Her shoes connected with something hard on the ground and she toppled over. Her knees hit the ground and her hands came out in front of her to lessen the impact. She cried out more from aggravation than the pain shooting through her knee caps.
“I….” she panted, fighting to speak on rapid breaths.
“Selene.” Nick knelt down to help her. “I am so sorry. This was too much too fast.”
“I’m slowing you down.”
“No—”
A wolf howl sliced through the atmosphere around them. She didn’t know what it was…maybe intuition. A warning…
They were being chased.
“We have to keep going,” he urged. “We’ll need to make it across the main highway.”
He helped her up and looped her arm across the top of his back. She limped a couple feet, biting into her lips. The pain was unbearable and she couldn’t bring herself to apply pressure to her right leg which must have taken the brunt of the fall.
“I can’t.” Selene stopped. “Go without me.”
“No,” he said, angrily.
“One of us should go for help.”
“I’m not leaving you.” He bent and scooped her up in arms, and began half-walking half-running.
She pushed against his chest. “There is no way you will escape them while carrying me.”
He ignored her.
“Nick, put me down, and go get help.”
“I won’t do that.”
There was an animal growl and rustling behind them. She turned her head in the direction the sound, but only saw dusk settling in behind them. “Nick…?” she said, slowly.
He must have sensed it too, because he slowed his pacing and turned around. His grip became tighter around her. “Whatever you see tonight, Selene, just know that I will never ever hurt you.”
Why was he telling her that? Selene tightened her hold on him as well. She might have urged him to leave her only moments early, but the sad fact was that she needed him. She didn’t want to be left alone.
A large black wolf came out into the clearing with fangs barred and ears drawn to the back of the head. It circled them slowly, the yellow eyes piercing them like daggers.
Damn it! Not only were they being chased by some small town lunatics, they were also being cornered by a wild wolf.
Another wolf emerged from the shadows. This one’s fur was deep brown, but the eyes were the same—yellow and menacing.
“Nick,” she whispered, her voice shaking in morbid fear.
The black wolf bucked and snarled, spittle dripping from its muzzle on the ground.
Nick’s gripped loosened on her at the moment, and she wound her arm around his neck seeking his protection.
“I won’t let anything bad happen to you. I promise,” he whispered, just as he turned her loose and made her stand to the ground behind him. “Stand back.”
The two wolves looked hungry and ready to kill. They encircled them like vultures scouting around an injured animal. Injured. Oh, no. She looked down at the blood on her knee. The animals must have been drawn to it.
She fell back slowly, eyes on the threat before her. Fright overcame her more than the pain in her knee.
Nick immediately took a fighter’s stance, prowling like a predator similar to his opponents. It occurred to her that he had not an ounce of terror in him.
The black wolf lunged at Nick, snapping its massive jaws. Nick sprung back, but not before the wolf captured his boot by its fangs.
Her back hit the trunk of a tree, as her eyes shifted on the spar before her.
Nick wrestled the wolf to the ground, taking the oversized head between his hands. Was he insane? What human would wrestle with a rapid wolf and not be fearful of being bitten?
It was clear that the wolf was gaining the upper hand as it took Nick’s arm in its mouth. Her stomach churned at the first site of blood at the corner of the wolf’s mouth.
Nick jumped up from the grown, flinging the wolf off his arm and it slid across the dirt until it came within a few centimeters of hitting an adjacent tree. It got back up and charged at Nick, eating up the distance between them rapidly.
A burst of white light erupted where Nick once stood.
Her breath caught in her throat when she glimpsed a wolf in his place. It was just as massive as the other two. There was sort of a majestic beauty to its sleek muscular form. The fur was a chocolate brown with hints of white throughout.
She shook her head, and dug her nails into the bark of the tree.
When the two wolves collided, the blow seemed to vibrate the ground where they all stood. Her gaze shifted frantically from left to right as she tried to focus on the fight. From her days of volunteering at an animal shelter, she wasn’t a stranger to two wild animals fighting. But this was pure insanity…
Only moments ago, Nick had not been an animal.
And she was pretty damn sure that his body had flashed into wolf as if by magic right before her eyes.
What the fuck?
Had they drugged her?
The second brown wolf stood on the other side, growling and barking, as though waiting his turn to join in. She hoped that he stayed on his side of the field. If someone had told her she’d die from being mauled by a wolf, she might have laughed in their face. Now, the possibility wasn’t that far-fetched.
She should have taken off a long time ago, but her feet were planted to the ground.
The black wolf yelped. Her gaze focused just in time to see Nick’s wolf as he pinned his opponent and ripped a chunk of flesh from the neck.
Selene doubled over and dry heaved. Whatever sense she did not have earlier, she gained it back at that moment. Her feet began to move.
She walked. Stumbled. Then ran.
She did not want to die. Not tonight. Not like this.
At this point, it didn’t seem to make a difference where she ran. She just wanted to get away from the blood thirsty wolves. She only prayed that her legs would lead her to a safe place.
***
Nick flashed back into his human form when he caught scent of Selene again.
He couldn’t believe he’d given himself away like that, but it had to be done. He could never have beaten a Caedmon wolf while in human form. The only options back there were to either reveal himself or be defeated. Being defeating meant allowing Selene to be captured again. He couldn’t let that happen.
He’d have gladly faced Darius again. He yearned to do just that—to defeat him. But Selene needed his help a whole lot more than he wanted to kill that bastard.
Nick scented her sweet fragrance before he heard her. And he heard her muffled cries before he saw her. She was huddled against a tree under thick overhanging branches. Her arms were wrapped around her torso, as though she were consoling herself. He wanted to be the one to comfort her and erase the bad memories that she would undoubtedly gain from this.
“Selene—”
Her scream of shock cut through the atmosphere and lingered on the strong night winds. She stumbled several feet away from him, and held up her palm. “Mantente alejado!”
He didn’t need to be fluent in her native language to know she wanted him to stay away. “I won’t hurt you.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re an animal!”
It was the truth, and she seemed repulsed by it.
His gaze dropped to the ground, and for the second time in his life he was ashamed of what he was. “Yes. Yes I am.”
“How could this be happening? I feel like I’m in some kind of bad dream.”
What he didn’t want to do was frighten her again, so he made no attempts to move any closer. “Even bad dreams come to an end.”
She lifted her gaze to study him. “What are you?”
He swallowed. “I’m wolf…and man.”
“You’re kidding.” She laughed nervously. “Right?”
“I’m afraid not.”
“Then you’re really serious…”
“Selene, we’ve got to
move. Others will come looking after what they discover.”
“The other wolf back there…what did you do to it?”
“I think you know.” He did not take threats to his life lightly. “They would have killed both of us.”
“How do you know that?” Her voice rattled with anger.
“Look, Selene, I’ll tell you about all of this—any of this—but right now, we need to leave this area.”
“How do I know you won’t turn on me?”
“You’re not really afraid of me,” he said, and inched forward toward her. “You’re afraid of what you saw. I understand that.”
“Stop right there!”
“They had no plans to let you go. You had already seen too much. Those things had to happen in order to save you.”
“No.” She clenched her fists. “Don’t blame this on me.”
“You misunderstood me,” he whispered, moving a little closer. “I did what I had to save you, but none of this was your fault.”
“It was my fault. All of it. I shouldn’t have come.”
He didn’t understand what she meant, because she spoke in riddles. She regretted coming into this town. That much he knew.
One thing was certain, if they didn’t make a move now their lives would be on the line yet again.
“I made a promise to you.”
“I know.” Selene expression changed from one of reluctance to one of hope.
“I can’t help who I am…what I am.”
“I don’t really understand what I saw.”
“Do you want to?” he asked.
She nodded.
“Put your hand in mine, Selene.” He held his palm out. “Come with me.”
Her fingers were warm and gentle when they touched his. Her palm was soft against his. The grip she gave in answer was confirmation enough.
He picked her up and draped her over his arms.
His wolf spirit still lingered on the surface as if she’d somehow called out to it. It refused to retreat, no matter how hard he fought to battle it.
As he carried her across the dusty field, their gazes connected on more than one instance. She studied him intimately, a worried but curious expression etching her delicate face. His heart beat nervously in his chest and his blood quickened as his wolf fought to emerge. This side of him had never yearned for so much control before. He could not help to think that it had something to do with the beauty in his arms. She was tempting, yes, but to partake in what was forbidden could cost him everything.
Damn, he wanted her.
But who wanted her more…the man or the wolf?
Chapter Seven
“What is this place?”
Selene’s voice echoed around her and her gaze scanned the darkened stone walls as Nick set her down gently. With its rigid structure and rocky ground, the place resembled a cave. A consistent dripping noise, probably from a water source, came from near the back.
“We’ll stay here until morning.” Nick walked toward a corner of the cave and came back with a back pack. “We really should keep moving, but not at the expense of your condition.” He pulled out a pair of sweats, a long sleeved tee, and handed them to her.
She pulled the oversized closed forever her shivering body without hesitation. “What condition?”
Nick pulled a clean t-shirt over his head. “You’re tired and hungry.” He pulled out a few packages of dried food packs and a couple strips of beef jerky.
“I’m fine really.” She hated to know that she was holding him up and putting them at risk of being captured again.
“We’re safe here for now.”
“Those men back there…the one’s that brought us the poisoned food…were they…you know…”
Nick raised an eyebrow. “...wolves?”
“Yes. Were they?”
“They were.” He took out some supplies and a match, and quickly lit a fire over a small pit filled of wood in the center of the cave.
“I’m starved,” she said, eyeing the food packs.
Nick tore open a food pack and handed it to her. “I’ve got freeze dried apple pie, if you’d like dessert. I’m warm that one up.” After filling a metal bowl with water, he placed the pack inside of it over the fire.
“Do you really eat these with you being a wolf and all?” After posing her question, she felt bad for making assumptions. Although, when she looked up, he was grinning.
“I’m a man as well, Selene.” He pulled a sleeping bag from the sack, unrolled it, and laid it out on the ground. “Let’s sit.”
“I’m sorry. That was a rude question.” She pried open the pack and inhaled. “Smells like spaghetti.”
“Bingo.” He handed her a plastic fork.
“This will be my first time eating a freeze dried meal.”
“I have them all the time,” he said, pulling out a canteen and unscrewing the lid.
Selene took a bite and reveled in the taste of savory marinara sauce. It wasn’t a hot meal, but her taste buds seemed satisfied and she didn’t have to hear her grumbling belly anymore.
Nick picked up a long stick and poked at the fire. The flames grew taller, crackled, and cast shadows on the walls.
“What are the tattoos on your arm?”
“They represent my loyalty to my pack and its leader.”
The designs were intricately done. A tattoo that she normally wouldn’t see on a regular individual. And with a career doing social work, she’d seen some pretty interesting characters and strange tattoos. This one had history—a story to tell.
He dumped another small log on the fire. The flames engulfed around the pot of water before settled again.
“You must do this a lot?”
“I love camping and being in the wilderness. It’s been years since I’ve climbed a mountain though.”
“I’m afraid of heights.”
“Are you sure it’s heights you’re afraid of or do you just fear the unknown?”
She bit her lip. “Both.”
“Sometimes when you confront your fears you surprise yourself in the process.” He smiled. “How’s the spaghetti?”
“It’s quite good actually. I’m sort of used to prepared meals. I’m not exactly a cook.”
He chuckled. “Me, either.”
“So, we have a thing or two in common.” Selene turned the pack to the side and read the ingredients. “Pretty straight forward stuff. I can pronounce them at least.” She ran her fingers over the labeling of the package. “Caedmon Farms.”
Why did that name sound familiar?
“This brand has been around for decades. One of the most well-known freeze dried food producers in the world,” he replied.
“I’ll have to look them up on the internet once I get back home.” She took in another forkful of her meal. “It surprisingly beats that taste of those TV dinners I have in my freezer.”
Nick folded his arms behind his head and leaned back against the wall. “I always preferred the one’s with the section dividing off, complete with dessert.”
She turned to him in surprise. “Those are my favorites too. Especially after a long night at the center.”
“The center?”
“I work with battered women and children. I support them in their path to peace.”
“Interesting profession,” he said. “And a great way to give back.”
“I love doing it.” Selene stopped chewing and swallowed. “Why aren’t you eating?”
He eyed her with a puzzled expression on his face. “I was waiting on you.”
“For what…?”
“Just waiting until you were done eating.”
“Why would you do that?” Selene felt guilty after scarfing down his food to find out that he hadn’t eaten a bite. “Let’s see.” She grabbed his back pack. “You look like a meat and potatoes guy.” She held out two packs to him. “Beef Stroganoff or Hearty Beef Stew?”
He grinned. “Both.”
She set her own meal pack on the ground
and this time she leaned back while he ate. “Is there something in your genes that allows you to change from man to wolf?”
Nick was quiet for a moment as though contemplating his reply. “Something like that.”
“Then what is it exactly?”
“It’s a very very long story.”
“Well, it doesn’t look like we’re going anywhere for a while.”
He smiled. “You certainly are pushy.”
“So, I’ve been told…”
“Hundreds of years ago, my kind were known as the Caedmon tribe. A group of settlers who made these mountains their home. They thrived here and quadrupled in population. Things took a turn for the worse when a deadly snowstorm hit the region followed by a deep freeze, threatening Caedmon existence. When they hit absolute rock bottom, they called to the gods for help.”
He paused, and took in several forkfuls of stew.
“Did the gods send help?”
“Markus Caedmon was the leader then. While he was out scouting for food, he came across an injured wolf stuck in one of the rabbit traps they’d set. The tribe was hungry and many tried to convince Markus to kill the wolf for food. It is said that Markus had a generous heart and that he would give his servants the clothes off his back had they asked. He took pride in his tribe, and wanted to please them.”
“Did he kill the wolf?” she urged.
“He brought the wolf back to camp in the hopes that it would live. On the second day, the wolf’s health began fading due to an infection from the wound. Markus committed a selfless act. In front of the entire tribe, he asked the gods to spare the wolf.”
“What happened? Did the gods save the wolf?”
“No.”
“So the wolf died?”
“Yes.”
She sighed. “How sad…”
“The wolf died, but its spirit lived on through our first leader and Alpha, Markus Caedmon.”
“How is this possible?”
“The gods fused the body of a man with the spirit of a wolf.”
“I have not read about this in history books.”
“You will find these stories only in Caedmon history books. We have our own library.” He removed the dessert pack from the fire, and set it on the ground in front of her.
Wolf's Promise (Caedmon Wolves) Page 5
