Winter Wolf (A New Dawn Novel Book 1)

by Rachel M Raithby

  He’d gone before she could respond. She stood there feeling cold and empty. Mad at the people who’d put her in this situation. She knew she shouldn’t feel guilty for not doing as Jackson said, but she couldn’t help it; Cage deserved better, but she had a feeling her heart had already been given away to a black-eyed wolf, the night he’d found her hiding in a shed, bloody and broken.

  That night, she stood at her window like she’d done the previous night, hoping and praying Bass would return. She’d stood for hours the night before until she’d no longer been able to keep her eyes open. The urgent need she had inside of her was silly and irrational, as if now he was gone a piece of her was missing. She’d only known him for a very short time, yet it felt like they’d always known each other. Every time she remembered their kiss, her heart raced, her body tingling and so many questions swirled in her head, desperate for an answer.

  Her eyes caught movement to the left. Immediately, she froze in hope. There it was again, a movement in the shadows. Katalina left her room and quietly crept down the stairs. Faint snores carried from the sitting room; Cage had finally given in to his exhaustion. The front door creaked as she opened it. She paused, worried he might wake. The scrape of Arne’s paws across the wooden floors made her cringe; he appeared from the kitchen, his tail wagging as he saw her.

  “Come on then,” she whispered. “You can be my excuse.”

  She closed the door and listened again but heard no one, and a quick look in the front window confirmed Cage was still fast asleep. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to block the cold wind. Katalina stood on the porch, watching the tree line; waiting to see if Bass would show himself. After what felt like an eternity, his jet-black wolf stepped from the cover of shadows and then disappeared a second later.

  Katalina ran. The snow was deep and almost instantly, she felt her injuries. She forced her sore muscles to move quickly. One look out of the window and anyone in the house would see her running. Arne ran ahead of her, his head down, tail in the air as he sniffed the scents around him. He stopped when the gap between them grew too great and lapped back, his tongue hanging out in excitement.

  She smiled. “Silly dog, I’m not running about for your entertainment.”

  She reached the trees and squinted into the dark but couldn’t see anyone. Her chest heaved, dragging air into her oxygen-deprived lungs.

  “Bass?” she whispered, taking a few more steps into the woods. She could only see a short distance and not very well. She moved slowly, arms outstretched so as not to face-plant into a tree.

  “Bass!” she called a little louder, her heart pounding. What if it wasn’t Bass at all? “Bass, where are you?”

  Arne stepped in front of her, growling. She saw his eyes first, just silver flecks like stars in the night sky, and then the outline of his large wolf. He was so dark he was almost invisible. He looked up at Katalina and then at Arne. Bass growled back and Arne instantly silenced.

  “Ay! Leave him alone. He’s just protecting me from the ‘big bad wolf’, “she laughed.

  His wolf padded further into the woods with Katalina following.

  “Bass, slow down. I can barely see you!” she whispered. Her foot was aching something rotten and she was beginning to wish he’d come to her.

  “Bass?” She’d lost sight of him. Peering into the darkness feeling disorientated, she called again, “Bass where are you?”

  “Big bad wolf, am I?” he murmured, appearing before her.

  Gasping, Katalina jumped. It was as if he’d just appeared out of nowhere.

  He chuckled at her. “Sorry, did I scare you?”

  “Yes! How do you do that?”

  “Do what?”

  “Just appear? I didn’t hear you or see you until you were in my face.”

  “Partly because I’m a wolf, partly because I’m good at blending into the shadows. I told you. No one see’s me unless I want to be seen.”

  “Hmm.” Katalina had just noticed his bare chest and the tattered looking pair of jeans hanging low on his waist; he wore nothing else. Immediately, she couldn’t pull together a single coherent sentence. Her mind imagined what it would feel like running her hands over each ridge of his abs.

  “You’re staring, Kat.”

  “Hmm, what?”

  “I said you are staring.” He reached out his hand and tilted her chin up. She stared into his amused eyes.

  “How long have you had those jeans on?” she asked, seeing how dirty they were.

  “Well, not that long considering I’m a wolf most of the time, but being carried around by a wolf and dumped on the ground isn’t the best for keeping clothes clean.” He stepped closer, his bare skin just centimeters from her. “Am I too dirty for you, Katalina Winter?”

  She gulped, feeling like smacking the smug smirk from his face. She stepped back, needing room to think of anything other than his body. Get a grip, Kat. He’s only kissed you once!

  “You didn’t come last night.”

  “No, the wolf who interrupted us, he tracked me after I left. He’s very good. Fortunately, I’m better. He has been very persistent in his goal to catch me. Coming to you, would have been too great a risk. I saw you waiting though.”

  “You did?”

  “Yes, you stood at the window for a long time.”

  “Yes,” she answered, casting her eyes down in embarrassment.

  “I like that you waited.”

  She snapped her head up. “You do?”

  He chuckled again, amusement dancing in his eyes.

  God, could you sound any lamer, Kat?

  He stepped forward, his arm wrapping around her waist. Her breath left her in a rush as he pulled her against him. “I do,” he breathed into her mouth, kissing her softly.

  Katalina moaned as she melted against him. She looked at him breathlessly, all the questions she’d wanted to ask, buried under her desire.

  “Did you miss me?” he asked her quietly.

  For a moment, she wondered whether to tell him the truth. What would he think? They’d only known each other for a short time, but in that short time, he’d consumed her. She’d thought of nothing else the previous night, and when he didn’t turn up, her heart had ached.

  “Yes,” she said quietly, looking to the ground again.

  “Good.” He met her lips again; his hands ran slowly up her back and into her hair.

  She shivered; her whole body alive from his touch. His tongue dipped into her mouth, making her knees weaken. Running her hands up his back, she gripped him tighter; his skin like fire under her fingertips.

  Bass pulled away from her, breathing heavily. Smiling, Katalina felt pleased it wasn’t just her so affected.

  “As much as I’d love to kiss you all night, I need to tell you something, Kat.”

  She felt instantly cold, the tone of his voice suddenly going from playful to serious. “About what?”

  “Hey, don’t worry. It’s not that bad. Well, I hope you don’t think it’s that bad. I just, I needed to tell you before this went any further.”

  “Okay,” she whispered, feeling even more worried by his rambling. Bass had never rambled before.

  “I’m from Dark Shadow. I told you that, and a lot of my pack wants you dead, well, my father...”

  “Bass, I already know this and no doubt, your father wants me dead. Your father would have to do as he’s told.”

  “No, Kat, you don’t understand. My full name is Sebastian Evernight. My father is the alpha.”

  Her heart was racing. If Bass was Dark Shadow’s, alpha’s son, then that meant Jackson had killed his mother. Katalina felt sick. How could he not want her dead?

  “Kat, please, I do not care what my father thinks, so it doesn’t matter.”

  “How can you say that, when Jackson killed your mother? God, Bass, how can you even look at me?”

  Bass ran his finger along her jaw. “Katalina, Dark Shadow is responsible for the death of your parents and the death of Win
ter, yet you look at me with a warmth in your eyes that makes me feel whole. Both of our packs are responsible for so much blood, but this all started when we had no control over the situation, but now, I can put a stop to the bloodshed. It is time the past is left where it belongs.”

  “But why, Bass, why would you go against your father for me?”

  Bass smiled at her, taking her face in his hands. “Haven’t you figured it out yet?” He lightly brushed his lips over hers. “There is something between us, Katalina; something not even eighteen years of hatred can destroy.”

  He let go of her face, resting his hands on her hips. It was Katalina who closed the distance between them. She wrapped her arms around him tightly, feeling truly happy for the first time since the night of her eighteenth birthday. They kissed with a hunger, a passion that made the rest of the world drop away. For the seconds she held him, Katalina didn’t feel anything but Bass. His heat caressed her as she ran her hands over bare skin. His steady strength and the taste of him on her tongue consumed her every sense.

  The feelings Katalina felt for Bass had developed with a speed she didn’t understand. Their intensity frightening at times, yet when she was with him, some of the sadness disappeared. He made her feel as if she could cope with the loss in her life. She may not understand it and it may be rushed, but it was simply right.

  Arne barked from somewhere in the distance; Katalina jumped, completely forgetting he’d come with her.

  “Arne! Come here,” Katalina called quietly. Moments later, he dashed out of the trees, wrapping himself around her legs.

  “Thanks for the interruption, dog,” Bass grumbled.

  Katalina laughed at him. “I best be getting back. Cage was asleep on the sofa when I snuck out.”

  “This Cage, I do not like the way he watches you.”

  “How do you know how he looks at me, hmm? Have you been spying?”

  “I did tell you I was good at blending in, didn’t I?”

  “Jackson promised me to Cage.”

  Bass growled.

  “Hey leave Cage alone, okay? He’s a nice guy. It’s not his fault Jackson is an ass.” The look of displeasure left his face as quickly as it arrived. Katalina expected Bass to comment further on the subject of Cage. The hard set of his mouth, telling her he wasn’t happy being told to leave Cage alone. Yet he looked at her intensely. It was as if he could read her soul. A look of satisfaction crossed his face before he moved on.

  “Katalina, I won’t be here for the next few days. I need to go back home. If I don’t return soon, my father will send someone looking for me.”

  “What are you going to say to him? Will you tell him about us?”

  “I’m not sure. My father may not take the news too well and I want to be back before the full moon,” he answered uncertainly, a frown line marking his forehead. “My father can be very difficult,” he continued sadly.

  At the mention of the full moon, Katalina felt her stomach turn. She’d been trying very hard not to think about what would happen when that day came.

  “Don’t worry, Kat. I won’t let you go through it alone. Being a wolf is the most incredible feeling. You’ll see. I promise.”

  He knew exactly what to say to ease her mounting worry. She did not understand the connection they had, yet his reassurance and soothing words were exactly what Katalina needed to hear. With a resigned sigh, she knew it was time to go. “Okay, I best go.” She kissed him again, wishing he didn’t have to hide in the woods. “Come on, Arne. Time to go.” Bass kissed her forehead before she turned to leave.

  After a few steps, Katalina realized she’d be unable to run back to the house. Although her leg was healing well, she knew she shouldn’t have been going so far on it.

  Bass was suddenly besides her. “Kat, your leg, why didn’t you tell me? I should have never let you walk here. I’m not used to being around people who do not heal almost instantly.” He picked her up.

  “Bass, Cage could be watching.” Her heart stuttered at their closeness and his strong arms cradling her body.

  “Let him watch. I won’t have you damaging yourself further.” She didn’t have time to protest; he started to run, Arne following.

  He carried her as if she weighed nothing. When he reached the house, he wasn’t the least bit out of breath. Bass kissed her before standing her upright. “Goodnight, Katalina.”

  She watched him run back and melt into the shadows.

  “Come on, boy. It’s time for bed,” she said, opening the front door with a smile.

  That night, Katalina had no trouble falling to sleep. Bass filled her dreams, keeping the burning nightmares at bay.

  Chapter 8

  Cage went from completely ignoring Katalina to never leaving her side. She knew it was to do with Bass; not that he knew that. All he knew was there were strange scent trails in the surrounding woods and he’d smelled them near her. He’d no real evidence she’d been with Bass, but he was planning on finding some.

  She hated him constantly watching her. Every move she made, he watched. Toby noticed, too; she’d overheard them arguing. Toby seemed to think his brother had ‘lost the plot’. He’d tried talking to Katalina about it but Cage had found them before he’d had the chance.

  Normally, Katalina wouldn’t have minded Cage’s company. He’d been happy and caring since she’d first met him. Now he seemed edgy; he crowded her and snapped easily. He was finally cracking under the expectations put on him at far too young an age.

  It was the night before the full moon when he finally found some evidence. Katalina had woken early in the morning. The night sky was clear and the almost full moon bright. Sneaking the first bit of alone time she’d had in days, she went outside, wrapped in a blanket. Arne scrambled about in the snow, running back to Katalina on the porch steps every so often. The peace was wonderful and she’d felt herself relaxing for the first time since Bass had left. But her peace was shattered when the front door opened; Cage joined her on the steps, his suspicious eyes scanning the woods.

  “Kat, what are you doing?” he demanded.

  “I was enjoying some alone time,” she answered in the same harsh tone he’d used.

  “I’ve told you, someone is out there. Get inside. It’s not safe!”

  She chose to ignore him. If he was going to talk to her like she was a child, she’d act like one. She knew it wasn’t the best plan, but it was the only one she had.

  “Kat, I said inside!” He pointed to the door and Katalina laughed. “I’m being serious!”

  “Really? I couldn’t tell.” She continued watching Arne.

  When she didn’t move, Cage walked the two steps between them and roughly dragged Katalina to her feet. Arne’s head snapped up and he gave a warning growl.

  “Cage, get off me! What makes you think you have the right to treat me like this?”

  “I’m protecting you!”

  “How is hurting me, protecting me? The way you’ve been lately, I’ll be pleased when I never have to spend a minute with you again!” Kat shouted, pulling away from him; the blanket around her slipped to the porch floor.

  The anger suddenly left him and a look of horror crossed his face. “You’re right.” He bent to pick up her blanket. “I’m sorry…” He stopped mid-sentence and brought the blanket to his face, breathing deeply.

  The anger returned to his face. His body trembled with rage as he towered over her. Arne, sensing his sudden mood change, jumped up onto the porch pushing himself between them.

  “Who is he, Kat?” he growled at her.

  “Who?” Katalina worked hard to keep the fear out of her voice.

  “The fucking guy whose scent is on this blanket!”

  Arne snapped at Cage’s legs, growling and gave a loud warning bark. Cage took a step back but didn’t seem at all bothered.

  “Cage, you are being ridiculous. I have no idea what you are talking about.”

  “I can smell the lie, Kat, and I can smell him on here.” He thrus
t the blanket at her, making her stumble back. “I’m not stupid, Kat. You’ve been seeing someone and you are going to tell me who he is. Now!”

  For the first time since she’d met Cage, she felt frightened; her heart stuttered, eyes widening as she looked at him. Eyes lit with rage, jaw clenched and hands balled tightly, she wondered what he was capable of. She also wondered what he’d do if she shouted for help. As if reading her mind, he took a step to the side, blocking her way back inside. Grinding out through his clenched jaw, he said, “Don’t even think of shouting, Kat. I’m a lot quicker than you.”

  “Do you know what, Cage, when I first met you, I actually thought we could be friends, but I can see now that’s never going to happen, not with the way you are acting. If you must know, yes, I have being seeing someone, but I’m not telling you who he is.” Katalina squared her shoulders, her gaze daring him to shout.

  His clenched fist snatched at her shirt, dragging her forward so he was inches from her face. “You’ll tell me now, Kat. Who is he? Is he from this pack?”

  Arne was barking loudly but Cage didn’t even seem to notice him. Kat attempted to push her fear aside, despite her pounding heart, but she couldn’t help the small tremble as she whispered her answer, “N-no, he’s Dark Sh-shadow.”

  The front door opened.

  “Cage!” Jackson growled, his tone pure alpha.

  Cage had no choice but to release Katalina, but it did nothing to dull the fury raging through his veins.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” Jackson shouted, dragging Cage away from Katalina.

  Katalina ran her hand through her hair and straightened her clothes. She wrapped the blanket back around her, half-covering her face, and she drew Bass’s scent into her lungs, wrapping him around her.

  “She’s seeing someone from Dark Shadow. His scent is all over the pack woods!” Cage yelled, dragging himself from Jackson’s grip.

  Jackson glanced between Cage and Katalina. “Kat?”

  Katalina simply nodded.

  “Are you insane? Dark Shadow want you dead.”

  “Not all of them,” she answered quietly.

  “Katalina, they cannot be trusted! You are not to see him again!”