Big Bad Wolf (manxman)

Chapter 1 - It's Not Like We're Dating

AN: This is the third book in the Cooper Mystery Series. The first book is The Blue Sheep and the second is Demon's Gate. 

Chapter 1 – It’s Not Like We’re Dating 

            Cooper Morris sighed, it was hot for October, the air felt thick, dusty, dirty. He stood in his gym shorts and a loose fitting tank showing off his modestly toned body. Biting his lip and adjusting his sunglasses her eyed some guy walking past, he was buff, tan, and straight. Cooper could dream though. He was waiting once again for Parker in attempts to repair their relationship. It had been a few weeks since their big fight. Since then, he tried to apologize with calls, meet ups, even the consolatory flowers. But not until this time did he hear a response, an offer to go hiking at Runyon Canyon.

            “Cooper,” Parker Van Hault, Cooper’s long time, Los Angeles friend, greeted. His dark sunglasses shielded his eyes but Cooper already knew what his friend was feeling. Anger emanated from Parker and if Cooper knew anything, this would be the longest hike he ever took with him.

            “Thanks for coming,” Cooper started and looked up the trail.

            “Let’s just hike okay,” Parker motioned toward the trail and started hiking. His body language was all off with his arms crossed as they walked.

            “It’s a nice day,” Cooper continued but Parker ignored him. Feeling like this was going nowhere Cooper decided just to get into it. “You know, I’m sorry, I wasn’t myself.”

            “That’s funny cause I thought you were being a bitch, which is exactly what you are,” Parker retorted. Parker was good at putdowns and being catty. “You know I liked Jake and you kissed him at my party!” Parker didn’t scream, or shout, he said it bluntly and direct, “that’s not what friends do.”

            “I’m trying here Parker,” Cooper pleaded. “I messed up. What do I need to do? What can I do?”

            Parker glared at Cooper, the two had made it up the hill and started around, “Honestly,” Parker stopped, and “everyone hates you Cooper. Everyone saw what you did and they are siding with me.”

            “Parker!” Cooper ran his hand through his brown hair and dropped his hands. “Do you even want to be friends anymore?”

            Parker stopped walking and scoffed shaking his head, “you’re right, I don’t.”

            “Then, I’m going to stop,” Cooper answered. “I want to be friend. But I guess that’s something that won’t happen. So fine, I’ll stop bothering you.” Cooper then started back towards the car.

            “Fine,” Parker spat out and turned back around. He was shaking with anger. Looking down the trail he noticed something emerge from one of the bushes. It was big, with black fur and red eyes. It stared at the two, hungry. “That’s a big dog,” escaped Parker’s lips.

            Hearing this, Cooper glanced back and saw the wolf in the road. It was the biggest wolf he’d seen and instantly his body froze. Cooper was almost positive it was a werewolf and it was staring at them. “That’s not a dog, it’s a wolf.”

            As soon as Cooper spoke the wolf leapt forward bounding towards the two. Instinctively, Cooper yanked Parker back pulling him the opposite way. “Run!” Cooper shouted and the two took off down the trail.

            Parker panted next to Cooper and the two could hear the dog chasing after them. They passed a couple walking their dog and so did the wolf, it was after them. Cooper remembered back to his possession, the creature in the forest looking at him and those red eyes. It almost looked like those wolfs red eyes.