Read Online A Shift in the Water by Patricia D. Eddy - Free Book Online Page B

trees protected two sides of the yard. No one could see him here. All of the other houses were low, single story homes. The dull hum of traffic passed by to the west.  City.  He was in a city. But where?
    He left his scent several places around the yard, warning other animals away. For as long as he stayed here, he wouldn’t let any other animal bother them. He sat patiently at the door until she noticed him and let him back inside the warm house.
    Scents of cooking filled the small kitchen. Mara made a plate with eggs for herself and set two bowls on the floor for him. One was filled with raw meat and the other held water. The wolf attacked the meat bowl. Fresh, lean, tasty meat. Not spoiled. Not burnt.
    By the time Mara had rinsed her plate in the sink, he’d devoured all of the remaining meat and half of the water. He sat up with his tongue hanging out of his mouth, panting, and watching her.
    Mara leaned against the counter. Her jeans hung loosely, the green sweater hugging her curves and brightening her eyes. “So.” She twirled the syringe in her hand. The wolf growled.  Bad .
    She laughed. “I didn’t think so. You look practically healthy now other than how skinny you are. You need a bath. And some time with a brush. But I don’t think you need this.” Mara dropped it on the counter. “But what should I do with you? You’re a wild animal, yet you’re sitting there like a puppy.”
    The wolf cocked his head. They’d been in the car for a long time. They had to be far away from the bad woman. He wanted to stay with Mara. Mara was nice.
    Mara knelt down next to him and rubbed his head. He leaned into her, asking for comfort, protection. She wrapped her arms around him and he nuzzled her neck. Pain lanced through him and a small, high-pitched bark escaped before he could stifle it.
    “I should call Adam. You’re in pain.”
    No. The wolf growled, shook his head, and nudged her chin. Heart-shaped lips pursed as she trapped a bit of the rosy flesh beneath her teeth. He whined, forced a happy, contented sound from his weakened body. He had to make her understand. He wanted to stay with her. No one else.
    “Where’d you come from? Someone did this to you. Were they hurting other animals too?”
    He didn’t understand her and cocked his head. The pain lessened enough for him to take a deep breath and nudge her again.
    “I feel better when I touch you, you know that?” Mara smiled, righting his entire world with that single gesture. He licked her neck and she laughed and pulled away with a little shriek. “Gross.”
    Mara got to her feet with a groan, steadying herself against the counter. The wolf pressed against her, suddenly worried. But after a couple of deep breaths, she straightened and stroked the top of his head. “C’mere.”
    He followed her to the couch where she curled up with a small, black screen. He knew what that was. Book. Words were coming back to him. The most important one was man, followed closely by Mara, mine, and help. He needed her help. If only he could figure out how to ask for it. 

Five
    The wolf slept the entire day. Every couple of hours, he’d succumb to a nightmare. Mournful whines, angry growls, and spasms wracked his whole body. Mara stroked his side or talked to him until he calmed. Sometimes he woke up, looked at her with pain in his eyes, and nuzzled her hand before he fell asleep again.
    “Who did this to you?” she asked once, dropping down next to him and comforting his haggard body. “Someone hurt you, starved you.” Mara wasn’t sure why she expected him to answer her, but the vocalization he made almost sounded like a yes.
    Mara read for a few hours, napped, and when her lunchtime alarm went off, rose to fix herself a sandwich. She was rarely hungry these days, but she forced herself to eat whenever she could. Aunt Lillian shopped for her now and always made sure she had plenty of Kraft Singles and white bread on hand. As the butter sizzled, Mara’s