Shadows at Sunset: Sunset Trilogy ~ Book 1 by Tonya Royston

They were about the size of a wolf bite. Do you think Dakota did this?”
    “What? I don’t know. Maybe, if he was trying to protect me or Ryder. But he was with me all night. He ran ahead a few times, but I don’t think he had enough time to chase this guy down in the few minutes he was out of sight. Unless it happened after I got home with Ryder.”
    My father ran his hands through his hair. I could tell that this weighed heavily on his mind. “I have mixed feelings about this. First off, all I can think of is that this guy was out there that night while you were traipsing through the mountains, alone.”
    “I wasn’t alone. Dakota was with me.” And an owl, a black bear, and possibly other animals.
    “What if this guy had a gun? Dakota wouldn’t have been able to protect you.”
    “Did he?”
    “No, at least not as far as we can tell. We searched the area and didn’t find any weapons. But that doesn’t make me feel any better. Laken, what you did that night was far more dangerous than I first realized.”
    I nodded in understanding. “I guess I didn’t think about anything other than getting Ryder home safely. I didn’t see any signs of another person where I found him.” Except for the fire pit, but it had been cold and dry to the touch.
    “Where did you find him? Could you take me there?”
    Pursing my lips in thought, I slid my gaze away from his questioning eyes and stared at one of my photographs on the wall, studying the black bear that stood amongst the green ferns on the forest floor. It immediately reminded me of the bear who had kept Ryder warm until I could get to him. “I don’t think so,” I said.
    “What if I take you to where the body was found? Maybe you’ll remember it.”
    “It was really dark. I don’t know that I’ll recognize anything.” Unless Dakota comes with us. He would take me back there if I asked him to, but how am I going to tell my father that Dakota understands every word I say? I just wanted to push the whole thing out of my mind. Pretend it had never happened. But unfortunately, it had and there was no way to erase it.
    “Okay. I’m not going to force you. There’s not really anything left to solve aside from his motive and I doubt we’ll learn anything by dragging you back to the scene of the crime. But we have another problem. A wolf problem. Once the town realizes that an animal bit this guy, and believe me, they will find out once the coroner’s report is released, people are going to worry that this animal will attack an innocent person next. I don’t know what we’re going to do with Dakota once that happens.”
    I shot up away from the pillows I had been leaning against, not quite sure what he meant. But I knew I didn’t like the sound of it. “What does that mean? Dakota’s not a threat to anyone. He’s lived here for five years. Five years, and he has never caused any trouble. Besides, I really don’t think he did this.”
    My father sighed as he rose to his feet. “Well, let’s just hope this blows over fast. Please be extra careful with him for a while. I know how much he means to you and I don’t want anything to happen to him. I know he’s been keeping his distance lately, so just see to it that he’s extra vigilant for now. This would not be a good time for anyone around here to find out we have a wolf.”
    “Okay. I’ll make sure he stays away,” I said earnestly.
    My father offered a faint smile. “Good. I knew you’d understand. Your mom and I are going out for a walk. Will you be okay here alone for a while?”
    “Yes, of course. I’ll be fine. While all of this is unsettling, I still feel safe.” As I said it, I suddenly remembered my first evening back from the hospital when Dakota had growled at something in the woods. I flashed a smile at my father, hoping that I had convinced him because I hadn’t convinced myself.
    “Good. Because it doesn’t change anything. It was a freak thing and I don’t think it will