Adam spotted them from across the street: Macy, Kim, and the very-not-a-Husky wolf lounging on the curb outside McDonald’s. Macy was tossing the chicken nuggets that it was catching mid-air with terrifying precision.

  He crossed cautiously. “Guys… why are you feeding that wolf chicken nuggets?”

  “It’s not a wolf, it’s a Husky!” Macy insisted, waving him over hard. “Come on, sit.”

  Adam glanced at Kim, who was biting her lip so hard she might draw blood. He eased down beside them.

  “Don’t worry,” Macy said, ruffling the wolf’s thick neck fur. “She doesn’t bite.”

  “See if you can get her to do a trick!” Kim said, voice bright with mischief.

  The wolf shot Kim a look that could curdle milk.

  “She doesn’t like Kim,” Macy explained to Adam, perfectly serious.

  “I guess I’m just not a dog person.” Kim collapsed backward onto the grass, laughing so hard her shoulders shook. “I can’t—I can’t anymore.”

  Adam blinked. “You okay? Bad brain day?”

  Kim wiped her eyes. “No, just… perfect timing. Adam, can you get us a cab back to my place? We should all talk.” She glanced at the wolf and grinned. “You can bring your dog.”

  Macy frowned. “Wait, are you having a stroke?”

  Kim fought off another laugh. “We need to move before Animal Control shows up.”

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  “Who’s gonna drive us with a wolf in the car?” Adam asked.

  A quiet voice came from behind them. “Um… I could.”

  Sarah’s growl started low and built fast.

  “Good girl!” Macy patted the wolf’s head proudly. “We don’t need the Skankmobile, thanks.”

  Shannon took a small step back. “Oh… okay…”

  “Wait.” Kim held up a hand. “Give it up, Sarah.”

  The growl cut off instantly. Shannon’s eyes widened.

  Macy rounded on Kim. “Why are we entertaining this?”

  “Because we’re sitting outside McDonald’s with a giant wolf. You need a shower and clean clothes. And Shannon’s been following Adam around like he follows you. Things feel weird. I wanna know why."

  Macy’s head snapped toward Adam. “Oh no you don’t.” She hooked her good arm around his neck and yanked him close. “You are not into her.”

  Adam looked helpless. “She just… started following me.”

  Macy turned on Shannon like a general. “Alright, bitch. Ten words or less: what the hell do you want with Adam, or I sic my dog on you!”

  Sarah growled again—on cue, perfect timing.

  Shannon flinched, then thrust her unlocked phone forward. “Here.”

  Macy snatched it. Scrolled. Her face went from annoyed to stone-cold.

  “What the fuck.” She shoved the phone at Kim. “We have to kill this thing.”

  Kim read. Her amusement vanished. She looked at Sarah. “No.”

  Sarah huffed, ears flicking.

  “Get your car, Shannon,” Kim said quietly. “We all need to talk.”

  She turned to the wolf. “Go get Thomas. Tell him my house. Fast.”

  Sarah gave one last glare at Shannon, then bolted—long strides eating distance until she vanished into the distance.

  Macy stared after her. “That was my dog.”

  “She’ll be back.” Kim’s voice softened. “There’s stuff you guys need to know.”

  Macy slumped against Adam. "I’ll have to settle for Emotional Support Adam for now.”

  Adam wrapped his arm around her without a word.

  Macy leaned into him, good hand fisting his shirt. The bravado cracked—tears welled, spilled silently. The monster. Cindi gone. Whatever black magic Kim just pulled with “her dog.”

  By the time Shannon’s car pulled up, Macy was unraveling—quiet, shaking, clinging to Adam like he was the last solid thing left.