“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's 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 but 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 backpack. “We really should keep moving, but not at the expense of your condition.” He pulled out a pair of sweats, a long-sleeve tee, and handed them to her.
She pulled the oversized clothes over 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 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 with wood in the center of the cave.
“I’m starved,” she said, eying 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’ll 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 the pot of water before settling 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 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 compartments, 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 on 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 backpack. “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 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.
After eating a few bites of the apple pie mix, she asked, “What happened to the tribe after that?”
“They flourished again.” He put his empty packs on the ground. “It is not known whether the wolf came with powers or if it was something the gods gifted to Markus in the process. But most know that wolves can travel great distances and at impressive speeds. With adequate food supply coming in and the ability to scout shelters before a storm, the tribe grew confidant and stronger. There is a ceremony to honor this event as well as the legend of Markus Caedmon once a year during the Wolf Moon. His followers and those that wished to join the tribe would embrace the wolf spirit of Caedmon. Although they weren’t gifted to shift between man and wolf like him, each of them were given more strength, stamina, and some powers. To this day only those born of Caedmon blood can shift.”
“This is amazing.”
“It is.”
“You’re Caedmon, then?”
He nodded. “I’m too far removed from the history tree to be considered Caedmon royalty, but I am Caedmon, nonetheless.”
She drew her knees up against her body, and wrapped her arms around her legs. “It sounds like humans are a part of the tribe.”
“The tribe is now called a pack since we are made up of wolves. Caedmon Pack. Back then, the pack grew stronger by strengthening the bloodlines. This can only be done by bearing children who descend directly from the original Caedmon family.” He poked at the logs in the fire pit again. “As for humans with the pack, each succeeding Alpha had their own agenda. Old rules were replaced with newer ones. Soon the human followers were outnumbered, and they no longer had a voice. One of our past leaders enacted a rule that cast out all humans, forbidding any relations with them.”
“Caedmon existence has been kept a secret.”
“Yes. Over the years, we’ve had groups of wolves branch off to form their own pack, but we Caedmon are still one of the strongest around.”
“I would like to know more. Tell me something else about them.”
“We’re both tired, Selene.” Nick moved closer to her until their bodies were touching. He felt extremely warm as he slid his arms over her shoulders.
He was right. She could barely keep her eyes open, but she was still curious about the Caedmon. “I’ll be gone tomorrow. I want to know more about the powers. Will you have enough time to tell me before I leave?”
“Of course.” He spread out another blanket and laid it across them.
Although Selene was out of her comfort zone and hundreds of miles away from home, she felt safe within this cave and with this man who was also a wolf.
“Thank you, Nick,” she whispered.
“For what?”
“I think you know.”
He’d saved her and encouraged her to escape when all her hope had faded.
“We have each other to thank.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Nick slowed his pace as they neared the gas station. A feeling of hopelessness consumed him. Selena had to leave. It would only be best for her. The longer she stayed with him the more he grew on her. Ever since the night she was thrown in the cell with him, his wolf seemed to have complete control over him. If he didn’t let her go now, he feared that it would be to late down the road. She’d been thrown into the height of Caedmon Pack rivalry, and suffered at the hands of the man who wanted to see a legacy destroyed. Even though she worked with clients whose very lives were literally on the line on a daily basis, he could tell she’d never experienced this level of danger.
The yellow cab he’d called using the cell in his pack was already parked near the gas pump waiting.
Selene stopped walking. “I…this is the same gas station I came to just before my car accident.”
“It’s the town gas station. The only one for miles.”
She turned to face him. “Nick, I wish we could have talked more. Not just about your Pack, but about you too.”
Despite the urgent circumstances, they’d made the best out of a bad situation. He wanted to learn more about her too, but hated that he would have to bring her into his dysfunctional world to do so. “You have my cell phone number, and I have yours.”
“You promise to call me?”
“You know I will.” He stroked the side of her face, and slid his thumb over her dimple. “When things die down here, I’ll be free to roam. There is too much going on in my world right now.”
“I can only imagine,” she whispered.
Nick slid his backpack off his shoulder and handed it to her. “What’s left of the freeze dried food…to take back. There’s some cash as well in the bottom.”
“Thank you.”
He took her hand and grasped it tighter. Why was this so hard? He’d just met the woman. Barely knew her. Yet, he felt like if he allowed her to ride off into the sunset that his world would come tumbling down around him.
“Selene, you should go now.”
“I know.” She looked at the cab, and then back at him. “You never told me about your powers.”
He smiled. “Well then I know you’ll definitely call me.”
“Not fair,” she teased, and began walking toward the taxi.
Nick followed. “Be careful, Selene.” He nodded to the driver, who was an old family friend, then turned back to Selene. “Call me when you reach the train station. As soon as we find your car…if we find it…we’ll contact you.”
“I’ve had that Honda for seven years. It was time for a new one anyway. The clothes, my laptop, and other belongings, I can replace. But I can’t replace my life. Thank you again, Nick. No matter what you are, you do have a good heart.” Her palm left the side of his face. She turned to open the door and tossed the pack on the backseat. “I’ll have to come up with a story though about how my car came to be wrecked in t
his town.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You never did tell me the reason you came here.”
She smiled sweetly. “That way I know you’ll definitely call me.”
“See you later, Selene.”
“Bye, Nick.” She slid on the backseat and he shut the door.
He walked up to the driver's door and handed Nash, the driver, his fare and a tip.
Nash didn’t waste any time as he pulled off.
Nick looked after the yellow taxicab as it began to pick up speed and merge onto the main highway. He stood there so long that the dust fanned over his face. He swallowed down the lump in his throat, and walked toward the door of the small station.
The chimes hanging over the doorway rung as he came inside.
“Nick, man. Long time no see, bro. What have you been up to?” Charles greeted from behind the cash register.
“Nothing much, Charles. How’s the mate and pups?”
“They’ve turned me into a slave.”
They both laughed.
“What brings you up here?” Charles asked.
“I planned a mountain climbing trip to seek solitude and get my head together. It was cut short by a band of cowards.” Nick grimaced, thinking about the way Darius’s men had tied him up with the ropes to overpower him.
Charles leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Have you heard the rumors around here?”
“Concerning?”
“Nothing ain’t the same no more, man. You’ve got Darius and his followers threatening a whole bunch of town folk.” Charles frowned. “That wolf has been up to no good.”
“That’s precisely why my retreat was halted.” He grabbed two boxes of beef jerky from a nearby shelf. “I need to get back to the village. I should warn you and any others to stay on this side of the property line until things are handled.”
Charles shook his head. “As soon as we thought we had stopped that bastard…”
The door chime rung again. Nick didn’t think to look up until he got a whiff of a familiar cinnamon fragrance. Selene…
His head jerked up, and he focused to find her standing at the door. Even dressed down in his oversized clothes, she took his breath away. Although it wasn’t merely her beauty that astonished him; her very presence affected him in ways he’d never imagined.
Wolf's Kingdom: (COBRA Coalition) (Caedmon Wolves Book 8) Page 27
