A Wolf’s Deception (Novella) by Sherilee Gray

crouched down and lifted him higher for a better look at the items on the table.
    ‘Look, Gabe, it’s a wolf.’ There was a small silver wolf on a thin strip of leather. Sawyer reached for it.
    ‘Do you want that, kiddo?’
    Sawyer smiled up at him and nodded enthusiastically. Gabe turned to the woman running the stall. ‘Can you shorten the leather to fit my little friend here?’
    The woman grinned. ‘Of course.’
    ‘You don’t need to do that.’
    Gabe ruffled Sawyer’s hair. ‘I want to.’
    The jewellery maker worked quickly, trimming the leather and re-fitting the clasp. ‘Here you go.’
    Gabe paid the woman then handed the necklace to Tressa to put on Sawyer. She secured it around her son’s neck and couldn’t help but smile at the joy and excitement on his face.
    She kissed his soft cheek. ‘There you go, baby, your own wolf. Now say thank you to Gabe.’
    His chubby little hand lifted to touch the cool silver at his throat.
    ‘My wolf.’ Then he wrapped his arms around Gabe’s neck and kissed his cheek like Tressa had just done to him.
    ‘Thank you, Gabe.’
    Gabe smiled, lines creasing the corners of his eyes. ‘No worries.’
    They looked around for a little longer then decided to find a motel for the night. After his big day, Sawyer was sleepy and starting to get grouchy. He seemed to need so much sleep at the moment. His face was flushed and Tressa pressed the back of her hand against his forehead. His skin felt too warm, like he had a slight fever. More than likely he had a cold coming on. Besides the tiredness and the temperature, he seemed well and happy.
    She made sure he was fast asleep then went back to the living area of their small motel room. Gabe sat forward on the couch, channel surfing.
    ‘Your mother called while you were settling Sawyer. I told her you’d call back.’
    He stood and handed her his phone.
    ‘Is he feeling better?’
    ‘He’s still warm, but he’ll be fine.’ Nerves fluttered madly in her stomach. She’d barely spoken to her mother these last few years. Her father had forbidden it and as always, her mother did what her tyrant of a mate demanded. Tressa didn’t know if her mother was even capable of an independent thought. Had she ever been? Or had she always been the subservient female Tressa watched being pushed around her entire life? More than likely her asshole father had beaten it out of her early on in their relationship.
    She squeezed her eyes closed, trying to push the memories from her mind of her petite mother cowering and her father looming over her, fists clenched.
    ‘No, daddy.’
    He spun around, face distorted with rage. She wasn’t quick enough and the back of his hand connected with the side of Tressa’s face, knocking her to the ground, her mother’s sobs ringing in her ears.
    The image changed, she was in her home in Harlow.
    Dan had her up against the wall, hand wrapped around her throat. Sawyer walked into the room, his cry of alarm at seeing her being hurt, drew Dan’s attention.
    ‘Piss off you, little shit,’ Dan snarled.
    Sawyer kept coming, lower lip quivering, arms extended for her. Dan raised his hand to hit her baby.
    No fucking way. Tressa unsheathed her claws and scratched his face.
    He spun back to her, blood trailing down his cheek, soaking into the collar of his shirt.
    ‘You’ll pay for that.’
    The force of his fist hitting her stomach knocked the wind out of her, the next blow had her falling to the ground.
    But Sawyer was gone. He would be hiding.
    He was safe.
    ‘You all right, Tressa?’
    She opened her eyes and Gabe was standing in front of her, concern on his face.
    ‘You don’t have to talk to her, you know. If you’re not ready.’
    The shadow of her memories hovered, still as fresh as if they had just happened and she had to take several deep breaths before she could speak.
    ‘Sorry, yeah. I’m fine.’
    ‘You’re not…shit, you’re bleeding.’ He used his thumb to swipe across her bottom