Winter Wolf (A New Dawn Novel Book 1)

by Rachel M Raithby

  “Dad’s just gone out to see them off. What we doing with them?” Cage nodded toward the truck with the dead Dark Shadows in the back.

  “Return them,” Bass interrupted.

  Cage took a step forward, his hands in fists. The door shut with a click behind him. “What makes you think you have a say in this?” he ground out.

  “All right, Cage, I’ve not got the energy for this,” Jackson said, taking a step, positioning himself in front of Bass and blocking Cage’s view.

  This only enraged Cage more. “So it’s like that now, is it? You trust him enough to put your back to him!”

  “Two of those men died by his hands, Cage. If he’d wanted me dead, all he’d have needed to do was stand by and watch.”

  Cage glared for a moment longer before storming into the house. The walls rattled behind him.

  “Gonna need a new house at this rate,” Jackson muttered. “Why should I return them? They came here to kill me.”

  “It’s not their fault. All they did was follow orders. Disobeying my father is a death sentence. There are no second chances. You follow or you die. Two of those men have mates and children. Let them bury their loved ones on home land.”

  “Fair enough, but you can return them. Keys are in the truck.”

  Bass nodded. He walked to the truck. Half in he turned to speak. “Tell Kat, I won’t be long.”

  “I’ll have Karen check on her. Think she’d like to hit me again. That girl sure has a temper.”

  The door closed. Bass started the engine, smiling to himself as he imagined Katalina punching Jackson.

  Chapter 27

  Katalina stood at the window watching Bass drive away. In a way, she'd come full circle. Once again, she was staring at the endless snow-dusted treetops. Only this time, she wasn't contemplating escape; rather, she was considering how to stay without anyone else dying.

  There was a soft knock at her door. “You can come in, Karen,” Katalina said, not moving her eyes from the view outside.

  “Starting to use your wolf senses,” Karen said.

  “Where's he going?” she asked, ignoring Karen’s observation.

  “He's taking the dead back home. He said he wouldn't be long.”

  Kat crossed her arms, needing a shield from the world.

  “Kat, are you okay?” Karen asked softly.

  Katalina let out a long, sad breath before facing Karen. “No, I'm not.”

  “The attack a bit too much for you?”

  “Honestly, Karen, I'm not sure how I feel. I'm numb. Defending Toby was as easy as breathing. There was no thought, just instinct. I just…all this death, I watch all of you, so immune to it all; you just accept it as life.”

  “I'm afraid it is, Kat.”

  “Well, it's not where I come from. He’s going against his dad for me. He’s willing to do anything. How can I even look him in the eye? He’s willing to give up so much…to do so much. How do we have a calm conversation about that?”

  “Oh, Kat, he loves you. You're his mate, and he won't…he can't stop until you are safe.”

  “Surely there's another way?” she asked, feeling hopeless.

  “In our world, the alpha is law. To challenge his word is to challenge his position. A pack only has a new alpha if the old one steps down or dies. Maybe he'll surprise Sebastian and accept you as Jackson has.”

  “Maybe,” she answered, not sounding sure at all.

  “Don't punish him for doing what is necessary.”

  “I'm not. I know this isn't his fault, but I wouldn't be me if I just accepted everything that’s involved in a shifter’s life. I'm more than a shifter, Karen. I need to hold on to the part of me who was raised by humans. If I lose myself, then they will truly be gone.” She took a breath before carrying on, “Jackson and Winter gave me life, but my parents raised me. My beliefs were shaped by them.”

  “I understand, Kat.” She was silent for a beat. “Toby’s coming around. I'm sure he'll be pleased to see you.”

  “Okay, I'll be down in a minute.”

  Karen said one last thing before leaving Katalina alone. Her voice was the softest of whispers, and filled with the pride of a grandmother. “You're doing well, Kat. Don't change. Our world needs to see its mistakes.”

  Katalina let her go, only answering in her head. Why do I have to be the one to change this world?

  *****

  Propped up on a pillow, Toby drank from a straw in a cup his mother held for him. Cage hovered in the corner staring at nothing, but looking as if he had a lot on his mind. She smiled at him as his eyes fixed on her for a second, but he didn’t return it. He pushed off from the wall and started to leave.

  “I’ll run a perimeter check,” he muttered as he left.

  Katalina stared after him, wondering whether she should follow him when Toby gasped her name. She looked at him with a smile, pleased to see his infectious, carefree personality still intact.

  “Hey, you.”

  His mother stood up. “I’ll go make you something to eat, Toby.” She ruffled his hair before leaving.

  “Mom! I’m not a baby,” Toby whined.

  “You’re my baby!” she huffed.

  Katalina laughed, sitting on the end of the sofa. “How’d you feel?”

  “Hurt like hell, but I’ll be fine. Thanks to you.”

  “I didn’t do much except give them somebody else to chomp on. Bass saved you.”

  “No, Kat, I’m alive because of you.”

  Katalina played with her hands in her lap, feeling a little uncomfortable; she wasn’t ready to think about what she’d done.

  “You were pretty badass, Kat,” he laughed. “Ow! Best not do that.”

  Katalina sank into the sofa and put Toby’s feet in her lap. She smiled, “Yep, that’s me. I’m a real badass now, Toby. I have wolf senses and everything!” she joked.

  “Yeah, and a mate! Gone for a week and you come back hitched.”

  “Hitched! I did not get married, Toby. Only old people get married.”

  “Pfft! Look pretty old to me!”

  “Urgh, if you weren’t injured, I’d kick your butt with my new ‘badass’ skills!’”

  Toby shook his head, trying not to laugh. “Dark Shadow though! I can’t believe you’ve mated a Dark Shadow wolf.”

  “Don’t forget he’s the alpha’s son. That’s the best part. I bet Jackson’s wishing he’d left me where I was.”

  “I’m not. It’s about time something interesting happened around here. This place was dull without you.”

  “Thanks, Toby, I’m pleased to be back.”

  “You mean that or you just humoring me?”

  Turning her head, she found Toby staring at her intently. “I mean it, Toby. Things aren’t great, but I know this is where I belong. I’m a shifter now, a mated one!”

  “So where is he? Cage seems to think he is a douche.”

  Katalina burst out laughing. “He’ll be back soon I think. I can’t believe Cage said that?”

  Toby laughed and gasped, his face scrunching up. “Stop making me laugh!”

  “But douche? I can think of many things Cage would call him, but not that.”

  “Well, he didn’t say douche exactly, but it’s what he meant.”

  They were both laughing when Bass walked in. “I hope you’re not talking about me?”

  Katalina smiled wickedly. “Depends, are you a douche?”

  “A douche? Is that even a word?” Bass asked.

  Katalina nearly choked for laughing.

  Toby reached over to grab his phone. “According to the urban dictionary, douche or douchebag, means, ‘someone who has surpassed the levels of jerk and asshole; however, not yet reached fucker or motherfucker’.’”

  Toby’s mother chose that moment to walk in, a plate of food in her hand. “Toby!” she gasped, looking outraged.

  Katalina bit her lip to keep from laughing. “Right, I best be off.”

  “Already?” Toby whined, the look on h
is face saying, ‘don’t leave me alone with my fussing mother’.

  “Sorry, Toby, I’ve lots of important ‘badass’ things to do.” She lifted his legs gently, getting up.

  Once out of the room, Bass blocked her path, a questioning look on his face. “Badass?”

  “A joke. So you weren’t gone very long. Did everything go okay?”

  “I left them on the border of Dark Shadow land. Someone will find them soon, but it’s not patrolled regularly. I’m not ready to face my father yet.”

  “Okay,” she answered, not sure she’d ever be ready to face his father. “Come on. Let’s raid the kitchen. I’m starving.”

  He stopped her as she was about to push the door. “Hey, Kat, about before.”

  Katalina stopped his words with a kiss. “Leave it for tonight. I just want to forget about everything until tomorrow.”

  Chapter 28

  Sitting at the table when Jackson came in, Katalina rubbed her arms as a cold gust blew in. The night had grown dark and there was a chill in the air that even Katalina felt.

  “It’s pretty nippy out there. I reckon we’ll have another dumping of snow before winters out.”

  Cage walked into the kitchen. He ignored Katalina and Bass as he walked past. “All quiet out there?” he asked Jackson.

  “Yep, you shouldn’t have any bother. Tate’s just arrived from out of town. He’s a bit inexperienced, but four eyes are better than two.”

  Cage gave a thoughtful nod as he went out into the cold night.

  “What you got there then?” Jackson asked Katalina, looking at her plate.

  “Sandwich,” she replied slowly as if he were dumb.

  “Looks good.” His hand snatched out, a blur of speed. Katalina looked down at her plate, the last half of her sandwich was gone.

  “Hey!”

  “What? I’m hungry. Been out there the last hour making sure you’re safe. Least you can do is feed me.” He smiled at her. It was the first time she’d seen an emotion on his face other than anger or irritation.

  She almost laughed, but stopped the urge before it happened. No way was she just going to start playing happy family with him. He’d have to work harder than a smile and stealing her food.

  “Well, enjoy it.” Her chair scraped back loudly. “We're going to bed.” She gave Bass no other option. Pulling his hand, she dragged him to his feet. He quickly reached out for the last of his food to take with him.

  “Bed?” Jackson spluttered.

  “Yeah, you know, the place you go to sleep,” she said sarcastically.

  “With him?” He pointed stupidly at Bass.

  “Yes, him! Mated, remember?”

  “I’m not sure a father should approve of this.”

  Katalina was already half out of the kitchen, pushing Bass ahead of her. She looked back at him, a sweet smile coating her lips. “Good job you don’t act like a father then.”

  She’d gotten halfway up the stairs by the time Jackson thought of a retort. Katalina didn’t listen. She wasn’t about to make Jackson’s life easy. He had a lot to make up for.

  “That was a little uncalled for,” Bass muttered when Kat pushed him into the room she’d been staying in and shut the door.

  She stood with her back to the door, hands cupped behind her. “Oh, stop. I’m not about to start calling him Dad and play happy family just because he’s decided to be a little less of an ass.”

  “Yes, but, Katalina, we need him to accept us. Do you not think treating him with a little respect would go a long way? He’s an alpha after all.”

  “Honestly, I don’t care. He could be the freaking president and I’d still treat him the same. Now, stop with all the words. Go away Sebastian Evernight and bring me my big, bad Shadow Wolf.”

  “Big bad wolf?”

  “Yes,” she smiled, reaching up for a kiss.

  Bass pulled back, a little breathless. His eyes filled with the hunger he felt for Katalina. “I’m not sure you’d like him tonight. He’s feeling rather territorial surrounded by all these River Runs and that pup who can’t keep his eyes off you.”

  “Pup?”

  “Cage.”

  Katalina laughed. “He’s a year younger than you, hardly a pup.”

  “Hmm…” he growled, “I’m not in the mood to be sweet and gentle.” He pushed her against the door, kissing his way down her neck. “I could do with a run actually,” he murmured against her skin.

  “No!” She pulled his mouth toward hers, claiming another kiss. “You are not going anywhere tonight. Make me forget, Bass. For one night, I don’t want to think about what you’ve got to do, or how it felt to fight and taste the enemies’ blood in my mouth. I just want to forget it all.”

  Bass reached out, pulling her against him with the speed of his wolf.

  Katalina squealed and laughed as she melted against the hard contours of his body.

  He kissed her roughly, invading her mouth, filling her mind with only him. Katalina broke away with a gasp, desperate for air.

  “You want to forget. I can make you forget.” His voice brushed against the sensitive skin on her neck. He kissed and nipped and she could do nothing but surrender to him.

  He kissed her softly at first, his hands gentle as they explored the curves of her body. He invaded her every thought; the feel of him, the love she felt pouring from him, the taste of him in her mouth. As his kisses grew more urgent, his hands gripping her tighter, Katalina’s brain started to kick back into drive.

  Am I ready for this? Has he done this before? OMG, what am I doing?

  Bass pulled back, a little breathless. Katalina looked into his heated eyes and saw the love, the desire within the dark depths.

  “Kat, what’s wrong?” he asked softly.

  She stared at him, unsure what to say. Despite a million thoughts running through her brain, not a single coherent line left her mouth.

  “I, I…”

  “Hey,”—he brushed a thumb over her cheek—“we don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”

  “No, no, I want to. It’s just, I…I’ve never done this before, and well, you know, we need…” Katalina felt her cheeks heat with embarrassment. She dropped her eyes to the floor, wishing it would open up and swallow her.

  His finger brushed under her chin, lifting her head to meet his gaze. “Neither have I.”

  “Oh,” was all she could manage.

  “And I’m guessing you’re referring to needing this?” He pulled a condom from his pocket and held it up for her to see.

  Katalina nodded yes; her eyes glued to the condom, the blush on her cheeks spreading down to her chest.

  “Kat, I’m not pressuring you into anything.”

  “I know.” She reached up and kissed him, gently, then firmer as she wrapped her hands into the silk of his hair.

  He kissed her back and led her toward the bed. Bass lowered her gently, never taking his eyes off Katalina, his love never wavering as they slowly lost their clothes.

  “Wait!” Katalina pulled back. “How long have you had that?”

  Bass shook his head and smiled. “I picked it up on the drive back here. You know, just in case.”

  “So you’ve been expecting this to happen?”

  “We’re mated, Kat. It was going to happen eventually and it’s not like I can just nip to the shop in-between a war.”

  Katalina laughed quietly. “Okay. Kiss me.”

  “As you wish, my Winter Wolf,” he said with a mischievous smile.

  That night with the winds howling, promising a storm, Katalina lay down staring into the dark eyes of her Shadow Wolf. His hands explored her slowly, with a gentleness he possessed only for her. His kisses urgent, wanting, but each one voiced a silent proclamation of his love. And with each kiss, each lingering touch, he mapped out the story of their hearts.

  *****

  Katalina opened her eyes to dim light filtering through the window. She had a clear view outside as they'd fallen to asleep with the cu
rtains open.

  She turned slightly, moving her body just a fraction so not to wake Bass. His limbs tangled around hers; his arms a protective cage. The warmth from his bare skin seeped into her, like the most intimate blanket.

  She sighed, closing her eyes briefly as the memories of the night before drifted through her mind like the sweetest of dreams. She felt different this morning, like last night had been the final step in forever sealing Bass to her soul.

  She smiled, clinging to the happiness and love swirling through her blood. She never wanted this feeling to end. She wanted to lie with Bass forever, safe in his arms. Watching him sleep, relaxed and peaceful, he wore no mask. No shifter politics clouded his eyes. At that moment, he was just Bass, her Shadow Wolf. It was just the two of them: the Shadow Wolf and the Winter Wolf.

  His eyes opened slowly, his long lashes casting shadows as they lifted. Dark pools stared at her, drank her in.

  “Hey,” his voice, the softest caress.

  “Hi.” She couldn't keep the silly smile from her face.

  “You look happy.”

  “I am. The happiest.”

  “You are so beautiful,” he whispered, kissing her shoulder.

  She felt heat flood her cheeks.

  “And very cute when you blush,” he continued.

  “Stop it,” she laughed.

  They paused at the sound of the door opening and closing downstairs. Muffled voices whispered toward them.

  “What time is it?” Bass asked her.

  “Sixish. Seems earlier because of the snow, I think.”

  Bass glanced toward the window. “Brilliant,” he muttered. The snow fell fast and unrelenting, blocking the sky in a blanket of ever moving white. “I suppose we should get up,” he said.

  “No, not yet, please. Let me bask in this moment a little longer.”

  He smiled wickedly, rolling on top of her. “A little longer,” he murmured. He kissed and nipped down her neck, and for a little while longer, Katalina didn’t think of what lay ahead. All thoughts left her, until the feel and touch of Bass consumed her.

  Chapter 29

  Katalina stood on the porch with Bass and Jackson. The three of them looked at the snow soundlessly falling. Like a million frozen feathers floating to the earth, the snow built layer by layer, and with each layer, came more dread.