Urban Wolf

by Valinski, Zerlina

  She looked down at her hands and did not answer.

  “Have you?”

  “Yes,” she answered softly. “I can hardly believe it when it happens. It has happened more lately.”

  “Yes, the wall between this realm and the magical realms are weakening. If you can heal, you are very special. In this realm, we call your kind Earth Witches. I thought I recognized your magic when it touched me.” He pulled her into his lap. “Always follow your instincts.”

  “What are you?” She turned her head to look up into his face. When their eyes met, she felt pulled by something unknown. The exchange was getting stronger by the minute.

  “Let me show you.” His face distorted a bit. It shifted between human and beast. Ragen gasped, pulling from him. He held her firmly in his lap. “No, don’t pull away. I don’t want you to be afraid.” His voice was coarser. “I’m merely showing you what you asked of me. A visual demonstration works best for most. I’d never hurt you. I want to give you pleasure.” He rubbed his face against her neck, growling softly. She could not help stiffening a bit. “Zephra, be at ease, my beautiful.”

  “Zephra?”

  “Yes, it means you are especially dear to me.” He kissed her neck.

  “I still don’t know what you are. Are you a monster?” Her heart beat so hard in her chest it almost hurt.

  “I would not call myself a monster. However, I suppose some may. I’m what’s called a Zepharlin.”

  “A Zep…harlin? You’re magical?”

  “Yes, I’m a member of a supernatural warrior race created by a Celtic Goddess. I can tell you more tomorrow. You’d better find your friend. It’s really getting late. She’s probably worried about you.” He nodded toward the door. “Still need to go to my office to write down your number.”

  “No way.” She shook her head wildly. “You can’t just say nutty stuff like you’re a magical Zepharlin and not offer more explanation.” She pulled away from him to stand up. He remained seated on the edge of the bed.

  “You are so beautiful.” He smiled. “It’s complicated to explain in only a few minutes.”

  “I’m also smart. Tell me right now.” She put her hands on her hips.

  “All right. Do you know what a shape shifter is, or perhaps a werewolf? The popular media exploits these terms, bending them to their imaginations.”

  “Yes, of course.” She nodded. “Even though, I’ve never believed they existed. Nor do I believe in vampires for that matter.”

  “Well, forget what you’ve believed. They all exist and so much more.”

  “Okay.” She inhaled slowly to keep calm. “So what exactly are you?” She poked his shoulder.

  “I was created by the Celtic Goddess Morrigan. The Goddess of shape shifters and war.”

  “War?” Ragen hiccupped. “Shape shifters?”

  “Yes.” Liam nodded. “Zepharlins were created to be magical warriors. We fight any enemy we’re assigned or perceive as enemy to ourselves or to our deities. There are no other warriors like us. We’re efficient and lethal like none other. In fact, we never fail in our task to destroy the enemy.”

  “You sound very proud of all of that.”

  “I am.” He nodded.

  “So…you’re…a shape shifter?”

  “Yes, I can take the form of a wolf or anything else I choose. I prefer the form of a wolf if I’m not in this, my primary form. ” He looked up at the ceiling. “I’ve called this place, my club, Urban Wolf. It’s named after me.” He grinned. “While here, I’m the ‘urban wolf.’

  “This form, this you.” She pointed at his chest. “Is this your primary form?”

  “Yes, this humanoid form is my primary form.” He smiled. “Shall I continue?”

  She nodded.

  “I was created as a superior Zepharlin. I’m an Alpha. It means I’m a leader of a legion of warriors. A high general of sorts. I was created especially to be a leader of my kind. I’m the most powerful warrior every created in any realm. And I was created, not born.” He paused watching her. “I think that about tells you everything. The basics anyway.” He caressed her arm.

  “The basics?” She laughed, and it sounded strained. “You have no mother or father?”

  “No. But some of my kind do have parents. I was the first created. One moment I wasn’t, the next I was.”

  “You’re the first?”

  “Yes, I’m very old. Ancient.” He grinned. “I hope you like older men?” His teeth were sparkling white and perfect, especially for such an ancient man.

  “I’ve lived in this realm for over a thousand years.”

  “I see. All of this is a joke?”

  “Ragen, you know better. But if you like, I can show you some more proof, if that is what you need.”

  “No. I’ve seen some already. I am just confused.” She put her head in her hands. “Should I be afraid of what other things are out there?”

  “No, you are safe with me.” He tugged her closer to him, his warmth instantly comforting. “I have remarkable powers that make me a cunning and strong warrior. Even some of the Gods fear me and my kind. However, I’m loyal to those Gods and Goddesses I have given my allegiance to. But I will not allow anyone to hurt you.”

  “Why are you here? Why are you in this realm, this place?”

  “I was sent here nearly a millennia ago. I became trapped here when the doorways between the realms closed after humans stopped believing and worshiping the Gods and Goddesses. But recently, that’s been changing and the doorways are reopening. That’s why you feel magic more. Your abilities are growing. A magical ancestor of yours was trapped here too--”

  “Do you have a thousand children too?” She frowned.

  “No.” He shook his head laughing. “I sense some possessiveness in your statement. I like that. But in order to have children, a Zepharlin must mate. Mating is more than sexual intercourse. It’s a deeper, a more magical connection.”

  Ragen backed away from him and he allowed her to. She sat down on a chair across from the bed. “This is too fantastic to believe. I have so many questions. Like why here, why this place?” She looked around. “In Tennessee?”

  He shrugged. “For different reasons we come to be in different places. But one thing, I love the mountains and the forests, they remind me of my true home.” The brightness in his eyes seemed to dim a bit.

  “Do you miss you home?”

  “I do.”

  “Maybe one day you will be able to return.”

  “Hm.” He shrugged. “Perhaps for the first time in ages I can hope.”

  A wave of empathy for his obvious loss passed over her. She reached out to touch his knee. Warmth flowed from her to him.

  “I appreciate your healing touch. But you don’t have to make a special effort. Every time we touch, you heal me, my soul. You are my mate.”

  “Your mate? Okay, I’ve got to go get Patty now. I can only handle so much, or none of this.” She laughed.

  He stood up and walked to the door. “Okay, let’s go find your friend.” He took her hand.

  “If this is all a joke, you’ll have a good laugh when I leave.” Ragen twisted her mouth in an odd frown.

  “You know this is no joke. I guess I’ll really demonstrate for you.” In a flash, they were in another room, his office. Ragen stumbled, and he caught her arm to steady her. “You okay? It takes getting used to. See, my powers are very real. This is but a parlor trick in the scheme of things.”

  “Dear Lord.” She waved her hand in front of her face fanning herself.

  “No, I brought us here, not your Lord.” He laughed.

  She put her face her in hands. “I’m going to…wake up soon.”

  “Don’t say anything right now. Come here to my desk.Write down your phone number and address for me. No, forget that, give me something which you’ve had at your house and it will take me to you.”

  “What?”

  “Do you have something in your purse I can have for now? If it has
been to your house it will take me to you tomorrow. I need something, a domicilican. It will guide me to your home, since I have never been there before.”

  Her purse was still sitting on the chair in front of his desk. She walked over to it and pulled out a pretty barrette. “Here, this has been to my home.”

  “Very good.” He took it from her. “I will be at your house tomorrow afternoon.”

  “Okay. I can’t wait.”

  “Neither can I. I see my ring likes you. It sings a beautiful melody I can hear. It sings of your loveliness.” He held up the ruby ring. “Wear it for me.” He handed it to her.

  “I can’t take this from you. It’s too valuable.”

  “It’s yours. You’re far more valuable than this trinket. Wear it, and if you decide to give it back, you can. Wear it for now; it likes you.” He took her hand and put it on her finger.

  “You hear it singing? That must be annoying.”

  “Yes, I hear it sing. I don’t’ hear it in an annoying way. It’s hard to explain. It isn’t a constant song.” He kissed the back of her hand, and she knew she could not refuse him. The ring glimmered deeper red as it rested on her finger. Another spark of energy raced up her arm making her heart flutter. “Feel it?”

  “Yes.”

  “It’s magical too. It was a white diamond which has turned red because of you. Your presence has triggered its scarlet hue.”

  “Patty and I saw it when I was in here changing. Is it yours?” She held her hand out admiring the ring.

  “No, it belonged to a Goddess. She wanted me to give it to the woman who made the stone turn red. You’re that woman.” He winked. “I’ll arrange for you to meet Goddess Achtland and she can tell you what she wants you to know. I’ve always liked Achtland. She gave me this ring just before I met you. She must have known we would meet tonight.”

  ***

  Liam watched Regan drive away. He flexed his muscles, clenching his hands as he tried to resist following her.

  I should not let her leave me. She’s mine. She should be with me, by my side, always. He clenched his jaw.

  He stood outside for several minutes until she vanished from his sight. He could smell her scent lingering on his clothing, his skin. He inhaled deeply, taking in her fragrance. Reluctantly, he turned to go back inside.

  “I see you’ve found her.” Achtland materialized in front of him in a pulse of white light. “She’s a gorgeous woman. And she’s very much like I was when I lived in this realm. I can feel her magic even now as she moves away from us. She carries it and much more in her veins. She is truly my heir.” The Goddess glanced in the direction where Ragen had driven. “As soon as you encountered her, I sensed her. The sensation was amplified by your mating.” She grinned up at him. “Crossed the realm’s borders. I’m interested to know her history. It seems as if her magic’s growing exponentially. She is something more than an Earth Witch.

  “I feel it too. Part of her magic I am unable to identify. I have felt its kind before, but I am confused where it comes from.”

  “She really is smitten with you. She will long for you until you are with her again.”

  “I see. And you know this how?”

  “I am a Goddess, of course. I can know the things I wish to know. I am able to read her.” She walked closer to Liam. “She cannot stop thinking of you. She is a treasure.”

  “I know she’s a treasure. My treasure.” He could not suppress a possessive growl from escaping him.

  “Well, protect her well, warrior.” The Goddess stood very still, even the wind stopped blowing. It was as if she was listening to something. She turned to him, her lovely face suddenly stricken with a frown. “It seems I’m not the only one who’s been searching for this special woman. I sense someone else, someone more powerful than me is seeking her.”

  “Shall I go to her now? Protect her?” He moved closer to the Goddess. His body hummed with power. “I can leave right now.”

  “No, you will spook her if you are too pushy or possessive. Control those urges. I know it is hard for you. But the last thing you want her to do is flee.”

  “Who seeks her?” His voice was low, but demanding.

  “I am unsure as of yet, my handsome warrior. Stand down. She will keep until tomorrow.”

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  I'm Zerlina Valinski. I'm a weaver of tales of sensual erotic romance. My stories will take you to places you have never been. You will see fantastic places and people. I will tantalize you with stories of Weres, Shape shifters, Witches, Warlocks, Fairies, Imps, pagan gods and goddesses and more mystical creatures. I will invite you into their sensual worlds where they don't shy away from the carnal as humans do. They indulge their passion and they love without mortal confines of the human mind.

  Other Books By Zerlina

  The Legacy of the Redcape Women

  The Witch and The Werewolf

  Urban Wolf

  The Warrior and the Faery Princess – Coming Soon