Finding Our Way (Werewolf Wars)

by Bethany Shaw

  Finding Our Way

  Werewolf Wars, Volume 3

  Bethany Shaw

  Published by Bethany Shaw, 2014.

  This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

  FINDING OUR WAY

  First edition. June 10, 2014.

  Copyright © 2014 Bethany Shaw.

  Written by Bethany Shaw.

  Also by Bethany Shaw

  Werewolf Wars

  Out of the Shadows

  Into the Unknown

  Finding Our Way

  Watch for more at Bethany Shaw’s site.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Also By Bethany Shaw

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Coming in October 2014 | Lost and Found, Werewolf Wars #4

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  Nora covered her mouth as she yawned. Her eyes focused on the road as she reached down, lifting her coke to her lips. Nora took a long swig before returning it to the cup holder.

  The blue-green illumination of the dashboard clock read 12:03 AM. It was late, and she’d been driving for hours, but she would not stop until she reached her destination.

  With a trembling hand, she picked up her cell phone and listened to her best friend’s voicemails again. She’d been stuck at work when April had called earlier, and had only just gotten the frantic message when she’d gotten off.

  3:56pm

  Hey, Nora, it’s April. I just wanted to let you know that I made it home okay. I know this is going to sound weird, but I need you to stay away from the apartment for a few days. I will wire you some money for a hotel. It’d be even better if you found one far away from home. I promise I will try to explain everything soon, but I can’t right now. Just please trust me when I tell you not to go home. I hope you get this soon. Call me when you do. I’ll, uh; I’ll talk to you later, okay? Be safe.

  4:15 pm

  Hey, it’s me again. Um, listen, my families in trouble, Nora. I think you could be too. I’m going to text you my address. I need you to head down here as soon as you can. Please call me as soon as possible.

  The phone clicked, and Nora smashed her finger over the buttons, setting the phone back on top of her purse. Her hands shook as she gripped the steering wheel. Her eyes stared out the window into the pitch-black night. She’d received that ominous message around five hours ago, shortly after she’d left work. She still hadn’t been able to reach her best friend. Every call went straight to voicemail. Terrified, she’d hopped in her car and started the long drive to Louisiana.

  Stifling another yawn, Nora glanced over at her GPS. If it were correct, she should reach April’s home within the next fifteen minutes. Once there, she could check on her friend, and find out what the hell was going on.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a blur of yellow making a beeline for the street. She slammed on the breaks, causing the tires to squeal. A man dashed into the road, and she screamed as a loud crunch echoed through the car.

  The man’s body rolled up onto her hood, colliding with the windshield. The glass cracked, and tiny spider webs erupted across the window. His body tumbled backwards.

  Nora held the steering wheel as a vice, watching in horror as he hit the pavement with an unforgiving thump. He rolled and attempted to stand, but quickly fell back to the blacktop. She held her breath, waiting for him to get up, but he didn’t. Her heart dropped and she took a shaky breath in.

  Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god!

  Pulse thrumming in her ears, she pushed her door open, unbuckled her seatbelt, and climbed out. Her eyes stayed transfixed on the deathly still person. Nausea churned in her stomach, and she gagged seeing the awkward angle of his arm. Her knees wobbled as she forced her feet forward.

  “Please be okay. Please don’t be dead,” she mumbled as she approached him.

  Blood oozed into his brown hair, streaking the cocoa strands with red. His chest rose and fell in shallow, uneven breaths. The man coughed, groaning as he rolled. He placed a quivering hand on the road as he attempted to sit up again.

  “Thank god you’re not dead! Are you okay? I’m not sure you should be moving,” Nora babbled as she held her hands out, unsure if she should touch him or not.

  He twisted, his emerald green eyes connecting with hers. Red dribbled out of his nose, pooling on his lips. His intense gaze gave her pause and she felt her breath catch as she got lost in his beautiful irises.

  “Who are you?” he coughed, struggling to his feet.

  Nora blinked, snapping out of her trance. “I’m so sorry. Are you okay? I need to call the police. You need to get to the hospital,” she rambled. Heat crept over her cheeks at her own stupidity. She’d hit a man! He needed medical help. How was he even standing? Why hadn’t she brought her phone out of the car with her?

  “No!” he yelled, clamping his good hand around her wrist.

  Nora jumped at his outburst. Her eyes widened, and pulse kicked up a notch.

  “No,” he said quieter. “I...I don’t have insurance. Please, just help me get out of here. Give me a ride to a motel or something.” He stared at her for a long moment. “What’s your name?”

  Nora looked down at his fingers that still encircled her wrist. Tiny nicks marred his skin. As she continued to assess him, she saw a large gash along his cheekbone, and blood covered his yellow shirt and dark wash jeans. His left shoulder and arm were mangled, but she couldn’t tell if it was broken or dislocated.

  Realizing he was still waiting for an answer to his question, she said, “Nora, Nora Jamison.”

  “I’m Daniel McKinley. I think we should get out of here, Nora.” His eyes scanned the tree line to her right and she followed his gaze.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked. “I can call an ambulance—”

  “No. Come on,” he interrupted, hobbling forward and pulling her along with him. His fingers were warm on her wrist and a tiny tremor of heat crept through her.

  Nora allowed him to lead her as he stumbled to the passenger door and jerked it open. Yelling erupted from the trees, sending cold chills down her spine. Swallowing, she surveyed the brush. Her breath caught in her throat as three men emerged from the tree line, followed by a large grey wolf. How is that even possible, she wondered, eyes transfixed on the large creature.

  Nora flinched as the wolf howled and the three men bounded toward them. She took a few steps back, her feet faltering as her butt met her car. Pushing off the steel, she whirled around and sprinted to the driver’s side door. A loud crackle rippled through the air, followed by a groan. Daniel slumped to the ground as his body contorted.

  Horrified, Nora watched through the open passenger door as his yellow shirt tore free from his body. Reddish-brown hair erupted onto his back. He positioned himself on his hands and knees, seconds before his back jolted upwards. Another snap sounded, followed by a howl as he sprung for
ward.

  Nora clamped a hand over her mouth as she watched the man become a wolf. She closed her eyes, and opened them again, still not believing. Yet, the wolf remained where the man had been. He lunged at the other wolf catching him mid air, and driving him to the ground.

  A sob tore through her throat and she ripped her car door open. Sliding in, she was about to pull the door shut when an arm grabbed the handle, tearing it from her grasp. Warm, calloused hands wrapped around her left forearm and hauled her out of the vehicle. Her attacker yanked her into his firm body, holding her tight.

  Frantic, Nora kicked her feet, struggling against the man in every which way, hoping to break free. Another man approached and easily dodged her swinging limbs.

  “Get off me,” she screamed, throwing her head back as hard as she could. It hit something hard, and the man behind her grumbled obscenities. Lurching forward, she reeled back again, ignoring the pain slicing through her skull as it connected with the man. The assailant stumbled, his grip loosening ever so slightly. Unwilling to give up, Nora lifted her foot, and slammed her heel down. The man’s arms let go, and she raced forward, using her momentum, she ran straight for the other man. Raising her hands to her face, she swung her right leg, catching him off guard as she connected her foot with his manhood. The man cupped himself, and groaned, falling to his knees.

  Her triumph was short-lived as a strong grip wrapped around her torso. No! She bucked against her attacker to no avail.

  “You’re going to pay for that you stupid, little bitch,” the man rasped in her ear.

  You’re a fighter, Nora, Fight!

  Nora thrashed in his arms, but his hold was unforgiving. The man behind her stiffened, his fingers dug into her arms. Snapping her head up, she gasped as she watched the reddish-brown wolf tear into the man she’d kicked only moments before. The man gurgled, sputtering as he coughed. Crimson poured from his mouth as his body trembled. The wolf growled and turned toward them.

  “You don’t want to hurt her, do you?” the man sneered as the reddish-brown wolf approached. “You’ll have to come through her to get to me.”

  Nora whimpered; cringing away from the man as his hot breath blasted against her neck.

  The wolf snarled, baring his massive, white canines. Nora halted her movements, eyes transfixed on the wolf’s golden eyes. His head cocked to the side, watching her before he lunged.

  Nora shrieked as she was tossed toward the car. Her hands rose up to protect her face, but it was too late. Nora’s forehead smacked against the edge of the door. Her vision clouded, then went black.

  Daniel snapped his jaws as he dove at the man. Like a coward, the human threw the girl out of the way, and spun around to flee to the woods. Daniel grunted as he jumped with his nails outstretched, tackling his enemy to the ground. His jaws clamped around the man’s neck, and with one quick twist, the bones crunched.

  With a grunt, he pulled back. His body throbbed and breaths came in unsteady, labored pants. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath in and hobbled over ensuring that the three men and wolf were in fact dead. Satisfied, he sniffed at the young woman. The metallic stench of blood invaded his senses, and he whined as he inspected her. There was a long laceration just above her eyebrow. He nuzzled her, relieved to see that her chest rose and fell evenly.

  Daniel took a step back and lowered himself to the ground. Gritting his teeth, he whimpered as his broken body snapped, the bones realigning as he transformed. He stood up with a grimace and stretched his stiff limbs.

  Limping, he walked over to the closest man, quickly removed the man’s shoes, and tugged his jeans down. He was sure the young woman was going to have a lot of questions when she awoke, and he assumed it would go a lot better if he were wearing pants. The last thing he wanted was to frighten her anymore than she already was. He stripped the man with a broken neck down to his boxers. Then put the jeans and black tee on. Setting the socks and shoes in the car, he carefully lifted the woman into his arms and laid her across the back seat of her car.

  Daniel took a moment to look over the unconscious woman. Her copper hair fell in soft waves. Light freckles sprinkled across her cheeks and nose. The scared amber eyes that had been alert only moments before were shut. Her breathing was even, and aside from a few red marks on her creamy skin, the only visible injury to her was the cut above her brow. She should be okay, he thought, at least he hoped she would be. Once they got someplace a little safer, he would stop and clean her up, and tend to both of their injuries.

  One way or another, she was involved in all of this now. It was his duty to keep her safe.

  He climbed into her Cavalier and shut the door, taking off down the road.

  Chapter Two

  Nora blinked her eyes open. Darkness surrounded her. Her fingers tingled and the plush ground vibrated beneath her. Flexing her digits, Nora slowly lifted them to her throbbing head. A large lump and scab were there, but she didn’t feel any lingering blood. Closing her eyes tight, she opened them again, fighting against the haze threatening to pull her back under.

  Where am I?

  She squinted, her irises slowly adjusting to the pitch-black. Her gaze caught sight of the vivid blue-green of the dashboard clock. 4:33. Focusing on the rearview mirror, she watched as the familiar troll charm swayed. This was her car. Someone was driving her car. Her heart skipped a beat at the realization. Balling her fists, she forced her tense muscles to relax. She wasn’t quite ready to let the driver know she was awake, at least not until she remembered what had happened.

  Her tongue darted out, wetting her dry lips. She inhaled deeply, searching her aching head for the events that must have taken place earlier. Slowly, she sorted through the fog in her brain. The scene played out as a dream—it had to be a dream. She assured herself that a man had not turned into a wolf. Doubt crept in, and she peeked up into the front seat.

  The man driving was the man she had struck with her car. Daniel, his name was Daniel, she recalled. As if to prove she wasn’t crazy, her car made an uncharacteristic clink, then grinded as it slowed.

  Nora gripped the cushion beneath her as the car lurched to the right and bumped along the uneven terrain. The brakes squawked loudly as the car stopped. The driver’s door creaked open, the car dipping down, and then raising up as the stranger climbed out. Shifting ever so slightly, she peered out the window. They were at a gas station.

  It was early in the morning, and she had no idea where they were. She could chance running away, but how far would she get? Would there be anyone to help her? What would the man do if he caught her? She trembled and blinked back tears as she tried to come up with a plan.

  The car wiggled as the man slid the gas nozzle into the tank and began pumping.

  Before she could contemplate further action, the back door swung open, and a head ducked down into the entryway.

  Tensing, she shut her eyes, feigning unconsciousness.

  “I know you are awake,” his voice floated in. “Are you okay?”

  Nora opened one eye then the other, slowly maneuvering herself so she could get a good look at him. One-half of his face was shrouded by the pitch-black of the night, the other illuminated by the dull overhead lights from the service station.

  Specks of dirt covered his cheek and stubbled jaw. His bicep pulsed as he gripped the door. He ran his free hand through his already mussed hair. The man’s eyes roamed over her before meeting her gaze. She gasped at the vividness of his emerald eyes, and a shiver shot through her spine at the intensity swirling in them.

  He was handsome—he’s probably a serial killer, she reminded herself. He hasn’t hurt you yet. In fact, he’d kind of saved her—rescued her from the men that had grabbed her. Although, she couldn’t help but wonder if it were him they were really after. Does it really matter? He turned into a giant wolf, she reminded herself. Had she hallucinated that?

  “Are you okay,” he repeated, pulling her from her thoughts.

  “I...” she started, not entir
ely sure how to answer. Her mind was still muddled on what had happened. A part of her didn’t believe it. Men could not turn into wolves—it wasn’t possible. Maybe if she pretended nothing had happened, then he would think she didn’t remember anything—he could let her go. “Yes,” she answered, hoping to appease him.

  “You hit your head pretty good. You’ve been out for a few hours,” he stated, turning back to the pump when it clicked. He pulled the nozzle out and hung it up. He spun around to twist the cap back on before poking his head into the car again. “You could have a concussion. Do you remember what happened?” he questioned, his eyes narrowing.

  Nora swallowed the lump in her throat. What was she supposed to say? Yes, I saw you turn into a gigantic wolf and kill a man, it sounded absurd. What would he do if she did remember? Would he hurt her? Kill her? No, she didn’t think so. If he’d wanted to harm her, he would have already. At least that’s what she tried to convince herself.

  Daniel cleared his throat. “The exit sign said there was a twenty-four hour McDonald’s drive thru half-a-mile that way,” he said, pointing to his right.

  Nora nodded, slowly appraising him. Is he offering to buy me food?

  Daniel sighed gritting his teeth. The awful stench of curdled milk indicated her fear, yet, she was acting entirely too calm. He wished his brother, Vincent, were here. The younger McKinley was a people person. He would know exactly what to say to smooth the situation over. Daniel envied his siblings in that respect. People skills were something he severely lacked.

  “We should keep moving. I was going to get a bite to eat before hopping back on the freeway,” he said watching her. He couldn’t afford for her to run. She’d seen too much. Even if the majority of people thought she was insane, there was always that small group of fanatics that would believe. The werewolf community had enough problems without human interference.

  There was also the problem of Juarez’s men. The men that were chasing him earlier were powerful—they were everywhere. She could be in danger because of him. It was his duty to protect her and his pack.