The Better to Bite (Howl #1)(64)

Rafe was the one I was sneaking out to meet. Valerie’s words whispered through my mind even as jealousy and worry were both tight in my gut. If Valerie and Rafe were sneaking out for a little couple time, that pissed me off. Because dammit, yes, I was getting interested in the guy.

Not getting interested. I was interested. Falling fast.

But if there was more…if something bad was happening…I ended the call with Jenny. I stared at my phone. A little bit of snooping had led to Rafe’s number days ago. I’d added him as a contact, and I scrolled through my list until I found him. I called his number.

One ring. Two. Three.

He didn’t answer.

My gaze lifted to the darkened window.

The worry came again. So much worry.

Had I trusted the wrong boy?

In the distance, a siren screamed.

***

One hour passed. The longest hour of my life. When my phone rang again, I had it in my hand. I didn’t even look at caller ID, just yanked the phone right up to my ear. “Hello?”

“Help…me.” Soft, broken. A female voice.

“Valerie?”

Static crackled over the line, and I knew our connection wouldn’t last long.

“He’s…hunting me.”

My blood iced. “Where are you, Valerie?”

“Woods…help…”

The line went dead, but Valerie didn’t have to say more. In that instant, I knew she was lost in the woods.

Lost.

Instantly, I saw Valerie in my mind. Hair tangled around her face as she ran, her clothes torn, blood trickling down her hands. The trees stretched behind her, bending and twisting in the dark as she fled.

“I’m coming,” I whispered and jumped out of the bed.

I yanked on my clothes—my blood stained jeans and torn shirt would have to do. I rushed to the door, but then had to carefully creep past the nurses’ station. I didn’t make eye contact with any of the staff. I didn’t want anyone to remember me. And I sure didn’t want anyone looking at the blood on my clothes.

I rounded the corner and yanked out my phone. I called my dad, but his phone just rang and rang.

Out hunting.

I hurried forward. The hospital entrance doors slid open. I ran through them—and plowed right into Brent.

He grunted and his arms came up to hold me tight. “Anna?” He frowned. “What are you doing? You’re supposed to be—”

“Valerie’s in trouble.”

His lips parted in surprise.

“The wolf’s after her.”

The surprise disappeared from his face. All expression disappeared from his face as he pulled me away from the hospital and any folks who might overhear us. “Are you sure?”

“She called me.” I nodded quickly. “She’s in trouble, and she needs our help.” Or she won’t live to see dawn.

“Tell me where she is. I’ll go find her and—”

“It doesn’t work like that!” Frustration broke in my words. “I can’t tell you, I have to go to the woods. She’s lost, and I’ll be able to find her.”

His breath eased out as his grip fell away from my arm. “So it’s true.”

Why lie? “Yes.”

“You’re a witch.”

“No, dammit!” But the denial seemed wrong. “Maybe,” I said, softer, then, “look, I don’t know!” The only thing I knew for certain was that Valerie needed me. “Rafe’s out there, Valerie needs help, and please, please, take me to the woods.”

He stared at me, one moment, two, and I thought about just slugging him and trying to take his keys, but he finally nodded. Then we were both running for his car, a fancy BMW that had to belong to his mom. We were running and my heart slammed into my chest and I prayed— Don’t let me be too late this time.

***

“I don’t understand.” Brent’s hands were tight on the wheel and the scent of expensive leather filled the interior of the car even as my heartbeat thundered in my ears. “You think Rafe is the one who’s been doing all the killings?”

I remembered a boy who kissed me and made me feel both excited and afraid. And I remembered a boy who’d run into a fire, without ever hesitating. “It’s not safe for any wolf to be out tonight,” I said, not really answering him. “My dad’s searching these woods. He’s armed.” Ready to put down a wolf. “We need to get to Rafe and Valerie and make sure they’re both safe.”

“But you said Valerie called, that she told you she was being hunted—”

My nails bit into my palms. “But I don’t know who’s hunting her. She left Jenny’s place with Rafe. As to what happened after that—” I don’t know.

“They hooked up, you know.” Said without emotion. “I thought it was just once, over the summer, when we’d all been drinking, but then I found out that Valerie tried to go back to Rafe right before school started.”

I could feel the weird pull working on my body. “Go left at the fork.”

“That’s why I ended it with her. I wasn’t in to her games. She just tried to play us against each other.”

I risked a fast glance at him. “Whatever’s happening tonight, it isn’t a game.”