by Jinx Neale
* * *
Wolf Zane glanced over his shoulder as his mate ran after him. Faith was even more beautiful as a wolf, her pelt a sleek and tawny brown, her eyes glowing amber in the dim light.
He began to show her the secret paths in the forest and how to track the enticing scents of rabbit and deer. She panted happily as she loped along the track, as excited as a puppy. Zane would have to watch her until she grew accustomed to her new form. He nudged Faith away from the edge of a deserted sand pit, nipping at her jaw when she wanted to keep going on that dangerous path. She whined, and he licked her face. Reassured, Faith fell into place behind him once more.
They stopped to drink at an ice-cold stream, Faith snuffling and sneezing as she tried to lap for the first time. He heard the merest breath of sound and raised his head. A pair of golden eyes stared at them from the far bank. Zane inhaled the familiar smell of a pack member. He bumped Faith’s shoulder and she looked up, growling at the sight of the other wolf. Her shoulders bunched, ready to pounce, and he snarled at her. She dropped to her haunches, awaiting his instruction. He inhaled again, and Faith followed suit, relaxing when she recognized Ryder’s scent. Ryder yipped, Zane responding in kind. No trouble here, move on. Ryder trotted off, and Faith licked Zane’s jaw, haunches wiggling. He accepted her submission, before turning back to the trail, Faith following.
The sky was lightening in the east by the time his cabin came in to view. Zane transformed in the clearing behind the house, while Faith sat down and waited. He rose, in human form once more, and placed his hand on her shaggy head. “Change, Faith.”
She struggled onto four legs, her body shaking with effort—but nothing happened. His poor little wolf girl must be exhausted. Zane touched her chest and summoned her human shape. It leaped up to meet his invocation. Faith shimmered, her body collapsing and twisting back into a woman. She lay on her side, breathing heavily, too tired to move. Zane scooped up his mate and carried her to his bed, enfolding her in his arms, holding her safe as they slept.
Chapter Ten
Faith woke up alone in Zane’s bed. She blinked up at the beamed ceiling, the events of the night before still hazy. Her body protested as she got up, knees shaking as she made her way to the bathroom. Her reflection in the mirror was a mess, heavy-eyed and wan with exhaustion. Everything ached, and she had a weird taste in her mouth. Memory flashed like a knife as Faith remembered running through the woods in her wolf self, chasing something. Prey. A rabbit had crossed her path and she had taken off after it and then… Oh, God. She had pounced on the rabbit, trapping it between her jaws before she devoured it. Her stomach churned, acid burning in her throat, and Faith threw up in the toilet. She wiped her face and brushed her teeth. She needed coffee.
Pulling a mug from the cupboard, Faith poured herself a cup and stood by the sink, looking outside at the brilliant autumn sunshine. What was she doing here? Coming to Zane’s home was a mistake. She had learned things she never wanted to know. Panic gripped her already delicate stomach. She had to get out of here.
The coffee forgotten, Faith ran up the stairs to her room. She dressed hastily and grabbed her bag from the closet, folding the clothes hanging in the closet and placing them in the case. It would be good to be home, Faith told herself.
“What are you doing?”
Zane stood in the doorway, holding a paper bag. The smell of fried food made her feel sick again.
“I’m packing.”
Zane’s voice lowered ominously. “Why?”
“I can’t be what you want. Last night…” Faith shook her head and pulled out a drawer, her fingers closing on a pile of tee shirts.
Zane dropped the bag, crossing the room in a blur, his fingers grasping her wrist to stop her packing. “Faith, last night was the best one of my life—changing with you, hunting with you, being with you. You can’t just leave.”
She shook her head slowly. “This isn’t what I want. I’m human. I can’t live like this.”
“You don’t know what you want. You’re running scared.”
Faith firmed her trembling lips. “What sane person wouldn’t be terrified of transforming into an animal? It’s wrong. I don’t want to be… that.”
Zane grabbed her shoulders. “Faith, listen to me. You must accept who and what you are. You are a shifter, a being of magic and instinct. It’s who you were born to be.”
“No, I can’t.”
Zane stilled. “You mean you won’t.”
“I guess I do,” Faith said quietly.
Zane shoved a hand through his hair. “I can argue with you, try to convince you, but you are the only one who can make that decision. You’ll be alone out in the world and I don’t want that for you, Faith. You could be happy here with us, with me.”
“I can’t,” she whispered.
“You mean you won’t even try. Fine.” Zane released her and stalked out of the room, out of the cabin, slamming the door behind him.
Faith took a deep calming breath. She could do this.
She finished her packing and placed her bag by the door. Hunger rumbled through her empty stomach. She poured herself another cup of coffee and made some toast, eating it over the sink as she watched the blue jay nibbling at the bird feeder. It flitted away, climbing into the sky. Enough. It was time she moved on.
She had another two weeks until her rent was due. Maybe she could find a new job by then. Faith sighed. Who was she kidding? This was Jared Lynch’s town and nobody was going to hire her. So, she’d leave Tilney Mills. It wouldn’t be the first time. She would settle somewhere else, far away from the overbearing Zane Hunter, even though the thought of never seeing him again made her desolate. She didn’t want to need anyone. It only brought pain and disappointment.
Faith drifted onto the deck outside. The creek bubbled over the rocks below. Faith leaned over the railing and saw the bright flash of a fish darting in the depths. Birdsong filled the morning air. She took a deep breath, savoring the stillness of the surrounding woods, wishing she didn’t have to leave.
A shadow crossed the deck. Someone was here. Faith spun around, the hair lifting on the back of her neck.
“Nice to see you again, sweet thing.” Vaughan Catesby smirked at her, his sharp teeth gleaming in the sunlight.
Faith backed up until she hit the sliding door. “What are you doing here?”
Vaughan leaned nonchalantly against the railing. “I wanted to renew our acquaintance.”
Faith swallowed nervously. “I think you should leave.”
“Oh, I will. But I’m afraid I’ll have to insist that you come with me.”
“No way.”
“Don’t take it personally. This isn’t about you, it’s about territory and respect. The wolves are very strict about territory and they don’t want me moving in. That kind of attitude is so backward. Zane and his pack won’t listen.” Vaughan straightened and slunk toward her with a peculiar feline grace. “Think of yourself as a bargaining chip—a very pretty one. Zane wants you. That’s enough to get him to the table.”
“I think you’re overestimating Zane’s attachment.” Faith forced herself to sound calm. “We’re just friends.”
Vaughan barked a laugh. “How stupid do you think I am? You’re so hot for him, I can smell it. Do you really think he can’t?”
Well, that was humiliating.
“Sex and love are two different things.”
“They often are. But wolves are possessive. If I take something that Zane considers his, he’s going to want it back.” Vaughan grabbed her arm. “Time to leave, sweet thing.”
Faith tried to pull away, but something held her in place. She looked down in horror to see Vaughan’s nails had grown into curving claws that dug into her thick sweater. She felt the sharp tips prick her flesh.
“No more objections, or I may stop playing so nice.” He spread the claws of his other hand beneath her chin and pressed upward. Faith gasped as four sharp points of pain bit her skin, followed by the warm t
rickle of blood down her throat. Faith stopped struggling, and Vaughan grunted his approval. “Let’s go.”
He grabbed her wrist in a punishing grip as he forced her down the steps and across the creek, stepping as lightly as a cat across the rocks. They climbed the wooded hill that rose above them, where another track led into the forest. Vaughan released her, prodding her along the trail if she faltered. They covered several miles before the cougar shifter directed Faith up a short slope thickly covered with undergrowth. A tumble of rocks framed a stone ledge.
“We’ll stop here.”
Faith faced her captor. “You think you can hide from Zane? He’ll track you down.”
“I’m counting on it.” Vaughan grabbed her arm and walked her over to the ledge. The rocks had a sharp mineral scent. He grabbed a piece of rope from the ground and tied Faith’s wrists and ankles before shoving her to her knees. “Scream if you want. I’ll be ready when your boyfriend comes.” Vaughan left her on the ledge and slid down the slope, crouching on an outcropping below. Faith tried to move, but only fell over on her ass. Vaughan’s head swiveled. His cold look informed her that he was aware of her movements. She had to warn Zane that he was walking into a trap, but how?
Faith swore as she tried to wriggle out of her bounds, but Vaughan had tied them too tightly. Would she always be so useless? She was sick and tired of being the helpless victim of bad men. Somehow, Faith would find a way out of his mess and then she was leaving—Zane, this town, the whole damn state.
* * *
Zane knew she was gone when he entered the cabin. It wasn’t just that Faith’s scent had faded, it was the feeling of emptiness in the sun-filled rooms. He checked the bedroom. Her carryall stood by the door, neatly packed. They would have to discuss that later. Where had she gone? How many times had he warned her about going outside by herself?
He noticed the sliding door was ajar and walked onto the deck. Empty. He crossed the boards to gaze over the landscape and caught a familiar odor. Cougar. Adrenaline coursed through his body like an electric current, triggering the change. Zane threw back his head, howling. He leaped from the deck, landing on the other side of the water. At the top of the hill, he paused to shed his clothes. Moments later, a large gray wolf bounded along the ridge, intent on his prey.
Zane covered the rough terrain easily. Few humans ventured this far into the park where the wild lay undisturbed. The air was rife with the scents of the forest. He smelled a rabbit and dismissed it, searching for Faith’s familiar scent. Several miles in, he caught a whiff of cougar, which he followed for a hundred yards before losing it. Damn cougar was backtracking. Zane loped back and picked up the scent again, eyes narrowed in satisfaction. They were headed north. Several miles later, he was gaining on them, their scents getting stronger. Zane buried his human worry and concentrated on the task at hand—finding his prey and his mate. Human Zane might consider giving Faith up, but wolf Zane had already claimed her.
Another mile brought him within sight of a rock outcropping that Zane remembered sheltered a stone ledge where he and Brock used to camp out. A fall of rocks drew his gaze upward to see a flash of color. Was it Faith? He circled the base of the rock, where brambles covered the slopes. It was hard going, which made it unlikely that Vaughan would have traveled this way. The cougar was too lazy. Zane moved upward slowly and silently, sensing that surprise was everything if he wanted to get Faith away clean and unharmed. He gained the top about twenty minutes later. A swift-running brook broke through the trees at the bottom of the summit. Halfway down the slope, a natural slab of rock overhung the creek. He caught a flash of movement, a streak of yellow hair. Vaughan, waiting for him. So, Faith must be on the ledge above.
Zane climbed down, threading a path through the rocks to the ledge. He found Faith tied up, lying on her side. Her eyes widened when she caught sight of him. He edged toward her, staying against the rock face to avoid detection. Faith was pale, her face dirty and tearstained. He sniffed her hair and then the ropes that bound her, tied too tightly for even his teeth to gnaw her free. He backed up and closed his eyes in concentration, willing himself to shift. The familiar pain tore through him and moments later, Zane rose, naked, returning to Faith in human form, unknotting the ropes to release her hands and feet. He put a finger to his lips and rubbed her wrists and ankles. Faith bit back a cry as the feeling in her limbs returned.
A branch snapped and Vaughan Catesby landed lightly in front of them. “Look who’s here. Zane Hunter, as I live and breathe. Kind of you to join us.”
Zane faced him, teeth bared. “Leave Faith out of this, Vaughan. Your fight is with me, not her.”
Vaughan shook his head, his smile cruel. “But you like her, Zane. If I hurt her, it will hurt you.” He moved in a blur of motion, delivering a roundhouse kick that sent Zane flying. Vaughan grabbed Faith by the scruff of the neck and hauled her upright. Zane growled and ran toward them. Vaughan’s hand tightened on Faith’s throat, choking her, her arms flailing helplessly. Zane’s heartbeat escalated as he fought to hide his reaction.
The cougar’s ears flicked and he kept on smiling. “No poker face now, is there?” Vaughan lifted his arm until Faith was balanced on her toes.
“She is my mate. If you harm her, you’re dead.”
Vaughan frowned. “Your mate. I thought she was human—or mostly anyway.”
“She is wolf.”
Vaughan pursed his lips. “Well, this is a problem.”
Zane snarled, “You hurt her in any way and there won’t be enough of you left for the crows to feed on.” He dove suddenly for Vaughan’s legs, knocking the other shifter over. The cougar released Faith, and she scrambled out of the way, crawling on hands and knees. Zane grabbed for him, but Vaughan leaped to his feet and ran for the edge of the ledge.
“This isn’t over, wolf,” Vaughan sneered at them over his shoulder, lip lifting to show his fangs, and then he soared into space. Zane ran and looked down, but there was no sign of him.
“Where’s Vaughan?” Faith’s voice was husky, her throat bruised.
Zane shook his head. “Gone. Coward took off.”
“He’ll be back.”
“Yeah, he will. We’ll just have to be ready for him.” Zane helped her to stand and gently wiped away her tears. “Let’s go home, baby.”
* * *
Dusk was falling over Saranac Lake as Brock found a parking spot just down the street from Clara’s bookstore. He peered in the old-fashioned window, noting with satisfaction that Clara was alone. The little redhead was still giving him a hard time. His human half was amused by her stubborn refusal to date him, but his wolf self was ready to jump out of his skin. Clara was pretty and smelled good, and he wanted her. What the hell else did anyone need?
Brock ran an irritated hand through his hair. Better play it cool, or she’d throw him out—again. “Evening, darlin’. You got a minute?”
Clara glanced up, frowning. “What do you want?”
Damn, she was hard going.
“I had some errands in town and I saw you in the window, working your sweet little fingers to the bone. Thought I would say hi,” Brock said easily.
Clara glared at him. “Uh huh. What do you really want?”
Brock threw out his arms. “Same as always. Why won’t you go out with me?”
Clara kept counting out the cash in the till, ignoring him. Fuck that. Brock leaned over the counter. “I want an answer.”
Clara arched a delicate russet brow and sighed. “Because I want a man who is only interested in me. I don’t share.”
“I don’t want to get married. I just want a date.”
Clara planted her hands on her shapely hips. “Brock Hunter, you want a lot more than that or you wouldn’t be sniffing around me.”
He winced. “You don’t hold back, do you?”
“I’m busy. Why don’t you go away?”
Brock looked around the store. “I don’t see anyone here, except your invisible customers.”
Brock grabbed his chest in a dramatic gesture. “You wound me, woman.”
Clara’s mouth twitched. “Get out of here, you big ham.”
“On one condition. You go to Tilney Mills to see a movie with me on Friday night.”
Clara rolled her eyes. “If I say yes, will it get rid of you?”
Brock grinned. “For now. In fact…” His head jerked back as if he’d been yanked on a string.
“Brock? What is it?”
A sick feeling of dread roiled his guts. “Something’s wrong.” He could smell wolf, strong, all around him. “It’s Zane,” he gasped, running for the door. “He’s in trouble.”
“Wait!” Clara stumbled after him. She turned the lock and banged the door of the shop shut behind her. “I’m coming with you.”
Brock’s fingers shook as he tried to unlock his truck. The rush of adrenaline was strong, nearly triggering a shift to wolf form, but he fought it off. Driving would be faster. There, his thumb found the button and the doors clicked open. Clara slid into the passenger side as Brock found his seat and started the engine. Brock drove fast, his thoughts swirling in agitation. He had never felt Zane in such danger before.
“Zane is strong and tough, Brock,” Clara said quietly. “Whatever is happening, he’ll be fine.”
Brock smashed his hand on the steering wheel. “He’s also cocky as hell. Not even Zane wins all the time.” His brother’s scent urged him on. South and west. Home. Brock hit the accelerator. Was the pack also in danger?
He tossed his phone to Clara. “Try Ryder and then my dad.”
Clara didn’t question him, just picked up the phone and scrolled to the contact list. After a few moments, she shook her head. “Straight to voice mail. Should I leave a message?”
“Yeah, tell him we’re coming. Try Dad.”
Brock checked the rear-view mirror, traveling well over the speed limit. The last thing he needed was to get stopped by the cops.
