s a distinctly
canine cast to the shape of it； the way it moved。 I could only think of one
possibility； locked in horror as I
was。 Yet I'd never imagined that a wolf could get so big。
Another growl rumbled in its throat； and I shuddered away from the sound。
Laurent was backing toward the edge of the trees； and； under the freezing
terror； confusion swept
through me。 Why was Laurent retreating？ Granted； the wolf was monstrous in
size； but it was just an
animal。 What reason would a vampire have for fearing an animal？ And Laurent
was afraid。 His eyes were
wide with horror； just like mine。
As if in answer to my question； suddenly the mammoth wolf was not alone。
Flanking it on either side；
another two gigantic beasts prowled silently into the meadow。 One was a deep
gray； the other brown；
neither one quite as tall as the first。 The gray wolf came through the trees
only a few feet from me； its
eyes locked on Laurent。
Before I could even react； two more wolves followed； lined up in a V； like
geese flying south。 Which
meant that the rusty brown monster that shrugged through the brush last was
close enough for me to
touch。
I gave an involuntary gasp and jumped back—which was the stupidest thing I
could have done。 I froze
again； waiting for the wolves to turn on me； the much weaker of the available
prey。 I wished briefly that
Laurent would get on with it and crush the wolf pack—it should be so simple
for him。 I guessed that；
between the two choices before me； being eaten by wolves was almost certainly
the worse option。
The wolf closest to me； the reddish brown o