Soul of the Pack

by Jenny Frame

When Ripp walked into the supermarket, she felt conversations stop and every eye on her, from the store staff to the customers milling around with carts.

  They sure are wary of strangers here.

  Gradually, everyone returned to their business and Ripp walked to her first port of call—the meat section. Ripp was a big carnivore and craved meat almost as much as Storm and her wolves at the sanctuary. She could rarely afford any fresh meat, so she made do with what little she could afford, and filled up on instant snack meals. Still, she always checked in case there was some meat in her price range, that was maybe on sale.

  Ripp followed the signs, and when she turned the corner into the meat department, her mouth started to salivate. She was faced with a huge display of the reddest, freshest, biggest cuts of meat she had ever seen.

  She stopped, closed her eyes, and inhaled the scent of the meat. It made her mouth water, and gave her a deep ache in her gums that she didn’t understand. Ripp had this feeling often through her life, when hungry, angry, and when sexually aroused. It was as if something inside her was itching to break through, and frustratingly, she was impotent, unable to act on it.

  Ripp felt a jolt on her hip and opened her eyes quickly. A woman with a toddler in a shopping cart had bumped into her.

  “I’m sorry,” the woman said. “I was too busy yapping to my daughter. I should have been more careful.”

  This Wolfgang County resident was only the second person to smile at her since she got here.

  “Don’t worry about it, ma’am. I shouldn’t have been standing here in the aisle. I’m new here and—”

  “You don’t look the type that spends a lot of time in a supermarket.” The woman smiled and held out her hand. “I’m Ava.”

  Ripp shook her hand. “I’m Ripp, and you’re right. I try to spend as little time as possible in food stores.”

  Ava’s eyes widened at the tattoos on her hands, and her daughter started saying excitedly, “Wolf, mama, wolf.”

  “So it is. This is my daughter, Hannah. Your tattoos are beautiful, Ripp,” Ava said.

  “Thanks.” Ripp smiled and turned to the pretty little girl in the cart, who was holding a wolf soft toy. “You like wolves?”

  “She sure does,” Ava said quickly. “Can I help you find anything?”

  Ripp sensed Ava’s initial warmth had turned to nervousness. “I just wanted some meat and supplies. I’m camping in the forest.”

  “Are you on your way through or staying here for a while?” Ava asked.

  Ripp wasn’t sure what to say. She would be here until she found out the truth about Ansel Wolfgang, but she wasn’t going to reveal that just now.

  “A few days? A week maybe? I’m just here to enjoy the hiking and camping,” Ripp said.

  Ava’s warm smile was back. “Well, you’ll find everything you need here. The meat is fresh and straight from our ranch a few miles away.” Ava pointed to the end of the aisle. “And the butcher is down there, if you want something bigger than the packaged cuts.”

  Ripp hadn’t noticed the butcher counter down at the end. This wasn’t like any meat section she’d ever been to. There were rows and rows of carcasses on hooks, and two burly butchers, one male, and one female, chopping and packaging for customers at the counter.

  “You sure do like your meat here,” Ripp said.

  “It’s our livelihood, Ripp. I better get on, but I hope you have a nice stay. Pleased to meet you.”

  “You too, and you, Hannah,” Ripp said.

  As Ava walked away, she heard Hannah say to her mom, “She a wolf, Mama?”

  Ripp looked down to her hands and chuckled. She supposed she must look like a wolf with these all over her body. That’s how she felt too, how she’d always felt, more at home with the wolves than humans, and with every new tattoo, she was trying to change herself into who she really felt inside.

  Ripp shook herself and walked over to the refrigerated meat display. She picked up the biggest, reddest piece of steak she had ever seen, just to look. She could never afford something like this in a million years, but she could imagine.

  Just out of curiosity Ripp glanced at the price on the shelf and nearly dropped the steak on the floor. The meat was half the price it would be anywhere else. “Wow. It must be farm shop prices or something.”

  It was still out of her price bracket. With a reluctant sigh she went in search of her usual provisions.

  * * *

  Caden helped Lena and Kyra carry all the supplies for the science fair into the school hall, before leaving for the ranch office. The children taking part had set up their exhibits the night before, but there were a lot of finishing touches to do. Lena and Kyra had volunteered to organize this event, so their colleagues were covering for them in class while they worked on this project.

  Kyra picked up the box of bottled water and walked over to the refreshment table, where Lena was setting out disposable cups and plates. As she walked she saw Lena sway and grasp the side of the table.

  “Are you all right, Lena?” Kyra said with concern.

  Lena gave her a quick smile and said, “I’m fine, I’m fine.”

  Kyra wasn’t convinced. Caden had asked Kyra to keep her eye on Lena, and she would. She placed her hand on the small of Lena’s back. “Are you sure? You haven’t looked too good this morning.”

  “I’ll be okay. It’s just a human thing. We can get sick sometimes. It’s probably nothing—my body has been doing strange things since I shared the Mater’s blood.”

  Kyra smiled and gave her a hug. “As long as you’re sure.”

  Lena was right. Everyone had seen the difference in the Second’s mate since that fateful day, when she’d helped save the Mater. She had become more energetic, more confident and at ease with herself. Of course some of that might have been due to Lena’s acceptance within the pack.

  The Wolfgangs would have loved the Second’s mate anyway, but the way Lena put herself in harm’s way for their Mater cemented her status. Lena was a hero, and part of them.

  “I’m sure.” Lena nudged Kyra and tried to change the subject. “So tell me about this human you saw last night.” Lena saw an instant smile spread across her young friend’s face.

  “I…just came across her on my run, and I…”

  “What? Was there something you didn’t want to say in front of Caden? You can tell me.”

  Kyra looked down, and Lena didn’t like it. “Ky?”

  “I—I showed her my wolf,” Kyra said quickly.

  No wonder Kyra hadn’t shared this with her mate. Caden would have been angry, but only because she cared.

  “Kyra, she could have been a hunter. Caden says they get human hunters in the forest often. She could have hurt you,” Lena said.

  “But she didn’t. I can’t explain it, Lena. I just felt safe.” Kyra hugged herself, as if for reassurance.

  Lena sat on the edge on the table. “What happened then?”

  “It was confusing. She was a human, but she was like a big dominant wolf, and she approached me like that, gaining my trust and demanding submission.”

  Lena raised an eyebrow. “And you did?”

  Kyra gulped and nodded. “Just to touch my paw to her hand. I couldn’t stop myself, and I don’t know why.”

  Just as Lena was about to reply, the gym doors opened and the Mater, her closest friend in the world, walked in carrying some bags.

  “Hi, girls, I dropped Conan off with his grandma Iris, so I’m all yours,” Eden said smiling.

  They both hurried over to her, bowed their heads quickly, and gave her a hug.

  “How are feeling this morning, Eden?” Lena asked as Kyra took her bags.

  Eden smiled indulgently. “I’m fine, you all worry too much.”

  Since the Mater had been attacked and lost the cub she was carrying, the pack had gathered around Eden and the Alpha and tried to help them heal. Losing a child devastated any wolf pack, but for rival wolves to come into the heart of their pack and attack the
ir Mater caused not only devastation but extreme anger and a need for vengeance.

  The Alpha promised they would be revenged, but while she and the Mater took time to heal, every wolf in the pack showered the Mater with love and understanding.

  “Anyway,” Eden said, “I hear it’s you that’s not feeling good this morning. I met a very worrisome wolf on my way in.”

  Lena rolled her eyes. “You spoke to Caden?”

  “Yes.” Eden placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and said softly, “Caden said you had been ill the past few days.”

  “Not ill, just woozy, and feeling a bit nauseous. It’s nothing,” Lena said quickly, although she didn’t quite believe it.

  Deep down she worried about her insatiable hungers for food, for Caden, and the changes in her body. Maybe she was slowly changing into a wolf, despite the fact that the doctor said she hadn’t had enough blood contamination. Maybe she had, and Lena didn’t know if she could handle the transition.

  She heard Kyra’s voice behind her say, “Lena’s been a bit wobbly, Mater.”

  Lena turned quickly to respond to Kyra, and her head spun and then everything went black.

  Chapter Four

  Ripp was becoming increasingly frustrated and angry at the suspicious nature of the residents of Wolfgang County. After her trip to the store, she walked into the library, hoping she could find some information on Ansel Wolfgang.

  The library was not like one she had ever seen. The main reading room sat beyond a reception desk, and behind two security doors, with a strange futuristic looking lock on it. Each visitor just walked up and placed their palm on the lock, and the doors opened.

  Except Ripp.

  She had been stopped by an officious security guard at the reception desk before she got to the reading room doors.

  “Look, I just want to check through some old newspapers…not state secrets,” Ripp said firmly.

  The guard pushed forward a form and said, “As I said, nonresidents have to fill in a request form, stating what information you want, and why you want it.”

  Ripp felt a hot rush of anger flow through her veins, and she slammed her hand down on the reception desk. “Look, this is not the fucking Pentagon. I just want some harmless information. Let me in now!”

  The security guard, who was tall and well-built like her, stood to her full height and stared right in Ripp’s eyes. “And I’ve told you that you have to fill in a request form. Do not swear—there may be mothers and children around.”

  Ripp met her eyes, leaned over the desk, and stared her out. Her mind was clouded with rage, and she could feel a deep ache in her gums. “Let me in now.”

  “Excuse me,” a voice said.

  She turned and saw a man in a suit, flanked by half a dozen security officers.

  “I’m the library manager. I can assure you that you will not gain access today. Please take the form and submit your request for information.”

  Ripp assessed her situation. Six security officers with hands resting on their guns told her it was time to back down, as much as she hated it. She took a deep breath and tried her best to calm her anger. It was never easy. Her surges of anger had gotten her into a lot of trouble over the years.

  Since she didn’t want to be shot, Ripp took a step back. She couldn’t stop herself from picking up the form, crumpling it up, and throwing it on the floor.

  “Shove it up your ass.”

  Ripp strode angrily to the front doors of the library, flanked by security.

  There was something strange about this place, and Ripp was determined that she was going to find out just what that was.

  * * *

  After a stressful morning, Kyra felt the need to get outdoors, and so she took her lunch over to the park facing the school. She sat at one of the picnic tables and took in a big lungful of fresh air. How she would love to be out running in the forest, but that would have to wait until tonight.

  This morning had been so eventful and worrying. After Lena collapsed, the EMTs arrived and the Mater left with her, leaving Kyra to call Caden. Caden had known something was wrong even before Kyra said a word, such was her bond with her mate. Kyra could only imagine what that would feel like, to have such a close bond with another wolf.

  She sipped her water. Just before lunch, the Mater texted to tell her that Lena was not in danger, and that she’d let her know when they heard more.

  The park was full of the sounds of young cubs playing on the grass and on the play equipment. Parents with strollers walked past and either waved or said hello.

  Kyra sighed. It seemed everyone in Wolfgang County had someone in their life. She was more than happy with her career, but she was never meant to be a lone wolf. Maybe it was time to think about making a life in pastures new.

  She took out her iPad and opened two sites side by side. One was the restricted webpage of the Irish Filtiarn pack, and the other the Scottish Wulver pack. It was common for wolves to intermarry between friendly packs. In fact the Mater’s sister Jessica had mated into the Irish pack, and Kyra’s own mother came from the Wulvers. Just maybe, Kyra had to look beyond Wolfgang County to find her destined mate, because she doubted her wolf would just come to her.

  Kyra took a bite of a chicken drumstick as she scrolled through the webpages. Her ears pricked up when she heard the bark of a dog nearby. Dogs were a rarity in Wolfgang County. Any humans that lived here found their behavior erratic and distressed. Little did they know it was because the dogs knew they were surrounded by wolves.

  She looked up and gave a sharp intake of breath. It was the human from the forest with her dog. They were playing with a ball and looked like they were having great fun.

  Kyra watched the human intently. It continued to amaze her how much she resembled a female dominant wolf. She was athletic, strong and agile as she jumped around with her dog. She had a thin jacket wrapped around her waist and wore only a sleeveless T-shirt, allowing Kyra to see the sleeve tattoos the human had running up her arms.

  Her heart was beating fast. She caught herself running her tongue along the drumstick in her hand, and her wolf teeth started to pierce her gums. Kyra dropped her chicken and shut her lunch box quickly.

  She’s a human, not a wolf.

  But when Kyra looked at her, especially this morning at the diner, she saw a wolf, not a human, and someone both beautiful and handsome. She packed her things away quickly and started to walk through the park, back to school.

  The nearer she got to the area where the human was with her dog, the faster her heart was beating. Kyra kept her head down, hoping the human wouldn’t notice her. The thought of talking to her again was too nerve-racking.

  After a few more strides she heard a whoosh. She shot her hand out and caught a ball that was heading toward her with ease. She turned in the direction the ball came from and saw the human and her dog jogging toward her.

  Oh God. She’s coming over. I’m a mess.

  When the human got closer, Kyra realized her tattoos were all wolves and wolf emblems. There was also a wolf’s head tattooed on her upper chest, with the top part of its face peeking out from her collar. How she’d love to see the full tattoo, now hidden under her T-shirt.

  “I’m so sorry, ma’am. We got a bit carried away. Are you okay?”

  “Yes…I’m fine,” Kyra said. She had to stop herself from reaching out to touch the wolf’s head on her chest. It was so sexy. Everything about this woman was sexy.

  “I keep bumping into you. That was a great catch, by the way. Great reflexes,” the human said.

  “Thanks.” Kyra passed the ball to her and they touched again. Neither pulled her hand away. The human’s gaze passed over her face and neck, a blatant wolf flirtation.

  She’s not a wolf. But it didn’t matter. Kyra responded by flicking her eyes to the side submissively and showing more of her neck. It was her natural response to an attractive dominant wolf.

  A bark and a growl from the human’s dog made Kyra draw her ha
nd back.

  “Storm, relax. I’m sorry. He’s normally really good with people, but he’s been on edge since we arrived.”

  Kyra smiled and said, “Don’t worry. He’s just protecting you. Storm is his name?”

  “Yeah, and mine’s Ripp—well, Maddox Rippington, but everyone calls me Ripp.”

  “Nice to meet you, Ripp.” Kyra crouched down, side on to Storm, and lowered her head, showing the dog she was no threat. She held out her hand, just as Ripp had done to her, and Storm touched her hand. As soon as he touched her, she turned her head and met his gaze. “Hi, Storm, my name’s Kyra.”

  He wagged his tail and started licking her face.

  “Wow,” Ripp said, looking down at Kyra. She was even more beautiful than she had first thought. “You’re good with dogs.”

  Kyra ruffled his ears, then looked up and gave Ripp a smile that made her heart thud.

  “We are brought up with wolves here, so we’re taught how to interact with four-legged creatures. What kind of dog is he?”

  “A wolf hybrid.”

  Kyra stood. “A hybrid? I’ve never seen one of those before.”

  “Yeah, I rescued him. People buy them thinking it’s cool to own a wolf—”

  “But you can never own a wolf, because it’s a wild animal,” Kyra finished for her.

  Ripp found herself taking a step closer. “Yeah, that’s right. Only a wolf’s mate can ever own them.”

  She had the biggest urge to take Kyra’s hand, and a restlessness spread through her body. Especially when she saw Kyra’s eyes gazing softly over her chest tattoo. All her thoughts of anger and frustration from the library were now forgotten.

  “Are you here for the wolves?” Kyra said.

  Ripp hated to lie, but she wanted to get the information about Ansel Wolfgang before he or his family knew she was in town. She wanted to keep her path clear for retreat, depending on what she found out.

  Ripp rubbed the back of her neck as she generally tended to do when she was nervous or told a lie. “Yeah, I work with wolves, or I did. The wolf sanctuary I worked at has just closed, so Storm and I are on our way to find something new, but I thought I’d take the chance to check Wolfgang County. This place is famous for wolves. What about you?”