A Tale of Red Riding: Rise of the Alpha Huntress (The Alpha Huntress Series Book 1) Read Free Page B

with the rider could be dangerous, but staying in the forest alone felt just as risky. “Fine. I just need to do something real quick.”
    “Make it quick.” The rider revved his motor. “I ain’t got all night.”
    “Just chill out for a second.” As much as Red wanted to argue with him some more, she felt it best not to push the fates any further. She knelt down by her motorcycle and rubbed an affectionate hand over the seat. “I’ll be back for you just as soon as I can, my little man.”
    The rider revved his motor. This time it had a clear tone of impatience behind it.
    “Okay, okay, I’m coming.” Red took a deep breath to dismiss her fears as she walked over to join the rider.
    “Put this on so I don’t have to look at you.” The rider shoved his helmet onto her head.
    “What about you, Wolf Boy?”
    “What about me, Little Red?”
    As Red climbed onto the back of the rider’s motorcycle, she did her best to hide her attraction to him. The seat was small, forcing her to press her chest up against his back. She was startled to find his body temperature was far hotter than hers—or anyone she had ever touched.
    “So where we going, Little Red?”
    “I was on my way to a place called Wayward. Ever heard of it?”
    The rider grinned. “Heard of it. You’re right in the middle of it.”
    Red’s face lit up with a smile. “Finally, some good news for a change. I’m looking for somebody called Grenda Stalk. I have no idea where she lives.”
    “Then it’s a good thing I do,” said the Rider.
    Red took a nervous gulp. “If it’s not too far, would you please take me there?”
    “I can do that. First you gotta answer me one thing.” The rider looked back to Red with narrowed eyes. “Who is she to you?”
    “From what I understand, she’s my grandmother.”
    “Is that so? And for what reason are you going to see the old girl?”
    “How about we file that one under none of your business, Wolf Boy.”
    “How about I just leave you out here and whatever happens will also be none of my business.”
    Red bit down on her lip to hold back another snarky remark. “If you must know, I got a letter from her asking me to come live with her.”
    The rider let out a belting laugh. “I should have known.”
    “Is there something odd about that?” Red couldn’t tell if he found this humorous or upsetting.
    “Nothing odd about it at all.” The rider revved the engine hard. “But you better hang on tight, Little Red. It’s going to get bumpy from here.”

Chapter 3
    As the mysterious rider raced at top speed through the dark woods, Red tried to keep track of the direction they were traveling. They passed a field of wild berries … a hillside covered from top to bottom in sunflowers … and a small river with a rickety old bridge. Even with these landmarks committed to memory, she knew the chances of finding the way back to her motorcycle on her own were not good.
    “I have a feeling my little man is totally doomed,” Red mumbled.
    “What are you complaining about?” the rider asked.
    Red hadn’t noticed how tight her arms were wrapped around the rider until she felt the muscles in his chest tense up. “Is there something wrong with you, Wolf Boy?”
    “Want me to make a list, Little Red?”
    The rider shut off his headlight and cut the motor. They coasted for about fifty yards before he hit the brakes and skidded to a stop. Red could again hear the creatures of the night stirring all around. The dark woods were alive with a symphony of peculiar sounds that felt like music.
    “End of the line.” The rider spoke not much louder than a whisper. “Your granny’s house is about a mile ahead.”
    Red could see his eyes surveying the area. It was certain that he was nervous about being there. She considered asking him why, but wasn’t sure she wanted to know.
    “I guess I should thank you.” Feeling a bit nervous, Red stepped off the motorcycle. She returned the helmet to the