by T. J. Finn
But, he’d found out too late, they weren’t as drunk as they appeared to be and had managed to get the jump on him instead. He woke up in the bed of a truck with a shell on it, trussed up like a Thanksgiving turkey, being bounced around and bruised by what he assumed were back roads they were driving along. Neither had been boy scouts because it hadn’t taken Finn very long to get himself untied. Once untied, he moved closer to the front of the truck to see if he could hear what they were saying. Upon hearing the words pelt and bounty, he knew he had to get away before they reached wherever it was they were taking him.
Finn kicked out the back window of the shell and jumped out, doing a tuck and roll as he landed on the country road, got to his feet and started running. Unfortunately, the two had heard him. Stopping the truck, they started chasing him, firing at him when they could but they had missed at first.
The trees and forest he was running through reminded him a lot of his pack land. It wasn’t over thick which should have made running easier but there were stumps and rocks scattered throughout and he’d caught his foot, almost falling, several times. His lungs burned and his head hurt from the exertion and whatever the men had used to knock him out. Whatever they had done to him had made him nauseous and dizzy, but he’d kept running. When he’d burst through the meadow, his wolf had wanted to shift again, and maybe he should have let him. He had more speed as a wolf but, he’d been too afraid. It hadn’t mattered, at least that's what he thought then, when one short finally hit its mark.
Finn reluctantly stepped from the shower, dried off with the towel his hostess had given him, then wrapped it around his waist and stepped into her bedroom. Walking to the bed where his jeans and shirt were laying, intact, he let the towel drop so he could get dressed. Seeing a mirror, he went to it and turned so he could see where he felt the bullet hit him then leave his body. Both wounds were healed without a scar. He was just thankful that she had found him before those poachers.
Pulling on his jeans, he lifted the t-shirt he’d been wearing and admired the witch’s handiwork. He’d seen her repair the cup that had broken but he couldn’t even tell that the shirt had been torn and he knew it had been when he shifted. The smell of bacon wafted into the bedroom. Slipping on the t-shirt, then his boots, he headed back out to the kitchen.
Chapter 3 - Claire
Claire leaned against the bedroom door and put her hand on her chest hoping to stop her heart from racing. Holy moly the man was gorgeous and muscled...and gorgeous. Did she say gorgeous? Hearing the shower come on, she took a moment to wonder what he looked like without the blanket.
His chest had been broad and his arms were well muscled. Was the rest of him the same? Wolf shifters she knew were very strong with well-defined muscles so odds were he was as well. She let out a breath and pushed away from the door. If she didn’t stop her train of thought she’d never get anything done and she’d promised breakfast and coffee.
She pulled eggs and bacon from the fridge before going to search for the coffee pot and praying she actually had some coffee. Staring at the coffee on the counter, she chewed her lip because she wasn’t quite sure how one went about making coffee. Her father had bought the coffee maker and coffee when he’d helped move her here because he drank coffee. She only drank tea. Looking at the back of the can she read the directions quickly before starting her first pot of coffee ever. Hopefully it wasn’t going to be too strong or weak for him.
By the time the shower turned off, the coffee was brewing and she was frying bacon. Now that she could do. She loved bacon and would eat it morning, noon and night and often did. At least if the coffee was terrible, the rest of breakfast would hopefully make up for it. As she turned the bacon, Maroon 5 started playing from some invisible speaker and she started dancing to Moves Like Jagger and singing off key along with Adam Levine. Claire knew she couldn’t sing but she loved Adam Levine and always tried to sing with him.
Using a fork, she scooped the bacon out of the pan and put it on a plate then grabbed two eggs, breaking the shells quick and neat like on the edge of the pan. Grabbing the spatula, she turned to get some toast started and squealed. Finn stood there, his wet black hair slicked back, his eyes focused solely on her. Closing her eyes for a moment as she leaned against the counter.
“You have got to stop sneaking up on me.” Finn grinned and her heart flipped over. If she thought he was gorgeous before, he was sinfully sexy when he smiled. Taking several calming breaths, she tried to slow her indy 500 like, racing heart down.
She wasn’t used to having anyone in her cabin, let alone being around someone she couldn’t hear their thoughts. It was disconcerting even though she had been searching for someone she wouldn’t have to shield from while she was trying to build her defenses and blocks so she didn’t have to live by herself for the rest of her life.
“I don’t mean to startle you. Are you usually this jumpy?”
Claire just looked at him a moment, her gaze drawn to how the t-shirt he was wearing stretched across his broad chest and the sleeves only showed off the muscles in his arms. She had to remind herself to blink so she wouldn’t seem like she was staring, when, in answer to his question, no she wasn’t normally this jumpy. That was because she could hear what others were thinking and knew they were approaching before they even walked into a room.
“Have a seat. The bacon is done and I think I’ve cooked the eggs too much but I’ll fix you more. There is coffee but I’m not vouching for how good it is.”
Claire went to the fridge and took out two more eggs then snatched the coffee pot. Stepping to the table she filled his coffee cup then looked at the cup. “You might want some creamer or something. It looks strong.”
Finn picked up the cup and took a drink, barely able to hide his grimace, before he set the cup back down. “Well that’ll put hair on your chest.”
Claire let out a small snort as she went back to the stove to fry the eggs. “You don’t need help with thatt.” She looked back at him, her cheeks turning pink, giving him a timid smile. “Sorry. Wolf humor.”
Breaking the shells, she let the eggs slide into the pan before stepping over to the counter and putting two pieces of bread in the toaster. She could feel Finn’s eyes on her and she tried not to act like he made her nervous. Of course, he did make her nervous but he didn’t need to know that.
She had been in this cabin for six months and he was the only person, other than her father, who had been inside it. Glancing out the window, she noted how the snow was coming down in large, wet flakes and let out a slow breath. It looked like they were going to be stuck with each other for at least a day or so. When it stopped snowing she would start clearing things off but right now they would need to make the best of things.
“By the way, I’m Finn. Finn O’Rriley. Thought it would be good that we knew each other’s names, since by the looks of that storm, we might be stuck here together for a day or so..”
Claire brought the frying pan over to the table, slid the eggs onto Finn’s plate, followed by the bacon. She glanced out of the window once more, then back to Finn. It’s good to know you Finn, I’m Claire.”
Turning back to the counter, she grabbed the toast as it popped up, buttered them, then brought the slices back to the table. With a smile, she slid the over cooked eggs onto her plate, then sat across from Finn.
“Thank you, Claire, for helping me yesterday.”
Claire shifted in her chair uncomfortably. “Well you almost bit me for my effort.” She glanced up to see his grin and she smiled back. “Sorry I turned you into a Shih Tzu. You really were growling and snapping at me and I didn’t know how else to get you back to my cabin.”
Tilting her head slightly she pinned him with a look. “Why were those men shooting at you?” She had heard the thoughts the men had, about killing him for his pelt, but she didn’t tell him that. No one outside of family and a few close friends knew she was telepathic and she wanted to keep it that way.
Finn set his f
ork down rubbed his eyes, a weariness seeming to settle onto his shoulders. “You don’t have to tell me. I was just trying to figure out if you were a danger to me or not.”
He chuckled shaking his head. “A little late for that isn't it? You’re already stuck with me.”
Claire gave him a sheepish smile. “True but I’m confident I could turn you back into a Shih Tzu before you ever got close enough to be a threat to me.”
Finn threw his head back and laughed, nodding as he picked his fork back up. “I have no doubt about that.” Shoveling some eggs into his mouth, he took a sip of his coffee, trying to mask the grimace from its strength, before he spoke again. “Why a Shih Tzu?”
Her smile widened as she shrugged. “My friend Lacey runs a shelter and I would sometimes volunteer there when I was younger. One time the most adorable little Shih Tzu came in and I wanted to take him home so bad but my parents wouldn’t let me. I’ve never forgotten him.”
“Well do me a favor please. Can you turn me into a German Shepherd or something? I do have a reputation to maintain.”
Claire laughed and shook her head. “Sorry no promises.”
Finn chuckled then concentrated on finishing his eggs. When they were both done, she stood and cleared the table, putting the dishes in the sink before turning around, catching his gaze with hers.
“No really. Why were those men chasing you?”
All humor left Finn as he looked at her, leaning back in his chair. He crossed his arms seeming to study her until she felt heat slowly crawling up her body. Turning away from him, she started putting water and dish soap in the sink.
She really needed him to answer her question. Not being able to hear him in her head was really throwing her, making her fidgety and uncertain. It took all her willpower not to blurt out what she’d heard but she had learned a long time ago that people didn’t like the fact she could read their minds or the minds of others. Still, she knew, if she were going to trust him, he needed to come clean with her.
There was another reason why she needed the answer to her question. Although she didn’t have as much psychic abilities as her older sister, Beth. She sensed something was coming. Something life altering and, from the feel of it, dangerous.
Chapter 4 - Finn
Finn watched Claire closely as she turned around and crossed her arms. The fierce determination in her eyes and the firm set of her full, kissable lips, had both man and wolf stirring. For the first time he really looked her over. He’d seen her from behind dancing and the sway of her hips had him wishing for things he knew he couldn’t even ask for. But now, all fired up and determined to get him to talk, she was positively stunning.
He looked down at the coffee he had stopped drinking then back up to her. “The men were poachers. They work for a man by the James Corbin. He pays them to hunt shifters, wounding them in order to get them to shift. Then kills them in their animal form for their pelts. Bears, wolves, badgers...everything you could think of.”
Claire’s eyes widened to the size of ufos as she moved to the table sitting across from him. “Tell me more about this Corbin guy.”
His forehead knitted in a frown. Sitting back, he crossed his arms over his chest, causing his muscles to bulge. “Have you heard of him?”
Claire took a deep breath and nodded. “We’ve had some trouble in my hometown where a friend of mine disappeared. Later it was discovered what happened to him and Corbin was mentioned. But that was months ago.”
The sadness in her eyes had Finn’s heart pounding. He wanted to go to her and take her in his arms to offer her comfort. It affected his wolf as well. He was actually whimpering, wanting to get to her and comfort her as well. He could relate to what she was feeling. He’d seen Corbin’s cruelty first hand...twice. He nodded. “I understand how you’re feeling. He’s taken two people from me.”
“Oh Finn! I’m so sorry!” He watched as her sadness for him was replaced with sympathy and a flash of anger. She looked like she would take on Corbin right now if she had the chance.
He nodded and stood, walking over to one of the windows, staring out into the swirling snow. If he could just get out of here and get to those two poachers, then maybe he could get at least one of them to take him to Corbin. He’d already failed his cousin and his mother, but he could take Corbin out before any more of his poachers got their hands on one more shifter pelt.
His skin jumped when he felt her press a warm touch on his back and repeated herself. “I’m sorry Finn.” He could feel the heat of her body as she nearly pressing up against him while trying to offer him consolation.
Turning, he looked down into her eyes and saw the tenderness that had the potential to be his undoing. She was a strong female, he could tell that, but right then, he felt her compassion as well. Lifting his hand, he traced the soft skin of her cheek. “You don’t even know me Claire. Why are you sorry?”
Finn watched as she swallowed then gave him a soft smile. “Because I know what it's like to lose someone to tragedy like that. My loss was a friend and not family, but that didn’t make it hurt any less.”
As Finn searched her eyes, they reminded him of the dark, deep green of the leaves of the trees that surrounded his pack land. Moving his hand to the back of her neck, he kissed her lightly on her lips. When he pulled back, he rubbed his thumb across her bottom lip before reluctantly stepping away, turning his back on her, walking to the fireplace where he stared into the flames.
What the hell was he doing? He could hear the way her heart had started racing and her breath hitched when he’d kissed her. Her arousal had mixed with that lavender and lemon scent that he realized was her soap and something else when he’d showered. His wolf began pacing with the need to...what? Mate? They didn’t know each other and her saving him was certainly not a reason to get that serious. He needed to get out of this cabin but how?
The sound of dishes and water had him turning to see that Claire had gone back to the sink and was washing the breakfast dishes, her posture stiff. There was definitely no singing or dancing like he’d seen before. Sighing, he dropped his head a moment. She was pissed or hurt or both. Walking into the kitchen area, he stood behind her, his hands aching to reach out and pull her to him. Instead he put them on her arms and rubbed them, trying to comfort her.
“I’m sorry Claire. Look at everything you’ve done. Jesus, you saved my life, and I’m a jerk. And...well….I’m sorry I let my desires override my sensibility in kissing you.”
Claire relaxed some, but didn’t turn around, just continued to do the dishes. “It’s ok Finn. We don’t know each other. I shouldn’t have gotten so personal.” Finn growled lightly, dropping his hands. Claire looked up from her dishes to peer out into the storm. “I’m thinking this might last another day, then we can dig out and I can take you into town if you need me to.”
Finn frowned, not liking the sound of her voice or the way she wasn’t turning around to look at him. Letting out a slow breath he turned and walked to the chair in front of the fire and sat down. Watching the fire, he thought about his next move. He’d lost the poacher’s trail and he had no idea where to start except to go back to Durango. That was the last place he’d been before they’d got the jump on him.
Claire walked over, taking a seat across from Finn, pulling her legs under her as she gazed into the fire. He studied her for a moment until she looked up at him. “I am telepathic.” He frowned at her declaration. “I can hear other people’s thoughts loud and clear. It's why I’m here. The voices were getting so loud that I couldn’t take it anymore. My father helped me move up here from New Mexico so I could have some peace from the thoughts of others.”
Leaning forward in the chair he studied her. Could she hear his thoughts? She smiled and shook her head. “I know that look all too well but for some reason I can’t hear your thoughts Finn. I did however, hear what those men were thinking and what they wanted.”
The air left him as he sat back. “What did you hear from them?”
>
She shrugged. “Not a lot really that you can use. One of them was reminding himself not to damage your wolf’s fur that it was worth thousands. Your wolf really is beautiful.”
One corner of Finn’s lips curved up as he nodded. “Silver blue. Very rare. I inherited it from my grandfather. So, you can’t hear me at all?” Claire shook her head.
“Not even a peep.”
“Why do you think that is?” Claire shrugged her shoulders and looked over at the flames. They stayed silent for a few minutes before he spoke again. “Why did you tell me? You didn’t have to. If you can’t hear my thoughts, then I would never have known.
Claire took a deep breath and tore her eyes from the flames. “I’ve been trying for a long time to build my walls to shut out all the voices. I was making progress until one day I was out with my friend Michael, a shifter, and I heard someone.” She tapped her temple. “In here. I tried to bring up my walls and nearly missed hearing that someone had us in their sights. I turned to tell Michael that we needed to get out of there when the first bullet hit his shoulder.”
Finn seemed to jerk in response as he listened to Claire recount her story. She was lucky that she’d survived. He’d been tracking the two poachers who had taken him for a while and they had left no possible witnesses alive. Like him, once he’d been shot Claire’s cousin’s wolf had taken over and shifted to heal. His shifting had sealed his death.
“I’m sorry Claire. I understand how you feel. I was supposed to be with my cousin the day the poachers got him. If I had been maybe he would be alive.”
Claire looked at him and he knew she understood the look in his eyes along with the anguish in his voice and he heard how it had caused her heart to thrum in response to him. “You know Finn I could help you.”
