The Wolf Bridge

Chapter 1

Author's note at end (all chapters re-edited as of 9/13/2024)

Wolves did not appreciate the city. It was loud, bustling with too many people, no room to run and overall smelled bad. I, however, was used to the hustle and bustle of the city. It had been my home for nearly five years. The one thing I didn't understand was why humans drove around so much when traffic was at a standstill nearly all the time. Legs will get you anywhere you need to go and in half the time.

Enjoying the fifteen-minute walk from my condominium building, relishing the feeling of moving and stretching, even in short heels. There was a joy in moving, mainly because wolves like it, and it was a reason I had a treadmill, running when the urge hit, albeit in human form.

Reaching the revolving doors of the 40-story office building that held the law firm where I worked. Stepping into the continuous roundabout circle of the doors, heels clicked across the marble flooring to the elevators. Pressing the up-arrow button near the bank of elevators shifting the laptop bag on my shoulder while waiting for the familiar ding letting me know I was about to rise into the sky.

Working as a third-year attorney at a law firm, I specialized in environmental and wild land issues. However, living in the city where there wasn't a large clientele for those services, I mainly did research and assisted as a second or third chair for civil cases.

The ding sounding as the metal doors opened, I entered into the metal box and push the button displaying the number '38'.

Staring at my reflection in the overly shiny gray elevator doors. Chocolate brown hair was left loose, flowing down in uneven waves to just above mid-back. Dark blue eyes were bright but hooded. Athletically built as most wolves are, the black pencil skirt and light cerulean blouse made me appear sleeker than normal.

"Emily!" hearing my name almost immediately as I step off the elevator. Grinning, I saw Sarah walking down a hallway from another area of the firm. Her dirty blonde hair was pinned back, and she wore a chic dark blue sleeveless dress that hit just at her knees. I always defined her as classy. She was one of the office assistants assigned to the general counsel team of attorneys.

"Sarah, how are you? How was your weekend?" I asked as we began walking the hallway leading to the general attorney's area and Sarah's desk.

"I have to tell you about the most gorgeous guy I met at a bar this weekend." Laughing as she continued to tell me about this 'gorgeous' guy she had met. She was crazy about men, more so than I was, though I did not mind the occasional interlude with a human male. Still, there was something deep within me that was rooted in the idea of mates. Some men had called me prudish for not going further than a heavy make out session, but I went as far as I was comfortable with.

"Are you seeing this guy again or was it just for one weekend?" I asked with a light voice, and she gave a non-committal shrug.

"I gave him my number, so I guess we will see if he gives me a call. If not, on to the next one!" I laughed again and told her we would catch up later.

~~

8:30 AM every Monday morning there was a general staff meeting to go over case assignment and critical updates from the prior week. I always made sure that my emails had been checked and calendar reviewed before heading into the meeting. I was not a fan of surprises.

After getting situated for the day, checking emails, and seeing what was on the schedule for the day. Grabbing the trusty notebook, I made my way to the largest conference room. Sarah was already seated and waiting for me to come sit in the chair she always saved for me next to her. The rest of the twenty-person team settled into the room and chatted between each other as the two partners had not arrived yet.