Winter Wolf (A New Dawn Novel Book 1)

by Rachel M Raithby

  “No, Arne!”

  She didn’t want her dog to die, too. She couldn’t lose them all.

  It was too late. He was there licking her face, whining…

  “Katalina, baby, come back to me,” the voice whispered around her.

  Wait…that voice doesn’t belong to this nightmare.

  “Katalina Winter, look at me! You are here. You are safe!” The edge of a growl, the strength of a command.

  Her eyes focused through the blur of tears and found his dark eyes.

  “Katalina.” His words were harsh, commanding, but his eyes and his touch, held so much love that the horrifying images cleared.

  She took his hand and let him pull her up. “Hey, boy,” she croaked, ruffling her hand over Arne’s head.

  “Are you all right?” Bass asked softly.

  “For now.”

  “Come on. Let’s get you inside.”

  They walked in silence to the house; no one had arrived back yet, much to Katalina’s relief. She needed some peace, some time to work through her emotions. She curled up into the corner of the sofa with Arne sat at her feet, his head resting on her curled up legs.

  “Tea?” Bass asked.

  She looked up and nodded.

  What felt like seconds later, Bass returned with a mug filled with steaming tea. She caught the whiff of coffee and pulled a face.

  “What?” Bass laughed.

  “I hate the smell of coffee.”

  He circled his mug under his nose, sighing as he breathed deeply. “Nonsense, it’s wonderful.”

  She leaned her head on his shoulder. “If you say so.”

  They drank in silence for a while, enjoying the quiet, simple moment together, without any distractions.

  “Tell me about them,” Bass said quietly, squeezing her hand.

  Katalina stood up and collected an album from the shelf. She opened the first page. “They adopted me a few months before I turned one. My mother said I was so quiet when they first brought me home. I never spoke or cried. She said I used to sit on the floor and just watch the world go by, but never interacted.”

  She flipped the pages. “This is my first birthday. Mom went all out on parties. She said I’d been with them for six months before I actually started to talk beyond asking for things. Maybe I was traumatized from watching Winter die? I don’t remember.”

  “What’s the first thing you remember?” Bass asked.

  A smile lit her face. “Mom brought this cat home, just before I turned three.” She flipped a few pages. “Look, there it is.”

  “It doesn’t look very happy,” Bass laughed, his finger tracing over the little girl hugging a Tabby cat.

  “It hated me, but I never let it escape. It would hiss and screech at me. Mom told me it ran away, but I’m certain she found it a new home.”

  “You realize why it hated you?”

  Katalina frowned. “Oh! I’m a wolf. It would have been able to sense that?”

  “Yes.”

  “When did you get Arne?”

  “On my tenth birthday.” She turned a few more pages. “He was the cutest puppy ever, weren’t you, boy!” She kissed Arne’s head when he looked up at her.

  “Hey! Where’s mine?”

  Katalina laughed as Bass dragged her onto his lap. She found his lips easily. Running her hands up his shoulders and tangling them into his hair, the photo album was forgotten as they got lost in the feel of one another. Katalina’s grief was pushed back by the love and desire she felt for Bass. Her hands roamed his body. Slipping under his t-shirt, her nails grazed over his smooth skin.

  He moaned into her mouth, his hands gripping her waist tighter, fingers digging into flesh. He lifted her and lay her onto the sofa, trapping her body with his.

  “Bass,” she gasped.

  He smiled cheekily, crushing his mouth with to hers.

  She wasn’t sure how long she lay trapped beneath him, her body on fire, every part of her, craving his touch, before he suddenly pulled away, jumping onto the sofa chair.

  “Bass?” she asked breathlessly, lifting up on her elbows. “What’s wrong?”

  He nodded toward the door. “Company.”

  At first, she couldn’t hear anything, but then she really concentrated and heard tires driving over gravel.

  “How do you do that? I have to really concentrate to hear them.”

  He smiled. “You’ve been a full shifter for a few days, Kat. Give it time, and before you know it, every sense you have will be heightened. Katalina, I think you’d best straighten your dress and hair,” he said with a wink.

  “What? Oh…” She looked down at her dress; the hem had ridden up to the top of her thighs.

  Katalina jumped to her feet, straightened her hair in the mirror and wiggled her dress back down. “You don’t look much better yourself,” she laughed, patting his hair down. By the time her grandmother and aunt walked in, she’d slumped back onto the sofa and found something to watch on TV.

  “Hi,” she called at they walked into the kitchen, carrying boxes of food, “need help?”

  “There’s a few more in the car,” Aunt Susan called.

  Katalina stood, but Bass stopped her, “I’ll get them,”

  “Bass, I’m not an invalid.”

  He kissed her cheek. “I know that. I would rather you stayed inside, where it’s safe and no one can take you away from me.”

  “Go on then,” she huffed, walking into the kitchen. “Bass is fetching the rest,” she said, sitting next to her aunt at the breakfast bench.

  “Here, try this,” her aunt instructed, sliding a box toward her. “Chocolate to die for!” Her aunt smiled.

  Her grandmother passed her a spoon.

  “Wow, looks amazing,” Katalina said, lifting the lid of the box.

  Katalina had already shoveled three spoonfuls into her mouth when Bass came in carrying an armful of boxes. “Where would you like these?” he asked,

  “Just there is fine,” Katalina’s grandmother replied. “I hope you two are hungry. There is enough food left to feed a village.”

  “Bass! Try this. It’s so good.” Katalina smiled, holding a spoonful of cake out to him.

  He smiled warmly at her, closing his mouth around the spoon. “Mmm,” he moaned, bending and kissing her softly, “perfect,” he murmured, looking into her eyes.

  They pulled apart, realizing what they’d done. Katalina looked at Bass wide-eyed. The expression on his face confirmed he’d never been so caught up in someone that he forgot the situation he was in.

  Her grandmother cleared her throat loudly. “Come help me with something, will you, Sebastian?”

  Bass dragged his eyes from Katalina’s. “Yes…of course,” he answered, looking a little ruffled.

  Katalina stuffed another mouthful of cake into her mouth, hoping her aunt wouldn’t say anything.

  “Enough cake, Kat, come walk with me.” She didn’t have much choice; her aunt hooked her arm through hers and led her outside.

  Katalina kept silent as she walked around the garden, dreading what her aunt would say.

  “Kat, you’re eighteen now, an adult, free to do as you wish. I’m not sure what your mom would have said about Bass. This should have been a conversation you had with your mother, but nothing has gone as it should, has it?”

  “No,” Katalina agreed.

  “I can see the attraction, Kat. He’s one fine looking young man.”

  “Aunt Susan,” Katalina groaned in embarrassment.

  “What, I’m not that old, Kat. I’m worried about you though. Your Grandma has filled me in on what she knows, and a lot has happened to you over the past weeks. Do you not think it’s a bit soon to be meeting someone?”

  “It’s not like I’m planning on marrying him,” Katalina muttered, feeling guilty for lying. He was her soul mate. She couldn’t imagine life without him, but how would she explain that to her aunt?

  “But it’s not a fleeting relationship, is it? What just happened
in there…a simple kiss, you were both lost in your own world. Yes, I understand how everything is exciting when you first meet, but from what I’ve seen, it’s pretty serious.”

  “No, it’s not just fleeting, but I’m not stupid, Susan. I can take care of myself and I’m old enough to decide who I see,” Katalina replied, irritated. She’d always been sensible, stayed out of trouble. She deserved a little credit for that.

  “Just be careful, okay. You’ve just lost your parents. Maybe you should mourn them before you go falling in love?”

  Katalina turned sharply. She stood in front of her aunt in anger. Her wolf pushed against her skin as her emotions rose to the surface. Hands clenched into fists, she ground out, “Is that what you think? That I’m so caught up in my love for Bass that I’ve not even realized my mom and dad are dead? Well, let me tell you something, Susan. I saw them die! I saw the car burst into flames while wolves were attacking me. I will never, ever forget that. The image will be etched in my mind for eternity. Some days, it feels like I might drown in the sadness closing around me. Bass has been the only one keeping me going. So much has happened and he’s been there every step of the way.”

  She turned on her heel and stormed off. Her aunt called her back, but she’d reached her limit and needed to be alone. It was as though her wolf was pacing inside of her mind, snapping and snarling; angry, oh, so angry. Katalina paced the garden, taking deep breathes. She couldn’t lose control again. Toby was a shifter; he healed quickly. Her aunt and grandma though were just human.

  She realized her mistake too late. She was alone. Susan had long since gone back into the house and she’d ventured to the far end of the garden. The garden backed onto a small crop of trees and wasteland. There were houses either side, but where she was at that moment, she was vulnerable. Her wolf paced for a whole different reason; her hackles rose. Katalina felt the urge to change. As a wolf, she could protect herself better. But she lived on the outskirts of town, a town that had never had wolves venture so close before her birthday. If her aunt or grandmother saw her, how would she explain the fact she was a shifter?

  Katalina backed away, slowly and carefully moving over the ground, never taking her eyes off the fence line. She’d managed only a few steps back when someone appeared at the fence. She didn’t recognize him, but then she’d only met one other enforcer apart from Cage. His chest was bare and she guessed the rest of him was too, but the shrub around the fence hid the rest of him from view. She heard movement and saw the outlines of two wolves standing either side of him.

  “Katalina, we won’t hurt you. We’ve just come to take you home. You’re not safe here.”

  She took another step back. “This is my home.”

  “Kat, can I call you Kat? Please don’t make this any harder than it is.” He held his hands up, palms out.

  “It’s not hard at all. Just leave. Tell Jackson I’ll never be forced into being in his pack.”

  His hands dropped. Katalina took another step back, her heart racing so fast she could hardly hear his reply over the pulsing blood running through her head. “I’m afraid I can’t do that, Katalina. I have orders and I don’t disobey my alpha.”

  Katalina turned and ran. She heard the rattle of the fence. The garden wasn’t long but the enforcer was fast and his hand latched onto her arm before she could make it to the house. Katalina gasped from his harsh grip. Twisting her body around, she slapped him across the face as she pulled with all her strength, trying to escape.

  “Bitch,” he muttered, yanking at her. She lost her footing.

  A growl escaped her as she pushed against him. “Get off me!” Her knee came up, slamming between his legs. He fell back with a grunt, finally letting go of Katalina’s arm. A savage growl came from behind the fence, but the enforcer held his hand up signaling for the wolf to hold position.

  “Hold, I can handle the bitch,” the enforcer growled, looking feral.

  Fear left Katalina. Instead of running, she stood her ground, feeling the strength of her wolf close to the surface.

  Before the enforcer could take a step toward her, Bass appeared beside her, his body angled slightly in front of her.

  “I leave you alone for five minutes and you find some stray mutts for me to play with.” Bass’s voice was oddly calm and yet held the savage, untamed note of his wolf.

  “They were just leaving, weren’t you? Sorry, I never caught your name?” Katalina replied with venom.

  “We’re not leaving without you,” the enforcer demanded.

  “She’s going nowhere with you,” Bass growled.

  The enforcer let out a bitter laugh. “Are you going to stop us? You do realize there are three of us and one of you.”

  Bass simply smiled.

  “Katalina?” her grandmother’s voice came from inside the house.

  The enforcer’s eyes darted toward the house and back.

  “Do you really want to explain to your alpha how you exposed yourself to humans? I’m sure Katalina’s grandmother will have cops around the house when she realizes some savages want to take her granddaughter away. I’m happy to fight of course, if you feel the need.”

  “This isn’t over!” he spat, before turning on his heel and disappearing over the fence.

  “There you are,” her grandmother hollered into the garden. “I’ve been calling you. I’ve set up some leftovers for supper. Come inside.”

  Katalina took a deep breath and slipped her hand into Bass’s. “Coming,” she called back, overly cheerful.

  “Are you all right?” Bass whispered as they walked toward the back door.

  “Never better.”

  Chapter 14

  Later that day when the sun had set and everyone had gone to bed, Katalina lay awake, her mind going over the day. She shot upright in bed when the sound of her door opening disturbed her. She closed her hand around the baseball bat hidden under the covers.

  “Urgh, Bass, you scared me,” she sighed, when his smiling face appeared.

  “Katalina, if you’d have used your senses, you would have known it was me.” His eyes settled on the bat she still held. “Planning on knocking me out?” he joked.

  “Oh…no, of course not, but, I’m not exactly feeling too safe right now.”

  “Katalina,” he whispered coming to her side, “you are safe. I promise. I’ll never let anyone hurt you.”

  “They could have taken me today, Bass,” she answered, sounding rattled.

  “There was never a chance of that happening. I sensed them approach. I just couldn’t get away from your grandmother, but you handled yourself beautifully, Kat. You’re stronger than you think.”

  “If you say so,” she muttered.

  “I know so,” he replied, leaning in for a kiss.

  Pulling back from his kiss, she asked, “What are you doing here anyway? You’ll be kicked out the house if you’re found.”

  “Everyone’s asleep. Although, I think your aunt forced herself to stay awake for a while, thinking I’d be sneaking in.”

  “Which you are,” Katalina smiled, feeling less afraid now he was with her.

  He smiled cheekily. “I’ve come to steal you away.”

  “What?” she frowned?

  “Come run with me.”

  “Running? It’s the middle of the night,” Katalina said, sounding skeptical.

  “I know. The best time not to be seen.”

  “You mean you want to go out and run around as wolves? What about Jackson’s men?”

  “I’ll deal with them.”

  “I don’t know, Bass. I’d rather just try to sleep.”

  “Okay.” He kissed her lips. “I’ll be back in a bit.”

  “You’re still going?”

  “Yes, Kat, I’m not used to staying human for such a long period. If I do not allow my wolf freedom, he will become unsettled.”

  “Oh…okay, be careful.”

  He kissed her hungrily, cupping her face. “I will,” he breathed into her mouth, maki
ng her shudder.

  He slipped out the window. Katalina lay on her side staring out the window, imagining Bass changing into his black wolf, blending into the night as if he were a part of it. Part of her longed to join him, but she pushed that part away, not wanting to acknowledge that her wolf was becoming as much a part of her as her human side. With a sigh, she turned over, roughly wrapping the covers around her shoulders and forced her eyes to stay shut.

  She tossed and turned for a long time, feeling at war with herself, wanting to join Bass and worrying if he was safe. She wanted to sleep and pretend she was still the normal girl she’d been before she’d turned eighteen. Her last glance at the clock read two-thirty a.m. Bass had been gone for over an hour. She imagined the three enforcers tracking him down and attacking him. She almost climbed out of bed and went into the night looking for him.

  “Urgh, stop it, Kat! Bass isn’t stupid. He’ll be fine. Now, go to sleep,” she muttered to herself, flopping back onto the mattress, punching the pillow as if it was at fault for her inability to fall asleep.

  *****

  Hands touched her. Her bed dipped from the weight of another…

  Katalina reacted on instinct. Her wolf surged within her, forcing her into action. Her elbow connected with flesh as her hand gripped the intruder’s neck. The savage snarl that echoed around the room startled even Katalina.

  Her eyes focused on the person she was pinning to the bed. “Bass?” Her eyes widened, her hand jumping back. “Oh, God, Bass, are you all right?” She jumped away from him; frightened her body might act on its own accord again. “I’m so sorry. I just…I’m not sure. I just acted, I guess.”

  Bass sat up, rubbing his neck and laughed low. “Well, that will teach me to climb into your bed uninvited.”

  Katalina covered her face with her hands. “Bass, this is not funny. I just attacked you,” she mumbled through her fingers.