Secret Revealed

I applied just enough blush to hide my ghostly white skin, just enough mascara to turn my lashes dark and my eyes bluer, and blew my hair into a gleaming, slippery mass of strands.

Yet, there was still one more detail to take care of before I could get naked with a man.

Frustrated, I turned my back on the mirror and grimaced at my distinguishing birthmark. Not even the passage of time could dull its brilliance.

I considered getting it removed, but the thought of exposing it to a doctor who might be curious, sceptical, or even able to see more than I was comfortable with.

That's a mark I just couldn't make sense of. So it was difficult to give an explanation for the improbable.

I quickly slapped on some foundation with my makeup sponge and covered the area. At long last, I put on my pants, dress, and shoes.

Upon looking at my reflection, I couldn't help but gaze.

I don't see how the Cowardly Lion can look as good as I do.

Okay. My plan was to get a glass of wine, go into the great room, and strike a posture in front of the fireplace while waiting for Sebastian to join me. Sure, I could manage it. It was as simple as taking a trip downstairs.

Somehow, I was able to hear a loud noise outside despite the fact that it was being pounded by the storm.

I had heard something like that before. I was a Los Angeles native who grew up in the city proper.

There was a shot fired.

I quickly made my way to the window and squatted down to a side position. I cautiously parted the drapes and peered outside.

The home's main facade was visible from the window. As the afternoon progressed into early evening, thick clouds obscured the sun. Rain was driven sideways by the wind. The cedars, pines, Douglas firs, and rhododendrons all took on a stark black and white appearance as lightning danced across their limbs.

Under the thickening trees, I could make out the wet roof of my car but not a soul on the driveway or in the yard, not even the flash of a gun.

Still, it was the wilderness out here. Perhaps a hunter was in the area.

When I opened the blinds, I heard a muffled scream from a long distance, followed by the sound of gunfire. I jumped away from the glass and got down on my knees.

After several silent minutes, I finally heard something.

When I did, I glanced intently at the ground below the swaying trees.

Shots fired, followed by an unnatural wail. I thought panthers had a built-in screamer. Was a panther killed by a stray bullet?

Did Washington have any local panthers?

My opinion of Sebastian's forbidding fortress shifted after I was safely ensconced within its walls, away from the elements, the monsters, and the maniac with the pistol.

Perhaps that was one reason Sebastian enjoyed coming here so much; he seemed to relax some of the walls of protection he usually puts up.

I cracked open my door to the bedroom nervously.

Someone could be heard walking around on the lower level. Maybe a person, maybe a thing.

I overheard a low snuffling sound, followed by a series of growls.

What happened to the alarm?

No. I hadn't thought of that. Somebody in the woods was also armed.

Has someone who wasn't Sebastian—perhaps a nut job or a gunman—entered his home and shot him?

And then I felt completely ridiculous. Very exaggerated. Just regular Deborah here, nerdy administrative assistant. There has never been anything terrifying in my life. In spite of this, I experienced a taste of terror.

I took off my high heels and walked stealthily down the hall, holding one shoe in each hand. I stopped briefly on the balcony.

There was a snarling sound that I could hear.

Panting.

Is there a dog inside this house? I haven't seen one earlier.

I sneaked a look over the side.

A dog, indeed, stared into the dying flames. It had a black and silver coat that sparkled with red and gold in the flames and stood tall at the shoulders despite being long and thin. What sounded like a clear, steady, bass rumble of anger was coming from within its chest, and it was snarling.

I'd never been terrified of dogs, but that was the most ominous sound I'd ever heard.

The dog whirled its head around, and the sight of its pointed nose, scarred cheek, and white-fanged snarl was enough to make me retreat back against the wall.

A wolf. In front of the fireplace, a wolf watched the flames.

When my heart started racing, it literally sounded like thunder in my ears.

The question was how the wolf had gotten inside. Do you remember if the back door was open or not? Was a window shattered from the impact?

Sebastian, where were you? There's a risk he'll get hurt if he walks in on this.

Discreetly, I stepped forward and slid along the rail, taking in the entire room.

There was no sign of my boss, and though the wolf's howling had died down, I still considered it a threat. An assassin. One who preys.

In taking a step back, I was able to engage the strategic thinking that had made me a successful administrative assistant. To my room, please. Closing the door behind you. Use your cell phone to give Sebastian a heads up. Then dial 9-1-1 to have animal control dispatched to the scene.

When I finally stopped retreating, I gazed.

A change had occurred in the appearance of the wolf.

When I heard that, I tightly closed my eyes. Once more, I popped the hoods open.

Unfortunately, I have developed an allergy. Soap made by Sebastian... that new car smell... I must be. Simply said, I must be hallucinating.

On the other hand, this is serious.

He continued to stare. Hair had fallen out from his strong shoulders, and his ears had become bare and rounded, sliding down the side of his head.

The wolf was starting to look like a man.

It was becoming increasingly obvious that the man resembled Sebastian.