Love Among Shadows

by Smokey Moment

  But something about him was hard to ignore. And he was in her dreams. She wanted to meet him. She wanted to have a conversation. Something about him intrigued her. Something about him was comforting. She was shocked that she didn’t fear him. Her past troubles with men was enough to make a woman single for decades, for fear of something bad happening. It was the sort of thing that erased the trust factor. But this was different. She trusted it instinctively and she wasn’t sure why.

  “Well…There is something, if you must know,” she replied. Troy perked up. “Spill,” he said, as he leaned on her desk. “Well, there’s nothing to tell right now because I have not met him yet,” she said. Troy looked intently at her. Valentina could have any man. “What do you mean? Did he give you a look? Anything?” he asked. “Yes. I guess. I don’t know. He did and he didn’t. My gut says he’s interested. He’s in my math class. I’ll see him Tuesday. He wasn’t there last Thursday. But…I don’t know. Maybe it’s too soon for me to think like this. I mean…Well you know. I’m not even sure I’m ready. My luck hasn’t been the best,” she said.

  Troy shook his head. Valentina had experienced scary events. He understood the need to move slow. But he also hoped Valentina could find her happiness. She was the sweetest person her knew. She deserved it.

  “You are past that. Don’t let that ruin your happiness. Your future. You are a hopeless romantic. You want a relationship. If it’s right, then it will happen. A man is your partner. Your protector. You need that in your life. A man to be there,” he said. Valentina nodded and smiled. Troy was right. He didn’t have to tell her that. She never gave up on men. She just needed time.

  “You’ll never guess how cool of a name he has,” she said. Troy perked up again. “What! Let me guess. Antonio Fabrizio mi amore,” he said, in exaggerated broken Italian dialect. Valentina laughed. “No silly. His name is Legend. Legend Wilde. What a fabulous name,” she blushed. “Yes, it is. That name spells danger. My kind of danger,” Troy laughed.

  Valentina’s mind raced. She hadn’t thought about it. The word danger gave her pause. What if he was dangerous. What if he was more than she could handle. Thoughts of a torrid affair with him made her smile. It was okay if there was a small innocent element of risqué in his nature. Time had healed her enough to handle it. She liked his energy. What she saw seemed like the good kind of dangerous.

  “He is a good kind of dangerous. He’s mysterious. He charismatic. I’m not getting a bad vibe. He does seem to burn hot like a flame. In a good way though,” she said, as she looked off. “What if he’s married? No one looks like that and is single,” she guessed. Troy frowned. His anticipation at what could be, was suddenly dashed. He had high hopes for Valentina. She was the sweetest, smartest and toughest woman he knew. She had been through a lot and yet managed to pick herself back up. Her past traumas did not damage her spirit. She was still the same Valentina. Still loving life and people. Still open to dating. Troy knew of her past. He was surprised she had rebounded so quickly. Others would have been too terrified to take chances any more. It would have derailed their relationship goals. But not Valentina. She still spoke lovingly of men. She still wanted to be married. She still saw herself having a family. Troy admired her strength. He lived vicariously through her.

  “Nice try. He probably isn’t. You’re just trying not to get your hopes up. I know you. He does sound too perfect. But trust me, he isn’t. He has flaws. But there probably flaws you’ll get past. If it’s meant,” he said. Valentina chuckled. “Okay. Now you sound like Phoebe,” she said. “Did he stare at you? Look at you in a longing way?” he asked. “Yes,” she replied. “Then I doubt he’s married. Married men just shoot their shot. And either you bite or you don’t. He’ll say something. He won’t be able to resist.”

  “Okay. Class will be dismissed early. A storm is supposed to hit later on tonight. But just to be on the safe side, I will let class out early,” Mr. Ellis said, as he walked to each row and handed the students the tests. Valentina looked at the door. Legend was a no show.

  “After you’re done, turn in your test and leave. You are allowed to use blank paper to work the problems out. I will email the grades tonight,” the teacher said. Valentina fiddled with her pencil as she waited to get her test. The classroom door opened and Legend walked in. Valentina sighed in relief, then took a deep breath. The sight of him gave her delight. Valentina waited for their eyes to meet. Legend looked down, making his way past several students to get to his seat. Lisette looked over. Valentina hoped her friend didn’t catch her instant smile when he walked in. Lisette mouthed words that Valentina didn’t understand. “What?” Valentina mouthed back. Lisette repeated herself, mouthing he is hot, and the two chuckled.

  “Hey,” he said, as he passed her. “Hi,” Valentina greeted, becoming instantly nervous. He seemed distant. He was much friendlier before. Mr. Ellis stood at their row and passed the test down. She took the tests from the student in front on her and then handed the last one to him.

  Valentina looked at the test as she tried to keep her mind on her work. She looked at the first question. She couldn’t remember how to work the problem. Her heart began to pound. “Come on. I just reviewed this stuff,” she whispered. She took a deep breath. This test was important. She put her head in her hands and stared at the problem. She couldn’t solve it. It may as well be written in Chinese.

  She skipped the first two and went to problem three on the next page. It was a new concept problem. The teacher had covered it thoroughly the day she was absent and now she would pay the price. Valentina sat back, then forward again. Soon a tap on her back. Valentina was afraid to turn around. Mr. Ellis would call her out.

  “Give me your test. Now, while he’s not looking,” he whispered. Valentina had no choice. The test consisted of six questions. Two on each page. And it was worth half her grade. She hurried and passed it to him and Legend solved the problems and then stood up. He grabbed his bag and placed his things inside. Mr. Ellis glanced up. He wasn’t shocked. Legend always took ten minutes or less. Legend walked by, keeping his eye on Mr. Ellis then sat her test in front of her. Valentina looked at the work. He had solved them in a few short minutes. Wow, she thought, as she wrote her name and then re-wrote the problems in her handwriting. Legend smiled at her as he left. She mouthed thank you, then finished re-writing the answers. She was happy but disappointed that he was again, leaving early and she would not have a chance to meet him. He saved her. She was also a math whiz but the test proved too much and she realized she wasn’t as prepared as she should have been. I have to meet him, she said, as she rushed. She finished and sprung up out her seat. “Thank you,” she said to her teacher as she sat the test down and hurried out. She looked around and sighed. He was nowhere in sight.

  I

  t had been a long rough night for the pack. Legend was missing in action and they had made a kill, to the disappointment of the elders. The small elk was barely large enough to feed the young wolves let alone the hearty appetites of the older wolves of the pack. They would need to pull meat frozen for emergencies, which they hated to do. Blake knocked on Darr’s door. His wife Matow answered. She nodded and opened the door wide, allowing Blake to enter. Darr sat at his intricately carved wood chair, fit for a king. A cigar in his mouth. The air smelling of smoke mixed with jasmine and vanilla. “Where is he?” Darr asked, his eyes narrowed. He was their supreme leader. One of their top-ranking leaders. A royal beta male, second in line to an alpha male.

  Blake started to speak but a knock on the door silenced him. Matow opened the door wide. The packs other leader Lou, stepped in. He looked Blake deep in his eyes as he passed him and stood near the window. His anger, at their most valued and difficult member, was apparent. Darr looked over at Lou. He mirrored the leader’s anger. He too was upset that Legend was becoming harder to keep up with. Legend was a rebel. And Darr and Lou, had tired of his antics. He wasn’t a leader. And so, he was expected to check in. To follow the rules. Legends fathe
r was vague as to the details surrounding his son’s arrival there. And his recent pop up visit had them wondering what was really going on.

  Archaeus didn’t make house calls. Not even for his sons. But then Legend was his pride and joy. They could tell. He was opening doors for him. Showing favor over his other sons Aesir and Reed. And if he was going to be named leader over Cedar Falls, then the elders wanted to know. They felt they were being kept in the dark. And there was nothing they could do about it. Archaeus was a king. The brother of their King. Montaan, king of the west. Archaeus was above Darr and Lou. He was dominant. Montaan allowed him free rein. He could make new rules that would make their lives a living hell. So they conceded. But nothing was stopping them from investigating on their own. If Legend was breaking their supreme laws, even his father’s high rank wouldn’t save him.

  “I’m not sure where he goes at night sire. I lost him at the edge. Near the wasteland. He sped up and I was unable to catch him,” Blake said. Lou smirked then glanced at Darr. Legend was difficult to catch. He was the fastest Valkan wolf in the world. “Did you think you would. That’s not what I asked you to do. He not venturing off too far. He’s either going into Anchorage or Girdwood. Maybe even Whittier. Somewhere secluded. Safe from too many prying eyes. Find out where he’s going, so we can find out what he’s doing,” Darr commanded.

  “How do you propose I do that sir?” Blake reluctantly asked. He knew the question would irritate his moody and sometimes temperamental leaders. “Place several lookouts at the edge, near town. Tell them to keep from view. Use their senses and ability to hear sound to locate him. The edge is vast. It will take time. But you will prevail. Use your brain. He may be stronger than you, but he is not smarter. You are much more clever. Use it,” Lou chimed in. He had faith in Blake. He was cunning. He was ruthless. And he was loyal to the leaders.

  Blake left Darr’s cottage and headed to his own. He held his head down, staring at the ground as he plotted a way to find out what Legend had been up to. He had let the leaders down and he was determined to make amends and remain in their good graces. Being favored, came with major perks. And although the leaders showed higher favoritism toward Legend, he too had their attention. Just in a different way. The task they had placed before him would catapult him to the front of the line, if he was successful. Legend was losing ground. His insistence on breaking the rules was not endearing him to the leaders. And he was breaking a major rule. One that would have any other Harou outcast from their world, torn to shreds and discarded for the scavengers.

  But Legend was still important and Blake was jealous. He believed he would not have been shown the same graciousness if it were him. I’ll find you, he thought, aware that thoughts were probably read by any Harou close enough. Telepathy was a big part of communication for them. They used it in the presence of humans to speak freely and openly amongst each other. They also used it during hunting to keep sound to a minimum.

  “Blake! Wait up,” Osimi yelled. Blake turned around. He looked to his right. Trinity stood in her doorway, rubbing a beaded choker, as she stared out to the horizon. The tall mountain known as the Denali were massive and hypnotizing. A reason Alaska was chosen as the settling grounds for the pack. They left the much larger group of Harou wolves who lived in the Naihiani Forest of Canada for the picturesque location. The mountains were considered sacred. Built by the hands of land gods and gods of the seas. Their presence had significance to werewolves. Second only to the moon.

  Blake sneered. He was angry at her devotion to Legend. Trinity longed for someone she barely knew. Blake envied it. He had known her for much longer. She was a strong and capable beta female. Trinity and her sister Storm were of regal blood. Their parents were royalty. Leaders. They groomed her and her sister well. A royal beta female’s only job was to mate and rear the young. Regular beta and omega females did more. They were the servants, cleaners and help mates of the royal females. And the males were the protectors. The hunters. So, it was important to select their mates carefully. Genes played a pivotal part in strength and ability. An being an alpha did not guarantee power. Being the offspring of the most adaptable and powerful alpha, did. And so, Trinity sought Legend, as did some of her friends. Even her sister Storm planned to beat her to his heart. He was fair game.

  Legend was the newest arrival to the village. His skillset was needed. And most of the Harou wolves welcomed his arrival. He was a skilled hunter. Fast and powerful. Harou wolves were beta and omega wolves. Much simpler in their biological makeup. They were more like the regular wolves found in the wild, but slightly stronger and faster. The pack had only been in Alaska for five years. They had trouble adjusting to the terrain. Trouble adjusting to their close proximity to humans and the hunters who used deadly weapons to hunt the land. The Naihiani Forest of Canada had spoiled them. The game there was easier to catch and more plentiful. And there was no hunting, which ensured their survival. But Alaska was challenging. Most of the members of the large pack were still adjusting. And they believed Legend was there to set the tone, instill confidence and make the pack stronger.

  Blake and Osimi continued walking. “What’s up,” Blake said, glancing back over at Trinity. She appeared to be out of the trance she was in. She turned around and walked from her glass screen door. Blake sighed. “What did Darr want?” he asked. Blake looked around at the vegetation. He looked around at the small but well-built cabins and cottages that sat several yards from one another. Their area protected as tribal land courtesy of their connections to their native ancestors who lived miles away on the other side of the forest.

  “He wants what he always wants. To keep up with his prized possession. He and Lou want me to find out about Legend. Were you able to get any information from Aesir?” he asked. Osimi slowly shook his head no. Legends younger brother wasn’t as forthcoming or easy to trick as they had thought. “No. He senses something. He shut down the questions then changed the subject.” Blake looked around. “Alright. Try again. Give him red wine. He may talk.”

  The Mark

  T

  raffic was clear. Valentina sighed. She was going to be late again, and she couldn’t blame it on traffic. Part of her regretted selecting her college courses in the middle of the week. The time it took her to get home, change clothes and let her dog out, then head to class, was too much. But a part of her was glad she did. This could be the day she could meet the man named Legend. She needed to thank him for taking her test. She would have failed. The email from her teacher informed her of her hundred percent passing score. She owed him. She wanted to owe him. She wanted to meet him. She was still fantasizing about him. She would end her vow of celibacy if he was worthy.

  Sirens and lights flashed behind her. “Come on. What? I was only five over the speed limit,” she said, as she pulled over to the side of the road. The lights glared, obstructing her view. She could see the sheriff returning. He walked slowly. His face, not within view. Valentina rolled her window down. The officer, his eyes covered by shades, stood silent. Valentina became nervous.

  “Your driver’s license and insurance,” he asked. “Yes sir,” Valentina said, as she opened her console and pulled her wallet from her purse. “Did I do something wrong?” she asked. The officer sighed. “Yes. Let me see your id and insurance and we’ll talk,” he said. Valentina became upset. He was too stern for a minor driving offense that should have been a warning at minimal. Valentina handed him the items and he returned to his patrol car.

  Minutes passed. Valentina watched him in her rearview mirror. He seemed to be taking too long. Her math teacher had warned her of her tardiness, and this would be a slap in his face. He’s going to kick me out the class. I can’t walk in a whole hour late. It will look like I’m mocking him. Like I don’t care. He won’t stand for this. I might as well not go. But I have to. I’m going, she thought.

  A car drove slowly by. The driver glanced over then sped up. Highland Road was not heavily travelled in the evenings. It wasn’t a main
artery of the small town. Valentina looked around. Suddenly the patrol car door opened. The sheriff stepped back out. He walked slowly. He was intimidating. Valentina tried to calm her nerves. The faster things went, the quicker she could get to her destination. She was determined to go. If not for class, for the opportunity to see Legend.

  “I’m going to have to take you in. Did you know there was a warrant for your arrest,” he said, standing in the same intimidating stance that had her heart pounding. “What? For what? I’m employed. I go to school. I don’t do things that would have me in trouble with the law,” she replied. The officer sighed.

  “Can I see your face? Why won’t you remove your glasses. I have a right to see who I am talking to,” Valentina noted. “Step out of the car and turn around,” he instructed. Valentina became more nervous. She could barely breathe. She felt trouble brewing. He was acting strange. He refused to allow her to see his face. And she realized that he also removed his badge.

  Valentina opened her door slowly. Tears flowed down her cheeks. “What’s your name. I can’t see you. And I don’t see a name tag. How do I know you’re a real officer?” she demanded. “Shut up. Because I am. You’ll know when we get to the station,” he warned. Valentina looked forward. She was edgy. She didn’t want to push his buttons any further and have the situation get out of hand quickly. She had heard the horror stories of cops and traffic stops that turned deadly. She imagined it started out with just such a disagreement. A tear fell. This was yet another incident. And even though he wasn’t removing her clothes or physically aggressive, it was still something disturbing. Why me?