Love Among Shadows

by Smokey Moment

  The sound of glass slamming against the wood table resonated throughout Legend’s home. The shot of cognac was what he needed. He dropped his head and rubbed his hair and face. He could use a shave. But he was meeting up with the men. The pack wanted to hunt that evening. He didn’t mind. He needed sustenance. A hearty meal. And he planned on making a swift kill himself. He would select the largest wildebeest or bison, if they saw any, and take the animals down. Aesir would need to do his own hunting if he was looking to impress anyone. Legend wasn’t in the mood. He had a lot to think about. Mainly about Valentina.

  He wasn’t attending class but he was still waiting outside near the trees for glimpses of her. She suddenly started showing up after missing a few classes herself. They were affecting each other. And Legend needed to pull back.

  He had fallen for her the moment he saw her. And he had imprinted on her the second he touched her hand, when he grabbed the book from her. One look and a touch, skin to skin, had connected him to her. Open the doors to his ability to read her. Track her. But touching her had yielded something unexpected. It placed her in his heart and him in hers. And he was desperately missing her. But he knew where to find her. Where to go. And no matter how close he got, he still couldn’t erase the fact that she was marked for death.

  Legend looked around his home. Feelings of uneasiness overwhelmed him. He stood up and walked quickly to his front door. He needed to see Aesir.

  “What’s up,” Aesir said, as he let his half-brother inside. Legend walked past him and headed for his kitchen. Aesir shut his door slowly and followed his brother back. “What’s wrong?” he asked, as he entered the kitchen.

  “I need to talk to you. But what I have to say, must stay between you and I. Do I have your word?” he asked. “Of course. What’s going on?” he said. “I have suspicions about something. I can’t confirm anything since Darr is not around. Lou won’t speak to me without Darr, since he is second in command. The whole honor of code bullshit they try to follow,” he said.

  Aesir shifted his posture. He wondered where the conversation was going. Speaking of their leaders in such a manner was stressful. Aesir was brave. He wasn’t afraid of much. But he feared the leaders, including his father. He tried to remain calm. It was difficult holding a straight face. But Legend was perceptive and any change in his pupils or breathing would cause his brother to shut down. He loved his brother and wanted to help him in any way he could. But if he was requesting help, that had anything to do with going against Darr and Lou, he would be going it alone. Aesir had seen firsthand what the men were capable of.

  “Okay. What’s up?” Aesir said. “Is Zen here?” Legend asked. “No. She went into town with Trinity, Tika and Storm. Speaking of which, Trinity and Storm got into an argument over you. Storm was mad that she approached you the other day. Said she met you first. Shit got bad. They almost fought. Zen had to intervene,” he said. Legend sighed. He knew about the sister’s battle for his affections. He had sent Storm from his front door several times. And he found it impossible to stop her from cooking for him. She had made him several pounds of beef jerky and he felt indebted to her. And he and Blake were mortal enemies because of Blake love for Trinity. It was all trivial things. He wasn’t interested, and nothing could change that. He had more pressing matters.

  “I need you to find out who and why I am being followed,” he said. Aesir leaned back. “What? Whose following you? What are you talking about? No one is following you,” Aesir said, his eyes narrowed. The shock of what his brother was saying had him baffled. Legend looked fiercely at his brother. He needed to get to the bottom of it. His mission, even though he had all but aborted it, still needed to stay secret.

  The revelation of ruids walking among them would send panic through their tight knit and closely guarded community. They would question each other. Possibly seek to kill her themselves. Valentina was his mark and his father was pressuring him to kill her. But his father had stopped asking, as if he had sent someone else to do the job. Legend didn’t trust his father’s silence. Something was wrong. And he couldn’t help but feel sorry for Valentina. She had been attacked. Made into a ruid. It didn’t seem fair. And there was still the burning question. Who turned her into a ruid.

  “They are! Someone is. We aren’t prisoners here. We are allowed to move with discretion. Yet there is interest in where I go. Why is that? Zen, Trinity and Storm are away right now. Gone to Anchorage. Is there anyone following them? Interested in where they are going? No! Only that they don’t consort with humans. I need you to keep your eyes and ears open. See if you notice anything. Especially when I’m moving around. Can you do that for me?” he asked, his demeanor serious.

  Aesir stared at his brother. His curiosity was heightened. He wondered if it was true. It would be a troubling realization. The pack didn’t fight for freedom. It was rightfully theirs. They just needed to be careful at night and especially under the full moon. Aesir worried. If they were trailing his brother, was it to try to control his movements. And if so, then who was next. He too, liked to go into town, on his own whim, whenever he pleased. This was disconcerting. And he suddenly remembered something.

  “I will find out what I can. But this explains something I wondered about. Osimi was hanging around asking me questions one day. He tried to be indirect, but it was obvious he wanted to know where you went at night. I pretty much changed the subject. I think he’s fucking obsessed with you. Like you’re some kind of god or something. That’s what I thought it was. Just curiosity about you with you being the newest member here. I thought it was innocent enough. But now I’m not so sure,” he replied.

  “If Osimi was asking, then Blake is behind it. He doesn’t take a shit unless Blake okays it,” Legend replied, his thoughts still churning. “Okay,” he said looking off, trying to come up with a plan. “Then go through him. But be careful. He’s weak, but he’s not stupid. See if you can get him to ask more questions. What he asks, will tell me what I need to know. Bait him by giving him a little information. Tell him you believe I hang out at bars. That you thought you saw me enter one, one evening. That way you aren’t stating it as fact. And he won’t have anything concrete. See what he asks you afterwards,” Legend said.

  Aesir ginned. He was impressed. Legend had never spoken in such a way. The pack believed him to be physically powerful yet simple in thought. He never imagined his brother could be cunning. He was unaware that Legend had many well-honed abilities. And gift of sight, was one of them. He saw things. He could read movements. And he needed no inside information or the eaves drop of a conversation, to figure out when moves were being made. Life was chess to him. He was the newest member of the community in Alaska. But he had lived in Africa as a child then in Canada as a teen and young adult. Legend was twenty nine. He was young in years but old in spirit. Blessed by his ancestors and shown favor.

  But Legend had one weakness and it had not revealed itself yet. He was unaware it existed. His confidence could be his downfall and he understood that. He had control over what he revealed. What he allowed others to see. The reason he chose to limit his contact, or speak too much about his dreams or his life. Confidence was good to have but it could lead to arrogance. And many of their kind had died becoming cocky in their abilities and the power they held over mankind. But Legend controlled himself very well. It was his strength. Which had him so surprised at his feelings for Valentina.

  If someone was following him and started tracking where he was going, it wouldn’t be long before they would see he was tracking a human woman. He had enemies. Most Valkan males did. Betas and omegas were jealous of them. Jealous of their abilities and fact that they were the females first pick for mates. But their numbers were low and so Beta and omega males who could hunt, had become just as desirable. And so, it was no secret. An alpha male’s downfall could come by the hand of a rival wolf or the bullet of an human enemy.

  “Tonight, when we hunt, I will make the kill myself. I will take down three bucks a
nd then go home to shower. I am leaving in the middle of the night, when the moon is out. I want you to be on the lookout. See if anyone is trailing me. I have somewhere to be. I can’t tell you anything else other than it is a spoken mission. It is in your best interest if you don’t know anything. Do you understand?” he asked.

  Aesir shook his head. He did understand. Spirits were listening in. Watching. It was a way to help without getting deeply involved. A way to please the spirits. And a good way to please the leaders, who were good at detecting lies. Their ability to pick up on things like changes in body temperature, sweat and increased breathing were remarkable. They rivaled a polygraph test and were more accurate. And so not knowing was best. “Yeah. I got you. I’ll be out.”

  Fated

  P

  hoebe stood outside Valentina’s home. She looked around at the picturesque forest and mountains. She had lived there temporarily and missed the scenery. There was something magical about Valentina’s surroundings. Her beautiful home nestled in the middle of a thick, heavily populated forest was breathtaking. It was pleasant. Peaceful. It brought back memories. The sounds of wildlife used to make her feel alive. The smell of pine, kept her senses awakened.

  “Come on Tina,” she said, as she knocked again. The door slowly opened, as Valentina peeked through, the chain lock still on. Phoebe bucked her eyes at her. “What the hell! You don’t answer your phone. Then I call your job, and they tell me you took a few weeks off. Said you were on vacation. I knew this would happen. Open up this door,” Phoebe commanded. Valentina stared for a moment then closed the door. Phoebe could hear her removing the chain.

  “See…I knew this would happen. I told you to report that cop. Now it’s affecting you. Come on. Let’s go,” she commanded, as she walked past. “Go where?” Valentina asked. “To the police. You are reporting what happened, so you can stop being scared,” she replied. Valentina walked slowly to her couch and plopped down. “That won’t help. I just needed time to calm down,” she replied.

  Phoebe sat across from her. “Then what? I’m telling you… This type of thing never goes away. Remember when I was attacked that night. Right behind the mini mall as I walked to my car. It took a while to get back to normal. Thank god Griff came into my life. But I still suffered. And I had no one to report, because I never saw his face. Don’t do this to yourself,” she said. “Phoebe, listen… I’m not suffering. I’m over it. The cop didn’t hurt me. That’s not what I need a break from,” she said. “What?” Phoebe replied. Valentina shook her head.

  “I mean… That was part of the problem. But then there’s him. I’m obsessed with him. And I don’t even know him. I couldn’t even return to school at first. I don’t like being consumed with thoughts of anything, let alone someone who hasn’t so much as said two sentences to me. I feel him. He is in my dreams. I see his face in the painting on my wall. A painting that I created before I ever met him. It’s like I manifested him in my life. It looks just like him,” she said, reflecting and looking over at the painting. Art that she painted. And now it seemed to come to life when she looked at it. And the man in it, who appear to stare deeply into her eyes.

  Phoebe stood up and walked over to the painting. She stared at it with her arms crossed, hoping Valentina would begin to make sense. She wondered why her sister spoke like a woman in love. Valentina wasn’t a dreamer. She was a realist. And Phoebe was lost as to what was going on with her.

  Valentina continued rambling about the man in her class. The man she originally saw in the bar. She went on about how fate kept bringing them together. That he was the man in her dreams. She sounded obsessed. Phoebe instantly became concerned. Her sister mentioned nothing about the cop who pulled her over. Nothing of her fears about what could have happened. The trauma had been replaced with the existence of a man. And Valentina had shifted gears, at a time when she should have still been upset.

  “What about what happened to you. Are you okay? That was traumatic Tina. You were upset. You were scared. I’m not sure you are over it. You’re down playing it. Some guy in your class should not be your focus right now. Do you need to see someone? I believe you are still devastated by the um…you know,” Phoebe said, referring to the brutal attack. The one she knew few details since Valentina never told her about the bite. Phoebe assumed her sister was raped and was too devastated to speak on that part of it. She looked over at her sister. Valentina appeared upset. He eyes filled with tears.

  “I’m not crazy Phee. I don’t need help. I’m in love with someone. That’s my problem. My heart. And I don’t know him. I dream of him every night. I have a full relationship with this man in my dreams and I wake and I look for him. I have gone back to the bar. I have returned to class. And he is gone and I am upset. That is what’s wrong with me,” she said, her voice cracking. Phoebe stood in shock. She had no idea Valentina had fell in love with someone. And despite being in a dangerous situation, she was still thinking of him.

  “I’m sorry Tina. I was trying to say you were crazy. I just want you to be alright. I was worried. I didn’t know you felt so strongly about him. If it’s meant…You will see him again. You will. In the meantime, take care of you. You can’t continue to try and handle these things on your own,” she said. Valentina stared at Phoebe then turned her back. She didn’t want her sister to see her face. She closed her eyes and sighed.

  “I know. I’m fine. Stop worrying so much. I can handle it. I can handle my heart. You’re right. If it’s meant I will see him again. And as far as that cop situation…I’m alive…And that’s all that matters,” she said, looking back at Phoebe. Valentina smiled. Her smile, easing the tension between them. “And just to clear my mind even more, I booked a flight to Miami. Going to get some sun. Get in the water. Take in some sun. And come back a new woman,” Valentina turned around and said, perking up and looking enthused. She pictured the fun she planned to have. It was happiest Phoebe had seen her in days.

  “That sounds like a plan. Can I tag along?” she asked. “Yes. What about Griff? He cannot tie his shoe laces without you standing right there,” Valentina said with a chuckle. “I know. He’ll be fine. He doesn’t mind me getting away. He likes to see me happy. It will be fine.” The sisters chuckled. They were ready. Phoebe was surprised at Valentina’s inner strength. Her ability to snap back. Her ability to empower herself. The men had hurt her physically but she never looked more alive. She seemed strong mentally and spiritually. Something had manifested inside of her. And Phoebe hoped the trip would help her awaken the new feelings of power brewing inside of her.

  T

  he clear skies gave way to a bevy of stars shining brightly with a moon in the center of it all. The moon shone brightly enough to light up the ground below. Valentina looked around. She loved her view. No matter if it was day or night, her surroundings never seemed to amaze her. The smells. The sights. The sounds of insects and animals reminding of the beauty of nature. Valentina smiled and walked from her large picture window. She was no longer shaken up. Her sisters visit that evening soothed her. The comforts of her home made her feel safe. She walked into her kitchen to start her small meal she had already prepared for cooking. The oven chimed. It was preheated to the temperature she selected. It was time to put her casserole in.

  Her home had an open floor plan. She could see out the large window from her kitchen counter. The wind had picked up. The tops of the trees swayed swiftly in the distance. Valentina walked back over and cracked the window slightly to allow the breeze and fresh air inside. The wind rushed in, whistling through the small crack. “Wow,” she said, as she watched the trees. She couldn’t recall the weather being so turbulent. The wind being so gusty and forceful. She stared for a moment. Movement on the ground caught her eye. Valentina narrowed her eyes focusing on the movement just beyond the first set of oak and pine trees. She turned and walked away. There were plenty of elk and deer roaming around. She was sure it was one or of the other.

  The automatic oven turned off. Vale
ntina lay on her couch oblivious to the fact that her three-layer beef, pasta and cheese casserole was done. She moaned and turned side to side, as her vivid dreams consumed her. “Mmmm,” she moaned again. Soon another dream had her in its grip.

  The face of a man appeared from the shadows. He seemed friendly even though his surrounding did not. People stood behind him. Chanting and urging him back but he continued on towards where she stood. Valentina took a step back. The people behind him seemed unfriendly. Soon a man in a police uniform began running towards her. Valentina turned around and ran for the hills. She looked back. He was gaining on her. Fear set in. He seemed desperate to catch her. She managed to stay ahead of him. A cliff lie ahead. She wondered if she should jump. The man had a devious look. She was sure he would kill her. She turned around again. She recognized the uniform. It was the office from the stop. “Nooo,” she shouted, just as the wolf appeared.

  “Uhh,” Valentina jolted awake, her heart pounding, as she breathed at a fast pace. “What was that,” she said, as she sat up. Her nightmare had her in its grip. Her body was still shaking. She was surprised that she was so affected. “Okay. I’m fine,” she said, as she scanned the dark room, her eyesight clearer than she remembered.

  Valentina stood and walked to her kitchen. She poured a glass of water and took a sip. She could smell the wonderful aroma of her delicious casserole coming from the over. She opened the oven and pulled the pan out. She peeked at the dish. It was perfect. The aroma lead way to hunger pains. “This is ready,” she said, as she sat the pan on top of the stove and pulled a small plate from her cupboard. She dove into the dish with a fork and tasted the goodness of years of cooking side by side with her grandmother.