The Artist Cries Wolf

by Heather Horrocks

  Weston grinned. “You’re so pretty that I’d be willing to give you my true name for a date.”

  She smiled, not knowing what he meant, and drew in a deep breath.

  It was all real.

  Monsters. Were. Real.

  She turned in a slow circle.

  And then laughed in amazement.

  Okay. She could deal with this.

  The werewolf cousins drove — what else? — pickup trucks. Weston won the coin toss to drive her back to the station at the end of the day.

  While they were driving home, Sam asked, “So how did it go with the idiots?”

  “Your cousins?” she said.

  “Yeah. The idiots.”

  “They were very nice to me. You should be nicer to them.”

  “They should be nicer to me.” He laughed. “All through my childhood, they should have been nicer.”

  “Were you horribly abused by them as a child?” she asked, innocently.

  “Yes. Horribly.”

  “Well, buck up, little camper, they speak highly of you now.”

  “No, they don’t. They call me an idiot, too. It’s our term of endearment for each other.”

  “They didn’t call you that in front of me.”

  “Well, that’s something, I guess.”

  “Weston mentioned true names earlier and I didn’t want to ask him what that meant. Would you tell me?”

  “It’s a troll and fae thing. If they give you their true name, then they are telling the truth. It’s the only time you can count on truth from either of them, though.”

  He pulled up in his driveway, and helped her out. He studied the back of her head, and had her turn around. “How is your head feeling?”

  “The headache is coming back,” she admitted.

  “Let’s get you inside and settled in the cool air, and I’ll get you some aspirin.”

  She took the aspirin and rested on her bed for thirty minutes. By then the headache had eased and she was hungry. When she walked downstairs, Sam said, “Ta-dah!” and pointed to the dining room table.

  He’d set out a tablecloth, dishes, and even the candlestick and candle.

  “Wow.”

  “And I fixed us something. My one and only specialty.”

  He pulled out a chair for her, and then went into the kitchen.

  He returned with a big bag with a logo on it that proclaimed that it was from Anthony’s Ristorante.

  She laughed. “Your specialty smells delicious.”

  “I got lasagna and salads and some of their breadsticks.” He pulled the plastic bowls out of the bag and set them on the table, then mashed the bag and tossed it at the kitchen trash. “Missed. Again.”

  “I didn’t realize how hungry I was until now.” She watched him spoon out the food onto two plates. “But there’s no monster theme to this restaurant? I’m disappointed.”

  “Not in the name, but the menu offers monster-y dishes. The tourists love the monster-shaped macaroni and cheese. Black and Cheese, it’s called, with a lovely black sauce.”

  “Glad you chose something different.”

  After they’d polished off the majority of the food, Samuel leaned back.

  Amber did the same and laced her hands over her stomach. “That was fabulous. Thank you.”

  “Don’t thank me yet.” He looked smug. “Not until I tell you that I got cheesecake, too.”

  “I think I’m going to swoon right at your feet.”

  His eyes lit up. “Really? I’d like to see that.”

  She rolled her eyes at him. “You already did, remember? I passed out cold when you changed into a wolf before my very eyes.”

  “Oh yeah. That doesn’t count, though. It was shock, not a true swoon.” He brought in another smaller bag, cold from the fridge, and pulled out two plastic containers. Handing her one, he took the other back to his seat.

  She tasted it — and moaned in ecstasy. “This is better than swooning, I think.” She took another bite. “Mmm. It’s like magic on the taste buds!”

  He chuckled. “I hear the Sweeney sisters, who supply most of the local restaurants with baked goods, use magic in their cooking, so you’re probably right.”

  After they finished and she was totally stuffed, he cleared the table. She stood to help him, and he said, “What are you doing? You’re my guest and you got hurt last night. I will do any and all work today. Without an argument. You go in and choose a movie for us to watch.”

  “All right,” she said, smiling at the sight of the big, burly werewolf carrying the dishes to the sink.

  In the family room, she flipped through the large binder of DVDs he had, turning pages in search of the perfect movie. Finally, she chose three that looked interesting. A chick flick, a thriller, and a fantasy/sci-fi.

  Samuel came in and looked through her selections. “Return to Me? That’s a good one. The Bourne Identity. Another good one. And Star Wars. All oldies, but goodies.” He looked at her. “Which one do you want to watch?”

  “Hey, I chose last time. This time, I narrowed it down to three options — and it’s your turn to choose.”

  “Well, that’s exceedingly fair of you.”

  “Yeah, that’s me. Fair. Fair to middling, even.”

  He chuckled. “You’re good to great.”

  She smiled at him.

  He responded by sitting beside her on the couch. “You look beautiful tonight.”

  “Even the bump on my lopsided head?” she teased.

  “Especially your lopsided head.” He reached up and gently touched the bump, so gently it didn’t hurt. He was extremely gentle for a werewolf.

  He leaned in and kissed her. Pulling back, he said, “Your lips are beautiful, too.”

  She didn’t say anything. This moment was magical, and she didn’t want it to end. She just stared into his gray eyes, and she noticed that they had just a hint of gold. That must be a werewolf thing. “Your golden eyes are beautiful.”

  “Your green eyes are beautiful.”

  “We’re like the lyrics to a repetitive song,” she whispered.

  He kissed her again, and this time he wrapped an arm about her neck and gently pulled her to him.

  She slid closer and — the doorbell rang.

  The kiss ended. Sam groaned at the interruption. “You were saved by the bell.”

  “Darn,” she said, but it was probably for the best. She needed to keep her wits about her while she stayed with Sam — and that was hard to do when he was kissing her senseless.

  Sam stood and looked through the window toward the street — and swore under his breath.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked, concerned.

  “It’s trouble.”

  When he opened the door, she learned what he meant.

  His parents were here — and they weren’t alone. They’d brought Olivia, as well as two people who had to be Olivia’s parents.

  It took a few minutes to make the introductions, and Olivia’s father gave her the same death glare that Sam’s mother usually reserved for her.

  “I should go upstairs and let you all talk,” she said.

  Sam took her hand. “Please stay right where you are.”

  Okay then.

  “Perhaps it would be better for us to keep this just in the family,” Nancy said.

  Sam’s jaw tightened. “You’ve come to my house, uninvited, and you’re not going to displace my houseguest. That’s just rude, Mom.”

  “All right,” Olivia’s father said. “She can join in our excitement about the impending celebration.”

  “What celebration?” asked Sam slowly, warily.

  Werewolves were bossy, that was what. She assumed his parents were werewolves — were Olivia and her parents, too? If so, then they were exceedingly bossy. And she was outnumbered.

  “Sit down,” Sam said, and motioned them to his dining room table. He pulled out a chair for Amber, and then one for Olivia. They sat on either side of him, making a Sam sandwich.


  Amber looked at Olivia, who gave her a quick I’m sorry expression.

  Me, too, Amber expressed silently.

  Nancy set a box on the table and pushed it at Samuel. It was about the size of the boxes that Christmas cards came in. “See how beautifully these turned out?”

  Sam pulled the box toward him. With an air of resignation, he opened it and pulled out a large card, embossed with gold lettering.

  It looked suspiciously like a wedding announcement. With his and Olivia’s pictures on the front.

  “And we’ve put an engagement announcement in the newspaper,” Olivia’s father crowed. “We figured it was time to get things moving. You two are pretty slow. The wedding will take place on the full moon, July 19th. That’s four weeks away.”

  Olivia looked stricken.

  Sam looked stunned. “If I was going to marry Olivia, the whole town would know it because I would propose.”

  Amber said, “This really is a family affair. I’ll just go upstairs and leave you to your discussion.”

  Kind of Like a Snail

  SAM’S MOTHER LOOKED SUPREMELY SATISFIED as Amber walked upstairs, taking Wolf with her.

  Anger flickered through Sam. More than just because he was hereditarily an alpha wolf and he didn’t like being told what to do. Not the alpha wolf, but definitely an alpha. If his father ever decided he wanted to retire, Sam was more than equal to the task of handling the pack.

  He was especially angry when he caught sight of Olivia’s stricken face.

  Sam said, “I would like to speak to Olivia. Alone. Please.”

  The adults smiled, though he had to admit that his father looked a little unsure.

  His mother beamed triumphantly. “That’s a great idea. We’ll come back for you, Olivia, honey. Just text us when you’re done.”

  And the four parents left the house.

  Drawing in a deep breath of relief, Sam looked at Olivia. “I am truly sorry about that.”

  “Me, too,” she said, quietly. “My father can be pushy.”

  “He doesn’t hold a candle to my mother.”

  They shared a rueful smile.

  For a moment, he wavered between his feelings for Amber and his duty to the pack.

  Sam could have married Olivia, for the sake of the pack. Probably even been happy enough. But that was before Amber came to town. And before Olivia was rumored to be seeing someone else. Apparently, she’d found somebody that she cared about, too.

  Marriage between the two of them was no longer an option.

  It would actually be dishonorable to marry Olivia under these circumstances, and it wouldn’t be fair to any of them. He liked Olivia. He respected her. But he loved Amber.

  His heart swelled at that thought. He really did, and so did his wolf.

  He didn’t want to hurt Olivia — but he had never gotten any vibes from her that she was excited to marry him. “Our parents have had big plans for us for a long time.”

  She didn’t look happy when she said, “Yes.”

  “Olivia, you know I like you. You’re a great friend.”

  She nodded.

  “You deserve to marry someone who is madly in love with you.” He paused and gazed into her eyes. “That’s not me.”

  “It’s not?” She didn’t seem at all upset by his candor.

  “No. I don’t want to hurt you, but I have to tell you that I’m in love with someone else.”

  “You are?” She looked surprising relieved.

  “I’m sorry, but, yes.”

  “Amber.”

  “Yes.”

  “I knew it!” She jumped up and squealed happily. “I’m in love with someone else, too!”

  Running around the table, she threw her arms around him, and they started talking and laughing and hugging.

  Amber had seen the cars pull out from the house, and she carried Wolf down the stairs to find Samuel.

  And, hoo-boy, did she ever find him — hugging Olivia, laughing with her.

  She hadn’t wanted to see this, but here it was, right in front of her eyes.

  Hurt washed over her.

  Sam was going to marry Olivia. Regardless of his feelings for Amber, apparently. Or had she just been convenient to kiss?

  It was good to know where she stood. Nowhere, apparently.

  She turned and carried Wolf upstairs as quietly as she could.

  She wrote a note on an index card — I hereby release you from my brother’s request. I wish you and Olivia all the best. I’m leaving Wolf with you — he loves you more, anyway. She tied the note to the little dog’s collar. She kissed his head. “I’m sorry, but I need to leave now.”

  Wolf whined.

  Sam’s mother was obviously right — duty to the pack was the most important thing to Samuel, even to the extent of marrying Olivia. She couldn’t compete with that kind of family loyalty.

  She was ruining Sam’s life by being here so, quickly, she packed her backpack. She left the large canvas of the black wolf on the dresser. It belonged to Sam.

  She’d paint and mail the other canvases — for Larry and the cousins — from her next town, wherever that would be.

  She hugged Wolf again, sat him on the bed, whispered, “Goodbye, little guy.” She shut the door to keep him in, and then tiptoed down the stairs and out the back door.

  Samuel hugged Olivia one last time. She looked happier than he’d seen her in a very long time. “So tell me about this guy who has put such a smile on your face.”

  “Eduardo from the Lopez pack in Colorado.”

  “I know Eduardo. He’s good people. You guys will be good together.”

  “And so will you and Amber.”

  Amber. Samuel and Amber.

  “Has Eduardo proposed yet?” he asked.

  “Yes, but we’ve had to keep it quiet,” Olivia said. “Have you proposed yet?”

  “No. In fact, I just realized I’m in love with her.”

  “Idiot,” she said fondly.

  “Yeah.” He chuckled. “Plus I could hardly propose to her when our parents were trying to get you and me married.”

  “Yeah. Our parents.” She sighed. “Who’s going to tell them?”

  “We’ll tell them together. Or I will.”

  “Together,” she said. “Definitely together.”

  “All right.” He heard whining from upstairs and cocked an ear.

  “What’s that?” Olivia said.

  “That’s Wolf.”

  She looked confused.

  “Amber’s little dog.” He stood. “A better question is — why is he crying if Amber is there with him?” Had someone snuck in the back door to get her while he was distracted?

  Frantic with fear, he ran up the stairs three steps at a time. At the top, he flew around the corner and opened the door to Amber’s room.

  He didn’t see her, but Wolf jumped up and started barking.

  Olivia came in behind him. She pointed to Wolf.

  “What?” he asked.

  “His collar. There’s something on his collar.”

  He turned the collar until he saw it. A folded index card was tied onto the ring. He pulled it free and read it.

  “She’s gone,” he said. “And she wishes us every happiness.”

  Olivia looked stricken. “She must have seen us hugging and assumed we were getting married.”

  “She’s not safe out there by herself.” He was scared that she’d put herself in danger again. Silly woman to go out like that, but that was just like her. She was a risk-taker, and she wore her heart on her sleeve.

  “Samuel!”

  He looked up at her sharp tone. Olivia motioned to the open door. “Go after her, you fool. What are you waiting for?”

  He jumped up.

  Olivia grabbed Wolf. “I’ll keep the dog. You just go find her.”

  “Thanks,” he said as he flew down the stairs.

  He’d find Amber and bring her back home safe — and then make her his. He was going to propose.


  His phone buzzed. It was his mother. He answered it and growled out, before she had a chance to say a word. “Amber’s in danger and if anything happens to her, I might never forgive you. Her brother already died on my watch.”

  His mother sputtered, but he didn’t let her get anything out, He said, “Tell Dad we need help finding her.” And he ended the call.

  Amber strode onto Mane Street, her heart breaking.

  How could she have fallen in love so quickly? Sure, she’d had a crush on Samuel when she’d arrived in town, but it hadn’t been so strong that she wouldn’t be okay with walking away if it didn’t work out.

  Now she couldn’t bear the thought of being without him.

  She’d miss Wolf, too. Why had she left him?

  Probably because life on the run was no life for a cute little puppy. She’d sure grown attached to him, though.

  She’d hate leaving Chicory behind, too.

  And even Olivia, though the thought of watching her and Samuel together turned her stomach.

  She stopped and looked back toward Town Square, several blocks away. Her eyes misted and she had to admit to herself that she’d fallen in love with all of it.

  The whole town.

  The movie themes. The friendly people. The monsters.

  One monster in particular. Sam.

  She sighed and shrugged her backpack higher on her back, tightening the straps. She’d been on the run before, and now she was on the run again.

  This time she thought she might leave the country for a while. Surely Keith’s obsession — or finances — couldn’t extend that far. Maybe South America. Or Paris. She’d always wanted to go to Paris. Or maybe Italy.

  She walked toward the freeway. When vehicles passed, she put out her thumb, but no one was stopping today. Maybe they could sense the dark cloud hanging over her.

  She walked half a mile while the town thinned to larger lots and homes. And then she headed toward the freeway.

  As she approached a large stand of trees, a troll jumped out at her. It was the one she’d clonked on the head! Oh, great. She’d bet her bottom dollar that a troll could hold a giant-sized grudge.

  She stopped, her heart pounding.

  The troll grinned maliciously and rumbled, “Hi there, lady.”