probably would cost me my career and a bunch of gangsters who threatened to take my life at their will.

100 grand bucks by the end of this week. Usual old place. Otherwise, you and your brother are dead.

I stared at the text message I just received ten minutes ago. Good. It meant that they were still unaware that I'd left California if they demanded that I deliver the money at the old place.

It took me almost four days to reach the small cabin in this godforsaken place by driving my old Honda. The cabin belonged to my mom. Taylor and I used to hang out here in Summers.

Speaking of Taylor, I still had no idea what trouble he had got himself into and where he was right now. I tried to call him, but he never picked up his phone.

I knew I would be safe here for the time being. Deep in the woods and far away from the human population, the cabin provided a temporary shelter. It was kept cozy and comfortable by John, a park ranger from a nearby town. Taylor and I saved him from a car accident a few years ago. To show his gratitude, he took care of the cabin for us while we were away.

Plopping down on the weather-beaten couch on the deck, I stared into lush green spruce trees. What does the future have in store for me?

My career would be seriously dented because of this scandal. I was sure about that. If it meant that I had to start from scratch, so be it. I gave up college for an acting career. I had been doing this business for six years. Acting had become the only profession I knew, and I was actually good at it. Only if Lee could land me roles. I wouldn't give the directors an opportunity to regret that they cast me in their movies.

Men? No, thank you. My failed relationships had proved that I was not talented in this department. My ex-boyfriends (adding Kyle to the list) cheated me in one way or another. And I was foolish enough to believe them. Chase slept with my best friend in high school, William cheated on me with his co-worker, Kyle turned me into a despised "homewrecker"...See what I meant? I should steer clear of men and become a nun.

The saddest part was that I devoted my heart and soul to every relationship. I trusted every one of them, their sweet talks. I sincerely thought I would have a future with them every time I started a relationship. Until my devotion became an irony to our relationship. I would cry, take some time to heal, then repeat the same cycle.

I needed to break the cycle. I wouldn't want to end up like mom, hurt by one man after another, taking refuge in drinks and drugs, and eventually wasted by her addictions.

I should live like a man! Or some men, at least. Separate my heart from my body. Enjoy the physical fun but never be the first one to fall in love.

Loud howls sounded in the distance, interrupting my train of thoughts. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I stood to my feet and tried hard to peer into the forest. Were there any creatures I didn't know that wandered in the forest? As a park ranger, John knew this forest very well and told me it was safe, with no dangerous animals like wolves and bears.

I decided to take a look. The forest had become quiet after the initial howls. I trudged on the dirt road that led to the entrance of the cluster of spruce trees.

A soft whimper caught my attention after about a ten-minute walk. I located the source of the sound when I saw a huge black creature lying on the ground. I walked to it in cautious steps, but it didn't make any movement, only raising its head slightly.

I gasped when I saw the blood covering its body. The poor creature was injured. By what? I had no idea. Did it look like a huge black dog? Or maybe a wolf? But John said there were no wolves in this area. And Taylor and I never encountered any wolf while we hiked in the forest. I made up my mind. It was a dog. A huge one.

"You poor thing! Who did this to you?" I exclaimed, examining its body carefully. I located the gash where the blood was oozing from. It needed to be treated quickly.

I tried to lift it in my arms, but it was too heavy. My movement must have caused it pain because more whimpers came out of its mouth.

"Sorry," I grimaced. "Wait here, don't move, I'll drive my car," I said not caring if it could understand my words.

I ran at the fastest speed my legs could carry me and drove my car to the place. I carried it to the backseat and drove to the only pet clinic I knew in this area.

"Somebody help me!" I shouted carrying the heavy dog in my arms the minute I barged into the clinic after one hour's drive.

A male in his fifties staggered towards me. The stink of alcohol filled my nostrils. He was drunk!

"Take it to the operation room. I'll do the operation," he gestured to me.

"Are there any other doctors?" I held the dog to my chest tightly. I didn't trust a drunk vet.

"Just me," he said impatiently. "I'm the only vet in this area."

Guess I had no other option but to let him do the operation. I gave up and placed the dog gently on the operation table.

"You will be okay," I whispered to it and stroked its head gently. The dog slowly opened its eyes and stared at me with its mesmerizing golden eyes. I never saw such breathtaking eyes. For a moment, I lost myself in them.

"Move along," the vet's voice jolted me from my trance. I quickly stepped aside and let him do the thing.

The operation was done half an hour later. The vet gave me some pills and asked me to come here two days later with the dog for a check-up.

"Are you sure the dog will be okay?" I asked worriedly, not trusting his skills.

"Get lost. It is now nice and clean. I'm closing." He shoved me impatiently.

Heaving a sigh, I carried the dog in my arms and walked out of the clinic. I decided if it didn't turn out well tomorrow morning, I would find another vet. The day was turning dark.

Ryan

I recognized her the minute she stared at Maddox's golden eyes. Hayden Ramirez. The actress who made headlines for her affair with a married director. James's unhealthy obsession. What was she doing here in the dense forest of Maine? Shouldn't she be in LA?

She looked far more beautiful than in movies. I had to admit that. Almond amber eyes that were full of liveliness, a cute button nose that looked adorable and perfect, full sensual pink lips that begged to be kissed, luxuriant brown hair that framed her impeccable heart-shaped face in waves.

She wore a soft loose green jumper and a pair of skinny jeans, which showed off her petite curvy body that made my hands itch to…

No, stop here. James would be thrilled to see her in person. But not me, never had been a fan of her despite the movies James forced me to watch. Her latest scandal appalled me. But I would thank her for saving me and Maddox although it was totally unnecessary because we could heal by ourselves. Her intentions were good. I had to give her the credit.

Until I heard her call me "the dog". What the hell? It was an insult to my dignity as a ferocious predator. She thought I was a dog. The vet was apparently too drunk to see that I was a wolf. But she was one hundred percent sober and sane. How stupid and ignorant she was? She couldn't even tell a wolf from a dog. For Moon Goddess's sake.

She drove us home and placed Maddox on the bed gently. Maddox was sedated and a little bit dizzy. But I could feel that we were healing at a fast pace. Strength returned to our body and the pain was no longer there. I knew that in no time we would be as good as new. The problem was I still couldn't link and shift. I guessed the wolfsbane on the knife really impaired our abilities.

"You are a handsome dog, aren't you?" she said while stroking Maddox's fur softly. Maddox let out a content purr, totally throwing me off balance. Maddox liked her touches? This could not be happening. Our mate Melanie was the only woman he allowed to touch him.

"Stupid woman. I'm a wolf, an alpha of the alphas," I cursed. If only she could hear my words. I would teach her a lesson for belittling an alpha.

I willed Maddox to bare his canine to show the stupid actress who we truly were. But Maddox did the exact opposite. Inching closer to the woman, he nuzzled her and rubbed his furry head against her! My eyeballs dropped from my sockets.

"Maddox, get off her!" I demanded. But Maddox shut me down! For the first time since I'd had him!

And now he was licking her chin happily like a puppy! I almost fainted at the sight. This wasn't my wolf. My terrifying, power-exuding, dominating alpha wolf. The strongest wolf on the whole east coast and chair of the East Alphas Federation. What was this woman doing to him?

"Ew, slow down, buddy. Your saliva is all over me," she grimaced, wiping her face with her hands.

Wrong words! What she said only spurred Maddox on. He pushed her over on the bed and began licking all over her.

I inwardly covered my face. He was out of control. He was fawning over an ignorant human he just met.

The woman giggled. "You really like me, don't you, big dog?" she said, breathing hard.

We were not dogs! I growled inwardly and frustratedly. After I fully recovered and was able to shift again, I would show her what an alpha I was!

But her flushing face did look adorable with her sparkling amber eyes. Her chest was heaving up and down alluringly. Maybe I should suck...

Nope, no, this was not going to happen. I was the rational and calm one who used his mind. Unlike Maddox! I chastised myself.

"Maybe I should adopt you after I return to LA," she said, nuzzling her face against Maddox.

"I should give you a name. What about Fluffy? I always wanted to have a dog called Fluffy when I was a child but my mom's allergy forbade us to have one." She tapped one finger on her chin, thinking aloud.

Damn Maddox purred in agreement and licked her even harder, making her giggle.

We were not pets! Damn you, Maddox. You were an alpha wolf, and we had a pack to take care of. We belonged in the wild. And Fluffy??? What kind of name was that? I shouted but to no avail. All Maddox could hear was this woman's bewitching words because he shut me down.

Damn me, too! Why did I feel every fiber of my body come alive?

I groaned. What was wrong with me?

"You like the idea, don't you, huh?" the woman said cheerily, wrapping her arms around our body, her chest pressing tightly against us.

I froze while Maddox used the opportunity to sniff and inhale her scent.

The intoxicating scent of rose petals. I hadn't been so close to a woman since my mate passed away three years ago.

My mate. The love of my life. The light of my eyes.

Suddenly, the link between me and Maddox reconnected. It must be the thought of Melanie. I now took full control of us.

I wriggled our body from her clutch and created a safe distance between her and us on the bed. Maddox was not happy about it. He thought I was too rough on her. I rolled my eyes. I didn't care about any woman other than our mate.

Melanie. My heart wept again at the loss of my sweet, young, innocent mate. Maddox felt the unbearable pain too. He missed his mate. It was tough on him as it was on me. It still was on both of us today.

For weres, mates were destined forever. The death of a were's mate was destructive enough to leave the one living going insane and even seeking suicide to liberate from the insufferable heart-wrenching pain.

Maddox and I were both miserable and suicidal in the first two years. But Maddox was the weaker one considering he was more about instinct while I was more about the mind. To protect Maddox from going crazy, I always shut him down when I mourned our mate.

Now the thought of our dead mate drove a knife right into Maddox's heart. He whimpered for the loss.

"Oh, I'm sorry, buddy. I forgot you are injured. I must have hurt you." The woman said with concern laced in her voice.

"How about I sing you a lullaby as an apology?" she beamed.

I rolled my eyes. She first took us as a dog, now a baby? But her gentle and sweet voice did calm my frayed nerves. A low content purr rumbled through Maddox's chest.

I closed my eyes, letting exhaustion and her sweet lullaby take us to the sweet dreamland.

Until a hard slap on my face and a painful kick in my groin woke me from the deep slumber.

"You sick pervert! Why are you on my bed? Did you kill my dog?" The stupid woman, Hayden Ramirez, glowered at me with disgust.