by Alisha Paige
“What are you laughing at?” he asked, leading her into the cool waters.
“The fact that you forgot your trunks.”
“You should never laugh when a man takes off his pants,” he replied as they walked further into the water, immersing their bodies deeper.
“You had this planned all along,” she said knowingly, one eyebrow raised.
“How could I possibly know there was more than one waterfall and that this one would be secluded?”
“I wonder. Seems like an elaborate plan to me.”
Sean took her in his arms, cradling her in the water, kissing her as he laughed.
“Coming Wind might have mentioned some details about this particular waterfall last night after dinner,” he said, feigning innocence.
Her jaw dropping, Paige was horrified at the thought that they had discussed such a thing and even planned it out.
“Darling, he wanted to make it up to you. He felt bad about his evil twin,” Sean teased.
“Sean, please tell me you two didn’t discuss our love making.”
Sean kissed her again, holding her while he waded closer to the falls.
“Not in detail, love.”
“Ugh.”
“You are a beautiful woman, Paige. It’s not like Coming Wind isn’t going to notice.”
“What’s that got to do with anything?” she asked, wrinkling up her little nose, crinkling his favorite freckle.
“He just wants us to feel comfortable,” he replied with another deeper kiss as they reached the falls, setting Paige upon a rock, untying her top with expert hands.
“Well, he’s doing a good job at making me comfortable, that’s for sure,” she said between kisses.
The sun glistened on their skin and shined in their hair as water rushed around them. Sean coupled her breasts with his hand as his kiss grew more seductive and imploring. They heard a splash nearby and turned to look. A large turtle was swimming away from his sunning spot, almost as if he couldn’t watch. Sean shrugged his shoulders and Paige giggled.
“Suit yourself, little fella,” Sean said.
“Poor turtle. I think we scared him.”
“You probably made him sad that he’s not a frog.”
“What?”
“You ever heard of a turtle turning into a prince? The poor guy doesn’t have a chance. Even if for some strange reason you kissed him, he has no hope. For a frog there’s hope, but not a turtle.”
Paige roared with laughter. “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. Do you think that’s funny?”
“You’re laughing your ass off,” he howled.
“You’re right, I am. It’s so ridiculous that it’s hilarious. How is it that you are the only one that can make me laugh like that?” she asked, her sides now aching from laughter.
“Cause I love you and you love me,” he replied with another kiss as he hoisted her off of the rock and into the spray.
“I do love you, Sean. You make me so happy. I’ve never been so content in all my life.”
“I know how you feel. I’m so content, I want to purr.”
“Are you making fun of me, Sean Wilson?”
“No, never,” Sean replied sarcastically.
Paige splashed him with water. He ducked to avoid the splash, grabbing her around the waist, lifting her into the water, pulling her to him, devouring her with electric kisses. He slipped her bikini bottoms off, cupping her firm rear in his strong hands.
Under the hot sun and endless falls, it was just the two of them and the turquoise water twirling around them, playing light games as they loved each other and laughed together in the golden sun.
****
Paige slept late into the morning, long after Sean had slipped out before dawn to grab a bite to eat. He was ravenous and knew he needed red meat soon. The full moon was still one day away, but he couldn’t wait any longer, besides he wanted to change into the wolf and change back as soon as possible on the night of the full moon.
Paige might get suspicious if he was gone too long. She was exhausted from the trip into the canyon and the hike to the falls the following day. He intended to take full advantage of her deep slumber. He would feast tonight and have a light snack tomorrow.
He rode horseback deeper into the canyon, straying as far as possible from Supai Village. Passing Navajo Falls and then Mooney Falls, he dismounted the horse and stripped naked. He knelt down on all fours before tilting his head back to gaze into the open sky. He found the half moon between two high canyon spires.
Howling deeply, his muscles contorted and flexed at rapid speed. His flanks flew beneath his belly, hugging the ground. His large paws clawed the red earth. Coarse gray hair spewed from every pore while long, sharp teeth glistened with saliva as his black nose shone in the moonlight. His thick, silver ears twitched, hearing movement, sensing animal life around him.
There she was by the creek, lapping the cool waters, her tongue making small ripples in the darkened stream. She raised her head, snorting softly. The mule deer sensed him. Her eyes widened, darting to and fro, looking for an escape route.
The wolf was quick and merciful. He took her down swiftly with one bite, breaking her graceful neck in two. Rich, dark blood flowed into the creek before he pulled her onto the creek bed, shredding her thin fur in seconds. He licked his chops, howling loudly into the quiet canyon.
His sharp teeth chewed her hot flesh easily as it melted deliciously in his mouth, ending his month long craving for a fresh kill. As his tummy grew fuller, his feasting slowed. Savoring each bite, he licked his bloodied muzzle, sighing with deep satisfaction.
His head cocked at the familiar scream of a bobcat. Even in wolf form, the sound gave him chills. She sounded like a woman in fear for her life. He hadn’t come face to face with a bobcat since he was a young boy. Was that a man he heard in the distance? His senses came alive. He glanced once more at the bloody carcass before gliding toward the direction of the scream.
It was a man, but not a grown man. A boy was screaming or was it two boys? The wolf darted through the canyon, following the sound, wondering why a boy would be out this late and this deep into the canyon. His wolf feet carried him onto a hiking trail when the boy scent entered his searching nostrils and it registered.
He smelled Red Hawk as he screamed in unison with another boy. The wolf darted past a tent, finding the pair huddled together, backed into a tree as a bobcat inched toward them, hissing and screaming.
The wolf guessed correctly that she had cubs nearby and was returning from her hunt to feed them when she stumbled upon the boys. The wolf closed the distance between them as the bobcat reared back on her hind legs, clawing at the air. Her scream could be heard for miles as Coming Wind sat straight up in bed. He knew his son was in trouble.
Bobcats were scarce in this section of the canyon. He thought Red Hawk would be safe camping there with his teenage cousin. Fetching his rifle from behind the bed, he ran out the door, jumping onto his horse, riding bareback into the canyon.
Red Hawk’s cousin grabbed his hand, pulling him into the nearby tent, zipping it tight while the wolf circled the mother bobcat. He didn’t want to kill her. Growling and lunging at her, she finally backed away, stalking slowly to her cave nearby, fetching the dead ringtail from the ground meant for her cubs.
The wolf paced in front of the tent, eyeing the boys through the netting, huddled in the center of the tent, now afraid of him. He felt the hooves pounding before he heard them. A horse was quickly approaching. The wolf raced deeper into the canyon, circling back to his horse and changing back into a man.
The sky grew lighter as he led the horse back to the lodge. With a full belly and a night full of adventure behind him, he longed for sleep, worried that the bobcat may have roused Paige.
Red Hawk rode in front of Coming Wind, while his cousin rode behind him. Camping was out for Red Hawk until he was older and taught to shoot. Coming Wind kissed his son’s head. Red Hawk told him about the wo
lf who chased the bobcat away. Coming Wind said a silent prayer of thanks.
Smoking a pipe, Coming Wind reclined on his porch, watching the sun rise over the canyon walls, bathing it in orange and yellow. The boys slept inside as he thanked the heavens and tried to calm himself, his hands still shaking.
He sat in a daze, savoring the apple-wood flavor of the pipe when he heard a horse ninny. He watched a figure emerging on horseback. Squinting into the dewy morning, he tried to make out the rider. He squinted harder. The man seemed to be guiding the horse out of the way, through the trees, avoiding Coming Wind’s house.
Was that Sean? Coming Wind wondered why on earth he‘d be up so early and so far from the lodge. He watched the horse and man disappear in the morning mist as they neared the village. He stood, walking to the end of his cactus lined walkway. Leaning against the mailbox, he inhaled deeply. His eyes flashed blue when he caught a whiff. He wasn’t surprised. Now it all made sense to him. He had suspected as much.
Chapter 4
News of the killer bobcat spread like wildfire throughout the canyon. By noon, all of Supai Village had heard at least one of the five versions circling amongst the local people. Some had heard that the wolf killed the bobcat, while others had been told that Coming Wind shot it with his rifle.
The most popular story circulating through the tribe, mostly favored by children was that a hawk swooped between the bobcat and the two boys and then turned into a wolf, scaring the bobcat away. Even some of the adults preferred this version since it proved that the gods were looking after the boys. Some believed that a hawk was sent by the gods and manifested itself into a wolf in order to save the boys. It did not go unnoticed that one of the boys was named after the magnificent bird.
The story seemed to take on a life of its own and had already become a legend to many and a sign from the gods that the tribe was prospering and remained protected by the heavens. It was a day of great celebration in the village. Festivities were already under way to honor the hawk.
Paige and Sean were just sitting down to brunch in the village café when they heard the news. Paige had noticed a current of electricity in the air as they walked down the dusty road a few buildings away. People seemed jovial and excited about something.
She quickly scrolled down her mental calendar looking for a specific date in her head. She didn’t think it was a holiday of any kind. Maybe it was a significant day for the tribe. Maybe the day they had won their land back. By the time they reached the café her curiosity level was so high she couldn’t resist in asking a local girl of twelve or thirteen.
The girl’s face grew animated when she told the tale of the hawk turning itself into a wolf and scaring the bobcat away. Paige gasped when the girl mentioned Red Hawk’s name. How horrifying. Though she doubted part of the story the girl told her, she felt sure that Red Hawk was involved in something spectacular the night before.
Her thoughts flew immediately to Coming Wind and Blue Flower. How were they coping? She said a silent prayer of thanks to God for Red Hawk’s safety. As Paige questioned the girl with undying interest, Sean grew pale.
He had hoped that the boys would return home quickly and quietly, telling how they had narrowly escaped an angry bobcat. He never suspected the mass hysteria of ridiculous myths to emerge. He listened to conversations swirling around him as they ate.
After a while the stories seemed so ridiculous that he wanted desperately to stand up and correct them all. The first thing he wanted to clarify was that the boys were indeed saved by a wolf and not a mere bird of prey. A damn hawk. What a joke. He wondered why the legend had unfolded this way and why wasn’t the bold and powerful wolf the one to save the day? Why didn’t he hear talk of a massive beast with bulging muscles and sharp teeth? Instead they went on and on about the sharp talons that clawed at the bobcat’s head and its glorious wing span as it took flight and circled the boys once the bobcat scampered off in fright.
Hawks were selfish bastards. Any form of wildlife with half a brain knew that to be a fact. They would be the last creatures to save someone in trouble. More than once a hawk had stolen prey that he had hunted, even though his ribs were showing and he thought he would starve to death.
He couldn’t blame the bird, though. The hawk wasn’t revered for his compassion and ability to share generously. It was all about survival and the hawk was known for his keen eye and amazing hunting abilities.
The wolf’s man brain often became fuddled with emotions uncommon for the average wolf. An average wolf would have killed the bobcat or at least put up one hell of a fight, but the man inside of him felt for the bobcat, respecting her life as well as those of her young.
Sean reached across the wooden table and took Paige’s hand.
“Say, you aren’t buying all this mumbo jumbo are you?”
Paige shrugged as she sipped her orange juice.
“Well, something happened last night. I’m not so sure about a hawk turning into a big bad wolf, but maybe there really was a bobcat and a wolf scared it off. Anyways, I’m just glad that Red Hawk and his cousin are safe.”
Sean nodded, thankful that she didn’t think it strange that a wolf saved her from Dark Horse and now from Red Hawk. He tried to think of something to change the subject and couldn’t come up with anything as he buttered his toast. It grew silent between them as more people filtered into the small café, all of them animated, telling grossly exaggerated fables of the mysterious hawk-wolf. Sean couldn’t take it anymore. Something took over his thinking skills and he started shouting over all the Indian legends muddling his brain. Paige dropped her fork as his voice grew louder and louder. She felt her face flush crimson as he stood and waved his arms in frustration.
“What’s wrong with you people? Are you insane or just incredibly stupid? A hawk cannot turn into a wolf. A wolf cannot turn into a hawk. The gods didn’t send some creature from heaven to save the boys. Did you ever think that the wolf just happened upon the bobcat?”
The café went deadly quiet as tourists and locals alike stared at him with incredulous expressions on their faces. “No, I guess not. Maybe you’re too stupid to think at all. You make up these ridiculous fairy tales to make yourselves feel safe. Well, I’m here to tell you. No one is safe. Wolves lurk out there to kill, not to save people. The boys are very lucky and that luck came by chance.”
Paige tugged at his arm to sit down but he pushed her hand away.
“Sean, stop it. What are you doing? What does it matter? You’re being rude! You‘re embarrassing me,” she hissed at him.
Sean sat down with a thud and slapped his hand down hard on the table, forcing a gasp from the onlookers.
“Oh, I’m embarrassing? Please,” he sneered. “I’m embarrassed for the wolf. Why would you buy into the hawk theory anyways? What makes you think a hawk is more powerful than a wolf. Don’t you think the wolf could kill the bobcat on his own?”
A large middle-aged Indian man made his way toward Sean from behind the counter, intent on either silencing him or throwing him out the door.
“That’s enough, sir! You have insulted my people and ruined brunch for everyone here. We don’t need people like you around. Leave or I’ll have you arrested.”
Sean stood, towering over the man, his brown eyes laced with venom as he began arguing and shouting at the man. The man quickly pulled out a large bowie knife, wielding it between them. Sean’s hair grew half an inch in an instant. He felt the wolf coming on. The last time he had seen an Indian holding a knife, he had nearly bit his hand clean off.
The scent of Indian sweat and nervousness soared into his wolf nostrils. The man was intimidated, but brave. The Indian with the knife reminded him of Dark Horse. In his mind’s eye, he saw Dark Horse pull Paige’s legs apart and toss her onto the kitchen counter like a rag doll. Sean lost it and went for the man’s throat, closing his fist around it, shaking him and squeezing him until his face turned black. He heard screaming all around him. Paige continued to pull on him
, trying in vain to keep him from killing the man.
“Sean, Sean, wake up, honey! Wake up! You’re having a nightmare!”
Sitting on top of him, her silk nightgown wrapped around her waist, she shook him and slapped on his bare chest with her small hands as she became more and more afraid for him. If he didn’t wake up soon she would go get help. This didn’t seem normal. No one slept this hard or fought this hard in their sleep.
She began to cry as sweat poured down his face. She kissed him endlessly, whispering into his ears, begging him to wake up. She could feel his heart racing in his chest as he tossed from side to side, grunting and growling horribly. She lay on him, holding him, sobbing uncontrollably, in a complete panic and on the verge of hysteria. Abruptly his movements stopped and he lay there, realizing where he was, feeling Paige’s tears on his chest, her body clenched tight around him as she sobbed openly.
He gently placed his hands on her head, cupping her satiny hair and rubbing the back of her neck. Her crying slowed and her breathing returned to normal with only small hiccups in between.
“I’m sorry, baby. Are you okay?”
“No,” she replied in a muffle as she lay on his chest, thankful that he finally awoke.
“I had a horrible dream.” He kissed the top of her head and she looked at him with red, swollen eyes, her face wet with tears.
“No kidding,” she replied sarcastically, looking tired and relieved and scared all at the same time. “Please tell me that you don’t do that very often?”
“Not that I know of. I’ve always been a hard sleeper, but that dream was so real.”
“What was it about?”
Sean considered telling her, then thought better of it. What good would it do to tell her that he dreamed of telling half the village off and calling them stupid and then getting into a fight with one of the Indians, all because he was jealous of a hawk?
“I don’t remember. I think I was fighting with someone. It just seemed too real.”
“It was far too real for me,” Paige replied as she sighed and sat up, finally at ease. She stretched her arms over her head and yawned, now feeling more exhausted than ever. “Maybe I should go back to sleep.”
