A Shift in the Water

by Eddy, Patricia D.

  “Well, she’s got that right, though I suppose I can see that it’s not all your fault. Katerina is somethin’. Mara was sick for a week after that hussy came to see her when she was a teenager. I didn’t put two and two together at the time, but I should’ve. Might have saved some lives. I’d wager that one hasn’t limited her killin’ to your relations.”

  A memory fought to the surface. Mike, his former alpha, had cornered Cade when he’d first come to Bellingham. He’d demanded that Cade join his pack or leave town. Cade had been so angry at his father that he’d lashed out at Mike, shoving the alpha wolf across the room. He’d been lucky he’d escaped with only a busted lip after that. He recalled something Mike told him that day. “Regrets are useless,” Cade said. “You can lose your whole life in them.”

  Lillian laughed. “You really are hers, ain’t ya? Mara started sayin’ somethin’ like that all the time after she got sick. She’s spent the past nine months convinced she was gonna die. She’d accepted it. Hell, I think she was lookin’ forward to it in a way. No more transfusions, no more fallin’ asleep on the couch at six in the evening. No more havin’ to put on a brave face for those she loves. No more unknown.”

  “But she’s not dying,” Cade said.

  Eleanor came to lean against the doorjamb. “No, she’s not. But if she’s going to stay that way, she has to use her element. Every day. She’s got so much fire within her that it’ll kill her if she’s not careful. I taught her some things, simple charms really. I’m not a water elemental. I can only show her so much. Whenever you figure out what’s going on with that fire bitch after you, you need to take Mara to Cannon Beach. There’s a community of elementals there. It’s the largest gathering of air and water elementals in the world. A few fire and earth, but not many. They can teach her what she needs to know.”

  Cade nodded. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for her and once he settled things with the pack, he could leave. A vacation, even if it was to a community of people with the same sorts of abilities as Katerina, sounded like a good idea—as long as his mate was at his side. He cursed inwardly when he realized he was already thinking of her in those terms. He couldn’t wait much longer to tell her. He owed her that much. “We’ll go. As soon as we can.”

  Mara stretched out under the blanket. A candle burned on her dresser; it was the only light in the room. The flame called to her, a low, out of tune melody that ran afoul of the light and sweet tones of her water element. Her heart thudded in her chest. Clenching her fingers, she tried to sense the water in the air. A single drop escaped her fist. The song that had started deep in her core blossomed and overtook the unpleasant sounds from the flame until only the beauty of the flickering light remained.

  A smile tugged at her lips. She’d dreamed of Cade. He’d kissed her, smoothed his hand over her hair, and whispered something in her ear. Goddess, she wished she could remember what it was. She’d felt safe and cherished in the dream and she longed for that feeling again. Now that she was awake, the uncertainty slapped her in the face. Was he even still here?

  The door to her bedroom was closed. Rain pounded on the roof, and against the windows. The wind howled. It would be a miserable night. Against the fleece blanket, her feet were bare. She’d fallen onto the bed with her shoes on, hadn’t she? Come to think of it, where had the blanket come from? It smelled like him. Mara pulled the fleece to her nose and inhaled deeply. It had been on her couch. Wrapped around Cade yesterday. That must have been why she’d dreamed of him.

  She tried the switch on her bedside lamp. Nothing. The power was out. Her house was old and lost power regularly. The neighborhood was full of tall trees that pulled down the electrical lines. At least she had a gas oven and a hot water heater. Her stomach rumbled. Time to see if he stayed, she thought. And find something to eat. Her hand was steady when she twisted the doorknob.

  The tantalizing scent of cheese, tomatoes, and spices hit her nose. She almost moaned. Whatever that was, she wanted some. Now. Candles burned in the living room and a fire roared in the hearth. The song of the flames echoed for a brief moment, then faded. With her arms tight around her body, she made her way to the kitchen. Cade stood in bare feet, jeans, and the sweatshirt she’d bought him, staring out her kitchen window into the darkened yard. His steel and flax hair curled along his collar. He’d stayed and by all accounts, he’d cooked. Again. She could get used to this.

  “Hey.”

  Cade turned and Mara tried, unsuccessfully, not to let the sight of him turn her insides to jelly.

  “Hey yourself. Feeling better?”

  Mara shrugged. “Jury’s still out.” She leaned against the kitchen counter a few inches from Cade.

  He laid his hands gently on her hips, pulling her close enough for her to feel the heat rolling off his body. “Why? What’s wrong and how can I help?”

  She looked up at him, not sure what to say. Her lips quirked in a small, sad smile. “It’s not physical. Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”

  “I’m always going to worry,” he said.

  Always was a long time. Mara’s smile faded and she pressed her lips together in a thin line while she gathered her thoughts. “A month ago, I knew werewolves weren’t real. The closest things to an elemental in my world were the Wiccans who run the occult shop up on Phinney Ridge. They have a wild party every Halloween and usually someone ends up running down the main drag naked at some point in the night.” Cade chuckled and the rumbling in his chest spread through her. “I’d made my peace with dying. I was ready. By the time you found me, I had maybe five weeks left. Or less. I was on the island to say goodbye. To everything. Not suicide,” she added hurriedly when Cade’s fingers tightened on her hips. “I wanted one last swim. One last night alone in my favorite hotel, one last sunset on the balcony. But then this sick animal shows up in my trunk and all of a sudden my life is turned upside down. And now, not only are you—you, but I found out I might not be dying at all. I could have a future. I don’t know how to deal with it all. It’s a lot to process.”

  “What do you need?” Cade slid his hands up her back. Through the old sweatshirt, his warmth seeped into her skin. She laid her head on his shoulder and melted into him. He felt good. She shouldn’t be so comfortable with him. Not this quickly. But she’d grown to care deeply about the wolf in a few short days. It made sense that her feelings for the man had only intensified.

  “I need to know what you’re going to do about my sister. About the fact that I’m related to the woman who did this to you.” She tightened her arms around him, hoping he wouldn’t make her let go.

  Her heart sunk as he took her gently by the shoulders and eased her away so he could look into her eyes. “Nothing. You’re not her. You’re a good soul, Mara. Kind and compassionate and . . . mine. I shouldn’t have walked out on you earlier. I was scared and stupid and I’m sorry.”

  “I don’t blame you,” she whispered. It wouldn’t be appropriate to smile right now. Not when Cade was so earnest and worried. She clenched her fists and dug her fingernails into her palms to hide her relief. He wasn’t leaving her. At least not tonight.

  Mine, he’d said. A little thrill raced down her spine and he pulled her back against him. The gentle pressure against her lower belly hinted at his unspoken desires. When she raised her head, his lips found hers. There was nothing hesitant about his kiss. Cade took everything with his tongue, lips, and teeth. His hands found her ass and lifted her up onto the counter where she wrapped her legs around his torso. Stubble tickled her upper lip and rough fingers slid along her sides under her sweatshirt, branding her skin with his heat. Were werewolves always this warm? A moan vibrated in her throat.

  Cade nipped the corner of her mouth. “Mara,” he breathed. “I want . . .”

  Her stomach growled and her cheeks flamed. Along with other parts of her. “So do I. But I’m also really hungry and whatever’s in the oven smells really good.”

  He lifted her off the counter and held her close. “L
asagna.” His voice was rough. With a little difficulty, she extricated herself from his arms and popped the oven open. The cheese bubbled a golden brown and the aroma filled her.

  “Goddess . . . how much longer?”

  “It should be done. Despite Lillian’s orders, I was going to wake you soon. Sit down. There’s wine on the table.”

  Mara looked around. “Where is everyone?”

  “Lillian took Eleanor back to her condo. Livie’s resting. We had a snack while you were sleeping.”

  “A snack?”

  Cade laughed. “We shared a pan. This is the second one. Don’t worry. I’m still hungry.”

  It was good to hear Cade laugh. He had a rich, deep laugh that vibrated his whole body, crinkled his eyes and rounded his cheeks. She wanted to hear that laugh every day. Cade had set the table and a battery operated lantern rested in the center. Mara thanked the Goddess there weren’t any more candles. She loved the romantic ambiance, but there were too many flames in the house for her liking. “Is Livie all right?” Mara poured two glasses of wine.

  “Fine. She’s going to patrol tonight.” Cade cut a generous slice of lasagna for each of them and took a bowl of salad out of the fridge.

  “It’s miserable out. A pregnant woman should not be out in this rain and wind,” Mara said with a frown.

  “She’ll be in wolf form. She won’t even notice. She loves the rain.”

  Over dinner, Cade told Mara what he remembered about his childhood. “My father was alpha, so he was always kind of scary. He loved me, but he made it pretty clear that crossing him wasn’t an option.”

  “Was he abusive?” Mara asked with a flutter in her stomach.

  “No. Intimidating. He never had to hit me because I knew instinctively that his wolf was dominant, even before I shifted for the first time.”

  “When was that?”

  “I think I was thirteen. It happens around puberty. The first shift is terrifying. It feels like dying. Hell, it feels like dying every time, but at least after the first you know what to expect.”

  “Why do you do it then?”

  “We have to. Until you get control of the wolf inside you, there’s no fighting it. But once the wolf emerges, it’s an amazing feeling. At least when you’re free.” He smiled sadly and forced his slumped shoulders back. “You can run farther and faster than ever before. You can smell everything. See so much more. A wolf’s senses are better than a human’s. Even in this form.” Cade held Mara’s hand to his lips. “I can still smell chlorine in your pores, even after what? Three days?” She nodded and he kissed the inside of her wrist and the fleshy pad of her thumb. “A bit of marinara here. And me. I can smell my scent on you.”

  Mara pulled her hand away and looked down at her plate. She traced a pattern in the marinara sauce with her fork until Cade gave up his intense scrutiny of her and sat back, returning to his meal.

  “Does it always hurt?”

  “Yeah. You feel every bone break. The teeth are the worst. That pain shoots right through your skull.” Cade shivered and rubbed his jaw.

  Mara polished off the last of her salad. “What about your mother?”

  “I don’t really remember her. Too many holes yet. Her name was Rachel, and I know she died well before my father. But that’s it. Other than some vaguely warm feelings. I know I loved her.”

  His last words were thick and strained and Mara reached out and draped her hand over his. “You’ll find her again. Your memories of her. I believe that.”

  “I hope you’re right.” Cade’s eyes glistened in the lantern’s glow.

  “My mom had a heart attack when I was sixteen,” Mara said quietly. “Right in front of me. One minute she was joking around and the next she was on the floor. She was gone before the paramedics got there. Dad basically drank himself to death five years ago. He couldn’t live without her.”

  “Is that her photo on the mantle?” Cade asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “She was stunning.”

  Mara brightened. “I always thought so. I used to hate that I didn’t look like her. She had the most beautiful skin, so dark and exotic. I hated my freckles and my red hair.”

  “I think you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen,” Cade said. He looked up at her but then quickly returned his gaze to his plate.

  Mara blushed a deep crimson. “You’re only saying that because you were stuck as your wolf for so long.”

  “No. I’m not.” He finished the last bite of lasagna and leapt up to take his dish to the sink. Mara followed.

  “Cade?” She reached out for him. The house was utterly silent. Not even a breath passed between them.

  The bedroom door opened with a subtle click, breaking the magic of the moment. Livie staggered out with a yawn. “Oh thank God. There’s still lasagna left.” She halted at the threshold of the kitchen. “Shit. I interrupted something, didn’t I?”

  “It’s okay,” Mara replied. It wasn’t. Not by a long shot, but she didn’t want to cross the fierce, blond wolf. Cade had assured her that she was safe from Livie, but the wolf’s eyes pierced Mara and watched her with a hint of something she didn’t like. “Can I get you something to drink? I don’t have much.”

  “I went shopping. Sorry for taking over your fridge. Sort of anyway. But mama’s gotta eat every few hours. And boss-man looks like the walking dead.” Livie put away half a bag of carrots, two glasses of juice, and a slice of lasagna. “Okay. I’m going to shift in the bedroom and go patrol. Someone’s going to need to let me outside.”

  “Are you sure?” Mara asked. “It’s awful out. The baby . . .”

  Livie brushed off Mara’s concern. “He’s fine. I was running in the woods all night last night. It was awesome. Hey, you didn’t see Cade shift, did you?”

  “No.”

  “Want to watch?” She gave Mara a hard stare.

  “Livie,” Cade growled at her. “Don’t.”

  “What?” Mara turned to Cade. Why didn’t he want Livie to shift in front of her?

  “She’s trying to scare you. It’s not a pleasant thing to watch if you don’t know what to expect. Stay here.” He reached for Mara’s arm, but she pulled away.

  “No. I don’t scare easily. I’d like to see.” Mara challenged Livie with her stare. She understood what was happening. Livie didn’t really want her with Cade, probably because Mara wasn’t a wolf, and she was trying to see if she’d run away in the face of the reality of what he was. She wouldn’t. Whether or not they had a future, or even another few days together, Mara wouldn’t run.

  With a quiet huh, Livie looked away and shrugged. “Come on then.”

  In the guest room, Livie proceeded to pull off her oversized sweatshirt, step out of her jeans, and remove her bra and underwear. At Mara’s back, Cade glowered. She could feel his angry stare. Mara didn’t want Cade’s eyes on the naked woman, even if she was mated and quite obviously pregnant. Reddish ropes of scar tissue covered her entire left side, from her hip to her swollen belly, to her breast, her shoulder, arm, and neck. Because Livie had been clothed, Mara had almost forgotten about her injuries. Goddess. Her sister had done this.

  Livie took a deep breath and sank to her knees. The shift started with her skin. It darkened from pale pink to gray and fur sprouted along her spine. Her slight body crunched and popped loudly. The blond angled bob of hair disappeared and her skull cracked under her skin, elongating into a lupine snout with glowing blue eyes and sharp glistening teeth. A mournful howl came from her throat. Her shoulders dislocated, arms shortening into legs, and sharp black nails extended from her fingers. Her breasts disappeared, but her belly remained, albeit covered in fur and hung tight against her massive, broad chest. Hips narrowed with a crunch, back legs filled out with wide muscles, and a tail grew from the base of her spine, covered with the same blond and gray fur that adorned the rest of her. Mara was mesmerized. When it was done, a large wolf sat in the middle of the floor, panting.

  “That’s . . . be
autiful,” Mara said in awe. Livie’s wolf cocked her head. Clearly Mara’s reaction surprised her.

  “And the baby?” She turned to Cade. “Does the baby shift too?”

  “No. He’s still human. Livie, is it okay? She can check on the pup.”

  The wolf rose and padded over to Mara, and then dropped down on to her side and exposed her belly. A low growl in her throat warned that she wouldn’t be patient for long.

  Mara laid a hand over the swollen belly. A kick stretched Livie’s pelt and bristled the fur. Livie made a happy sound and her tail thumped once on the wood floor. With practiced hands, Mara stroked over the writhing little bump. The baby was an active one. “He’s perfect. That was a little fist right there,” Mara said with a wide smile, pointing to a rather sudden protrusion against the fur. “Thank you. Really. If it would be okay, I’d like to see you shift back too at some point.”

  Livie nodded her massive head and headed for the front door. Cade followed, let her out, and locked the door behind her with one last admonition to be careful and to scratch when she wanted to come back inside. “One of us will hear you.” Livie yipped once in agreement. Mara recognized the tone. It was the same as Cade’s wolf’s vocalization, but higher pitched.

  “She was challenging me,” Mara said after he’d gotten her a glass of water and slumped next to her on the couch in front of the fire.

  “That she was.”

  “She doesn’t like me.” Mara tucked her legs underneath her and gazed into Cade’s eyes. They reflected the firelight.

  “It’s not that. It’s not,” he said when she scoffed. “She doesn’t dislike you. She’s asserting her position to you since I—” He shook his head. “Can you trust me for a while? Until the rest of the pack gets here?”

  A frown tugged at Mara’s lips. You mean until you leave, she thought, but kept her mouth shut, nodding instead. Regardless of what would happen when the rest of the werewolves arrived, she did trust him.