“Hurry!” Agnes told me. My eyes had adjusted to the light. Maybe it was the wolf inside or light from the door above but I could see the stairs before us, though just barely. Agnes could too. We bound down them, eager to beat the guards to the exit. We rounded a corner at the bottom and ran down a narrow corridor. There was light here leaking through the log walls in spots. We pushed past cobwebs as we sought the exit until we found a door. Agnes pulled a rusted lever but it wouldn’t budge. I grabbed it too and we both pulled with every ounce of strength we could muster.
The lever finally began to move, squeaking and groaning as metal rubbed on metal and rust gave away. One final tug and the lever released. The door it held in place cracked open and the passageway was flooded with light. Agnes pushed and the hinges complained as the door opened just wide enough to permit us to pass. We could hear steps on the stairs behind us. Agnes pushed through the opening and then I followed. We emerged into a lilac bush, the cold air stealing my breath.
Agnes hugged the rock foundation of the old lodge, fighting through the lilac bush. I was right behind her when we emerged into the open. I ducked as I heard a gunshot but we saw nobody. Then I scented him. Yeager was nearby. Agnes turned to me.
“I smell Edie,” she told me.
“Yeah, let’s go,” I urged. But a moment later, two armed men found us and Lady Violet was right on their heels.
“Ah, there they are. Less wolves than rabbits sneaking about in their holes,” Violet said mockingly as she approached.
“Looks like you’ve failed,” I replied.
“Have I? We outnumber your pitiful band of outcasts. This is better than I could have hoped. Many of the rogues and wanderers of our kind will die here today and will no longer threaten to pollute our stock. I’m glad your so-called mate brought his friends to die,” Violet replied. Just then, I sensed Yeager and sure enough, he came around the corner of the lodge opposite the direction Violet and her armed guards had come.
“Yeager!” I shouted to warn him. The two armed men turned their rifles his way as Yeager rushed them. One fired but Yeager was too quick. He slammed into the man and bowled him over. The other tried to get a shot, turning away from me. I was ready to push him to the ground but before I could, a loud shot rang out. The man was thrown back and landed at Violet’s feet, dead and bloody.
“Don’t even think about it, bitch!” Edie yelled at Lady Violet. Yeager shook the life out of the guard and then dropped him, his neck torn to shreds. The gray wolf stared at his work before shifting into his human form. The battle had yet to reach this side of the huge home. It raged in front of the home and in the meadow beyond. No gunshots could be heard, however.
“You can’t win. My wolves outnumber yours and we have guns as well. You’ll all die here at Wolfsbane. I’m rather pleased how this is working out,” Violet said as four black wolves appeared, two behind Edie and two behind Violet. They were all loyal to her.
“Don’t move!” Yeager warned the wolves. They held back as Edie pointed her shotgun at Lady Violet. The severe woman looked about considering her options.
“We have a stalemate it seems,” Violet said as she assessed the situation. She seemed strangely unfazed by the situation. “But I doubt that girl has the guts to pull the trigger knowing she’ll be torn to shreds if she does. Even if you two could shift, you’d never reach her in time,” Lady Violet said. Edie’s eyes looked around wildly. I was sure she was going to freak out.
“Who says we can’t shift?” Agnes said. Violet looked at her and then she understood.
“So, you’ve discovered the secret. I suppose that’s why you’re nude,” Violet replied flatly. No one moved, no one dared. We all waited for an opening, for an advantage. “I should have left you the way I found you. Feral and ignorant. Just another wolf. I raised you and this is how you repay me?” Lady Violet said to Agnes.
“You enslaved me. I was afraid of you, but no longer. I’ve learned to hate you,” Agnes told her former mistress and then she became a wolf, a sleek black wolf with dark eyes.
“Don’t!” Edie yelled. Violet looked at Edie and then back at the wolf that was Agnes.
“I see. You’ve found a mate. I always knew you were a bit odd, Agnes, but I had no idea you were so deviant,” Violet told the girl turned wolf. Agnes growled but she held her ground. No one spoke for a moment. I wasn’t sure if I could shift and if I couldn’t, I was vulnerable. Edie had her shotgun trained on Violet but her wolves would tear Edie apart if she fired. We all had much to gain by taking action but the cost was too high to pay. We were at an impasse but still Violet bloviated.
“You think this matters, child? You’re just another lousy girl born to a human mother. They’ll be others. You’re not nearly as important as you think you are. That girl won’t shoot me. She doesn’t have the metal. Your friends are dying by the dozens out there. Can’t you smell it? I can. I can smell the fear,” Lady Violet said.
“Maybe, Violet. Maybe you’re right but I’m not letting you get away. If I die, so be it, but you’re going with me,” I said. Yeager looked at me. He knew. I almost shifted, almost attempted to become a wolf, hoping I could. I was going to tear her throat out but I never got the chance.
Several wolves rounded the corner of the house. I recognized Murphy. The wolves behind Edie turned to face them. Edie stepped forward, her face a mask of determination.
“Goodbye, you crazy old bat,” Edie said and fired. But one of the wolves behind Violet was already leaping and took the brunt of the blast. It yelped as it fell to the ground. Lady Violet shifted as did Yeager and I, much to my relief. I didn't know if it was possible until that moment. Only Edie was left standing on two feet. Violet faced us, any advantage she might have had gone now. The dark gray wolf that was Violet wheeled and ran off followed by her remaining bodyguard. Murphy and his wolves had engaged Violet’s black wolves but they ran off when Violet had left. Murphy’s eyes told us all we needed to know. We had to go.
We ran towards the vehicles. Trucks, Jeeps and motorcycles were already manned by naked men and their mates. They pulled away, leaving the way they had come but some vehicles would never leave the ranch, their drivers dead. In the meadow above the massive home, almost a hundred wolves stood watching the exodus. Below them in the grass and in front of the lodge lay dozens of dead wolves, several of their mates and some men with guns. The battle was over and we’d lost. Violet had escaped. However, I was free but I couldn’t help but wonder if I was worth all of this carnage.
Wolves became men as they mounted their motorcycles or climbed into vehicles. Edie, Agnes and I entered the motorhome as Yeager, Murphy and the others climbed on their bikes. Violet’s wolves did not attack. They simply watched us go. I had the feeling they were simply defending what was theirs and now that we were leaving, they would let us go. I didn’t think Lady Violet would agree with them, however. In any case, away we went, dozens of vehicles headed to regroup and count our dead and treat our wounded.
Was this the end, I wondered as we left? Somehow, I knew that as long as Lady Violet lived, this wasn’t finished. This was just the beginning.
~~O~~
That night we found ourselves back in the Utah desert, hundreds of miles from Wolfsbane Ranch and Lady Violet. I tried to apologize for going there in the first place but Yeager and Edie wouldn’t hear of it. They supported the decision despite their misgivings. They went willingly. Still, I felt responsible for everything that had happened. If I hadn’t been so stupid, so gullible, I would have never been taken captive. None of what happened this morning would have been necessary.
“Have a beer,” Murphy offered.
“I’m not feeling it,” I replied. We were camped in the wilds of southern Utah among the red rock and rugged mountains. Several campfires burned and around them shifters and their mates gathered. I couldn’t help but wonder how Yeager was able to gather so many so quickly.
“You need to stop sulking,” Murphy told me as he shoved the bottle t
owards me. I took it reluctantly and glared at him. Stop sulking? People had died today. Murphy sat down on a boulder across the fire from me and stared back at me.
“Doesn’t it bother you that those people died?” I challenged him.
“Yeah, but there’s not much I can do about it,” he replied.
“Well, maybe you can forget them but they died to save me. I can’t just dismiss that so easily,” I said. Yeager sat back as he sensed conflict brewing. Edie and Agnes stared at the fire uncomfortably.
“I never said I had forgotten them. Some of those people were my friends. You’re right, they came to save you but they came willingly. That’s what we do. I’ll forgive your ignorance. You’re new to this life. We live apart because that’s what most of us prefer but we are all the same. We all are burdened and blessed with the ability to become wolves. That binds us together. We’re a family, a pack. We look out for one another. Those men and women that died trying to secure your freedom this morning did so willingly and they’d do it again if they had the chance,” Murphy told me.
His voice never rose in volume and his tone was never harsh but his passion was evident. He was right. I was new to this life. I didn’t understand it fully. I didn’t understand the dynamics and relationships among the men that turned into wolves and their mates. Yeager sat forward feeling the tension ease a bit as I pondered Murphy’s words.
“Look, fur ball, we all grieve. But you need to ask yourself one question. If you knew one of these men,” Yeager began as he gestured at the shifters scattered around us, “was in need, would you go to their aid? Even if that meant you might die?” I sighed. Of course, I would.
“Yes, I’d help,” I admitted. Murphy leaned forward.
“Then stop pouting. Honor those that died today by living your life. They lived as they chose and they came when another needed help. That’s what we do. We stick together. Maybe one day, these men will need you. Maybe not. But if that happens, you can repay the debt. Besides, like it or not, your special,” the old biker told me.
“You sound like her,” I replied referring to Lady Violet. Yeager had told Murphy about Lady Violet and Wolfsbane. He knew what she had told me and I’d told him the rest of it earlier.
“There’s a difference. I only recognize your importance. I don’t seek to exploit it,” he said plainly. I finally took a sip of my beer.
“Sorry, I know,” I replied.
“Don’t be sorry. And don’t shut down. This ain’t over. We need you. This was never about you anyway. This was always about that Lady Violet character and her machinations,” Murphy told me.
“I suppose,” I replied. Edie no longer stared at the fire. She sat next to Agnes, each of them in a folding chair holding hands.
“So, I don’t get it. How did you find all these shifters? I thought you were all loners and rogues,” Edie asked. Yeager deferred to Murphy.
“Loners, yes. Rogues, no. That Dolan was a rogue. We just want to live our lives. Not all of these mated pairs live in the sticks like you, Cassie and Yeager. Some live in subdivisions and condominiums. They lead quiet, private but full lives. Why do you think they all have motorcycles and Jeeps and trucks? Why do you think all those people go out to the woods? Some of them spend their weekends in the outdoors so they can run as wolves or naked next to their mate away from prying eyes,” Murphy told Edie. Yeager got her attention and continued.
“Dolan and his type are rogues. They don’t take mates the way we do. They take what they want. They live apart from society in one way or another but instead of seeking to go unnoticed, they prey upon society. They use their ability to exploit others,” Yeager explained.
“So, what about her question? How did you gather all these shifters so quickly?” I asked.
“I know a lot of shifters and their mates. We find each other at motorcycle runs and such. They know others and those others know still others. When these men and women heard one of us was in trouble, they came. Not every shifter answered the call but this bunch did,” Yeager told us.
“We live apart from society and in many cases each other. Some of these pairs live among other pairs and their packs. Hell, I know a whole cul de sac in Sacramento that is nothing but shifters, their mates and their young ones. They throw one hell of a block party. Still, we’re a community even if we’ve never met. We all share the same burdens and blessings,” Murphy added.
“I had no idea,” I replied.
“Maybe I should have told you more. I was just enjoying you too much I guess,” Yeager said. He’d told me a little about all of this but there was a lot to know.
“Yeager doesn’t know everything either. Me either. None of us knows everything. We’re scattered. Apparently, there are others, maybe many others, that we know nothing about like this Wolfsbane place. Makes you wonder how many of us there are out there. Hell, maybe some actor or celebrity, even the President, is one of us,” he said but that got snickers from all of us. We all knew there was no way the President was a shifter. Not the current one anyway.
“Even this bunch you see here is just a few of those I know about. Those that are too old or that have young ones didn’t come and no one blames them. I’ve got a daughter but she’s grown. Some of these pairs and loners never had kids or haven’t had them yet. Most are less domesticated types, if you take my meaning,” Murphy explained. I understood. They were free spirits, the type of people that lived like Yeager and I, that cherished their independence and would fight for it.
“So, where’s your mate?” Agnes asked. Murphy smiled at her. I knew what he was going to say from the wistful look on his face though not the details.
“She passed after our daughter was born,” he said. Agnes looked mortified but Murphy wasn’t offended. “It’s all right. My daughter and I persevered. She’s my focus now even though she’s grown. We helped each other get through it and still do,” he told the girl.
“I’m sorry,” Agnes replied.
“No worries. She’s right here,” Murphy said patting his chest. I’d only had a taste of the despair and longing Yeager had told me shifters who lost their mates felt. I couldn’t imagine what Murphy had gone through and I didn’t want to. As I tried to dismiss the terrible thoughts that attempted to intrude, two men walked up. They drove two of the Jeeps with the big tires. One was small and wiry with ponytail, the other barrel-chested with stubble on his head but a long, unruly beard on his chin.
“So, what’s the plan?” the big man asked. Murphy offered them a beer from his ice chest and invited them to find a rock to sit on. Then the old biker introduced the two men to the rest of us. The smaller man went by Sprocket. The bigger man was called Amp. Those were obviously nicknames...I hoped.
“Nice to meet you,” I greeted the two.
“So, you’re the one,” Sprocket said as he lit a cigarette.
“Yeah, but I’m not just one any more. She can shift too and there are others,” I explained indicating Agnes.
“Damn!” Amp exclaimed.
“What?” Murphy asked.
“A chick that can become a wolf? That’s hot,” Amp replied. I giggled at that and looked at Yeager.
“It is,” my mate told the big Jeeper. Amp held out his beer bottle and Yeager clinked his against it.
“Rock on, brother,” Amp said and took a big swig of his beer. Men! I changed the subject to avoid any more talk of the relative merits of female shifters. I just hoped they couldn’t see how red my cheeks had become.
“I want to thank you guys for coming,” I told the two men.
“Honored, Cassie,” Sprocket told me.
“Hell, it’s been a while. Thank you,” Amp said. His response confused me. Amp noticed my consternation. “Sprocket and me, we met in Afghanistan while in the Marines. We spilled a lot of Taliban blood with both bullets and teeth. We miss it, ma’am,” Amp explained. I wasn’t sure I understood that, why men would miss war and fighting, but I didn’t question him.
“Well, thank you again,�
� I said. Amp and Sprocket held out their bottles, leaned forward and I clinked my bottle against theirs. Apparently, that was that.
“So, Murph, what’s the plan?” Amp asked again.
“I honestly don’t know. From what Cassie and Agnes had told us, that Lady Violet isn’t going to give up,” Murphy told him but suddenly he perked up. I smelled it too. A wolf approaching and it wasn’t part of our group. Amp and Sprocket looked ready to spring into action as a gray wolf approached. Its scent told me it meant us no harm and it was strangely familiar. Then the wolf that carried a satchel in its teeth dropped the bag and became a man as it reached the light of the fire. It was Phillip, the doctor that had taken my blood and would have performed the procedure on me that morning if I hadn’t escaped.
“She won’t give up,” he said as he stood up after grabbing the satchel. Two other wolves appeared but they were ours, sentries. They growled at Phillip but he held up his hands. “It’s just clothing. I don’t like being naked,” he said. Amp stood up to check the bag but I stopped him.
Wolf's Den - A BBW Shifter Romance Novel Page 18
