Canyon Wolf Bride

by Alisha Paige

  “You have a lovely place here, Paige. It’s very serene and peaceful. The snow’s so pretty on the pines. We don’t get much of this stuff in Havasu Canyon.”

  Sean ground his teeth at the casual tone in Coming Wind’s voice. Calling Paige by her first name stung him. Hot, jealous heat shot like a rocket through his veins, causing his head to throb.

  Paige had driven this route a million times in the snow. Sean didn’t buy his lame excuse. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end as a putrid, foul scent permeated his nostrils, forcing him to restrain a guttural growl.

  As he lit the fire, his eyes flashed to cold blue. He shook his head, squeezing his eyes shut, willing the wolf to heel. Glancing out the window, he saw the edge of the full moon peek from behind a cloud. A gruff growl escaped his throat. His eyes flashed open wide. Paige dropped a mug and screamed.

  “What was that? It sounded like it was inside!”

  Sean cleared his throat, shaking his head as he stood. “I’ll check the back rooms. It’s probably one of the local wolves. Sometimes they get really close.”

  “Never that close,” Paige replied as Coming Wind placed a protective arm around her shoulder, pulling her to him.

  Sean’s eyes flashed electric cobalt as he eyed the gesture. It took all of his man power to restrain the wolf within. He bolted toward the back of the house, tossing his head, shaking his demon, praying to make it out the back window in time. Forcing the window open with one swift thrust, Sean dove into the blowing snow, his tail and hind legs a silver streak in the moonlight.

  Hot breath formed a cloud around his furry face, his eyes shining like two bright sapphire balls of steel as he bounded through the snow, rounding the back of the house on whispery feather feet.

  Leaping onto the back window sill, he pressed his wet, leather nose against the crack. Sniffing, growling and drooling against the window pane, Sean smelled Indian arousal, dark and earthy, tinged with brandy. His ears pricked higher. Every hair stood on end as he sniffed harder, fogging the window pane.

  There was another unfamiliar scent. He sniffed deeper, closing his eyes, pushing his onyx nose as close as possible to the crack. It was emanating from Paige, strange and foreign to his wolf nostrils. One more deep sniff and he had it. It was fear, but fear laced with something new. The scent grew stronger as he watched Paige move away from Coming Wind.

  She called out to Sean, craning her neck around Coming Wind’s looming shoulders as he grabbed her by the arms. The wolf heard his man name called again. Confused, he paced the snow before jumping on the window sill.

  “I wonder what’s keeping him?” Paige asked, her voice shaking, as Coming Wind stared deep into her face, his black eyes serious.

  “Paige, I’ve been wanting to talk to you,” Coming Wind said in a low voice as he held firm to her shoulders, pulling her to him. “Look at me.”

  “Let go. What are you doing?” Struggling to free herself from his tight embrace, Paige pushed and writhed against him.

  “I want you, Paige. I’ve wanted you since the first time I saw you. You can’t deny this. I know you feel the pull between us.”

  “Sean!”

  Sniffing through the window sill, the pungent odor was overpowering. His wolf brain recognized it. He let out a pained whine. He usually smelled it during a kill. Fear mixed with adrenaline. Paige was afraid. Adrenaline poured through her veins, its tangy scent leaking through her pores as she wrestled to get away from Coming Wind.

  Hoisting her onto the kitchen counter, Coming Wind forced her legs apart. She yanked his hair, trying in vain to claw his face. The wolf burst through the window, sending glass flying through the ripped curtain, snow blowing in gusts. Within seconds, the kitchen temperature dropped to freezing.

  Paige screamed as the wolf hurled himself at Coming Wind’s back. Tearing his shirt to shreds, the wolf clawed bloody stripes into his tanned back. Coming Wind snatched a knife from his boot as Paige ran to the pantry, slamming the door shut.

  Surrounded by darkness, she reached for the broom. Standing guard with the broom raised, she strained to hear. The blood racing through her ears coupled with her labored breathing made it close to impossible to hear beyond the solid oak door.

  Pieces of glass fell from her messed chignon. Her breast bone pressed against the broom she held in place across the door.

  Twenty minutes earlier and she would have rooted for Coming Wind, now she wasn’t so sure. The broom knocked against the door frame as Paige’s body shook in fear.

  She had never been so frightened in all her life. She wondered where the wolf had come from. Hundreds of wolves lived on the mountain and none have ever come near enough to harm her.

  She remembered hearing a growl in the house. She could have sworn it came from the living room. Perhaps Sean heard the commotion and went to the back room for her gun. Yes, she knew she had told Sean about the gun, but no shot had been fired.

  Coming Wind was still screaming. It sounded as if he were wrestling with the wolf. Horrible growls were coming from the wolf. Paige strained harder to hear. The wolf had Coming Wind on the ground now, growling and biting, his white teeth a sharp contrast to his blood stained muzzle. Curled into a fetal position, Coming Wind lay in a pool of blood and torn clothes.

  His knife lay across the kitchen tinged dark red with blood. He had only been able to stab the wolf once in his side before the wolf bit his wrist nearly clean off.

  Coming Wolf was speaking to the wolf in an Indian tongue, begging for his life. Growling in response, the wolf shook the blood from his face as he turned to look at the pantry where he knew Paige hid in fear. The wolf wondered if she’d been hurt in the attack. He didn’t think so, but no sound came from within.

  His eyes flashed tawny at the thought of her and he sniffed, trying to catch her scent. He smelled her fear, but now it wasn’t as strong. Tossing his head back, he howled, his gray pads soaking in blood that seeped into the white fur of his feet. With one last look at Coming Wind, he leapt through the window and bounded out, bloody footprints following him as he glided into the dark woods.

  ****

  Sunlight peered through the wooden blinds of Sean’s bedroom as he rolled over, his head throbbing, his side damp with blood. He had wrapped an old shirt around the wound before falling into bed. Moaning, he rolled to his side, wincing in pain.

  Hobbling to the bathroom, he flicked on the light so he could unravel his wound. Tossing the bloodied shirt in the trash can, he reached for the alcohol and cotton balls. He cleansed the knife wound while wondering if Paige was up yet. Last night had seemed like a nightmare come to life.

  He hadn’t intended to see Paige after the exhibit for fear of the full moon hidden beneath the snow clouds. He knew the clouds could dissipate at any moment, forcing him to turn into the wolf, but when he saw the strange truck following her, he had no choice. To find out that the driver was Coming Wind was even more of a shock. He knew the man was up to no good from the moment he met him. He could smell it at the art exhibit and later at Paige’s house. The cabin reeked to high heaven with the foul scent.

  Damn, why did it have to happen on a full moon, he pondered. He could have beat the life out of Coming Wind with his bare hands. Even though the werewolf curse would allow him to change into the wolf at will, the full moon gave him no choice.

  When he made it back to Paige’s cabin after the wolf attack, he found her hunkered down in the pantry, shaking with fear. He was able to conceal his wound and make up a story about seeing the wolf and going back to his own cabin for a rifle. He told Paige he had forgotten about her gun in the back room.

  The police had come and Coming Wind was taken to the nearest hospital where he was recovering from severe blood loss, skin lacerations, and a mangled hand. Paige had stayed overnight at her sister Meg’s house in town. She had been too shaken to return to the mountain. Sean wanted her to stay with him, but he worried that she would discover his injury.

  He knew by the end of th
e week it would be a scar. The wolf gene had amazing powers of healing. Once his back foot had been mangled in a trap and his only means of escape was to turn into his human form and free himself. Two days later, his foot was completely healed.

  Sean turned the shower on as hot as he could stand it. Closing the glass door behind him, he stepped into the spray face first, the hot jet washing away the scent of his own blood mixed with the pungent odor of Coming Wind’s that still permeated his nostrils. The water ran pink down the drain as he thought of Paige.

  He was thankful that he had been there to save her from Coming Wind’s advances. What in the hell could the man have been thinking of to assault her when he knew her boyfriend was in the same house? The man must have a death wish, Sean thought. He chuckled to himself at the image of Coming Wind’s face as he found himself wrestling with a wolf.

  Sean knew he would have to be more careful as a wolf. New traps were being set and hunters were scouring the mountain for the killer wolf that was now believed to be a rabid wolf on the hunt for humans. Another laugh escaped him as he imagined Coming Wind having to endure countless rabies shots.

  “The bastard deserved it!” he said out loud to the shower spray.

  He wasn’t so sure he shouldn’t have torn his throat out. The only reason he hadn’t was because he didn’t want Paige to have to witness such an act or find Coming Wind in shreds on her kitchen floor.

  After his shower, he bandaged his wound and dressed before jumping in his truck and heading off to see Paige. He stopped off at the market, picking up a pretty bouquet of tulips.

  The bright, sunny day was a sharp contrast to the night before. The ground was covered with a fresh blanket of snow and the snow plows had already cleared the streets. Sean took his time driving through town, rolling his window down to breath in the fresh air.

  He easily maneuvered his truck through the twists and turns of Meg’s neighborhood as soft rock music played on the radio and cool wind whistled through his hair. His hair was still damp from his shower when he ran a hand through his chocolate locks, glancing at himself in the rear view mirror.

  Damn, he had forgotten to shave and his eyes were a little blood shot. He stopped at a stop sign, watching a boy and a girl dragging a sled as they crossed the street. They giggled at one another, even waving at him as he sipped his coffee. The warm aroma of the coffee dove into his sleepy nostrils.

  He was surprised at how happy he was considering the violent fight that had occurred a mere ten hours ago. In fact he felt giddy at the prospect of seeing Paige and kissing her good morning.

  Turning on Meg’s street, he slowed down when he noticed a police squad car parked there. The police didn’t waste any time. Too bad Paige couldn’t have slept later, he thought. She needed her rest and he wanted to be the one to wake her after such a terrible night. He had promised her that he would be there bright and early to do just that.

  He grabbed the tulips, hopped out of his truck, and strode up the curvy sidewalk, knocking loudly. Meg came to the door, smiling as she ushered him in, taking his leather jacket and hanging it on a hall tree.

  Paige was sitting in the front room speaking to two detectives, still dressed in her pink fluffy robe and house shoes.

  “The detectives need to talk to you, too. This will save them a trip,” Meg said as she motioned for him to take a seat on the sofa.

  Paige turned to look at him as he shook hands with the two detectives and took a seat. She was a little embarrassed that she hadn’t had a chance to dress yet, much less brush her hair or apply any make up. Kissing her once on the cheek and taking her hand, Sean seemed totally unaffected by her appearance.

  “Were you able to get any sleep last night, Mr. Wilson?” the older detective asked.

  “Uh, yeah. A little bit. It was quite a night.”

  “It sure was. In fact, we found some new information out about your Indian friend last night,” replied the younger detective.

  Sean raised his eyebrows in question. “Really? Don’t tell me he has a criminal history.”

  “Indeed, but that’s not all. His name isn’t Coming Wind. That’s his twin brother’s name. His name is Dark Horse and by the looks of it, he deals with the darker side of life, unlike his brother, the artist.”

  “So he was impersonating his brother?”

  “Yep. And that’s not all. He’s done this before. Last time was three years ago at a book signing. Coming Wind’s new book about Indian art history had just been released and he scheduled a book signing that the real Coming Wind knew nothing about, though he was en route to a book signing himself in Arizona. He spent ninety days in jail for impersonating his brother and trying to collect money from the event.”

  “Wow. I’m guessing he and his brother don’t get along too well.”

  “Not at all. In fact, he was banished from the tribe eight years ago when he was first incarcerated for rape and is now listed as a sexual predator,” the detective added as he passed Sean two photos.

  The first photo was a mug shot of Dark Horse and the second was a photo of Coming Wind from his book jacket. The brothers were identical. He could see how easy it was for Dark Horse to pass as his brother.

  “I can’t believe I just spent two weeks working with a convicted sexual predator and passed him off as an artist. I feel so stupid,” Paige said, shaking her head as she stared at the two photos.

  “Don’t feel stupid, honey. Anyone would have made the mistake. Has the real Coming Wind been contacted?”

  “Not yet, but we’ll be calling him this afternoon. I suspect he’ll want to speak with Paige,” the older detective replied.

  “Of course. I feel I need to apologize for misrepresenting his work,” Paige offered.

  “I don’t think he’ll see it that way. After all, the paintings were really his and the exhibit was still a success,” Sean replied.

  “The paintings were Coming Winds, right?” Sean asked looking first at Paige, then the detectives.

  “That’s right. We’re not exactly sure how Dark Horse was able to have original paintings sent to the museum, but we intend to get to the bottom of it. I’m sure Dark Horse will serve some time for this since he violated his parole. As soon as he heals, he’ll go back to prison and possibly for a very long time.”

  “Good. I couldn’t believe how quickly he took advantage of Paige when I was in the same house.”

  The detectives shook their heads as Sean continued.

  “When he pulled her legs apart, I just went crazy. All I could think of was tearing him to bits and...”

  Sean caught himself much too late. What had he just said? He was reliving the event in his head and speaking out loud. How much had he told them? He looked at Paige. Her face was ashen as she searched his eyes.

  “What are you talking about, Sean? I thought you went to your house for your rifle?”

  Sean tore his face from her gaze and eyed the detectives. The hair on the back of his neck stood erect. His insides froze.

  “That is where you were, right? On the way to your cabin? Mr. Wilson?” the older detective implored.

  “Uh, yeah. That’s what I meant. After I heard how he attacked her, that’s what I wanted to do. I wished I could have finished him off. Finish what the wolf didn’t.” Sean closed his eyes tightly and pressed his fingers into his eyelids, hoping they bought it.

  “I can understand how you’d feel that way. I’d feel the same way if my Bethie were attacked. Well, I think that’s all for now. We’ll probably be in touch this afternoon after we speak to Coming Wind.”

  Sean stood, shaking both their hands again before walking them out. Sean grabbed the tulips from a table by the front door and walked into the front room where Paige sat sipping a mug of coffee.

  He handed her the flowers, kissing her on the lips.

  “You okay?” Sean whispered as he kissed the tip of her nose and stared at her lips, contemplating another kiss. Damn, the woman was even more beautiful with no make up. She l
ooked like a kid. Her face was so fresh and pink. Her eyes so youthful and sweet with no mascara. She had tiny freckles on her nose and he wanted to kiss every single one of them.

  “I look a fright. Let me go get dressed and put on some make up,” Paige said as she attempted to stand.

  Sean gently pushed her back into the sofa, kissing her longer while grabbing a fistful of strawberry curls.

  He pressed his nose against hers, planting tiny kisses in between words.

  “You are crazy, woman. You look more beautiful than ever. Let’s go home. Let me help you forget last night.”

  Paige pushed at his chest and studied his face. “Sean, something is bothering me.”

  “What is it? We can go to my cabin if you aren’t ready to go home yet.”

  “No, it’s not that. It’s what you said to the detectives.”

  Sean kissed her again before asking, “What?”

  “I never told you how he pulled my legs apart. I didn’t even remember that until you reminded me. But now that I think back...”

  “Shh, honey. You probably don’t remember, but you did tell me about that. How else would I have known? You’re just too traumatized to remember. Come on, let’s go home. Go get dressed and I’ll take you home and make you some pancakes.”

  “You’re probably right,” Paige replied as she kissed him again before leaving the room to get dressed.

  Sean sank into the couch. Taking a deep breath, he realized he would have to watch himself. He was too caught up in the emotion of last night that he didn’t even realize when he was revealing himself as the wolf. What could he have been thinking? Not only would he have to watch for cold, steel traps out in the wild, he would have to watch his own tongue and start thinking with his head, leaving his heart out of it.

  Chapter 2

  “Where are we going?” Paige asked as she changed the station on the truck’s radio.

  Sean had forced Paige to pack a bag while he kept her away from the kitchen. He had arranged to have the window fixed and the mess cleaned over the weekend.