Free Sample
Preview from chapter one
The sun was playing hide and seek with the clouds, casting a mottled pattern of light and shadow across the living room floor. Rebecca, a 19-year-old with a penchant for quiet afternoons, sat cross-legged on the couch, her blonde hair cascading over the worn fabric. Her eyes were glued to the pages of a book that had been passed down from her mother, the scent of aged paper and dust faintly wafting around her. Outside, the neighborhood kids' laughter pierced the serenity of the moment, a stark contrast to the solace she found within the words.
Boyd, her loyal German Shepherd, lay sprawled out on the floor, his chest rising and falling steadily with each breath. His ears twitched as a sudden gust of wind tickled the leaves of the oak tree outside. A creature of habit, he had long ago mapped out the layout of the house in his mind, and his senses were always on alert, ready to jump to her defense at the first sign of trouble. But today, the only disturbance was the occasional sigh of the breeze through the slightly ajar window, carrying the distant sound of a lawnmower's drone.
As the minutes ticked by, the silence grew heavier, wrapping itself around the room like a warm, comforting blanket. But it was a deceptive peace. Boyd's ears perked up as he detected a faint, yet unmistakable scent. His eyes snapped to the couch, and his body tensed. Slowly, with the grace of a stalking panther, he approached Rebecca, his nose twitching as the scent grew stronger. It was a scent he knew well, one that had always been part of her but had never before been so prominent.
Rebecca looked up from her book, her blue eyes meeting Boyd's piercing gaze. She watched as he sniffed the air, his nose moving closer and closer to her. A hint of confusion painted her features, but she didn't react, allowing the dog to do his thing. Boyd's eyes searched hers, questioning, almost as if he was seeking permission to investigate further. Rebecca offered a gentle smile and nodded, setting her book aside and leaning back into the couch's embrace.
The dog took this as an invitation and inched closer, his cold, wet nose finally brushing against her skin. He sniffed intently between her legs, his tail wagging slightly with excitement. Rebecca's cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and curiosity as she felt a warmth spread through her body. It was an odd sensation, one she had never experienced with Boyd before. His breath was hot on her skin, and she could feel his heart beating rapidly against her leg. She wondered if he was just being extra clingy or if there was something more.