by Jools Louise
Chatan snarled viciously, his fangs lengthening. “Taima is as cowardly as his traitorous cousin,” he shot back, tensing for battle as the nine approached, trying to surround him. He could see Flo floating away from the corner of his eye; his distraction was working. Once he had killed these idiots, he would rescue her. “If you wish to die, then come. I will grant your wish.”
One of the tricks of being a shifter was that despite his lack of garments when shifting into his wolf, when he shifted back to human form he retained the clothing and all his weapons. He had no clue why that happened, some kind of shaman’s medicine, but he was grateful. Grabbing his tomahawk and dagger, he brandished them, keeping his footing on the slippery rocks as the current pushed at him. Two of the warriors lost their balance, falling into the swiftly flowing river. Chatan leapt after them, attacking first. Dousing them, he pushed them beneath the chilly water, and stabbed with his dagger. Shrieking triumphantly, he dispatched them in quick succession, howling as he took each life, with fangs prominently displayed.
“Your totem is powerful,” one warrior said, in awe. He backed up. “Your wolf’s magic is not to be trifled with.”
“Kill him!” screamed the first warrior who had spoken, attacking the ones who were now staring at Chatan reverently.
“We will not dishonor our people.” The reply was succinct. “We hold no loyalty to you. The wolf is our totem, too. It is a sign that your enemy is not our enemy. Bimisi is dead. Now we go home.”
“Cowards,” the leader shouted, leaping at one of the braves, who evaded him easily, and shoved him into the water. Coming back up, the older Comanche attacked again, his dagger gouging a deep wound into the brave’s forearm.
The elder was no match for the younger, more powerful brave, who grabbed him by the throat and sliced his dagger across his belly, then stabbed him brutally through the heart. The elder fell, clutching at his wounds. A dark cloud of blood spread out around him.
The brave curled his lip, rinsing his blade in the water. He looked at Chatan, tilting his head quizzically. “My people believe there are wolves that live within some of our kind. We believe that the magic is ancient, from before the pueblo dwellers, from before the Spanish scum who invaded our lands. We do not wish to return to Taima. We are without our chief, who was killed by the American soldiers. We do not recognize Taima as chief. Now that Bimisi is dead, we wish to follow you, if you would have us. Our people are in hiding, waiting for our signal. We followed this mission because we believed you were traitors. We know that we were told lies. “
Chatan blinked, surprised at the acceptance of what he was. He had howled without thinking, giving away his secret. He had not expected it would make them want to follow him.
“If you wish to stay with us, you should prove your loyalty. I will tell you our meeting place. If you show up without Taima, I will know you are loyal. If you arrive with a raiding party, ready to fight, I’ll hand you your scalp as your heart is ripped from your chest.” Chatan snarled viciously, seeing the brave nod emphatically.
“I am Etu,” he said hurriedly. “This is my brother Iye, and my other brother Wakiza. We must get our sister, Bly, and our adopted sister Taa. They are already fleeing Taima. We do not trust him.”
“Who are your friends?” Chatan asked, glancing at the remaining warriors.
“Wynono, Sahale, Akando and Helaku,” Etu replied, as the others moved closer, cautiously.
Chatan nodded, assessing them. “We will meet at the fork of this river, where it meets the tributary that flows south.” He saw them digest his words. “Remember, if Taima shows up looking for war…I will accommodate him. My people want freedom, and don’t seek unnecessary combat. But we will defend ourselves if you come for us.” He let the words ring out, knowing they could barely see him, despite the moonlight now shining down from a break in the cloud. He noted the scars on Etu and Iye, and felt a smidgen of pity. They had been tortured. It was not an honorable act against an enemy. A quick death in battle was a blessing. Torture was the work of cowards.
Moving backward into deeper water, Chatan swam strongly after Flo, having memorized the braves’ faces and any distinguishing marks. Two had white streaks in their hair. Two bore scars. One had light hair. One green eyes. Golden eyes. Brown eyes. He would not forget them. Should they choose to betray him, he would be ready. He thought that perhaps he could trust them, though. Etu had been sincere, and had killed the one who attacked him, not showing any remorse for killing Taima’s warrior.
Quickly and efficiently, Chatan caught up with Flo, guiding her limp body to the other shore, and clambering out. He sighed with relief that she had managed to keep her wits about her enough and had kept her head just above the rippling surface. Her injuries were severe, but she was still semi-conscious. He had taken a huge risk, and had half expected that she might not make it…to have kept her with him, however, would have meant certain death for both of them.
He had lied about where the true meeting place was to the others, and would meet them before he rendezvoused with his pack. If Etu had lied, then Chatan would know soon enough. The fork in the river was only about ten miles away. It would take Etu a few hours to go back home, gather those who would follow, and then get to their meeting place. Chatan could find a safe place for Flo, get some healing herbs to aid in her recovery, all before he made a final decision about Etu and his band.
* * * *
Etu had lied. He did not have any intention of returning home. His friend, Matoska, was keeping the women safe. Bly and Taa were stashed in a separate location. Taima would no doubt try to follow, and if he did, Etu would kill him for what he’d tried to do. If not for Etu’s intervention, Taima would have hurt her badly. They were not of Taima’s tribe, but spoils of war. He liked his slaves around him, and used the women as collateral, in case Etu and his brothers revolted. Distracted by Chatan’s desertion, and Taima heading over to aide Bimisi, they gathered the girls and left Matoska in charge of their safety, then allowed Taima to lead his group after Chatan while Matoska got out of camp, fast. If any of the other elders or tribe saw them, they would be killed. They needed to leave and find new pastures. Time had run out for them.
He had a little secret, too, something he had never shared with anyone. His people did not just believe in wolf shifters…they were wolf shifters. His brothers and their sister, Bly anyway. They were the only ones of their kind left. With more and more settlers heading west, the place would be overrun soon enough. They were like Chatan, needing freedom or they would die. They were not meant to be chained to a reservation, scraping a living from the ground. They needed to hunt, and run, and live wild. Not tame pets in a zoological exhibit. He would have to prove to Chatan, however, that the two packs could live together. He was prepared to submit to Chatan as alpha, for the sake of unity. If that was the price for his freedom, then Etu would take it. And kill any who threatened the alliance.
There was one final reason he was following Chatan. The young female, Flo, was his mate. He and his brothers, Iye and Wakiza, had felt the mating call for the last few seasons, growing stronger with each passing moon phase. The instant Bimisi had dragged the badly injured girl to their makeshift camp, they had made it their business to protect her from further harm. Defying Bimisi had sealed their fate. He had been helpless against their numbers, challenged by Etu to release Flo into their care, but the second they had gone against Chatan, thinking he was their enemy also, Bimisi had attacked her again. But for Chatan’s courageous action, killing Bimisi in seconds and rescuing Flo, the young Comanche would be dead. Etu frowned as he ran with his pack. Flo clung on by a thread. The mating call was still active, he could sense it in his soul. But it was flickering, like a flame without oxygen. He picked up the pace, racing with a sure-footed agility as the heavens opened and the rain began to fall in heavy sheets that wiped out his tracks, a sign they had chosen the right time to leave. Even the spirits were in agreement.
Chapter Five
C
hatan lay in wait, choosing an overhanging branch upon which to perch. The river swept by a few feet below, flowing southeast. He wanted Etu and his band to think that’s where Chatan intended to go—south. He wanted to test Etu’s intentions. Stakes were too high to risk their entire pack on a first impression. Besides, he had sensed Etu’s wolf, had seen the submissive posture, and more importantly, the man’s longing glances when he’d let Flo loose to confront Bimisi’s war party. That told him everything he needed to know, but he still needed to be one hundred percent certain.
The alpha spied movement along the riverbank, and moved stealthily closer. He recognized Etu and the others from the canyon, but three he didn’t know. Among the group were two females, one with the same silver streak in her hair as Etu and his brothers.
“Chatan, we have company,” Etu said quietly, almost inaudible, but Chatan heard clearly. “We should hurry. My sisters were spotted by one of the elders leaving our village. Taima knows that we have deserted, and is on his way. We hid our trail as best we could, but they won’t be fooled for long.”
Chatan let the group get closer, keeping a close eye for anyone in pursuit. He watched as Etu came to stand only a few feet away, keeping to the bushes alongside the river. Their horses wore cloth shoes to deaden any noise. They had used ash and soot from a campfire to blacken the horses white spots. The rain had stopped an hour earlier, and the bank was muddy and slick. The river was swollen, the deluge drenching the earth and setting off a raging torrent.
Making a quick decision, Chatan leapt to the bank, keeping his footing easily as he landed right in front of a surprised Etu. Grinning slightly, Chatan arched a brow when the man reached for his dagger, before relaxing with a quiet snort.
“How many are coming?” Chatan asked, seeing a couple of smiles at his surprise appearance.
“I don’t know for sure, but Taima is out for blood,” Etu replied.
Chatan grinned, and then laughed. “So am I,” he replied succinctly. “How many do you expect? We have a two-day journey ahead of us.”
Etu sighed, shaking his head ruefully. “You didn’t trust us? I’m shocked,” he said mockingly.
Chatan was beginning to like the young brave, who was bold and honorable in his conduct. He was also level-headed, which Chatan liked. Stupid people tended to do stupid things. This young man kept a cool head.
“He’ll come for Flo, and want to dismember you and your pack,” Etu said. “Taima is likely to bring at least a dozen, possibly twenty, but no more. Our numbers are depleted after so many skirmishes with the American soldiers.”
“Your pack?” Chatan asked quietly, confirming his suspicions that Etu was a shifter, too.
Etu bared his fangs, tilting his head to the side submissively. “You know what we are,” he replied, holding up his hands, palms out. “Only my brothers, sister, and I are shifters. Matoska and the others are not, but they are aware of our bloodline.”
Chatan saw the group nod, scenting out the truth with his sensitive nose. “You submit to my leadership?”
Etu nodded firmly. “Yes,” he said. “We are stronger together.”
Chatan paused for a moment, seeing Etu glance around as though looking for something.
“Is something wrong?” he asked, knowing the answer already.
“The young girl, Flo, is she okay?” Etu asked worriedly. His brothers crowded closer, waiting anxiously for the reply.
“She is alive,” Chatan responded grimly. “I need herbs and she needs to rest, but we cannot stop for long if Taima is on his way. The rain will have washed away our trail, but we have a long way to travel, and I need to get to my pack.”
“I have herbs,” one of the females said, stepping forward. She also tilted her neck, and he realized this was Etu’s sister, Bly. “Is she badly injured?”
Chatan turned and began walking into the trees. He followed a narrow trail, hearing the group fall into step behind him single file. A half mile away, secured in a hollow in the base of a large stump, he knelt suddenly, brushing away the vegetation he had used to hide Flo.
Etu gasped aloud, and shoved Chatan away, confirming the alpha’s suspicions about Etu’s connection to the young woman.
“Be careful,” Chatan warned. “She has broken ribs, legs, and her arms, as well.”
“She’s dying,” Etu choked out, sounding distraught.
“Yes,” Chatan replied. “If she isn’t converted, she will die within hours. Infection is setting in. She was badly injured, wasn’t she, even before Bimisi brought her here?”
“Then why haven’t you converted her?” This came stridently from Wakiza, who crowded closer as Etu gently lifted Flo from the hollow.
Chatan stared at the three braves, and tilted his head quizzically. “You are her mates, are you not?” he asked, seeing their startled looks at each other. “If I change her, she will remain as part of my pack, and it may interfere with your bond. You need to give her your essence.”
Flo stirred, her eyes flickered open and were filled with agony and confusion. “Mates,” she slurred. “Help…me. Change…me.”
Etu dropped to his knees, sobbing as her eyes closed again wearily. He stroked her swollen jaw, looking as though he was struggling to breathe. Beside him, Wakiza and Iye knelt also, fear in their eyes.
“You will need to feed her your seed,” Chatan said, almost wincing at the angry look that came his way, like a burning arrow. “You cannot mate with her fully, but if you mark her and offer her your essence, it should be enough to help her for now, until she is in a stronger condition. If you don’t, she dies anyway.”
Etu closed his eyes, his thumb brushing Flo’s soft mouth. “I will hurt her,” he whispered. “Her jaw is damaged.”
“I can give her something to ease the pain,” Bly said softly, placing a hand on her brother’s shoulder.
“Fist yourselves, in turn, and then aim for her mouth,” Chatan suggested practically, not having any clue if his solution would even work. He was going on instinct alone, since he was only just half-mated himself. This was uncharted territory. “As long as she drinks some of your seed, and you give her the claiming mark, it should be enough to help her begin healing.” Then he smiled a little, thinking of his horny little mate. “If this works, then in a few days you will be thanking the stars for my suggestion.”
Etu shot him a questioning look, which Chatan met with a smug smile, turning away. “We will wait over here for you to initiate the mating.” He grimaced. “I have no wish to see your hairy asses any more than I have to.”
“Will she really heal that quickly?” Iye asked, not convinced.
Chatan turned back, patting his own ass. “Someone shot me in the butt,” he said, and shoved his buckskins down to reveal the smooth skin, unmarred by any wound. “By the time I reached the far bank, the arrow had popped out, and the wound was already closing.” He eyed the scars on the brothers, frowning slightly. “I’m not sure why you still bear the marks of your suffering.”
Etu looked at the ground, as though ashamed.
“Do not…be sad…” Flo slurred sadly. “You are…my mates…” Her breathing was even more ragged now, and their urgency increased. Chatan turned away again and strode off, the rest of the group following to give the brothers some privacy. “The mating call…kept me going…and you came…”
* * * *
Etu glanced behind and saw Chatan and the others move away, then disappear into the trees. He stared down at Flo’s bruised and battered body, seeing the bandages on her arms and legs. Her face was damp, and her eyes filled with pain as she stared back, but there was such trust in her eyes. She did not appear to fear what was to happen. He thought that she must have known about the wolf bloodline for a while. He was grateful that he wouldn’t have to contend with hysterics.
Bly had handed him a small pouch containing some kind of salve, which he smeared along Flo’s jaw, and then over her ribs, as well. She sighed, trying to smile, but the broken bones in her jaw prevent
ed much more than a slight movement of her lips. Bimisi had punched her several times in the face, and kicked her brutally while she lay helplessly at his feet. Her lips had split, and must be painful.
“Brother, we must do this quickly,” Iye said, dropping his breech clout. “She is fading fast.”
“You go first, since you’re our alpha,” Wakiza said.
Etu nodded, removed the leather covering his genitals, and dropped it to the ground. He fisted his cock, not aroused at all by the thought of what he was about to do. Screwing injured females wasn’t even on his list of things to do, even as spoils of war. He was not like some of his kin.
“When I am…healed…we will make love…properly,” Flo said, trying to smile again. “Hurry.”
Etu pumped his cock more firmly, thinking of mating with Flo fully. His cock began to fill as he imagined what she would feel like, all that heat, moist and snug, sucking him inside. He fixed his gaze on Flo, and felt the rush of his release hit him. Groaning, his seed shot out a few seconds later, spattering her lips. Her tongue darted out and tasted him, and she sighed. He could only manage a few ropes of cum, the situation not conducive to romance. Leaning forward, as she continued to lick her lips clean, he ever so gently nuzzled into her neck, his fangs dropping as he bit her, as carefully as he could. He prayed it would be enough to at least help her to heal. The alternative was unbearable to even consider.
Moving aside, he covered himself again, and watched as his brothers took their turn. There was something…nasty about this whole business. He had dreamed of having a mate for a long time. Now, when they had found her, the one who would unite them, they were treating her as though she was some two-bit whore in one of the white eyes’ sex hotels. This was not sexy at all. Etu preferred to have his women healthy and whole, not beaten nearly to death.
“It’s done,” Iye said hoarsely, wiping his eyes as he clad himself. “We cannot lose her.”
