He loaded the last of the dirty plates into the dishwasher and started the cleaning cycle. The only thing left on the table was the coffee mugs they were all using. Louis grabbed his and refilled it before slipping out the back door to stand on the porch.
The sun was disappearing behind the mountains and the heat of the day had diminished slightly, although it was still warm. Snippets of conversation followed him as he sat on the porch railing and stared up at the sky.
A sense of aloneness permeated him, and he rubbed his chest with his free hand. He didn’t begrudge his friends their happiness. He simply wanted some of it for himself and hated feeling this way.
Finding a mate was an almost impossible task. Wasn’t like he could simply order one from a catalogue. He chuckled as he pictured Anny diligently searching online for a mate for him. He also couldn’t exactly hunt for a mate the way he could a deer. Life would be a whole lot easier if he could.
He enjoyed the last of his coffee and let the peacefulness of the land seep into his bones. This was his place, and he would be forever grateful they’d found it.
The door opened and Jacque and Gwen stepped out. “We’re heading home,” his brother informed him.
“Sounds good.” Louis slipped back inside long enough to deposit his mug in the sink and say goodnight to the others. Jacque and Gwen were waiting for him. He didn’t even question that his place was beside them. He’d protect them both with his life. They were his family.
He trailed behind them, watching their backs as they made their way to the alpha’s home at a leisurely pace. None of them were in a hurry. Not tonight. The past weeks had been chaotic and nonstop.
“Are Cole and Cherise going to sleep in their new place tonight?” Louis asked.
Jacque shook his head. “Non. Tomorrow, the women plan to give it a good cleaning and then we’ll move in the furniture. Armand is going to wire the place so all the door and window alarms will go off if the proper codes aren’t used.”
Louis nodded. “Good.” He knew Cole and Cherise were excited about their new home, but security was a top priority.
He listened intently to the trees and animals, but nothing was out of place or amiss. He couldn’t shake the sensation that Gator had been right earlier today when he’d said trouble was coming and soon.
He rolled his shoulders and his wolf growled inside him. No one was going to harm his family or pack. No one.
Chapter Three
Gray rolled out of bed, raised her arms over her head and stretched, eager to start the new day. It was still early, but the sun was steaming in through the bedroom window. It was going to be another hot one. Shadow was nowhere to be seen. She assumed he was in the living room.
As if he’d sensed her movement, Shadow’s toenails clicked on the hardwood floor and her companion appeared in the doorway.
“I imagine you’re hungry.”
Shadow walked toward her and butted her thigh with his large furry head, making her laugh. “I take it that’s a yes?” She didn’t think anything about having a conversation with Shadow. Living alone for the past two years, she’d gotten used to talking with the big hybrid dog.
“Give me five minutes.” She hurried into the bathroom and used the toilet before jumping in the shower. She wasn’t one to linger and was in and out quickly. The bath towel was large enough to wrap around her body. She grabbed the second one and wrapped it around her wet hair.
Shadow was waiting patiently for her, sitting just outside the bathroom door. “Come on.” They headed to the kitchen, but she paused by the back door long enough to let him out. “Don’t go far,” she warned.
He ignored her and disappeared into the brush. She sighed and went to the coffeepot. It didn’t take long to start a pot brewing. Since Shadow hadn’t returned yet, she went back to the bedroom and made the bed before getting dressed. She wasn’t worried about her dog. He could take care of himself and he liked to explore. He should be safe enough.
She detoured into the bathroom long enough to dry her curly brown hair and pull it back in a ponytail to get it out of her eyes. She didn’t bother with makeup, but then again, she rarely did.
“Coffee,” she muttered. It was the only proper way to start the day. Her grandmother used to tease her that she wasn’t fit for human company until she’d had at least two cups.
Gray smiled and shook her head. Since she didn’t have human company and Shadow wasn’t a big talker in the mornings, she didn’t worry about it.
The coffee was finished perking and she dug in the cupboard and pulled down the biggest mug she could find. It was white with a red apple emblazoned on the side. Wasn’t exactly her style, but her favorite travel mug was still in the car. She’d get it later. Right now, she needed the life-giving java.
She filled the mug almost to the brim and added two teaspoons of sugar before taking her first taste. Flavor exploded on her tongue and she gave a sigh of relief. The coffee was hers. She’d brought several pounds of her favorite dark roast with her. Coffee was something she didn’t mess around with.
Barefoot, she walked across the kitchen and out the backdoor with her mug clutched carefully in her hands. The air was fresh, but she could already feel the building heat. She sat on the steps and enjoyed the early morning quiet until it was broken by two squirrels chattering unhappily about something. They raced up a tree trunk, pausing partway to stare down.
Shadow bounded out the woods and placed his front paws on the tree. Then he gave a deep woof. The squirrels skittered out of reach and seemed to scold him before disappearing into the branches above. Gray laughed at their antics, knowing Shadow would never hurt the animals. For all his size, he was a gentle giant.
“Leave them in peace.” She was more worried about the squirrels attacking Shadow if he pissed them off too much.
The dog gave one last growl before trotting to her side and plopping his butt down beside hers. “Think you’re hot stuff, don’t you?” She rubbed his head with her free hand. “My big, brave hunter.” She laughed again and finished the last of her coffee.
“How about we have some breakfast and then get to work. From what Mark told me at his office, there should be a stream not too far from here. I’d like to take a look, do some sketches and take some pictures. It’s time to get a feel for the place.” She stood and dusted off the ass of her jeans before heading back inside with Shadow right behind her.
* * * * *
Louis sat on the porch enjoying the sunrise. He’d been up for an hour already, unable to sleep. Too much on his mind. He wondered how long the peace would last.
He sipped his coffee and listened to the familiar sounds that soothed his soul. The mountains and surrounding woods were so very different from the heavy, humid heat of his childhood home. Personally, he liked this better, mostly because the air wasn’t tainted by his father’s presence.
He glanced at the front door before it opened. Jacque nodded and lowered himself into one of the big chairs that ranged across the deck. “Rough night?”
They all had them sometimes. Too many bad memories. “Just restless.”
Jacque nodded and leaned back. He stretched out his long legs and plunked his feet on the porch railing. Silence surrounded them once again. That was the thing Louis liked best about his brother—he knew when to let things alone.
Louis was struck with an odd sense of knowing. Their peace was going to be shattered and soon. Change was on the wind. For better or worse, only time would tell.
The door opened ten minutes later and Gwen stuck her head out. “I’ve got bacon and eggs cooking if you’re interested.”
Jacque leisurely lowered his feet back to the deck and stood. “I’m always interested, chère.” Louis turned away to hide his smirk at his brother’s double entendre.
Gwen laughed. “I know.” Her voice was almost a sultry purr that had Jacque hurrying
after her.
Louis rose at a more leisurely pace and followed. The table was set for three. Usually, they shared meals with the others, but sometimes it would be just them. He ate but he didn’t really taste the food, which was a shame. Food was one of the great pleasures in life, along with sex and being able to shift.
He listened with half an ear to Gwen and Jacque as they talked. Gwen planned to help Cherise clean the new house today. All the women were going to help. “They need to be watched,” he blurted out.
He rubbed the bridge of his nose when both Gwen and Jacque only stared at him. “Hell, I don’t know what’s wrong with me this morning. Something is off.”
“Did you smell anything?” his brother asked.
Louis shook his head. It would be a hell of a lot easier if he had. “Non. I just feel unsettled.” He rubbed his bare chest, feeling almost a physical ache in the region of his heart.
Jacque nodded. “We’ll be cautious.”
Louis stood suddenly. “I’m going for a run. I may leave pack land.” He just wanted to get away.
Gwen bit her bottom lip. He hated worrying her but couldn’t shake his need to run.
Jacque simply nodded in understanding. “Go. Run. But be careful. We don’t know who is out there.”
Louis jerked his head in the affirmative. He went to Gwen and kissed the top of her head. “Thanks for breakfast.” She patted his arm and gave it a gentle squeeze. Jacque stood and they bumped shoulders. “I’ll be back in time for my afternoon patrol.”
He turned his back and left the two of them together. It felt as though he was being driven to run. Or maybe he was trying to outrun his sense of impending doom and the growing emptiness inside him at the lack of a mate.
It was probably just as well he didn’t have one. He could only imagine how worried the other men were. In some ways, it had been much easier when it had just been the five of them to worry about. Not that he regretted having the women here. They’d added so much to all their lives.
Louis had long ago accepted that he might die in their fight for freedom. It hadn’t worried him much. It was simply a fact of life, a possibility. But the thought of one of the women being hurt burned like acid in his gut. No way could he allow that to happen.
He stripped off his jeans and called for his wolf. The beast sprang forward and Louis felt his body change. He wanted to throw back his head and howl his frustration but knew that would only bring the others running to see what was wrong.
As he padded out of the yard, he could sense his brother watching him. Louis hated to be a source of concern. Jacque had enough on his mind without Louis adding to it. Maybe all he needed was a good run, one where he wasn’t on patrol. Wasn’t responsible for the safety of the others.
Maybe.
Louis raced through the trees. He scanned his surroundings, constantly searching for something out of place. It was as automatic to him as breathing. He sifted through scents and listened intently.
There was nothing around him except the beauty of the morning. He skittered to a stop by a large flat rock that overlooked a small valley below. It really was a breathtaking sight. He scented Gator and knew his friend came here often.
Louis swung away and set off in the opposite direction with a twitch of his tail. He rarely went toward the town, preferring to stay away from it as much as possible. Today, however, he wanted a change of scenery.
Maybe he’d swing by Anny’s old place and check out the artist who was staying there. It gave him a destination and a purpose.
As much as he might want to simply wander, Louis knew he wasn’t the type. The urge to be doing something to protect the pack was always uppermost in his mind. It was what drove him.
He set a course for Anny’s old place. He could be there and back with plenty of time to have lunch before his afternoon patrol.
* * * * *
Gray lowered her camera when the blue jay flew away. “Got it.” She glanced at Shadow, who was sprawled out in the shade beneath several large trees. The stream was barely a trickle, but it was still water and therefore attracted wildlife. She already had pictures of several crows that had practically posed on an old upended tree stump, multiple shots of a trio of squirrels who’d entertained her for a good half hour, and an owl perched on a high branch. The last had been a totally unexpected surprise. Owls were nocturnal animals, and she hadn’t expected to see one.
She sat on the ground near the edge of the stream and peered up at the sky peaking through the canopy. It really was beautiful here. Didn’t really matter if she glimpsed a bear or cougar or wolf, although it would be nice. “Being here will be good for my work.”
Shadow sighed in agreement. She knew he didn’t care where they were as long as there was food and they were together.
Gray tucked the camera into the front pocket of her knapsack and pulled out her sketchbook and several pencils. She liked to do rough drawings to aid her with her final works. The combination of pictures and sketches helped her really get a feel for a place and to see beneath the surface. It was what she was known for—the unexpected in the midst of the familiar.
She could already picture the first painting she planned to tackle. The owl would be hidden in the tree, only discernable by the ones who looked deepest into the work. All around, life would go on with no one the wiser. She might paint a woman and her dog, totally oblivious to the owl. She often used herself and Shadow in her work, but she always drew them from behind. Her work was about the land and the creatures that inhabited it, not about people who came and went while the animals remained.
Gray opened the book and began to sketch little vignettes. She drew several flowers. A dragonfly hovering over the water, some plants she was unfamiliar with and a large hard-shelled beetle that slowly made his way across the mossy bank.
The loud crack of a gunshot startled her so badly she dragged her pencil across her paper, almost ruining her sketch of a mouse huddled by a nearby rock. Shadow growled and was by her side in an instant. She shoved her sketchpad and pencils into her knapsack and stood. “What the hell was that?” It wasn’t hunting season. At least she didn’t think it was. Maybe some local was hunting a deer. Just because it wasn’t in season didn’t mean it wasn’t happening.
“Let’s go back to the house, boy.” She slung her pack over her shoulders just as a barrage of bullets echoed through the trees. “Shit, that’s close.” She ran with Shadow at her side. “Hurry.” The last thing she wanted was to be shot by some reckless hunter.
She’d crossed paths with hunting parties many times in her travels. Most of them were responsible men and women who were very careful with their firearms. That didn’t seem to be the case here as the gunfire continued at an alarming rate. What in the name of God were they shooting at?
She immediately dismissed the idea that it might be the wild animal that had attacked a woman on this property last fall. That animal would be long gone from here. No, this was probably someone who’d had too much to drink and decided it was a good idea to shoot something. Most hunters she knew would only shoot at something if they thought they could take it down. They wouldn’t risk only wounding the animal, nor would they want to scare away the game before they could get a good shot.
Shadow bounded onto the deck beside her as she dug out her keys and unlocked the door. She tossed her bag onto the small table just inside the door but she stayed outside. Gray searched the trees, wondering what was being shot at and who was doing the shooting.
Gunfire erupted again. There was no doubt there was more than one shooter out there. At least two, maybe more by the sound of it. And they were getting closer. Should she call the local authorities? For all she knew, it might be them out there doing some kind of training exercise. Although the continuing barrage of gunfire seemed too undisciplined for something like that.
Maybe the local law turned a blind eye to residents
shooting up the woods whenever they wanted. Gray had traveled enough to know that small towns worked a hell of a lot differently from a city. Who you were and who you knew had a lot to do with just what you could get away with. She was an outsider here. The last thing she wanted to do was create bad blood between herself and whoever was out there.
She was about to go inside and barricade the door when Shadow growled. He was staring at the edge of the woods beside the house. His ears flattened and so did his tail. Not a good sign.
“We should go inside.” She held the door open but Shadow ignored her and growled again.
She was about to order him inside when she heard an answering growl. Shit, there was something out there. Shadow stopped growling and gave a small whimper before bounding off the porch.
“Come back here,” she ordered. She might as well have been talking to the wind. Shadow was gone. Gunshots sounded again. No way could she leave her beloved companion out there. With his size and heritage, he could easily be mistaken for a wolf, especially with this trigger-happy bunch.
Swearing under her breath, Gray hurried after her pet. She’d scold him to within an inch of his life as soon as she got him to safety. “Shadow,” she called in a loud whisper. “Where the hell are you?”
He answered with a soft woof. She hurried toward him, all the while praying the animal he’d gone after wasn’t dangerous. Although any animal was dangerous if it was hurt or cornered.
She skidded to a stop and almost ended up on her butt when her sneakers slid on the pine-needle-covered ground. Shadow was standing over a wolf that was sprawled out on the ground. A really, really big wolf.
She shook her head. It had to be a cross between a wolf and some big-dog mix like a Mastiff or Great Dane or something. He was bigger than Shadow, and that was saying something.
Shadow whined, and it was then Gray saw the red on the wolf’s side. It had been shot. She knew it wasn’t safe or smart to approach a wounded animal, but she couldn’t stop herself.
Wolf on the Hunt Page 3
