Linda Pires pushed the door and entered the dimly lit establishment.

"Hi... hello..." she called out.

At that moment, she felt someone behind her, turned around, and came face to face with a shotgun, the barrel almost touching her face. Grimacing, she pushed the shotgun barrel to the side with two fingers.

"Listen, Mr. Rogers, I've started the investigations for the prosecutor's office. I'm just here to find out what happened from you."

The man's features became full of revolt.

"What happened was that thugs broke into my establishment and robbed me at gunpoint, that's what happened. Now I dare them to try again!"

This wasn't the first time Linda had found herself on the wrong side of a gun; it had become a routine in recent months.

"Mr. Rogers, get that thing out of my face."

"Don't worry, I have a gun permit." He slid his hand over the gun almost adoringly. "I'll only use this beauty to catch those troublemakers, if they return here."

"Come on! Put it away, please."

The resigned man placed the gun under the counter. He went around and leaned on the "display case," fidgeting his fingers nervously.

"Thank you." Linda waited for the man to calm down. "Now, let's get back to what interests us, as you know, I'm investigating for the trial process."

Linda stayed there for a while, listening to the merchant and taking note of all the details in her notebook.

"Are you willing to accuse them in court?" Linda asked, putting away her notebook, considering her work done.

"Of course! They're the worst kind. I'll take them to court, I'll hand their filthy asses over to justice."

Linda couldn't resist and smiled at the man.

"Agreed then." She said, extending her hand and sealing the agreement.

She put her notebook in her bag, it was past 6:00 in the afternoon. She walked towards the car with long strides, but stopped before reaching it. She put her hand on the pepper spray that was in her bag. She felt like she was being watched, looked around and there was no one.

It had all started two weeks ago, gifts were being left at her apartment door: chocolates, red roses...

Some crazy person was obsessed with her, and she couldn't understand it. She was a normal woman of medium height, brown hair, didn't wear flashy clothes or makeup, she was ordinary.

The guy might want her dead. She had many police friends. She quickened her pace and couldn't help but look back once more, found nothing, but the feeling was there.

Linda activated the remote control of the alarm and unlocked the car. She heard a low howl, turned quickly to the dark side of the street, and she saw a pair of bright eyes fixed on her.

She was paralyzed to see a huge wolf walking slowly with bristled fur and its muzzle pulled back, showing enormous fangs. The ears, one with the tip cut off, were pressed against its head, in a clear sign of attack, it advanced.

Linda was trembling, she opened the car and threw herself inside, locking the doors. The animal still lunged against the driver's side door, its claws sliding on the metal making a hellish noise.

Still with trembling hands, she turned the key in the ignition and stepped on the accelerator, even missing the gear. She sped off, tires screeching. In the rearview mirror, she could see the animal sitting watching her disappear from sight.

Her life was a mess, and now in addition to an insistent admirer, she also had a wolf!

When she arrived at the office, she pushed all her personal problems to the back of her mind and made a detailed summary of the interview she had with Mr. Rogers. Then she left the paperwork on her desk. She left the room, closing the door. As she turned, she collided with someone behind her. She turned around and came face to face with her friend Luiz Callado. His always neat hair was disheveled and stuck together, his eyes were slightly red. He seemed drunk...

He stretched out his hands and supported her:

"Calm down, my dear!"

"Sorry! I'm so rushed..."

"That's normal in this office." He said, taking a handkerchief from his pocket and wiping the sweat from his forehead, then putting it back in his pocket. "Everyone here is in a hurry..."

"Including you, Callado!" Linda reached out and brushed the hair that covered her ears. "You look kind of crazy, Mr. Counselor, I think it's time to cut that hair."

Luiz Callado moved away from the touch and laughed, changing the subject:

"Are you going to the boss's party tomorrow?"

She was silent. They had dated for a few months, but when she realized that there was no love between them, she ended the relationship, six months ago.

She was afraid he would want to be her date, so she hesitated.

"We can go together, so we save on gas."

Hearing him make that invitation, she became defensive. She knew him very well, if she accepted, he would believe they were together again.

"I... I... already have a date." She stammered, lying with a plastered smile, hoping the subject would die there.

Luiz straightened up. His gaze narrowed, and his jaw clenched, but when he spoke, his voice was calm:

"Really? And who is it?" His voice seemed friendly.

She should have known he would interfere, he seemed like a dog that didn't want to let go of the bone. Without even thinking, she said the first name that came to her head:

"Ronni. You must remember, I've mentioned him before."

"You should go with me." He said seriously.

Then he smiled. Linda relaxed. If he didn't have one of his fits of rage, then everything was fine.

"Alright." He shrugged. "I had already thought about inviting Dora anyway."

Luiz sniffed, pulling in the air, and then approached Linda, as if sniffing the air around her.

"Hey!" Linda dodged. "Does my smell stink that much?" She joked. "I apologize if my smell displeases you! It was a long day, you know? I was even attacked by a wolf, you know?"

"Forgive me, my dear. It's just... I have a sensitive sense of smell." He said, moving back a little, with his hands in his pockets. "Well, I need to go. See you at the party tomorrow."

Linda watched him walk away. That party had already lost its shine. She turned and headed for the exit, towards the parking lot.

The next night, Ronni O'Maile helped Linda out of the car and walked her up the street towards her boss's house. Many cars lined the curb.

"Let's see what this friend Luiz of yours will say about me."

He smiled at the grimace she made. His Scottish accent sounded stronger.

"It was about time I met him. I was too curious to see this fool who let you go."

"Ronni! Behave yourself." She nudged him when she heard him laugh. "Luiz won't like your sense of humor."

"Relax, sweetheart. I'm happy to help. And just for the record, you look beautiful!"

"This is a fake date. Remember, you don't like me that way."

"But I can appreciate a beautiful woman..."

He took Linda's hand and started walking with short strides. They walked in silence for a while.

"I was thinking, maybe what you saw chasing you was just a mangy stray wanting company?"

"I know the difference between a scrawny dog and a wolf." She looked angrily at her friend. "It was a wolf, I know it."

"Linda, wolves don't attack cars, they only go after what they can eat. Maybe you need to rest, or..."

"Or?" she questioned.

"Or your subconscious is afraid because of your admirer."

"It was a wolf!"

"Alright, you stubborn thing. Let's forget about this and have fun."

She tried, but the way that animal looked at her was strange, it seemed to be able to see through her, but she was at a party and should celebrate her boss's birthday.

Ronni let go of Linda's hand and put his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer.

"Let's enjoy the party, okay? Forget the wolves and those secret and idiot admirers."

He squeezed her lightly and then, with his hands on her back, let her go ahead. Right at the entrance, they were greeted by the party's host with a glass of champagne in his hands.

Linda didn't feel comfortable at parties like that, she was glad to have Ronni as a friend. He was a former special forces soldier from Scotland, they ended up meeting on one of her cases, three years earlier. He was a red-haired man, 6'1", strong and smiling, he had an aura of mystery that made women throw themselves at his feet.

They understood each other immediately, he was like an older brother. Ronni was patient with her and took care of her as if she were family. Sometimes she got annoyed with him when he was willing to end her relationships.

Not that he wanted her, just as she didn't want him. He was a masculine and sensual man, but thinking of having a romantic connection with him was like incest.

They stayed there, talking to friends and he always by her side playing the role of a lover. They talked to one or another couple, "paraded" together through the place, and finally, she thought it was enough.

"Ready to go?"

"Sure."

"Let's say goodbye to the 'big boss'."

When she was heading towards the boss, she saw Luiz in a corner, next to a girl. He had his eyes fixed on Ronni.

They said goodbye to the host. When she realized that Luiz was still watching them, she waved to him and followed Ronni to the door. When they were reaching the gate, Luiz blocked the way.

"Were you going to leave without saying goodbye?" he said without taking his eyes off Ronni.

Linda found herself, even reluctantly, having to introduce the two men:

"Luiz, this is Ronni, a very important person..."

The two men shook hands in greeting. Linda raised an eyebrow when she saw that the two were measuring strength, instead of a simple handshake.

"Enough, guys."

"I just wanted to meet your boyfriend." Luiz replied, releasing the other man's hand.

A false and resentful smile was noticeable under Luiz's false calm expression, he continued:

"I just wanted to know if he's treating Linda well. My girl deserves only the best."

Ronni put his arm around Linda's waist, bringing her closer, protectively. He could feel the veiled threat.

"I don't think she has any reason to complain about me." Ronni said in a mocking tone.

Luiz's lips tightened into a thin line and anger flashed in his eyes, but he only let out a playful laugh:

"You must have something I don't, good for you." Looking at Linda, he continued. "You can't blame a man for being upset when he sees that he loses."

With a lifeless smile, Linda called Ronni to leave, saying goodbye to Luiz.

Outside she breathed a sigh of relief and apologized:

"Sorry. He was too inconvenient, I didn't imagine that Luiz was so detestable."

"Yes, the guy is a provocateur."

"Now you know why I asked you to come with me tonight..."

Linda was going to say something else, but a shiver on the back of her neck made her look to the side, she had the impression of having seen a blur.

"What's wrong?" Ronni looked at her curiously.

Linda contained the panic. Another movement and a huge, dark shadow...

Lord! It wasn't possible, a wolf again!

"Please Ronni, let's get in the car. Hurry."

As soon as she heard the door lock open, she practically threw herself into the car, closing the door afterwards. Ronni calmly went to the driver's seat and looked at her, surprised by the panic he saw stamped on her face.

"What's wrong? You seem panicked?"

"I'm not sure, I thought I saw something strange."

Ronni found his friend's behavior strange, but he started the car. The headlights illuminated a huge wolf standing in front of the vehicle.

"My God!" Linda grabbed Ronni's strong shoulders. "Look!"

The wolf bared its teeth furiously. And there was the same cut ear, it was the same animal from the other day.

"It's the same wolf!" she almost screamed.

"It's just a coincidence."

"I'm telling you, it's the same wolf! He has the cut ear like the other one."

The animal rose on its hind legs. It seemed to get much bigger, almost the height of a man in the form of a wolf. He attacked the car.

"Go! Go, go, go!" Linda shouted, in panic.

"Son of a bitch!"

Ronni stepped on the accelerator and the car's powerful engine roared, easily distancing itself from the beast.

"Can you tell me what kind of drug that was?"

"What do you think it is?" Linda questioned him.

Neither of them dared to say something so strange, but after the scare, Linda said:

"It was a Werewolf, I know it's ridiculous to say that."

To her surprise, Ronni was thoughtful for a while, until he broke the silence:

"I think I know someone who can help us."

"Help in what?" Linda wanted to know.

"In your problem with the werewolf. If it's the same one, he's chasing you."

"Now, in addition to an obsessed admirer, I have a werewolf after me..."

"Marcus, Marcus Petrus, he can help."

"Who?"

"Marcus is a former college colleague. He's a writer now."

"How can a writer help?"

He writes horror books, his specialty is werewolves.

"Fanciful stories..."

"Yes. But this wolf came out of the books. He lives on a private islet, on the coast of Cornwall. You will be away from danger for a while."

"But..."

"No buts." Ronni was firm. "He's an eccentric, but I trust him with my life."

Outside, from Linda's bedroom window, among the foliage, the admirer watched her as she packed a small suitcase. She put in two pairs of jeans, two pairs of cotton shorts, and several t-shirts in various colors. Then came the delicate "lingerie" and other personal items: makeup, intimate soap...

Imagining the place where she used that last item, his eyelids half-closed and his sex awakened. He needed to see better, moved closer to the window, taking every care to stay in the shadows.

He touched his erect member and caressed the entire throbbing length over his pants. He could already feel the fabric moistened and his body prepared.

From the first moment he laid his eyes on her, he wanted her. He was enchanted by her beauty and strength.

Taking a deep breath, he smelled her scent, he always felt at peace near her, except for his body, which was always excited, wanting action.

He liked to watch her steps, it aroused him. She was now sitting on the bed facing the window talking on her cell phone, her legs open, and he imagined her naked, bare, showing off only for him.

His gaze focused on the gap between her legs, soon he would be there, the anticipation, the hunt... it was too much fun, it made him more and more full of passion.

With the cell phone pinned between her ear and shoulder, she spoke to someone.

"Yes, I'm ready. But really, I don't see the need for both of us to go." she interrupts the speech and frowns - "Great, but don't blame me if we don't have results."

She was silent again, just listening. Surely it was that bastard of her boyfriend on the other end of the line, it irritated him.

"I already got my license with the boss, he was very understanding." She listened a little more "Of course I didn't talk about werewolves. He would commit me."

The stalker approached...

He didn't like to hear her speak of another man with so much affection. But now he already knew where she was going to travel and that islet would be perfect for him, he would have greater freedom and soon she would be only his.

He was versatile, able to adapt to the environment he was in.

His gaze wandered around the room and to his disappointment, he saw the flowers he had left at her door thrown in the trash next to the desk as if they were nothing. He narrowed his eyes.

Naughty Linda, throwing away his very simple demonstration of affection. He caressed his member, perhaps she was waiting for his greatest gift, the one only he could give her.

He watched Linda bring her hand to her face. When he realized she was wiping away tears, he tensed up. He didn't like to see her unhappy. It was rare for her to be like that. Even with the tension of her dangerous job, she was always smiling.

He wanted to see her with a smile on her face again. That was his ultimate goal: to make sure Linda was happy and loved.

He knew no one would be able to do that better than him. And if he had to cause her suffering in the meantime, well, so be it. He always believed that the ends justified the means and she wouldn't condemn him when he finally revealed himself.

"Okay, okay! Ronni you win." Linda laughed - "Only...– she straightened her shoulders, standing in a position of someone who was against her fears.

That was his woman! Obstinate and determined. So enchanting that he longed to be with her. He wanted her to be only his. He squeezed his member again, he was extremely excited. His erection pressed the zipper of his pants. That's how he got in her strong presence. His animal was awakened and he needed to use all his control to wait for the exact moment.

"Okay! Then pick me up in the morning we'll go to the airport together."

Linda hung up and threw her cell phone into her bag, at the foot of the bed. She continued packing her bags, and when she finished, she left them in a corner near the door.

To his delight, she let her hair down which fell a little below her shoulders, took off her sandals, throwing them in a corner. When she opened the zipper of her pants, his heart rate rose absurdly. Almost hypnotized, he watched the pants sliding down her thighs and revealing a pink lace micro-panty, the sight made him salivate and rub his hands on his member crazy for freedom. When she took off her t-shirt and her butt popped out, he had to hold back a groan.

The whole lacy lingerie set revealed her perfect breasts and waited to be touched by him.

He couldn't believe it when she took off the delicate piece, releasing a pair of breasts. In a euphoria, he opened the zipper of his own pants, releasing his throbbing and already lubricated member. She was his, only his.

Even when she put on the tank top clinging to her body, he could see the stiff nipples just waiting for him.

He watched her throw herself face down on the bed, giving the perfect view of the pink lace hiding between her voluminous buttocks.

For him, that was total ecstasy! He touched himself madly, until he spurted out all his desire right there, marking his territory.

He stayed there for hours, watching over his woman's sleep. He only left when the urge to light a cigarette became uncontrollable. He was fulfilled, it was his first "perfect" intercourse with Linda.

He went to his car that was parked a few blocks away.

He already knew where she would take refuge with that despicable and insignificant being of Ronni.

He bought his ticket to leave at night. He didn't want to run the risk of meeting them at the airport or his plan would fail.

Linda was probably feeling safe with the idea of going so far away.

Did she imagine that leaving the city, she would get rid of him?

Unlikely!

He could stay away for a few days, but not for long.