by R. Casteel
Taneika opened one eye and groaned. From her position on the floor, everything looked different and it took her a minute to realize where she was. Weak from lack of food—she couldn’t count the two rabbits earlier as they were so small—she struggled to rise. Wondering why dried blood covered her in huge smears, she remembered rolling in the snow. The shower door was open and she stumbled in.
Hunger drove her out of the shower before all the blood was gone. Dripping wet, Taneika left a trail of water through the house to the kitchen. Going to the freezer she found a roast she had purchased for emergencies. Placing it in the microwave, she set the timer and leaned heavily against the counter.
Peering out the window she spotted Lobo limping to the house. Taren was standing on his porch and then went inside. “Damn you, Taren. Lobo was supposed to stay off that leg.”
Going to the front door, Taneika let the wolves in. “You’re supposed to stay off that leg. Taren knows better than let you walk over here on your own.”
‘Woof, woof…woof.’ Lobo turned her head back towards her mate.
“This was your idea?” She turned on the male. “Have all the males in my life gone loco? It was bad enough, Taren leaving like he did and taking Lobo, but you had to make her walk all the way over here. What did you do, get between them and growl?”
The wolf lowered his head and stuck his tail between his legs.
“Figures.”
Walking over to Lobo, she examined her leg. “There’s no fresh bleeding. I hope you didn’t tear anything inside.”
The buzzer sounded for the microwave. “You,” she addressed Lobo’s mate, “can go find some food.” Letting the wolf out, she headed for the kitchen.
Bringing the roast to the living room, she sat on the couch and offered some to Lobo.
You need it worse than I do. I already ate. Lobo lay down and rested her nose on her leg.
“Taren stopped and got you some meat on the way?” Licking the juice from her fingers, she was reminded of when she’d done the same thing to Taren and the passion the simple act had ignited between them.
No, he had food on the table and the floor. I love cheese. What I had this morning made me thirsty. I couldn’t get into the box where he keeps the beer but I found the one he didn’t finish last night.
She hung her head. “He feed you pizza and beer?”
Can I go back? I didn’t finish it all. You can have some too, Lobo licked her face. Taren won’t care.
Taneika laughed at the puppy that still came out in Lobo. “No, you are not going back over. You are to lie down and stay off that leg.”
Lobo laid her head down in Taneika’s lap and looked up at her with big sad eyes.
“And don’t look at me like that. It won’t do you any good.” She grabbed Lobo by the ears and shook her head.
Lobo whined, Would you go over and get it?“
I’m going over there all right but I’m not bringing you back any pizza. I sent your mate out for some food.”
Lobo sniffed between Taneika’s legs.
“I am not going over there for that. Taren had no right to take you. Feeding you leftover pizza and beer proves he has no business having a pet.”
Lobo barked and sat back on her hind legs. Take? She cocked her head to one side. What’s this about taking me? I told him to bring me here.
Taneika laid her head against the back of the couch and laughed. “And I suppose he understood you and said that was a great idea.”
No…but he did bring me.
There was a noise at the door and Taneika went to check on it. Lobo’s mate stood at the threshold with a rabbit in his mouth and two more at his feet.
“Lobo, if you’re hungry, there’s a rabbit here for you.”
Lobo got off the couch, limped to the door and sniffed the rabbit. Rather have pizza, she grumbled.
“Outside,” she commanded. “But stay on the porch.”
Refreshed from her meal, she went back to the shower to clean up. It was time to confront Taren.
Taneika dried off and grabbed a pair of jeans. As she slipped them on, she noticed that they were tight around the waist. Strange, she didn’t feel any heavier and living at the cabin for a month should have caused her to lose a little weight, not gain it. She pulled a shirt over her head as she left the bedroom and headed for the door.
Lobo stood with an expectant grin on her face as she stepped outside.
“No, I’m not taking you over to Taren’s and I’m not bringing you any pizza.”
Lobo whined.
“And no beer either. Damn my brothers for giving it to you to begin with.”
Taneika stepped off the porch, turned and headed towards Taren’s house.
‘Woof.’ Lobo’s mate barked. What’s wrong with her?
Lobo looked at Taneika, now halfway across the yard. Nothing, all humans act funny when carrying little ones inside.
‘Woof?’
Yes, she lowered her head on her paw. I’m sure.
* * * * *
Taneika stopped, her shoulders slumped as the confusing emotions swirled inside her head. The month she’d spent tying to sort out her feelings, her life and the relationship with Taren, had been fruitless. Well almost. In that month she had realized one thing.
She loved Taren.
An impossible love. Especially now with this new knowledge given her by the vet, her hopes for a normal future with a husband and children were doomed.
Taneika sat in the snow, driven to the ground by the weight she must now bear alone, for no man would want a wife who was part wolf. The children in her village had been right.
I am a freak.
Tears for crushed dreams and lost hope trickled slowly down her cheek.
Standing at the window, Taren saw her start toward the house. He had been expecting her visit since Lobo had limped over. It still upset him that the other wolf had interfered but he wasn’t about to challenge her mate.
Why is she stopping?
Concerned alarm propelled him out the door and he ran to where Taneika, head bowed resting in her hands, sat in the snow. Kneeling in front of her, Taren lifted her head and was shocked to see the tears streaming unchecked down her face.
“Hon…what’s the matter?” His voice broke. “Don’t cry love, it’ll be alright.”
Pulling away before he could put his arms around her, she looked at him through tear-blurred eyes. “Go away, Taren.”
“If I thought you meant it…” Lowering his head he brushed his lips across her eyes, tasted the salty tears and came to rest on her mouth. “I would.”
“You’re…not making…this any… easier.” She said between kisses.
“I don’t intend to.”
“Taren,” she pleaded. “Stop!”
At the desperation in her voice, he sat back on his heels and looked into her eyes. His heart wrenched at the pain radiating prismatically from what appeared as cracked glass. Beyond the tears, behind the pain, was a soul that had been shattered.
“We have to talk,” she continued. “Let’s go inside. Your shivering is making me cold.”
Getting up, she turned back to her place, trusting that Taren would follow.
He wasn’t sure where the old Taneika was, the one full of life and a bright smile with passion flowing through her veins, but he wanted her back. This Taneika walked with the weight of the world on her shoulders. Dejected, wearing the shroud of defeat, she trudged through the snow ahead of him.
Taneika stepped onto the porch and both wolves moved away from her. It was impossible to blame them. Right now she wished she could do the same. Leaving the door open for Taren, she went to stand by the window. If she could keep her distance, if he didn’t touch or kiss her, there was a chance, however slim, she could survive.
Standing in her living room, Taren shook his head in aggravation. Two could play this waiting game as easily as one. Sitting on the couch, he propped his feet up and waited.
“I suppose you deserv
e an…explanation.”
Her voice was broken, raspy and a little more than a whisper. Taren didn’t answer.
“You deserve someone who can give you a home, children, a family. Things that I can’t give anyone, not….”
“That’s nonsense,” he interrupted.
“Please,” she held her hand up. “Let me finish. Remember the blood sample Jeanie took from my skin? Seems she took it to the vet who sent it to the lab. The blood matched a sample taken from Lobo earlier.”
Taren felt a strong desire to laugh but saw that she was serious. “What are you trying to tell me?”
“We…have the same DNA.”
Unable to control himself, Taren chuckled. “Would you for a moment listen to what you said?”
“Doc Gregger said….”
“Doc Gregger,” he shook his head, “is a veterinarian. Besides, labs make mistakes and what you are saying is medically impossible.”
“Don’t you think I realize that?” She turned from the window and stomped across the room to stand in front of the couch. “Everything you know about me is a medical impossibility. Why should being related to a wolf be any different?”
“Related to a wolf, you mean as in blood relative?” He leaned his head back and laughed.
In aggravation, she stomped out. Going into her bedroom, she slammed the door closed behind her.
He got up and followed her, opened the door and found her lying on the bed. Sitting beside her, he gently stroked her hair. “Hon, it doesn’t change the way I feel about you. Forget what Doc Gregger said. You are a healthy, vibrant and beautiful woman. You’ve learned to live with your differences and I will too. Don’t add to the lab’s mistake by throwing away what we have together.”
“I care for you, but,” she brushed her hand along the side of his face. “There could never be children. I couldn’t bear to have them humiliated the way I was growing up. Suppose they were deformed or something, could you look at them and not blame me?”
“Nobody can guarantee a child will be perfect. Whatever happens, our love will see us through.” Taren kissed the palm of her hand. “The important thing right now, we’re together. Things have been rather hectic lately. When we put all this behind us, get back into a daily routine of school and work, we’ll both have a better perspective.”
Brushing the hair from the side of her face, he leaned over and tenderly kissed her. As her arms snaked around his neck, he deepened the kiss, searching out the sweet cavern of her mouth. He trailed his fingers teasingly down her side and back up to cup her breast. The nipple hardened against his palm. Inhaling her sensuous moan, the coals of his desire were stirred. Finding the bottom of her shirt, his hand slid along bare skin ‘til he once more cupped her breast.
Taren sat up and looked into her eyes. A light was shining where only darkness had been. The dark clouds had a silver lining. Visible was a thread of hope, be it ever so fragile. Together they could dispel the clouds and build the thread into a chain of steel that couldn’t be broken.
Looking into a face that radiated love and compassion, she felt her heart swell with tenderness. Maybe I overreacted. Reaching down she grasped the t-shirt and slowly tugged it over her head as Taren unsnapped her jeans and drew them down over her hips.
Taren lay beside her, his mouth gravitated towards her breasts which stood like golden luscious melons, topped with dark, sun-ripened cherries. Tasting their sweetness, he felt her body tremble and a deep sigh rushed from her chest. Smiling against her skin, Taren drew her hardened flesh into his mouth. As he trailed his fingers lightly down her side and across her hip, she spread her legs to give him access to the smooth satiny skin of her inner thigh. Moist heat filled his palm as he cupped the essence of her femininity.
His fingers stroked the flowery petals of her inner flesh. Writhing on the bed, she arched her back and moaned. Her breasts vibrated with the wild pounding of her heart. As Taren moved a leg across hers, she tried to roll away. Pinning her face down on the bed, he heard her husky laugh.
Leaning forward, he nibbled teasingly at her neck. “On your knees,” he whispered.
“No.” She laughed and wiggled her butt against his hard length.
“On your knees before I spank you.”
“You wouldn’t da…”
She gasped as he moved and his open hand made contact with her flesh. His playful slap surprised her and at the same time stimulated her.
Spreading her legs, she raised herself off the bed and felt the tip of his shaft enter the soft folds of her inner flesh. Pushing backward she impaled herself on his full length. “Ahh!”
His fingers sensuously moved up her legs, across her hips and stroked her sides. Slowly he withdrew, sending erotic impulses along sensitive nerves. Rocking against his legs, she felt his movement inside and her body demanded more. Pulling away, she began moving. With each backward thrust of her hips, his hands held her still. Frustration mounted as she sought the release that stayed so close but out of reach.
Panting for breath, she voiced what her flesh craved. “Faster, don’t stop.”
“Like this.” His words were heated, filled with promise.
As he increased the speed, his flesh pounded harder against hers. “Yes,” she moaned. “Oh, yes.”
Her body, balanced on the edge, slipped over. She felt the hot flow of his release fill her. Gasping to suck air into her starved lungs, the mating howl of the wolf was muffled as she collapsed into the pillow.
Taren, his body slick with sweat, slumped over her. As the shock waves that rolled across them receded, she released him and he moved to lie beside her. She snuggled up and laid her head on his shoulder, content with the knowledge she was where she belonged and she was loved.
For now.
Chapter 20
Taneika sat in front of Dean Watkins’ desk waiting for the decision on whether she would be spending Christmas vacation studying or waiting until the spring semester and starting over.
Taren had smoothed over several of the dean’s ruffled feathers by explaining the events following her leaving school. Her composure, however, had been shaken upon learning of Taneika’s involvement with the gun battle at the cabin.
“Taneika,” she said. “I have looked over your records and believe with hard work you can catch up on most of your studies. What concerns me,” she paused and took her glasses off, “as it will the Board of Directors, is the safety of the school and the other students.”
“Dean Watkins,” Taren interrupted. “The DEA and the Justice Department have shut down Harold Fallings’ contacts who were threatening her life. Fallings is a fugitive and was last seen in Canada. Although the department doesn’t think any further attempt on her life will be taken, they are prepared to place an agent within the school for added protection.”
“Mr. Carpenter, having a policeman or a bodyguard would cause her to be noticed and very obvious,” she refuted.
“The agent would be, as far as the school faculty or the other students are concerned, a transfer from another school. She’ll be assigned the same classes and schedule as Taneika, doing the assignments and blending into school life.”
The dean sat for several moments, her eyes traveling from the records in front of her to Taneika.
“I’ll have to inform the President and the Board. The final decision will be up to them.” She wrote a memo and signed it. “This will allow you to get the work you need to do over the vacation. Catching up won’t be easy and how much you accomplish over the next couple weeks may very well determine if you stay in school. The library will remain open during the vacation. I strongly suggest you make use of it during this time.”
Taneika stood and took the memo. “Thank you, Dean Watkins. I appreciate your willingness to let me try.”
“And you, Mr. Carpenter.” The dean turned her attention to Taren. “Will you have your agent here ready to check in the first day class resumes? No agent…and Taneika doesn’t continue as long as there is the possibi
lity of a threat to her or any anyone else at the college.”
“An agent is already here, Dean Watkins. She is waiting for word to check in.”
“Very well.” The dean raised an eyebrow and a small grin appeared.
“Young lady, you have work to do,” she said dismissing them.
“Mr. Carpenter, may I have a word with you? In private.”
Taren closed the door as the dean stood.
“You presumed the outcome of this meeting before you came in here. I’m not an unreasonable woman, although some of the students might disagree. I don’t like to have my actions second-guessed so easily. What would you’ve done if I had said no?”
Taren smiled, “That question is after all, irrelevant…for now. If you will excuse me.” Giving her a mock salute, he opened the door and left.
As they left the administration building, Taren smiled and waved to a woman on walking on the sidewalk.
“Do you know her?” Taneika asked.
“Nope, never seen her before.” He laughed overly loud and lowered his voice. “Jealous? Don’t be, the other agent is watching us. That was a signal for her.”
Several cars away the driver’s door opened of an old Chevy Impala. Agent Paula Myers took one last sip of her Irish Cream Cappuccino before getting out.
* * * * *
Taneika sat in the almost deserted library. A young Korean girl with short black hair sat between her and the door. As Taneika studied, she had the feeling of being watched. Looking up, she noticed that although the Korean girl had a book open, her eyes never stayed in one place but shifted continually around the room. She reminded Taneika of a hawk, seemingly relaxed but watchful, ready to pounce on an unsuspecting prey.
She allowed a slight smile to lift the corners of her lips. The hawk’s eyes returned the smile and then resumed their relentless vigil.
The muscles in her back began protesting the long hours she had spent bent over her books. Standing, she stretched and walked between the tall rows of shelves. A title caught her eye and she stopped. Taking the book down, she was reminded of She Who Walks Ahead and the confusing words about her destiny being written in the stars.
