by Linda Palmer
"I accept," I said, my awed gaze locked with Chief's.
He lifted me into a bear hug that said it all...except for the whisper I barely heard. "I saw that so-called dream of yours, Tay. It was a vision."
Hours later Rhyan, Chief, Levi, Ben DeLuca, and I headed for the house, trailed by several Quantauk guys who wanted to talk to the newest pack member about his free running, the activity he claimed taught him how to hurdle vertical obstacles so effortlessly.
I barely heard them talking. My head felt like it might burst, but not with pain. I'd never felt better. I had so much to think about: Chief's promise that he'd let me transfer to a four year college in May and buy myself a car, Rhyan's dead certainty that his parents would want to live on the reservation, my plans to help my boyfriend study for his GED. The list of good things went on and on.
We walked easily in the dark, very familiar with the descending terrain, the rocky path and the dense trees illuminated by Chief's flashlight. I couldn't see the house yet. It still lay a couple of footballs fields away. With my whole body one giant goose bump, I couldn't wait to get home and wind down.
Suddenly, all the males in the group stopped dead, leaving Levi, Ben, and I glancing back at them in confusion. Chief inhaled deeply, which made me, too. But I didn't recognize the scents on the night air.
"What is it? What do you smell?"
"Not what," said Chief. "Who. Cam and..." He frowned.
"My old pack." Even as the words left Rhyan's lips, Cam and young men I didn't know stepped from nowhere into our path.
Chief flicked the beam of his light over them, then turned it off. We wolves could still see them very well, just as they could see us. "Why are you here?"
"I've come for Tehya."
Rhyan took a step forward.
Chief blocked his path, clearly intent on keeping the peace. "You're not welcome."
"Don't worry, old man. You and your dogs are safe." He eyed his former pack mates derisively. "I just want Tehya, then I'm outta here."
"She's not going anywhere."
Cam as good as snarled at him. "Maybe you should let her speak for herself."
I could do that. "I don't want you Cam. Never did. Never will. Go. Away."
"I've got a new gig, Tay-Tay. Knox's old gang is trying to get together again. They need my magic, and I need you."
"You're crazy, you know that?"
Cam lunged and grabbed my arm, yanking hard to get right in my face, "Don't piss me off."
Rhyan tackled Cam, ripping his fingers from my arm. I staggered forward as both guys hit the ground hard, then exploded into wolves. I screamed. Wolves erupted all around me, an enormous, lethal blur in every shade of fur, vicious fangs, and sharp claws. Bits of shredded clothing filled the air, adding to the confusion.
As Levi and Ben instinctively jumped back, I charged ahead, never considering consequences. And then it happened. White hot energy burst through my body, consuming me in a flash. I landed on all four paws, an enraged she-wolf intent on protecting the pack she loved.
I found Cam-wolf easily by scent. He and Rhyan-wolf had both jumped up and now circled each other. Without hesitation, I attacked Cam-wolf and sank my fangs into his neck. Yipping his pain and surprise, he whirled to face me, his new opponent. We clashed. The fight, the night, my friends and foes--all disappeared. I had to show Cam-wolf he'd never hurt me again.
He pinned me right away. Rhyan-wolf jumped in. I twisted off the ground and snapped at him. My boyfriend respectfully retreated. I whirled on Cam-wolf. Fury gave me power. Karma gave me victory. The fight ended in seconds. I tasted blood--Cam's blood. I relished the flavor of revenge.
Counseling for attempted rape? Check.
Cam lay on the ground, panting and alive, if barely. I turned my back on him looked for Rhyan. I found him trouncing one of his former pack. I saw Chief, too, a beloved old man being held back by Levi--a good thing. Sensing a new presence, I looked up and through the trees. My wolf eyes saw other wolves. Quantauk wolves. Coming at a run and ready for a fight.
But we didn't need them now.
We'd already won.
In minutes, wolves began shifting into boys--a lot of naked boys. Luckily, I'd seen most of them at the ridge, so didn't freak. With their help, Levi and Ben DeLuca quickly corralled the gang Weres. I didn't mind one bit that the Corteggio had a new distraction.
Rhyan came to wolf-me and dropped to one knee to frame my furry face in his hands. "Don't shift back until you get to the house, okay?"
I saw the possessive gleam in his eye.
And I liked it.
But I belonged to the pack now, too.
Love ya, baby, but they're going to see me sometime.
I gracefully shifted into a very naked; very satisfied; very, very happy girl.
Epilogue
Prowling the forest for food, I saw everything through a she-wolf's eyes. A chilly, snow-scented wind ruffled my fur. I sensed movement ahead. Crouching, I inched toward my prey.
A familiar howl stopped me in my tracks. I sniffed the air; I looked into the shadows; I saw him. A gorgeous wolf, red with amazing green eyes. I sensed his joy. I sensed his love. He loped toward me.
My match. My mate. My Rhyan.
Forever.
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