Passion

by Bonnie Vanak

  This particular burn targeted 250 acres of pine scrub near the river. The weather was perfect, with little wind and low humidity. They’d outlined all the nearby water sources, figured out how the vegetation would burn and the fire trucks stood ready. His crew was professional and Robert, Molly’s uncle, was not only experienced in dealing with fire as the Burn Boss, he was also Lupine with powerful magick. The team attended a briefing, studying the map of the burn area, and all the sections scheduled for individual burning. They’d sent notices to the local press, put up signs on the roadway and alerted the public.

  Nothing could go wrong.

  Which meant everything could go wrong.

  He browsed through the section they planned to burn, and saw no evidence of wildlife. But his nostrils flared as he picked up a scent.

  Molly.

  Jake roamed through the prescribed burn area, but she was gone.

  He returned to the others, stuffing his worry inside. Molly liked hanging around the park, and was very good at hiding, but why had she picked this section? No matter. She was gone now, and safe.

  The warm sun beat upon him as a crew member used a drip torch to ignite a test burn. He stood nearby in his yellow long-sleeved shirt and olive drab trousers. The flame-resistant fabric would protect him from accidently turning into a torch, but all his Lupine senses screamed to run in the other direction. Fighting the wolf was hardest during these burn sessions. Not to mention fighting his human half, which could still hear the screams inside the cabin…

  Flames licked at the ground, devouring the scrub, until a crew member extinguished it.

  Martin, his poker buddy and fellow member of the crew, pushed back his yellow hard hat and grinned. “Okay, time for the real action.”

  Mouth dry, Jake nodded. They climbed into the four-wheeler and drove to the next location where the real fire would start—a section of slash pine flatwoods. Saw palmetto and other scrub would burn here, but the roots would survive and the plants would come back in the nutrient-rich soil the fire would produce.

  As a state wildlife officer, he wasn’t required to light the burn, only observe and keep a keen eye out for trouble. Most wildlife had common sense and easily escaped the slow-moving fire. But there was always a raccoon or two that got caught up in the brush. It was Jake’s job to clear the section prescribed for burning, ensure no injured wildlife was present, before they gave the all clear.

  He walked through the scrub, making noise to scatter any stragglers, and used his keen Lupine senses to search for injured wildlife. None. All safe. Jake returned to the staging ground and gave the thumbs up.

  Martin and three others set the drip torch to the ground, and Jake steeled his spine.

  Flames began licking the scrub, then climbing the tree trunks of the nearby pines. The pines were hearty and the canopy would resist the fire. Heat quivered in the air, and thick smoke plumed upward. Fisting his hands, he willed himself to calm. He tasted the acrid stench of smoke as he breathed through his face mask. Jake squeezed his fists tighter, fighting his wolf howling to run far, far away from the danger.

  It’s okay, gonna be okay. Calm down.

  This was good for the environment. Fire set by man, but controlled. Not like that cabin. No one would get hurt, no one…

  As the crew stood by, monitoring the flames, a sudden gust of wind came out of nowhere. Orange sparks danced on the current and then landed outside the small, tightly controlled section.

  “Shit!” Martin yelled. “Where the hell did that come from?”

  Dread tightened Jake’s stomach. He wanted to throw up as he gazed, mesmerized, at the fire now licking the ground several hundred yards away. Men ran to that section to extinguish the blaze, but another gust of wind kicked up, carrying the sparks further away.

  Like the wind was playing with them.

  Magick, he realized, panic squeezing his throat. Men with hoses and fire extinguishers had no power to fight this.

  What the hell was going on? What Other could want to burn a pristine forest? Had Robert’s protective magick somehow gotten twisted?

  These thoughts raced through his mind even as he fought the primitive fear to run the other way. Jake grabbed a fire extinguisher. Smoke clouded his vision as he coughed, pointing the extinguisher on the flames eating away at the palmetto. After putting out that fire, he felt an odd tickle on the back of his legs and glanced down, nearly dropping his extinguisher.

  Through the haze of black smoke, he “saw” the wind, a dark mist of droplets, now poking at his legs like a dog rubbing against his master. His Lupine senses caught the stench of methane. No wonder the fire was spreading. The magick wind was corroded with accelerant.

  Jake dropped his fire extinguisher and tore off his face mask. Fangs lengthened and sharpened in his mouth. Brief pain flashed in his fingers as his claws emerged. Forcing all his magick out without shifting fully, he growled at the wind. Jake slashed downward at the morass of misty droplets, which scattered and then suddenly dissipated.

  But the fire still raged in other areas, and the crew was frantically trying to beat back the flames.

  Then he heard a tiny cry.

  Shit, shit!

  Lupine senses fully cranked up, he cocked his head and listened. Through the smoke and heat and stench of charcoal, he smelled something strong.

  “Molly,” he whispered, his heart lodging in his throat. Jake cut through the unburned scrub, racing toward the scent he knew well.

  In a small clearing, a red wolf lay on the ground. Sides heaving in and out, she struggled to free her left rear paw. Jake squatted down and saw a vine wrapped around her leg, the other end attached to the tree’s trunk.

  Whimpering, she stared up at him.

  “It’s okay, honey. I got this. I’m not going to let you burn.”

  Digging into his tool belt, he took a pair of tin snips he used to cut wires while working maintenance on the park grounds. Jake cut the vine and started to lift Molly into his arms.

  His radio crackled. “Jake! Where the hell are you? Over.”

  He set her down to answer. “In the northwest section. Found a stray dog that’s hurt,” he radioed back to Martin.

  “Leave it, man! It’s just an animal. The fire’s getting close to you. You’ll be trapped!”

  “I’m coming!”

  As he replaced his radio on his belt, the vine on the ground snaked forward, wrapping around Molly’s leg again and pulled tight.

  What the hell was this? Why was the plant targeting Molly?

  Molly snarled, her front paws digging into the sandy soil, and struggled to be free. Then the vine began dragging her toward the fire.

  As if something wanted her to burn.

  Screw this. Jake let his claws emerge and slashed at the vine, which emitted an eerie scream. Green droplets spewed from the cut plant, landing on the ground and blackening it. He didn’t think, just picked her up into his arms.

  Now the fire had almost ringed them, dancing around them. Panic squeezed his stomach, and his eyes gushed water. With all his strength, he pushed past the terror knotting his muscles and threatening to immobilize him. Had to get her out of here, save her, not let her burn as he’d let Karlene die… You can do this. You can save her.

  Tremendous heat baked his body. Coughing, he struggled to cut through the scrub, pushing through the thick undergrowth as he clutched the red wolf to his chest. His legs felt leaden, the muscles burning with exertion as he ran, sweat streaming down his face, his eyes gushing water.

  Finally he cleared the stretch of scrub and collapsed on the ground near the ATV. Men shouted as they raced forward with hoses to extinguish the burning brush behind them. Now that the magick fueling the blaze had died, it had morphed into an ordinary fire.

  Martin ran toward him, his face mask blackened by smoke, his eyes filled with worry. Seeing him, Molly closed her eyes as if unconscious.

  “What the hell happened?”

  Coughing, Jake nodded at the wolf i
n his arms. “Dog, trapped.”

  “You risked your goddamn life for a dog? Boss is going to be ten times furious at you.”

  But Robert came over and did not yell nor chastise him. He glanced at the red wolf in Jake’s arms and his green eyes widened. The Keynes pack alpha muttered a low curse as worry creased his brow.

  “What the hell happened?” Robert demanded.

  “Our hero here risked his life for a dog. A stupid dog.” Martin tipped back his helmet.

  A low growl rumbled from Robert’s throat and then the alpha managed to calm down.

  “Go back to your cabin, Jake. Get some rest. Need O2?” Robert asked.

  Shaking his head, Jake headed for an ATV with a small trailer and gently placed Molly upon the empty bed. Robert followed and waited until Martin moved away, far out of earshot. Then the alpha crouched down and examined the wolf, picking up her paws, making sure she wasn’t burned. Satisfied, he stroked the wolf’s fur, murmuring soothingly to her.

  Molly lifted her head and licked Robert’s hand and then she whined.

  “Stay in wolf form, sweetheart,” Robert murmured. “You’ve suffered a severe shock and will heal faster. It’s going to be okay.”

  Robert stood, gratitude in his gaze. “Thanks for saving her, Jake.”

  “I almost didn’t make it to her. Damnit Robert.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “What the hell happened? Did you lose control of your magick?”

  He didn’t know why Robert couldn’t get burned by fire. The alpha never told anyone why he possessed such powers. Jake didn’t care. It made Robert a hell of a burn boss. Until today.

  The alpha shook his head “I can’t get burned by fire but I can’t start one, either. This was something far more powerful. Dark magick.”

  “Last time was when Gabe and Sienna were here. But that’s gone and the Fae ensured the park was clean and healthy. This isn’t Fae-driven.” Jake stroked Molly’s fur as he explained about the strange wind.

  Robert’s gaze met his. “She keeps coming to this park. Molly told me it’s to think and be alone, but I think it’s to avoid Luke. That boy keeps visiting every day and to keep the truce, I let him. How the hell can she make up her mind when he keeps sniffing around her?”

  “She needs a place to get away,” Jake said quietly.

  Robert frowned and glanced at Molly. “I’ve been so busy with the nursery, I don’t have time to watch her every moment.”

  The red wolf’s tail thumped against the seat and she whimpered.

  He felt sick, thinking of what Luke might do to her if they were left alone and the Lupine decided to pressure Molly into mating him. What if that bastard violated her? It could happen.

  And then he made an impulsive decision. “Let her stay here for today at my trailer. She’ll be safe with me and Luke won’t search for her there.”

  Robert’s cool green gaze grew remote and Jake instinctively knew the alpha was drawing an invisible net around his niece, as he did to all in his pack when anyone threatened them. The Keynes pack was very insular and didn’t welcome help from outsiders.

  He scratched the bristles on his firm chin. “Don’t interfere. She’s my niece.”

  “She needs to rest, Robert. Molly’s had a bad scare.”

  A low growl rumbled from the alpha’s throat. Robert got in his face, so close he could feel the male’s warm breath against his cheeks. “Stay the fuck out of my business! You think you can protect my niece better than I can?”

  Jake did not move, nor did he lower his gaze. “Back off, Robert. I’m no threat. What’s go into you?”

  The alpha dragged in a deep breath. But he stepped away. “I don’t know…lately it feels like someone pushes all my buttons. Work stress, maybe.”

  Doubtful. Robert had always handled his business without turning this aggressive. Jake wondered if the blackness affecting the plant life triggered something in the Lupines as well.

  And for some reason, he wasn’t affected. Maybe because he lived here.

  He spoke in a calm, low voice, “You love Molly, and she needs to recover, away from Luke. She’ll be safe with me. I swear it on my honor, I’ll protect her with my life.”

  Molly’s uncle dropped a hand to her fur, but she drew away and rested her muzzle near Jake’s thigh. Robert gave his niece a long, thoughtful look and then seemed to arrive at a decision. “Very well. I trust you will take very good care of her.”

  Jake sat in the driver’s seat and went to turn on the ignition. Troubled, he looked at Robert.

  “Why would anything want to hurt Molly?”

  Because the vine had deliberately targeted her, and wanted her to burn. It could have been because she was in the wrong place. But if that were so, why wasn’t he affected? Because he was the park’s protector, and she was an outsider? It made no sense.

  The Burn Boss shook his head, his eyes flashing amber, signaling the rise of his wolf. “I don’t know. But it’s your territory. You had better find out before something else harms more of my people. I have to protect my pack.” Slight contempt entered Robert’s gaze. “You wouldn’t understand, being a lone wolf.”

  The insult stung as was intended. He’d been pack once back in Montana with Aiden Mitchell. Robert regarded him as an outsider, just a little above the level of Skin. He respected him enough as a mediator and a powerful Lupine in his own right to finally nail down a truce to keep the two rival packs out of each other’s fur.

  “This lone wolf is the only Lupine who isn’t acting like a violent moron, Keynes. Remember that.”

  As he drove away, Molly stretched out on the trailer, Jake thought of a pack war and his blood grew cold.

  If the Keynes pack went against the Silvern pack, and the battleground was the park, there would be hell.

  And Molly would be caught in the middle of a very vicious, bloody war.

  Eyes half-closed and exhausted, Molly listened as Jake drove the ATV. It bumped and jostled over the sandy path until they hit pavement. Fear coagulated in her stomach, not the fear of the encroaching flames when the vine had snagged her leg and held her captive, but a more familiar fear.

  War.

  The ATV rattled long the road, Jake humming a tune. Amused, she realized he was singing “Fox on the run.”

  Jake had a good singing voice.

  He pulled into an unpaved driveway and parked before a double-wide trailer with a wood fence around it. Jake shut off the ignition. He climbed out and squatted before her, stroking her head.

  “You okay?”

  The vine had strangled her back leg, which throbbed as if someone had hammered it with a mallet.

  Sighing, he picked her up. She lifted her head as he walked up the porch steps. Molly squirmed, itching to get down. I’m not a cripple.

  As Jake set her down, she stood on three legs. Yeah, well, maybe she was incapacitated. He fished a key out of his pocket, unlocked the door and swept her a low bow.

  “After you, Madame Canis Lupus.”

  Hobbling inside, she waited for him to enter and didn’t relax until he locked the door behind him. Jake went through the trailer and pulled down all the shades.

  Only then did she limp into the second bedroom. She gave a doubtful look at the clean white bedspread.

  He sat and patted the bed. “It’s okay. Come on, girl. It’s just dirt that will come out in the wash.”

  Luke would have hollered his fool head off for tracking dirt into the house. Molly struggled to leap onto the bed, but Jake lifted her. She lay there, looking up at him. Sighing, he gently stroked her head. Soot blackened his angular face, ringed his eyes. His short brown hair and clothing stank of smoke, but never had she smelled a more wonderful aroma.

  Because it was Jake. Jake, who cared and would give her much-needed refuge while she tried to figure out what was happening with all the male Lupines in her pack and Luke’s. They’d grown too aggressive and bold, and now, with the dark magick that had trapped her and nearly burned her alive, her suspicions we
re confirmed.

  Something evil had infiltrated the area, affecting male Lupines. All but Jake. His was the only level head for miles.

  Jake left the room, returning with a bottle of peroxide and a ball of cotton. Gotta treat this or it’ll fester. Hang on, honey. This will sting.”

  She didn’t even twitch as he applied the disinfectant. Compared to Luke’s meaty fists, the peroxide felt like a tickle.

  Jake studied the wound. “It’ll heal faster with you in wolf form, and without a bandage.”

  Taking the peroxide and the soiled cotton, he left, and returned with a thick burgundy fleece bathrobe.

  “I’m showering. You rest here and heal that leg. If you change back before I’m done, put this on. There’s iced tea and water in the fridge. Help yourself.”

  Soon the sounds of the shower started. Molly thought of Jake naked beneath the spray, and her wolf whined, tail thumping against the bedspread. But she was too tired to imagine much, so she drifted off to sleep.

  She dozed for a few minutes and then awoke. Feeling stronger, she shifted back into Skin. Molly picked up Jake’s robe. It smelled of pine and sage, so uniquely him. Slipping on the robe, she relished the toasty warmth wrapping around her.

  Gray sweatpants slung low on his lean hips, Jake emerged from the bathroom. Shirtless, he had a towel draped over his neck. Molly stared at the dark curls on his chest, the ridges of muscle rippling down his flat torso. A faint line of hair started at the indentation of his belly button, and dipped below the waistband of his sweats.

  Oh wow, she longed to pull them down and see where it led…

  Jake studied her, his predatory gaze hinting he liked her with his robe wrapped around her, his scent stamped into her skin.

  Then he looked away.

  “I need another cold shower,” he muttered.

  “Cold shower? You don’t have any hot water?”

  His mouth twisted in a wry grin. “You’ll have plenty. I only used the cold.”

  As she passed him to enter the bathroom, he gave her a heated look as if he wanted to join her in the shower.

  Molly shut the door, shrugged out of the robe and stepped into the small stall.