Taneika: Daughter of the Wolf

by R. Casteel

  “Taneika! . . . Lobo! . . . Damn it!” Linda had said there were three men. There could have been more. Her length of time gone now fueled new fear for her life.

  Taren threw back the covers and reached for his pants. Getting them on was relatively easy—standing was another matter. He broke out in a sweat. Pain shot up his leg as torn muscles stretched and pulled. Grabbing the back of a chair, he closed his eyes against the dizziness that sent the room reeling around him.

  “You can do this, just take it nice and slow.” Keeping his weight on the chair, he pushed it ahead of him. He moved the injured leg forward and then lifted the other foot.

  Each step was slow, making progress in inches instead of feet. The chair leg hit an uneven seam in the floor and twisted. Reacting automatically, he placed his weight on the wrong leg. He gasped as his world erupted in breath-stopping pain. His eyes closed, shutting out the white-hot flashes burning in his mind.

  * * * * *

  She found the horses tied to some small trees. With Lobo nearby, they became skittish. Eyes wide with fear, they jerked at the secured reins. “Lobo, go back to the cabin.” Her soothing voice soon calmed them so that she could approach. Taking the reins of the two horses, she mounted the third and headed back to the cabin.

  “Taren!” She ran to where he lay on the floor. His pant leg again was soaked in blood. She placed her hand on his forehead. “Damn you. You just couldn’t lay there and rest.”

  His eyes opened into thin slits. “I was worried about you.”

  “I can take care of myself.” She began changing the ruined dressing. “I don’t need you to play nursemaid.”

  Taren closed his eyes and sighed. “I know. You don’t need anyone, do you?”

  The tone of voice, the words he spoke, cut through her heart like a knife. Just a few weeks ago, they would have been true. But not now.

  * * * * *

  Early the next morning, Taneika helped Taren outside and onto one of the horses. With their packs lashed to the other horse, she mounted and headed down the valley.

  Taren glanced back at Lobo. A long pole was tied to each side with a makeshift harness. Taneika had used a sleeping bag as a hammock for the injured wolf. Somehow, he had managed to hold on through the night.

  The throbbing pain had eased some. He didn’t feel as feverish. They had been lucky, this time.

  Going back now was sure to do two things. Surprise Fallings, causing him to hopefully make more mistakes, and make the big boss in Chicago really pissed. Working undercover was dangerous but with his cover blown, it was suicidal. It was time to call for help.

  Late that afternoon they came upon a rest area inside the park. There was a vehicle with a horse trailer hooked up to it.

  Taneika took the keys she had found on one of the bodies and unlocked the door. Lying on the seat was a cell phone. Taren took the phone, started to dial and then changed his mind. He hit the redial button.

  “Larry, this had better be good news.”

  He tried to remember Larry’s voice. “Yeah, job’s done.”

  “You been drinking again, Larry? You know the boss don’t like you drinking on the job.”

  Taren put more slur into his voice “Screw him, the job’s done and it’s fucking freezing up here.” Without waiting for a reply, he turned off the phone.

  “Get these horses loaded and find a phone that can’t be traced as easily.”

  Taren sat sprawled across the passenger seat with his leg up and tried to get comfortable. With all the hard riding they had done, his leg throbbed and burned.

  Lobo rode in the back with her injured mate.

  “You handle this trailer like an old hand.” Sweat beaded on his brow as the truck hit a pothole and took a hard bounce.

  “I ought to.” She spared him a brief smile. “Father had one the same size that we used for hauling horses and sheep.”

  “There’s a first aid station in that town where we stopped for our supplies. I can call from there.”

  “What about a vet for the wolf?” Taneika slowed down for a sharp curve.

  “On the right, as you enter town. He’s retired from the city but still has a small office open here.”

  Taren sat in the cab and waited while she talked with the vet and took the wolf inside. The grim expression on her face when she returned wasn’t very encouraging.

  “What did he say?”

  “Doc doesn’t give much hope, but he will do what he can.”

  She pulled into a double space on the side of the street and helped Taren out of the truck.

  With his arm over her shoulder, he limped slowly into the first aid station.

  The receptionist’s smile turned to concern. “Taren, what happened?”

  “I got shot.”

  Her face turned pale. “Jeanie!”

  “I have told you not to yell. It disturbs the patients.” A voice came from down the hall.

  A nurse wearing a maroon blouse and pant uniform came around the corner. “Hi, Taren. What’s all the commotion out here?” Her collar-length auburn bounced with each step. She was tall, approximately five-foot-ten inches. Laugh line were visible despite the slight frown she displayed at the moment. Although no longer having an hourglass figure, she was still a very beautiful woman.

  The receptionist, normally a calm, collected girl, was agitated. Taren, despite the pain in his leg, chuckled.

  “Taren’s been shot.”

  “Shot?” Taren watched the transformation in her face. “Where? When?” She was already in motion, circling around the counter. Her trained eyes gave him a quick assessment. “Damn you, Taren. I knew this would happen.”

  “Jeanie, I would like you to meet Taneika. Taneika, meet Jeanie, my overbearing older sister who still thinks that because she changed my diapers, she can still tell me what to do.”

  Jeanie cut away the pant leg and removed the bandage. “Nice to meet you. Did you do the patchwork? Looks good, clean. Brother, looks like you caught a wicked one. This is a wide tear, ricochet by the looks of it. It’s going to require some internal sutures.”

  “So don’t just stand there. Start sewing,” Taren ordered.

  “I can’t, you know that. Not anymore. This isn’t the military. I could lose my license.”

  “Listen, Sis. There are three bodies buried up in the mountains. Hospitals have too many rules, miles of red tape, and if someone talked there could be more bodies to bury. With your emergency field training, this is a cakewalk. Just shut up and sew. While you are getting a needle and thread, I need a phone.”

  * * * * * *

  Jeanie took off the latex gloves and tossed them on the table. “That’s it. The rest is up to you. Stay off the leg for a few days. Give it a chance to heal or run the risk of ripping it open and going to the hospital.”

  “Thanks, Sis. I have one more favor.”

  “You need a place to stay?”

  “Just ‘til I’m back on my feet.”

  “Sure. It’s time to lock up here anyway. Bill will be by any minute to pick me up. You can follow us over.”

  The front door opened. “You ready, Jeanie?” Taren had to laugh every time he heard Bill’s voice. Soft spoken, meek and high-pitched, the assumption one made without seeing him was effeminate. Those that still had that idea after seeing him were fools.

  “Well, what have we here? Hello, Taren. Jeanie still patching up little brother?”

  “Taneika, this is Bill Yates, the local sheriff. Bill, this is Taneika Swift Eagle.”

  Bill towered above her, broad shouldered, narrow waist, his grip, when he shook her hand, was solid. A warm friendly smile greeted her.

  “Glad to meet you, Miss.” He turned to Taren. “Taren, what kind of trouble are you in and how can I help?”

  “You have a deputy that you would trust with Jeanie’s life?”

  Chapter 8

  Late that night Taren sat on his sister’s couch with his leg propped up on a pillow. His hands were busy reassembling
the Mac-10 that Taneika had taken from their attackers.

  Taneika sat on the floor, comforting a grieving Lobo. Her hand lovingly stroked the wolf’s head.

  The door opened and Bill came in. “The truck and trailer are hidden and the horses are tucked away in a safe location.” Hanging up his coat, he walked in and sat in a chair across from Taren. “With the hardware those men had with them, you two are lucky to be alive.”

  “Bill,” he looked up knowingly. “They weren’t expecting to be outnumbered. Otherwise,” he laid the Mac-10 on the table, “the outcome would have been different.”

  “You’re welcome to stay here as long as need be. Our fall festival will be in a couple of days. If you are feeling up to it, I think you would enjoy it.”

  “We appreciate the place to stay,” Taren said. “My concern right now is Lobo. Keeping a wolf in the back yard might cause some comment from your neighbors and if your son says anything at school…”

  “Josh is spending the night with my parents. We have until he comes home from school tomorrow to figure something out.”

  “Lobo can go into the hills. She won’t want to be too far from her mate,” Taneika said.

  Hearing her name mentioned, Lobo sat up.

  “It’s not safe for you here, girl. I told the doc you would probably be by to visit your mate. Just be careful and go in the early morning.”

  Lobo barked.

  She gave Lobo a kiss. “I will miss you too. Okay, avoid any people. I’ll be going home as soon as I can. Lobo, if he doesn’t make it, it’s not the doc’s fault. He will do everything he can to help.”

  Taneika opened the kitchen door and with a final look towards Taren, Lobo left.

  “Taren,” Bill said. “If you’re not too tired, could you answer some questions? Jeanie has a fresh pot on. Let’s go into my office.” He picked up Taren’s coffee mug.

  You’re not leaving much choice. He got the crutches and followed Bill through the house.

  Bill leaned against his desk. “How well do you know this girl? And I’m not talking in the biblical sense.”

  “Well enough to know she’s a woman with some amazing abilities.” Taren sipped his coffee and hoped that answer would suffice.

  “Do you trust her?”

  “Yes.”

  “I know you are protecting her. Something else is bugging me. She and the wolf, they. . .understand one another?”

  He took a long sip of coffee and looked at Bill over the rim of his cup. “Do you realize what would happen to her if it became public knowledge?”

  “Yeah, I see your point.” Bill sat at his desk, thoughtfully running a pencil through his fingers. “Maybe it’s better I don’t know anything else about her.”

  Bill got up and stood staring out the window for several minutes. “I’m worried about all this, Taren. What are you going to do when the Mob comes after you again?”

  The same worry had plagued him ever since they had survived the first attack. “I’ll have to deal with it.”

  “Damn it, Taren!” Bill roared. “Just how in the hell are you going to deal with a single hit man or a full crew of hired killers?”

  “I called in extra help. They’ll be here in a couple days.” Taren sat the empty cup on Bill’s desk.

  “I’m a small town sheriff. What you’re into up to your neck is way over my head.” He walked over and placed his hand on Taren’s shoulder. “I hope to God you know what you’re doing.

  “It’s late and you’ve had a long day. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Taren opened the door to the guest room and all thoughts of sleep evaporated from his mind like the morning fog over the lake. She was invitingly stretched across the bed; her nude body revealed to his hungry gaze. The wanton, smoldering heat from her eyes caused his loins to stir.

  He crossed the room, his palms sweaty on the rungs of the crutches.

  “I thought you were going to talk all night. Did Bill give you the third degree? I see you still have all your fingernails.”

  “He was. . .curious.”

  “And?”

  He sat on the bed’s edge and dropped the crutches to the floor. “I told him you were an amazing woman with a unique way with animals and that you wanted to live your life as quietly and unobtrusive as possible. He respected that.”

  She sat up and swung a leg across his lap being careful not to touch the wound. “Thank you.”

  Her lips met his as she snuggled closer, bringing the center of her velvet core against him. Taneika gently pushed against his shoulders and he fell back on the bed. She ran her fingers teasingly down the side of his neck to the first button of his shirt.

  With each one released, more of his skin was revealed to her hot searching touch. Her tongue left a wet, electrifying trail across his chest and circled each nipple before gently nibbling on them. He felt ready to explode. His fingers wound themselves through her black tresses as she slowly slid down his body. A strong tug at his belt, and his pants were being unzipped.

  Taneika’s mouth covered the wet spot that had formed on his shorts and sucked greedily. Pulling the waistband down, she freed his shaft. Barely kissing the tip, she took him ‘til the mat of hair tickled her face. Taren arched his back and she felt his body tremble. With her tongue, she stroked him. The pulsating power of his body enflamed hers, driving her faster.

  Unable to wait any longer, she climbed back on the bed and straddled his waist. Taking his length fully inside her, she rocked against him. His hands massaged her breasts, squeezing them, but it wasn’t enough. She leaned forward placing a breast against his mouth.

  His teeth grazed her nipple, jolting her body.

  “Bite me. Oh, yes. Harder!”

  She locked her legs tightly around his hips as wave after wave of blinding light exploded behind her closed eyelids.

  Taneika’s head rocked back on her shoulders. The mating call of the wolf that filled the room was joined by his own cry of release.

  The door bounced off the wall as Bill rushed into the room with his service revolver drawn. Jeanie stood behind him peeking over one shoulder, her face pale and her eyes wide with fear. Taren pulled Taneika to his chest and flipped the bedspread over them. Jeanie’s fear quickly dissolved and she placed her hand over her mouth. She ducked out of the room and Taren heard her laughter from down the hall.

  “Sorry. I, ah, thought. . .” Red-faced, Bill lowered the revolver and backed out of the room, closing the door.

  Taneika’s body shook, her laughter hot against his neck. “Jeanie didn’t seem too surprised or shocked, but Bill didn’t know quite what to do or say…or where to look.”

  “Well, Jeanie is a nurse and a very liberated woman. I think Bill led a more sheltered life growing up. Sis said he was a virgin when she met him.”

  “I’m glad you weren’t.”

  “Weren’t what?”

  “A virgin.” She rolled over to lie beside him. “Where did you learn how to please a woman?”

  “I don’t think that is something you should be, ah, concerned with.”

  “No secrets, now. Not after all we have been through and all you know about me.

  “Are you afraid that I will get up and leave after finding out about your past lovers? I suspected your involvement with Linda before you told me. She wasn’t the first.”

  “No. After high school, I spent the summer working at the college where Jeanie attended. The girls in her dorm decided that they needed more study in human anatomy and I became the object of their studies.”

  “Jeanie knew this was going on?” Taneika smothered her laughter with her hand.

  “Like I said, she is a very liberated woman.” Taren thought back to the times when Jeanie had walked into a friend’s dorm room and had found him in bed with one of her classmates. Or going into the bathroom and having naked girls going to and from the shower, giving him a friendly smile and a playful shake of their tits. It wasn’t long before the nudity in Jeanie’s dorm became, if not totall
y unnoticed, certainly less noteworthy.

  “Well, I don’t know about their grades, but I give you an A plus.” She kissed him, got out of bed and went into the bathroom.

  Taneika was different. She drew him. Whether she was clothed or nude, his eyes followed her. He couldn’t get enough of her. The vivacity she had towards life carried over into their lovemaking.

  The aroma of frying bacon and fresh coffee woke him the next morning. Slipping on a borrowed robe, he went to the kitchen.

  “Morning, Sis. That sure smells good. Bill gone?”

  “Good morning. He just left. After last night, I don’t think he wanted to be here when you woke up. I have never seen him so flustered or so turned on. Thanks.”

  “Sis, could Bill’s parents keep Josh while we are here? The chance of him telling one of his schoolmates about us being here is too great. It could place everyone in danger. These people are ruthless. They wouldn’t think twice about using a child as leverage to get to me.”

  “I’ll call and find out.” Jeanie dialed the numbers and, when Bill’s mother answered, briefly voiced Taren’s concern.

  “She says not to worry. Josh can stay there as long as needed.”

  Taneika walked down the hall. “Good morning. So, Bill didn’t want to face us. Sorry if we embarrassed you last night, but at least you got some enjoyment out of it.” She smiled coyly.

  “You heard us?” Jeanie asked.

  Taren chuckled, “Her abilities are rather complicated to explain. That is another reason that Josh should stay with Grandma.”

  Taneika stopped beside him and gave Taren a kiss. “Morning.”

  “I’m off for work. Make yourselves at home,” Jeanie invited. “Taren, take it easy on that leg. Call if you need anything.”

  Taren hated the inactivity, but the only thing his jailer would let him do was go to the bathroom. Taneika propped his foot up and waited on him like he was some kind of invalid. It was okay for a while, but it got old quick. He wasn’t into game shows and the news was the same old story. The world was going to end when all the computers crashed on New Year’s Eve with the coming of the new millennium. He scoffed at all the alarmists with their dire predictions about the future.