The Lost Years

by Shaw, Natalie

  “You have to shift. I can't get you out of here while you're in wolf form. I need you to shift.”

  “I can't. Leave me.”

  “Yes you can.” She poked his stomach with her foot. The pain cut through him like a knife. “Sorry, didn't mean to hurt you, but you have to shift right now or you're going to die.”

  Why wouldn't she leave him alone, so he could go back to the comfort of the darkness? Louise was waiting for him there.

  She poked his stomach again.

  “You have to shift!” she yelled at him.

  He wasn't sure he could. Wasn't sure he had the strength.

  “Quick! Before you bleed to death!”

  Her words tore through his head.

  He closed his eyes and tried to focus on shifting. He couldn't do it. He just couldn't.

  She prodded his stomach again.

  Why was she doing this? Why didn't she leave him to die? His anger seemed to focus what little strength he still had left. The pain seared through every nerve and fibre of his body as he slowly transformed into human form.

  “Good. Now I need you to stand.”

  He reached out to take her outstretched hand. The pain wasn't quite as intense—the shift had taken away the worst of it.

  On his feet now, his head was still swimming.

  “Can you walk?” she said.

  “I'll try.”

  She put his arm over her shoulder, and began to lead him slowly along the side of the stream. Twice, he slipped from consciousness, and fell to the ground. Twice, she shook him back awake. Their progress was glacially slow, and after what felt like an eternity, they arrived at the mouth of a small cave.

  “In here.” She led him inside where he collapsed onto the ground in front of a fire.

  Then he slept.

  Chapter 17

  Craven could hear rain. When he opened his eyes, the pain in his head was excruciating. His mouth was dry—so dry he could barely move his tongue. Where was he? He pulled himself up into a sitting position.

  The cave was dark—illuminated by only a small fire in the centre of the floor. Above his head, smoke spiralled up a long funnel. Opposite him was a table which had been constructed from branches and rope. Under the table was a metal bucket.

  “Are you awake for good this time?” a female voice said.

  She was standing in the mouth of the cave—her hair and clothes wet from the rain.

  “Where am I?”

  “In no man's land. How do you feel?”

  “Like I died and went to hell.”

  She walked over to the table, picked up the bucket, and offered it to Craven. Before she could hand him the ladle, he'd already lifted the bucket to his lips.

  “Steady on. You'll make yourself sick.”

  He didn't care. He was so very thirsty.

  “Looks like I'll have to fill that again,” she said.

  “Sorry.”

  “Don't worry about it. There's no shortage of water.” She pointed to the rain which was still cascading down.

  “How long have I been here?”

  “Six days. I wasn't sure you were going to make it at first.”

  “You brought me here?”

  “I helped you to walk. Don't you remember?”

  “Not really. I remember a bird singing.”

  “You were in pretty bad shape when I found you. Can you remember what happened? ”

  Craven could remember everything up to the point where he'd fallen down the bank.

  “I think I upset a few of the border guards.”

  “Judging by the state you were in when I found you, I'd say you must have really pissed them off.”

  “I guess so. It was my own fault. I was careless.”

  “Stupid more like. This is one of the easiest territories to get in and out of. How did you manage to screw it up?”

  He shrugged. “What's your name?”

  “Coral.”

  “I'm Craven.”

  “I hope those are okay.” She pointed to the clothes he was wearing. A grey/white tee-shirt and a pair of black shorts. “They were the best I could steal at short notice. I had to guess your size.”

  “They're fine, thanks.”

  “Where are you from?” she asked.

  “A long way from here.”

  “Don't you belong to a pack?”

  “I used to, but that was a long time ago. What about you?”

  “I'm a loner too. Have been for close to six years.”

  “How come?”

  “Long story. Too boring to tell.”

  “How have you survived?” He hesitated. “I mean—”

  “As a lone female? Is that what you're trying to say?”

  “No. Well, yes I suppose so. I know how difficult it can be.”

  “Judging by the state of you, I'd say I'm doing a better job of it than you are.”

  “Touché.” Craven managed a weak smile. “How long have you lived here?”

  “Almost six months. We're in Lawler territory. Or at least we're right on the edge of it.” She pointed to the cave's mouth. “Two miles that way is the sea. There's no need for border guards in this area. The nearest ones are a few miles north.”

  “I think I've already met them.”

  “Hardly anyone comes into this area. You're the first shifter I've seen for over a month. A few humans visit the coast, but they never venture down here.”

  “Sounds like you've found yourself a good spot.”

  “Best I've had so far. I don't plan on moving any time soon. What about you? How long have you been out on your own?”

  “Thirty years.”

  “Thirty? I thought I'd been out on a limb for a long time. How the hell have you survived if you make mistakes like the one you made the other day?”

  “I'm not usually that dumb. I've been in a few scrapes before, but nothing I couldn't handle. I got hungry and stupid. It won't happen again.”

  “Why don't you have a pack?”

  “It's a long story.”

  “Does it involve a female?”

  “How did you know?”

  “It usually does. I want all the details.”

  “I don't really want—”

  “You owe me. I dragged your near-dead arse out of the water. I never get a chance to talk to anyone, so I reckon I've earned the right to hear a good love story.”

  Craven owed the woman his life. The least he could do was to tell his tale.

  “Incredible,” she said once he'd finished. “So you were Alpha?”

  “A long time ago.”

  “And you gave it up for Louise?”

  “She's my fated mate.”

  “How romantic. Do you still believe she's alive?”

  “I don't know. My heart says yes, but my head says no. I promised myself I wouldn't give up until I found her or I was sure she was dead.”

  “Or got yourself killed.”

  “Yeah – that was the other option.”

  “How are you feeling now?”

  “Not great, but at least my wounds have almost healed.”

  “I've been bathing them, and treating them with herbs over the last few days,” Coral said. “There's no infection as far as I can tell, so you should be good to go in a week or so.”

  “I have to leave today.”

  “Over my dead body. Do you think I've gone to all of this trouble just to see you kill yourself by leaving before you've healed?”

  “I have to.”

  “You aren't going anywhere until I say you can. You might have been an Alpha once upon a time, but right now all I see is a dumb fuck. If Louise has been missing for thirty years, another few days isn't going to make any difference. Okay?”

  It wasn't a question. Craven thought about objecting, but he knew she was right. “Okay.”

  Ten minutes later, he drifted back to sleep.

  *********

  “I've told you my story,” Craven said. “How about you tell me yours?”


  “There's nothing to tell.”

  “You can't play that card. You aren't the only one who hasn't enjoyed a good conversation in years.”

  Coral sighed. “I don't like to think about it. It's still painful.”

  “It might help to tell someone.”

  She could tell Craven wasn't going to let her off the hook.

  “I have three brothers and a sister. I was always close to my sister, Delphine. My brothers, not so much so. I met Micah when I was nineteen. We hit it off straight away, and soon became mates. Delphine was jealous. She hated that I spent most of my time with Micah. She's two years older than me, and was always the prettiest. There was no reason why she shouldn't have found a mate. I even offered to help.”

  Coral hesitated, and Craven could tell it was painful for her to relate the story.

  “One day, I finished work early and called around to see Delphine. She and Micah were—.” Tears welled up in Coral's eyes.

  “I'm sorry.” Craven put a hand on her arm.

  “I couldn't believe either of them would betray me like that.”

  “I still don't understand why you took up the life of a lone wolf. Surely you could have found another mate. A beautiful, fit, young female shouldn't have found that too difficult.”

  She smiled at the compliment. “I didn't want to. I couldn't bear the thought of being hurt again. I decided I was better off alone. I don't ever want to be in a position where I have to trust someone else again.”

  “That's very sad. If you feel like that, I'm surprised you didn't leave my sorry arse in the stream.”

  “Yeah. Well maybe I should have. Look—now you've got me all upset.” She managed to smile through her tears.

  “I'm sorry.”

  “It's okay. I actually feel better for having talked about it.”

  “Who do you blame?” Craven asked.

  Coral looked puzzled by the question.

  “Your sister or your mate?”

  “I blame them both. Delphine and I'd been so close. Micah and I were in love—or at least I thought we were. But mainly I blame myself for being so stupid. ”

  “Have you ever thought of going back to your pack?”

  “I'll never go back there. Never.”

  Chapter 18

  With each new day, Craven grew a little stronger. Most of his wounds had disappeared, and those that remained were healing quickly. Every day he and Coral would take a run in their wolf-form. Coral was an attractive human but an even more attractive wolf. They never strayed too far from the cave. The furthest they ventured was to the coast where they would run along the cliff's edge or along the beach.

  “Race you to the rock pool,” Coral said. She'd already set off, and had twenty metres on him.

  The rock pool was a half mile down the beach. It was a favourite spot for humans, so the two wolves only went there in the early hours of the morning before the rest of the world had woken.

  “You let me win,” she said—trying to catch her breath.

  “You cheated more like. You were already half way here when you called the race.

  “We'd better shift. There'll be fisherman around here soon. We don't want to scare them to death.”

  They'd left their clothes behind some rocks close to the cliff face.

  “I'm going to be moving on soon,” he said, after they'd shifted to human form.

  “So soon? You should allow a few more days for your wounds to heal completely.”

  “There's nothing left to heal.”

  She knew he was right, but she couldn't bear the thought of him leaving. “Why don't you stay anyway?”

  “I can't. You know I can't.”

  “I thought you seemed happy here.”

  It was true. The last few days were the happiest he'd known since his quest to find Louise had begun. Unlike most shifters, Coral spent the majority of her time in wolf-form. Her life had none of the complications of modern life. She embraced nature in a way that was so simple, and yet so joyous.

  “She might be dead,” Coral said, and then bit her lip. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. It's just—”

  “It's okay. You're probably right, but I promised myself I'd keep searching until I find her or until I'm sure she's dead.”

  “What if she's taken a new mate?”

  It had never even occurred to him that Louise might do that. And yet, why wouldn't she if she believed Craven was dead? His heart sank. What if he found her after all of this time, only to discover she was with someone else?

  “If she has, then I'll leave her alone. I just need to know she's safe and well.”

  Craven picked up a small shell and gave it to Coral. “For your collection.”

  “I don't collect shells.”

  “You do now.”

  “Thanks.” She slipped it into her pocket. “I've enjoyed having you here.”

  “I thought you preferred to be alone.”

  “I did until you turned up.”

  “Sorry.”

  “It's okay.” She laughed. “I'm glad you came. You've made me realise that maybe I do need to share my life with someone.”

  “Will you go back to your pack?”

  “To Delphine and Micah? No chance. I couldn't bear to live in the same pack as those two. If I did, I might do something I'd regret.”

  “Where will you go?”

  “I don't know. I might throw myself on the mercy of the Lawlers. After all, I have been living on their territory for the last few months.”

  “It could be dangerous.”

  “I'll be okay. You said yourself most packs won't turn away a healthy, young female. I'm good breeding stock.”

  “I think it's a great idea.”

  “It would be even better if you'd stay with me.” She blushed.

  “I can't. You know I can't.”

  “I know, but if you ever change your mind, you know where I'll be.”

  *********

  No more words were exchanged on the walk back to the cave. Craven felt bad he'd had to turn down Coral's offer to stay with her. If he'd known for sure that Louise was dead, things might have been different. The thought of having somewhere to call home was very appealing. Coral would make someone an excellent mate. She was attractive, smart and very funny. Micah must have been a class 'A' idiot to let her go.

  There was a certain amount of danger in trying to join another pack, although less so for a fit, young female than for a male. Craven had decided he'd follow Coral when she went to see the Lawlers' Alpha—just in case she ran into any problems. He wanted to be sure she was okay before he moved on.

  “I'll fetch water,” Craven said when they reached the stream.

  “Okay,” Coral said, as she made her way to the cave. “I'll start breakfast.”

  He was going to miss the peace and serenity of this place, but most of all he was going to miss Coral. He promised himself he'd come back here if Louise was dead or had found another mate.

  “What's for breakfast?” he shouted, as he approached the cave entrance.

  “Put the bucket down.” The tallest of the three shifters said.

  Craven assessed the situation in an instant. He wouldn't be able to reach the three men before the one who was holding Coral had time to slice open her throat.

  “Let her go!” Craven shouted.

  “I can't do that, I'm afraid.”

  He moved a little closer.

  “One more step and she dies.”

  Craven stopped. He could see the fear in Coral's eyes.

  “What do you want?”

  “You.”

  “Let her go and I'll come with you.”

  “Hmmm. That's not going to work,” the taller shifter said. “Unfortunately, I don't trust you.”

  “You have my word. Let her go.”

  The taller shifter turned to the other two. “We have his word.” All three of them laughed.

  “Tell me what you want me to do then.”

  “Turn around and face t
he front of the cave.”

  “It's going to be all right, Coral,” Craven said, and then did as they asked.

  The impact knocked him forward a few steps. It felt as though he'd been thumped in the back. Instinctively, he reached a hand back to feel the wound. What he actually felt was a small dart still lodged in the muscle of his lower back. As he pulled it out, he could already feel his legs beginning to give. He tried to turn around, but his body wouldn't respond.

  “Let,” he slurred as he collapsed first onto his knees, and then forward onto his stomach. “Let her go—”

  Chapter 19

  The room was empty except for the single metal chair to which Craven had been chained. There were no windows. To his left was a door which had been painted grey to match the walls. A bright fluorescent tube flickered above his head. He pulled at the chains, but they were much too strong for him to escape. The chair wouldn't budge because it was bolted to the floor.

  Where was Coral? Whoever these people were, he'd make sure they paid for this with their lives.

  “Cowards! Where are you?”

  His words echoed around the room. There were no other sounds.

  “I'm going to kill you all!”

  For over an hour he hurled threats and obscenities into the void of the room. No one came. That was okay. He could wait.

  It was two hours later. Craven had just drifted into a light sleep when the door flew open. He was immediately wide awake. “Who are you?” he demanded.

  It was the tall shifter from the cave. This time he was alone. “I'll ask the questions. Why did you come to Lawler territory?”

  “Take these chains off. Face me wolf to wolf.”

  “Thanks, but I think I'll pass on that.”

  “Where's Coral?”

  “Who?”

  “She was with me in the cave.”

  “You mean the other intruder.”

  “Where is she?”

  “Damned if I know.” He grinned. “Or care.”

  “If you've touched her, I'll kill you. Very slowly.”

  “You really do have anger issues.”

  “What do you want?” Craven's face was red with rage. He tugged again at the chains, but they didn't give even an inch.