Eventually, they’d left Scandinavia and returned to America. Kiona taught him how to change his shape at will and later she carved the mark of the Pack – the Othala rune – onto his left shoulder. They never spoke of Galar, but the memory of the old man and Kiona was seldom far from John Redleaf’s thoughts. Too often, the sounds Kiona made in the cave had not seemed forced, he believed. A year after returning, they parted company, but reunited many times, sometimes for years, and always stayed in contact with one another.
“There will come a day when I will need you,” Kiona said. “When debts must be paid.”
John Redleaf sighed, then stood up and kicked dirt over his small fire. He removed his clothes, wrapped them in the blanket on which he’d been sitting, and buried them under old leafs, marking the spot with three stones. He bowed his head and prayed to his spirit guide as he let the bear fill his flesh.
When the transformation was complete, he dropped to all four feet and ambled deeper into the Texas forest.
Ulrik
The young wolf lifted his head and howled at a fat yellow moon that was nearly the same shade as his own coat. He stood on an outcropping of rock, his nose pointed toward the glowing disk in the sky, eyes closed, his voice strong and energetic.
As Joey’s howl faded away, Ulrik raised his own wolfish head and echoed the younger wolf’s cry. To his left and right, other wolves answered and, beyond them, still more gave voice to the call of the beast. There were over two dozen werewolf sentries on his property now, Ulrik thought. He would have to summon more. It was one thing to plan to protect his home and Joey from Fenris and those who served him, but with the need to keep a guard over Kiona and her bear friend, Ulrik knew he would have to call on every ally he was sure he could trust.
I thought they would come on their own. I thought they would feel the pull of the Alpha and come to him. Some say even the Old Ones will come, if they are still alive.
Joey came to stand beside him, baring his fangs but ducking his head submissively to show he wanted to play. Ulrik feinted, then pinned Joey’s head to the hard earth with his own muzzle.
I assumed I did not feel such a call because the boy is already with me.
Joey squirmed away from his hold, growled and rushed at Ulrik’s left shoulder. The bigger wolf side-stepped quickly and nipped the youngster on the hip before dancing away. Joey turned and tried again, earning a nip on the other hip for his effort.
He is a spirited youth. But is he serious enough?
Ulrik decided it didn’t matter. Not yet. The boy had only just learned to transform himself into a wolf. It was only right that he should want to play. He was, after all, still a boy. And Ulrik had not had such a playmate since Dora was killed.
And before that it was Shara.
Considering his advanced age among werewolves, Ulrik knew that his list of progeny was amazingly short. His first, the young woman, Elysia, had been killed immediately after accepting his Gift. Beauty had refused it. After leaving Beauty, he’d moved on to the Oregon territory, where he’d re-established himself with a new identity and a new business manager, one he felt sure he could trust.
Ulrik loped away and Joey gave chase, nipping at his tail. Ulrik snapped at the younger wolf and deliberately missed by only an inch. Joey jumped back and Ulrik pursued. Together, they ran through the night.
Tony Weismann had been an ambitious young man. Intelligent and a smooth talker, he had simply lacked the financial backing to make his plans work. Ulrik had provided that, and for over a century the two worked together to earn a staggering amount of wealth.
Weismann laid out the plans for developing apple orchards and grape vineyards in the territory, getting in on the ground floor of an industry that would boom when Oregon eventually became a state. The plan sounded good and Weismann was able to broker a deal for Ulrik to buy a large parcel of land that Weismann said would be excellent for growing apples. Impressed with the way the young man handled that transaction, Ulrik offered Weismann something special.
Tony Weismann had not thought twice about accepting the Gift. Looking back on it, Ulrik realized that should have alerted him to the likelihood of trouble, but at the time he was still relatively young, himself. Weismann proved to be an apt pupil and a ruthless killer when the need arose, something that happened fairly frequently in the wilder days of the territory.
Ulrik soon found he did not like the constant company of another male werewolf and he drifted east to live in the wilderness of the northern Rocky Mountains, staying in touch with Weismann and continuing to allow the man to manage a great deal of his financial dealings as he hunted and trapped in the mountains.
And that’s where I met Kiona.
Ulrik stopped at a creek and waited until Joey began to drink before lowering his own head to the water.
Tony Weismann betrayed me and tried to kill Shara and Joey. And now Kiona …
What of Kiona? How deep would her jealousy run? What were the limits of her treachery?
Ulrik lifted his head and howled again. Beneath Joey’s quick answer, he picked out the sound of two other wolves, sentries stationed in the woods, howling from less than a mile west of them, letting Ulrik know where they were. He decided it was time Joey met more of his guardians, and set a quick pace toward the sentries.
Shara
The dirt road was lined with several flat-roofed buildings made of pale adobe bricks. Faded colors that had once been vibrant decorated some doors and signs. Dark-skinned Mexicans moved about the street, though many more stopped and openly watched the intruding vehicle and the two white people sitting inside.
“I don’t suppose you speak Spanish, do you?” Shara asked, slowing the truck to a crawl.
“No habla espanol,” Thomas answered, grinning.
“Smartass,” Shara muttered, but smiled. “Well, then I guess there’s nothing for it but to get out and start asking questions and hope someone speaks English.”
Shortly after his cycle had ended he’d made Shara stop at a clothing store so he could buy black jeans, boots, two black shirts and a black leather vest. She thought he looked like Zorro. That had been two days ago and they’d only stopped for food and bathroom breaks since then, taking turns driving until they reached the little village of Las Sombras in the mountainous northwest part of the Mexican state of Guanajuato. She pulled the truck to a curb and got out. Her back popped as she stretched and her butt felt numb from sitting for so long. Thomas came to stand beside her.
“It’s a strange village,” Thomas mused. “See how they watch us?”
“We’re white strangers,” Shara said. “This is a village miles from the highway. They probably think we’re lost tourists.”
“Aye, but I think there is more to it than that. There’s something not right. Where are the beggars? The vendors? The musicians, even?”
“You’ve been watching too many movies,” Shara suggested.
“Perhaps,” Thomas agreed, but Shara knew he wasn’t convinced. “Let’s see what we can learn.”
Together, they approached several people, asking if they spoke English. Finally, a heavyset woman herding three children toward a grocery store pointed them to a bar across the street, saying over and over the word “English.” Shara and Thomas crossed the street, but Thomas stopped before they entered the low building.
“Could I talk you into waiting in the truck, lass?” he asked. “It’s early in the day, but this could still be a rough place for a lady.”
“I’ll be fine,” Shara protested.
“Aye, if you could change shape, I would believe that. But as it is, I would feel safer if you waited in the truck.” He took her hand and held it tightly between his. “Please?”
Shara bit her lip, then nodded once, knowing he was probably right. She gently pulled her hand free and started back toward the parked pickup. Thirty minutes later, Thomas climbed in beside her, his breath stinking of beer. “Enjoy yourself?” Shara asked.
Thomas grinned. “Ay
e. The beer was good and cold.”
“Wonderful. Did you learn anything useful?”
“There is a large old ranch house west of town, at the foot of that mountain,” Thomas said, pointing out a brown, hulking shape that seemed to be baking under the afternoon sun. “The house is owned by a mysterious gringo who comes and goes. He came back recently, fired the couple who had been keeping the place up for a long time, and some people have heard the sounds of howling wolves coming from the property.” Thomas grinned again. “And did I mention the beer was cold?”
“You’re insufferable,” Shara said. “Where is this old gringo?”
“Follow the road out of town. The bartender said the white man who owns the house gave his employees a lot of money when he fired them so they’ll never have to work again.”
“Sure sounds like Ulrik.”
“He’ll have guards.”
“We’re expected,” Shara said.
“Let’s hope they know that,” Thomas answered. “The bartender said something else. He said many strangers have come to Las Sombras recently, all looking for the gringo. He said if we haven’t been invited, we should turn back. The strangers are likely other Pack members. These people in town, too, seem to protect him. Everyone in the pub was listening as I spoke with the bartender. The look in their eyes … it was as if they were waiting on me to say the wrong thing. There are no farms here. No factories. I’d wager Ulrik is their source of income and they his first line of defense.”
“Maybe so,” Shara agreed. “But, what’s the worst that could happen? If we’re harassed at all it’ll just be while they take us to Ulrik. Then he’ll put a stop to it.”
Thomas’s face became sober and he narrowed his eyes as he asked, “Tell me, Shara. Do you trust him?”
“No. I mean … I did. He saved my life. He gave me money. He walked away when he knew I wouldn’t shoot him right after I started taking my serum.” She paused as she dropped the pickup’s transmission into reverse. “But he’s had people watching us ever since. Watching Joey, waiting for this chance to take him away from me.” She backed the truck out of the parking spot and drove west.
“We are going into his lair,” Thomas said. “We don’t know how many allies he has with him. We cannot be sure of his intentions in contacting you. And we most definitely cannot trust Kiona Brokentooth.”
“Of that last part, I’m completely sure,” Shara said. “Ulrik may be many things, but I’ve never known him to be a liar. I think he had Summers contact me because of the Indian woman. I also don’t think he’ll hurt me. I mean, I am the Mother of the Pack.” She made quotation marks with her fingers as she said the title.
“Aye, that you are,” Thomas agreed.
“You’re worried more about yourself, aren’t you?” Shara asked.
“Aye, I’ve given it some thought, I must admit to that.”
“He won’t hurt you. I won’t allow it,” Shara said.
“Ah, I’m to be protected by a woman,” Thomas scoffed. “The last remnants of my Irish manhood are slipping away.”
“Have I told you that you’re a smartass?” Shara asked.
“You have,” Thomas answered.
Shara noted he was looking into the mirror mounted on his door. She checked the rearview mirror and saw that at least two dozen residents of Las Sombras had gathered in the street to watch the truck drive away. “What do you make of that?” she asked.
“That I am right about them protecting Ulrik,” Thomas said. “We’re being allowed to leave. It would not surprise me to learn they’ve been anticipating your arrival for quite some time. I’d lay wager they recognized you the moment we arrived.”
Less than a mile outside the village the dirt road petered out to a simple track made by the wheels of passing vehicles. The tracks entered a heavy belt of trees, where it wound around several curves filled with holes and stones.
“This is to slow us down,” Thomas said. “Look.” He pointed ahead and to the left of them, where a large gray wolf stood beside a tree, watching the truck.
“This is crazy,” Shara said. “Let’s get it over with.” She stopped the truck and threw open her door.
“I wouldn’t –”
She slammed the door on Thomas’s warning and approached the wolf, which was standing still, studying her. Shara suddenly was aware of four more wolves emerging from the trees to surround her. She looked around and saw a total of seven large wolves around the pickup.
“I’m Shara,” she said. “Ulrik called me.” The wolves remained motionless, unimpressed. “I’m Joey’s mother.” Still no reaction. “I’m … I am … the Mother of the Pack.”
“We know you.”
Shara turned to find that one of the wolves behind her had transformed into a tall, muscular man. He stood naked and unashamed, looking down at her, his blue eyes very intense beneath heavy eyebrows. “Who are you?” she asked.
“My name is Adam Schurz,” the man answered with a German accent. “Ulrik sent word that you may be arriving soon. You may already know that he is tending to his cycle. Your son is with him, in the woods.”
“As a wolf?”
Adam Schurz nodded.
Thomas got out of the pickup and slowly came to stand beside Shara. The naked man looked him over, then nodded again. “Thomas McGrath,” he said. “I have heard of you.”
“And I of you,” Thomas answered.
Adam nodded again, then turned back to Shara. “It’s good that you’ve arrived. It gives us an excuse to get someone into the house. Ulrik called one of us to keep watch over Kiona Brokentooth several days ago, but Andreas hasn’t been heard from in too long. Kiona’s friend has left in his airplane, probably for his own cycle, but we haven’t tried approaching the house yet since Joey is with Ulrik and out of her reach.”
“Friend?” Thomas asked. “She did not come alone with the boy?”
Adam shook his head. “Kiona arrived with Joey and another Indian man, John Redleaf. Ulrik says the man has the Gift of changing himself into a bear.”
“Ah, a dangerous one, indeed,” Thomas said.
“What’s wrong with that psycho bitch?” Shara asked. “Where’s the house? Where is she?”
“There’s a three-quarter-mile clearing between the woods and the house,” Adam answered. “Three of us will ride in the back of your pickup and jump out as we approach the house. If Kiona has turned against us, she may attack then, although I suspect she would direct her attack against you. Her goal is the boy.”
“I know,” Shara said.
“When we get to the house, stay in your truck. We’ll go inside first, then let you know if it’s safe,” Adam said.
Shara nodded. “Okay. Let’s go.” She got back in the pickup, Thomas beside her, while Adam changed his shape again and hopped into the bed of the truck with two more werewolves. Shara started forward.
After two more curves, the woods gave way to a grassy circular plain with a stunning white house at its hub and the guardian mountain looming behind. No fences. No gate. No cameras. Just the woods and wolves. Shara continued to drive slowly, scanning the upper windows of the house for the flash of sunlight on a rifle barrel.
“She’s on the porch,” Thomas said, pointing.
Shara followed his outstretched hand and found the woman sitting in a white wicker chair on the front porch of the house, watching them approach. Even as they got closer, though, the woman’s expression was unreadable. Shara felt the shift in weight as the three wolves jumped out of the pickup’s bed. They loped cautiously toward the porch, but Kiona Brokentooth didn’t even acknowledge them; she just kept staring back at Shara.
“She doesn’t appear to be armed,” Thomas said as Shara parked the truck before the house. The three wolves were on the porch, sitting around the Indian woman as if waiting on Shara to arrive.
Now that she saw the woman who had kidnapped her son, Shara felt dazed. She slowly got out of the pickup, leaving the keys in the ignition, and walked up to
the porch, Thomas hurrying to catch up with her. She walked between two wolves and stood looking down at Kiona as the woman looked up at her.
Without realizing what she was about to do, Shara suddenly slapped Kiona as hard as she could. The woman’s head snapped sideways, her long black hair flying over her face, then falling away slowly. Kiona turned her face back toward Shara, a red handprint covering her cheek.
“You’re not wanted here,” Kiona said.
Beside them, Adam Schurz smoothly transformed to his human shape and asked, “Where is Andreas?”
Kiona looked at the other man for a moment, then returned her attention to Shara as she spoke to Adam. “He had the misfortune of angering John Redleaf.”
Adam pointed to one of the other wolves, a brown and white male. “Find Ulrik. Tell him what’s happened here.” The wolf leapt over the railing around the porch and raced for the tree line.
“I know what you’re trying to do with my son,” Shara said. “I’m here to stop it. You stay away from him.”
“Or what? Will you have your new boyfriend kill me?” Kiona asked.
The question startled Shara, leaving her speechless. She felt a sudden awkwardness in the short space between her and Thomas. Then Kiona seemed to sense she’d struck a nerve. The woman smiled.
“Joey will be so happy to hear his mother has already taken up with another man,” Kiona said.
“Shut your mouth,” Shara said. “Shut up!” She raised her hand to strike the woman again, but Thomas took her wrist and held her gently.
“This isn’t the time, lass,” he said softly.
“Be careful, Shara,” Kiona said. “I left your boyfriend for dead once. I won’t make that mistake again.”
“Enough,” Adam interrupted. He turned to Shara and Thomas. “Go inside. There’s food and a bedroom, or rooms, for you upstairs. Make yourselves at home. I suspect Ulrik will return soon. His cycle will end tomorrow, then he can deal with this woman.” He returned his attention to Kiona. “In the meantime, I will assume Andreas’ role of watching over you.”
Ulrik Page 19