Wake Me

Chapter Twelve

Before Dani began telling her story, the stranger excused himself, claiming that he needed to go find his dog. Dani had asked him to come back and report the condition of his hero dog. And if he was okay, she wanted to pet him and thank him personally.

The stranger disagreed with her, saying his dog was not an affectionate dog. He was bred merely for hunting, not cuddling.

Dani was disappointed, but after recalling the vicious attack of his dog killing that huge black wolf-beast, she accepted his disapproval of thanking his dog.

But, it wouldn't matter, she considered, knowing his poor dog lay dead somewhere in the woods.

Dani then wondered if the glowing gold eyes she saw in the bush, before Gunner carried her off, was one of the black wolf-beast's she just encountered, nearly loosing her life to. She would never know, seeing how Gunner whisked her away on his black steed, once again.

Her eyes felt heavy, as her heart was burdened with the thought that Gunner would never love her the same way she had always loved him. She couldn't blame him; she was a hot mess. She always found herself in peril and he was tasked with saving her.

Then, to top it off, her anxiety and control issues were all too consuming, even for her to accept. He was better off, she surmised, with someone with less tragedy.

How could he ever look into Dani's eyes and not see her dying mother pleading for him, a mere child, to save her baby girl?

That thought alone was too much to bear.

Gunner deserved much better than her; a murderous, selfish child from Hell...

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"Gunner! Stop!" I demanded, feeling the pounding of the saddle horn repeatedly on my butt.

"Woe! Take it easy!" Gunner requested of Midnight, pulling back on the reins.

Once Midnight came to a sudden stop, "Let me down, now!" I screamed, furious to be on his horse.

He lowered me to the ground, as I stomped off toward the direction he'd taken me. He was off his horse in a flash, grabbing ahold of my arm, "Where do you think you're going, Dani?" He asked, his voice firm.

"Let go of my arm, Gunner! I dropped my gun when you pulled me onto your horse!" I was pissed and he knew it.

"Dani, do you know what that was in the bush?"

"A wolf, Gunner and dad told us to kill whatever is threatening his livestock, remember?" My eyes narrowed; accusatory. He still had his hand around my bicep. "Let go of me, Gunner."

He shook his head, "Not until you calm down." My eyes began to well with angry tears, feeling helpless as strong as he was. "Did you sleep last night, Dani?" He asked, releasing his grip around my arm.

"Funny! I thought you'd know since you creep around in dreamland." I scoffed.

Gunner turned his back to me, taking in the harsh, judgmental words that came from my mouth. "Do you think I like being what I've become?"

My shoulders sank, feeling horrible for allowing my hot temper to surface. My words can be acidic and hurtful, especially when provoked. "Sorry." I finally grumbled. "I don't know who you are anymore, Gunner. So, maybe we should...keep our distance until things calm down around here."

He untied the lead to Isabelle's harness from his saddle and handed her reins to me. "You're probably right." He stepped over to his horse and grabbed onto the saddle horn, "I've got to help find the calves, so see you around, maybe." And with that, he saddled up and was off in a flash.