Discovering Their Wolfen Heritage

by Discovering Her Wolfen Heritage (lit)

  Remus sighed and thought carefully before he answered her. “No, I guess I can’t understand it very well. I don’t look at it as something to hide from anyone or that it’s an abnormality. Sure, we don’t advertise our lives, but we have a good life here in our own community where we don’t have to hide anything. You could have that life, Maddie. You’d never have to hide your gifts again.”

  “Your people would accept my getting upset and things flying across the room?” She sounded incredulous.

  “Well, they’d have to see it a few times, but they’d get used to it, and they wouldn’t think you’re strange. Hopefully, your life with us would be so good that you’d never have a reason to get angry again.”

  Maddie snorted, but Remus chose to ignore it. He smiled at her hopefully as he ran his hand up and down her back in a comforting way. He was glad she was just lying there quietly. It meant she was thinking about what he’d said.

  “What’s it like to shift, Remus? Is it painful? Can you do it whenever you want to?”

  “I won’t lie to you, the first few times you shift can be a little painful. But it’s more like being very uncomfortable than real pain. When my wolf wants to be let out, I begin to feel a tingle, kind of like a small electrical current running through my body. You feel heat flow over you, and your bones begin to pop and ache. You’re gripped with a desire to go down on your hands and knees, and you begin to see hair sprouting all over your body.”

  Looking at her carefully, he watched for any negative reactions before he continued. “With your coloring, you’d most likely make a brown wolf, very small and petite.” He tightened his arms around her, and a picture formed in his mind of what his mate would look like as a wolf.

  “Anyway, then you sort of lose consciousness for a moment. It’s more like you close your eyes and nod off for a just a few seconds, and then open them again. After that brief moment, when you don’t know anything around you, you open your eyes and you’re looking at things from a wolf’s point of view.”

  “You said that’s what happens when your wolf wants out. Is it possible for you to change when you want to with the wolf having no say in it?”

  “Of course. You just have to clear your mind and call to the wolf in your head, basically call on the magic like Victor said. You just picture him in your head coming forth, and he does. He’s always at the ready in me if I need or want him.”

  “How do you turn back into a human?”

  Remus was thrilled at all the genuine interest and thoughtful questions Maddie had about his other form.

  This has to mean she’s seriously giving thought to sharing my life with me.

  “When I’m in wolf form, I’m still thinking with the brain I have when I’m human. I have the same thoughts and the same intelligence. All I have to do is reach into my thoughts and call on my human self to come forth. The wolf recedes, bones pop, and pretty soon I’m standing there stark naked.” He almost laughed at the look on her face when she glared at him.

  “Yeah, I’m thinking I’d have a problem with that, too.” Maddie bit her lip. “I don’t know that I could be naked in front of anyone but you.”

  Remus leaned down and placed a swift kiss on her lips. “Shape shifters don’t have any modesty. We’re used to running together in packs and hunting together as wolves. Since shifting requires being naked, we don’t think twice about being unclothed in front of each other. I think, in time, you’d get use to it, especially with everyone around you getting naked at the drop of a hat.”

  Snuggling closer, Maddie sighed softly.

  “I need a little time to come to grips with all this, Remus. I hope you can respect that and give me the time I need.”

  Remus smiled and kissed her on her head, snuggling her closer to his body. He didn’t want to ruin their night by telling her that it’d be better if they were mated by the coming picnic.

  “Remus, what are we gonna do about Dr. Constantine?”

  “I don’t know what you mean, baby. I told you I’d take care of everything. You aren’t gonna have to worry about him anymore.”

  “Remus, he’s been calling me and threatening to have me locked back up in his clinic. He says he can prove to Michael and the authorities that I’m a danger to others and myself living out on my own. What am I gonna do?”

  Remus couldn’t stop the growl that came up from his throat at the thought of Constantine threatening his mate. When he saw that his growling alarmed her, he pulled her closer to cuddle. “You don’t have to do anything. I’ll handle Constantine. The good doctor and my pack have had dealings before, and there’s no way I’ll let him get his hands on you.”

  Remus relaxed when Maddie accepted his words and calmly snuggled even closer to his body. When he reached out his hand to turn off the light, they were both startled by the sound of the phone ringing.

  Reluctantly, he released Maddie for her to reach over and pick up the telephone.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, Maddie, how’s my baby sister tonight? You don’t sound like I woke you this time.”

  “Michael, it’s good to hear from you. What has you calling so close to my bedtime?” She looked over at Remus and then quickly looked away.

  “Just thought I’d check in with you before I hit the sack. Sorry it’s so late, but I was stuck in meetings all the way through dinner. I just got back to the hotel. How are you getting along? I talked to Remus earlier today, and he said you’re doing great, having no problems at all.”

  Frowning, she stared daggers at Remus, making him uncomfortable.

  “You talked to Remus about me today?”

  Remus heard the hurt in her voice and wished he remembered to tell her sooner about her brother’s phone call. Now probably wasn’t the best time to tell her about his remarkable hearing. She wouldn’t like knowing that he could hear both sides of her conversation.

  “Yes, you remember, don’t you? I told you that I’d asked him to check up on you from time to time for me. He agreed to do it as a favor to me and as a final act of kindness to Grandfather. He was very fond of him. He thought of him like a father figure I think.”

  Remus didn’t like the look Maddie was shooting his way. He meant to tell her about the phone call, but when he came upon her at the river, things escalated and they made love. Michael’s phone call had gone right out of his head.

  “Yes, I remember you said he was going to check on me. Believe me, he’s definitely keeping his word to you and checking up on me as much as possible.”

  Amused by her words, Remus reached down and trailed his fingers along her ribs. Maddie put her hand over the phone when she began to laugh. He was glad to see her teasing with him now.

  “That’s good, Maddie. I’m depending on his good reports to be less worried about you being alone. I talked with Dr. Constantine a few days ago, and he’s under the impression that you’re not doing so well.”

  Remus saw a touch of fear come into Maddie’s eyes and felt her body shiver.

  “Forget about Dr. Constantine, Michael. I’m never going to see him again, and I’m never going back to his clinic.”

  “Well, we’ll see, sister dear. I’m going to let you go now. Get some sleep and remember I’ll see you in another week or so for a short visit. We can talk about Dr. Constantine then. Good night, Maddie.”

  “Good night, Michael.”

  Maddie slowly replaced the receiver and turned back to Remus. He roughly caught her up in his arms.

  “I’m so sorry, baby. I totally forgot about his call when I found you by the river. We’ve been making beautiful love ever since then, and I never gave Michael another thought.”

  “He might push for me to go back to the clinic, Remus. I didn’t think it was the right time to tell him about us or about Grandfather’s journal.”

  Hugging her close to his body, Remus tried to make her feel safe. “Don’t you worry, Maddie, I’ll never allow your brother or Constantine take you anywhere. We’ll tell your brother about our
mating together when we both think the time’s right. You belong to me now, mated for life, and the sooner everyone accepts that, the better off they’ll be.”

  Not wanting to discuss it further, he reached out and turned off the light. Snuggling down into the quilts, he pulled Maddie close to him, laying her head on his chest. Kissing the top of her head, he closed his eyes and prayed that he’d be able to keep her safe until she agreed to the claiming. She’d be locked up again over his dead body. Maybe it was time for the pack to do something permanent to stop Constantine’s interest in wolf shifters. With that thought, Remus drifted off to sleep holding his love tight in his embrace.

  * * * *

  A week later, Maddie was being stubborn. She continued to linger in the bed, unwilling to face the day just yet. Today was the annual picnic Remus invited her to, and she was having second and third thoughts about accompanying him. And if that wasn’t enough to make her nervous, the fact that Michael would be visiting any day now was the proverbial last straw.

  The last few days had been wonderful. Remus had practically moved in with her, only leaving occasionally to attend to Pack business. She was getting used to his brothers and some of his Pack members coming by the cabin several times a day to talk with him.

  Their days had been filled with laughter and caring while their nights simmered with their insatiable passion for each other. The only dark cloud had been his constant, although subtle, pressure to perform the claiming.

  Last night had been the worst fight of all, Remus having lost the ability to be subtle. She’d tried to make him understand that she was going to allow him to claim her, but she wanted to wait until she explained things to her brother. Michael wasn’t due to visit for a few more days, at least. His schedule was up in the air, and he couldn’t tell her exactly when he’d get there.

  Remus had gotten angry and practically accused her of not wanting to be with him forever like he wanted to be with her. She’d finally calmed him down and they’d made love, but she could tell a difference in the way he’d held her. It was like he was distancing himself, readying himself for rejection. Nothing she said or did seemed to make a difference. He’d risen early this morning and left, saying he had to make sure the arrangements for the picnic were underway. He was supposed to come back and pick her up around ten o’clock. Sighing, Maddie left the comfort of the warm quilts and headed off to the bathroom for a hot shower.

  By ten o’clock Maddie was sitting on the porch swing, waiting impatiently for Remus to show up. Catching a glimpse of movement out of the corner of her eye, she stood to get a better look and was surprised to see Ethan coming across the field toward the cabin. She waited until he was close to the porch before saying anything.

  “Hi, Ethan. I’m sorry, but Remus isn’t here yet. He should be here any minute.”

  Ethan looked momentarily embarrassed and uncomfortable, which was quite a departure for him. Frowning, he finally looked at her.

  “I know, he um, well he, actually, he sent me after you.”

  Maddie was shocked as he hurried on with his explanation.

  “He’s really sorry that he couldn’t come himself, but this picnic is a big event for our pack, and his duties as Alpha are keeping him extra busy today. The Elders are insisting that he be present for everything, and some of the festivities have already started. He really is sorry, Maddie.”

  Ethan seemed to be watching her very carefully, so Maddie did her best to hide that she was fighting tears.

  Ethan sighed. “I told Remus that sending me to get you was a mistake, but I couldn’t talk him out of it, Maddie. You’re his mate, and being mated to the Alpha means that you’ll have to share his time with the pack a lot. He wants you to get an honest idea of what being with him is gonna be like.” Ethan looked at her closely. “Maybe, instead of teaching you what being mated to an Alpha is like, it’ll teach him what having a mate pissed off at you is like.”

  Maddie laughed out loud and then gave Ethan a reproachful look. “Oh, well, it’s okay, Ethan. If he wants me to go with you, then I’ll do as he wishes. Maybe you can tell me what to expect while we walk over.”

  Ethan looked relieved as she slowly walked down the steps and joined him in the yard. Together they started across the field that would take them over to the lake area Remus had chosen for the picnic.

  She couldn’t be sure, but she was feeling like Ethan was uncomfortable talking with her. If she’d done something to make him uncomfortable, then she really needed to know what it was. “Ethan, you seem a little distant today. Have I done something to upset you?”

  She became even more concerned when he wouldn’t raise his eyes to meet hers.

  “No, of course not, Maddie. I’m just sorry that Remus couldn’t be here for you. I know that you were disappointed to see me coming across the field in his place.”

  Maddie sighed and thought carefully before she answered him. “No, I’m not really disappointed, just a little worried. Remus and I had a fight last night, and I guess my overactive imagination is wondering if he just didn’t want to have to be alone with me today.” She turned her head when she spoke, trying to keep him from seeing the tears threatening to escape from her eyes.

  “Maddie, he wanted to be with you more than anything today, and he’s quite angry at all the little interruptions that have kept him from coming here this afternoon. He’s giving everyone hell who has interfered with his plans.”

  Giving her a long look, he continued. “Maddie, I know the two of you have been at odds over his final claiming of you.”

  At her surprised gasp, Ethan stopped. He had a guilty look on his face. “I don’t mean to embarrass you, Maddie, but I think you have the right to know what to expect today.”

  Feeling resigned, Maddie glanced up at him. “Go ahead, Ethan, I want to know what I’m getting into today.”

  “Okay, first you should know that it was Remus’s hope that the two of you be mated before today because he desperately wanted to introduce you to the Elders as his mate. With his appearance at the picnic unmated, the Elders will feel free to pressure him into taking a mate from within the pack. Today, all the unmated females will probably make a play for Remus, and it could get very uncomfortable for you.” The two of them began walking again, but Maddie was beginning to bite her lip in worry.

  “Don’t get me wrong, Maddie. Remus doesn’t want anyone else, and he won’t succumb to the wishes of the Elders just for the sake of mating. They can’t force him to do anything. He’s planning to make it perfectly clear that his choice is you and that you choose him as well. It’s just the unmated females, they um…well, let’s just say they’ll present the biggest problem today. They all have grand dreams of being the Alpha Femm. You might have to turn a blind eye at their shenanigans.” He paused before continuing. “Maddie, I don’t want to see you hurt, but I don’t want to see my brother hurt, either. It’s killing him that he hasn’t been able to claim you yet.”

  Maddie felt troubled, and she stopped walking and turned to face Ethan. “Maybe it’d be better for all of us if I just stayed home today and meet your pack some other time after we’ve formally mated. I only asked Remus to wait until after I’d talked to my brother. He’s coming to visit, and he doesn’t even now about our heritage yet. I don’t want to have to tell him I’ve moved on completely in my life without him. I love him too much for that, and he’s always been there for me.”

  “Remus would kick my ass if I don’t bring you to the picnic.” Ethan frowned. “No, it wouldn’t be better for you to stay at home. In fact, it would send a clear message to the unmated females that he’s fair game. You don’t want that, do you? You want to go and protect your territory, don’t you?”

  He smiled down at her wickedly. “You might even get a chance to use that special gift of yours when some unsuspecting female gets too close.”

  Maddie tried to look horrified and then ruined it by giggling.

  “Bite your tongue, Ethan. I’ve spent hours worrying
about controlling myself while I’m there. I don’t think Remus would be too pleased to see me exploding flower beds or dropping tree branches on the females of his pack.”

  She looked up at Ethan when he burst out laughing. “It’s not funny, Ethan. You don’t understand just what kind of chaos follows me when I get upset.”

  “I’m not laughing at you, pretty lady. I’m laughing at the image of my brother trying to explain something weird happening. This picnic’s gonna be more fun than I originally thought.”

  With another wicked smile, he took her hand, hooked it under his arm, and started off toward the picnic grounds, whistling. “I can’t wait to see what’ll happen.”

  Chapter 6

  Remus paced anxiously up and down in front of the playground that had been set up for the pups. He kept glancing at his watch and then over to the path through the trees. Where were Ethan and Maddie? He hated having to ask his brother to go and get her, but the Elders were making his life miserable today. They’d made it clear that they expected him to choose a mate by now, and telling them that his choice was made didn’t help. They expected him to produce a claimed mate!

  He asked his brothers to help him look after Maddie during the picnic, realizing his Alpha duties could keep him occupied much of the time. Since she wasn’t officially his mate, Maddie couldn’t be present when any pack business was discussed. This was just another reason he’d pressured her to change her mind and allow him to claim her last night. He hadn’t meant to anger her, but it was getting harder and harder to control his wolf when they were together. The wolf had become desperate to claim his mate, and soon he’d take the choice away from Remus. At least she’d agreed to move forward with their mating as soon as she talked to Michael. As far as he was concerned, Michael’s visit couldn’t come fast enough.