Winter Wolf by Hall C. A

Author:Hall, C. A.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-12-14T00:00:00+00:00

The heavy scent of wolf hit me as soon as I stepped into the foyer, putting me on edge as a middle-aged woman greeted us at the door.

“Well, I’ll be. It’s really you,” the woman said as she took Fay in her arms. “I thought I was hallucinating when I saw you pull up the drive. Did you try calling here earlier? The phones have been on the fritz all day because of the snow.”

“I had a feeling the lines were down when I couldn’t get through,” Fay said once they drew apart.

“And who is this?” Fay’s mother asked as she offered me the same treatment she’d given her daughter.

My body tensed as the woman took me in her arms, but any panic I might’ve had was lost under the sweet scent of cinnamon and sugar wafting in from the kitchen.

“Not much of a hugger, I see. Fay isn’t, either, though you already knew that, didn’t you?”

“Mom!” Fay’s voice went up an octave.

“What? I’m allowed to make small talk with our guests.”

“Smalltalk, Mom. You know, like the weather?”

“Oh yes, just look at all that snow.” Her mother rolled her eyes at that. “You’ll have to forgive my daughter. The way she carries on, you’d think I was planning to have our guests for dinner.” Then, with a soft chuckle, she added, “Though I suppose, in some way, I am.”

“Oh my god, Mom. Really?”

“What? You and your father aren’t the only ones who get to have a sense of humor around here. I’ll have you know I can be just as dark as the rest of them.” Then, leaning in close so only I could hear, she said, “I’m really just a sheep in wolf’s clothing. I couldn’t hurt a fly.”

“Mostly because they outwit you.” Fay hid her smile behind a hand, then ducked out of the way when her mother batted in her direction.

“I can see where Fay gets her charm,” I said with a laugh. “I’m Alana. It’s so nice to finally meet you, Mrs—”

“Cute and courteous?” her mother said. “Fay should’ve brought you around a lot sooner. Oh, and none of that mrs. nonsense. You can call me June. Dinner will be ready in half an hour, so if either of you are hungry…” June made a motion with her hand, then headed toward the kitchen at the back of the house.

“She seems nice,” I said as I watched the other woman go.

“She can be,” Fay said as we sat down on the sofa in front of the living room window. “But give her some time. Once she warms up to you, I’m sure that’ll change.”

“Oh.”

“But it isn’t because of you,” Fay said as she turned to face me. “That’s just how she is. Moms, you know?”

“I think it’s a rule,” I said while studying the mezzanine at the top of the stairs to our right. “They’re kind of like our first bullies, you know? Their harsh lessons help us prepare.”

“For what? War?”

I shrugged, then averted my gaze. “For anything, I suppose.

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