Chapter 6

Sylvie Morgan's pov

Driving home with Marcus, I sat staring out the window, staying quiet with my thoughts.

Remembering last night I glanced over at him.

“Were you outside my window sniffing around?”

He gave me a quizzical look and said, “No I was at Nash’s.”

“I heard a wolf howling when I got to bed, and when I was walking home from work, I thought something was following me,” I informed him. Giving me a stern look he sighed and suggested that he start driving me home after work.

Shaking my head I explained that I wasn't frightened about it and enjoyed the walk.

“It helps me clear my head so I can continue. I just wanted you to know that I had heard something,” I blurted out, then added, “If I have an issue, I can call you on my cell.”

Side-eyeing me, Marcus nodded and told me that I could continue walking as long as I promised to call him if trouble arose. I told him that, of course, I would, making him grin happily.

“Hey Marcus, what happened to Winnie’s mom? I have always wondered, and since we are sharing information, I figured that I would ask."

His brow furrowed and his disposition changed as he growled, “It is an issue I don't wish to discuss.”

I swallowed uncomfortably. I told him that I understood, and the rest of the drive was in awkward silence.

Once we pulled up in front of the cabin I grabbed my bookbag and got my cellphone out from it to see a text message from Ethan.

“Sorry, I messed up,” it said with a frowning emoji.

Furrowing my brow I wrote back that he didn't mess up anything and I was okay.

Hitting send, I touched my lips with my fingertips, recalling his kiss, and grinned slightly.

Heading to my room Marcus announced that he was going to check out the area for signs of trespassers.

“Let me know,” I shouted out to him as he headed down the trail that I used to get to and from work.

Which I had to get to at four, I thought with a scowl.

“Maybe I can see if Winnie can drop me off,” I muttered and heard my phone ding.

Checking it I laughed at the gif Ethan had sent of a little wolf looking bashful.

I looked up at the front door opening to Marcus returning.

Raising my brow I asked him if he found out anything.

Shaking his head, he said, “Nope, it was probably just your imagination, so you can continue walking without worrying.”

“Great,” I replied and glanced down at my phone.

“Are you certain that you don't have any more questions for me,” Marcus asked with a concerned tone.

Nodding, I told him that I was still processing everything that I had been told and would come to him if I had questions. He smiled happily and nodded.

“I'm going to head over to the Alpha’s so I'll see you after you get home from work,” he said firmly as he waved at me and left.

Placing my phone on the table I listened for his truck to drive off and went outside. Deciding I needed to clear my head, I started walking down the pathway to go to the small pond that was further down the hillside.

“Are you certain that you are safe,” Opal questioned me and I rolled my eyes.

“Marcus checked and said it was safe. Besides, who in their right mind would bother me,” I huffed as I shuffled down the gravel path.

Feeling the humidity in the air from the early morning rain I stopped and turned my face toward the sun and closed my eyes.

Hearing a branch snap and then a curt curse word I narrowed my eyes as I glanced toward the sound.

Not hearing anything else I quickened my steps to get to the pond.

Jogging the rest of the way my steps slowed until they stopped. Standing near a tree a tall man stood leaning against it with his arms crossed and his back toward me.

“Excuse me, sir! You're trespassing on private property,” I shouted out.

The man turned, and I noticed his tan skin, messy brown hair, and auburn eyes. His scruffy beard and mustache looked nice on him, giving him a rustic handsome look. I also realized that he was grinning at me.

“Ah, we finally meet,” he asserted as he sniffed the air and my brow creased as I glared at him.

“Sorry, Miss. I'm not very good at social etiquette, “ he stammered and started to step toward me.

With his hand raised in greeting, he smiled and said, “I'm Lennox Mathis, outdoorsman extraordinaire.”

Raising my brow I fought the laugh that wanted to escape as I shook his offered calloused hand.

“I'm Sylvie Morgan, and I live up in a cabin at the top of the hill,” I replied. Opal was warning me for giving the stranger too much information, and I pinched my lips together.

Lennox's hooded eyes studied me as he sniffed at the air around me and then cleared his throat.

“Your scent is intriguing if I do say.”

“I'm sure that works great for a pickup line, but as I said before, you're trespassing,” I stated firmly, and he acted as if I insulted him as he placed his hand over his heart.

“He's a werewolf,” Opal growled sourly and I studied his amber eyes as my lip curled at the corners.

Deciding to test the waters I asked him if he was part of the Black River pack.

Smiling widely, his eyes crinkled before he shook his head and said, “I'm afraid that I am not. I'm a guard for the Blood Moon pack. Our packs butt up against one another, so we often cross paths,” he answered, and I nodded.

“So Sylvia, you reside with the Beta Marcus?”

Swallowing nervously I hesitated before I answered but finally told him that he was my adopted father.

Tapping on his chin, Lennox slowly nodded and turned to glance at the pond, then chuckled.

“Well, I should head back; um, it was nice meeting you,” I mumbled softly.

His eyes came back to me and he nodded.

“I'm positive that we shall meet again, dearest. The pleasure was all mine,” he replied and I felt a flutter in my abdomen as I turned and walked purposely back up the hill. When I got halfway I glanced back to see him still watching me and inhaled sharply when he waved his fingers at me.

“What is his deal,” I huffed and Opal chuckled in my head.

“I think he has a thing for you,” she growled, causing me to scrunch my face sourly.

“Well, he better keep it in his pants; I already have Ethan,” I mumbled and rushed the remainder of the way to the cabin, Opal’s laughter filling my mind.