My Wolf's Bane

by Veronica Blade

  “I won’t need to bark. I’ll talk to you telepathically,” he reminded me.

  “You can do that in your wolf form?”

  “Sure. Everything’s almost the same. When we’re wolves, we’re still just as aware and intelligent. But it’s duller, like having a few beers. In my human form, I don’t want to kill a rabbit and eat it raw and I do care about showering and stuff. As a wolf, none of that matters. I chomp down on a fresh kill and I’m in heaven.”

  “Too much information, Zack,” I chided, mentally pushing away the image of the bloody animal.

  “Don’t worry. I try to resist. I’ve gotten too paranoid someone will go hunting for whatever they think is killing the wildlife. I don’t want to get shot at.”

  “Let’s go.” I bolted. I didn’t know Zack’s normal routine, but I intentionally expended double the energy I usually did. Ideally, once I got home, I’d be too tired to lust after Zack or do anything about it if I did lust.

  After a hard run, Zack barked twice and this time I remembered to turn around. He dressed and we strolled down a path toward the empty field that led to my house. Unsure who may pop up in the woods, I spoke silently. “If I’m a shape-shifter, why don’t I morph?”

  Zack froze, his jaw muscle going tight as he held up his index finger against his lips and squinted. The breeze picked up and I smelled him.

  Get up in a tree, as high as you can. Now! he shouted into my head. My heart banged around in my chest, and I shot upward. In a flash, I was there, viewing Zack from above. He slowed his movements, plucking a leaf from a tree and rubbing the smooth, waxy surface. “Daniel. Nice of you to come by for a visit.”

  “Where is she?”

  “Who?” Zack asked.

  “Don’t mess with me. I can smell her.”

  “You’re not smelling Autumn. You’re smelling her scent. It’s actually me you smell.” Zack flashed him a cocky grin.

  Daniel’s hands balled into fists. “No, it’s too strong. She’s close by.”

  “You think I’d bring a human on a run and let her see me morph? Whoever turned you should’ve clued you in on the rules by now. Look around if you want though. Keep in mind that I’m staying at her house these days and she’s incredibly hot.” Zack grinned. “Can you think of any reason why her scent would be all over me?”

  Daniel stiffened, took a step closer and hissed, “I warned you that I wasn’t finished with Autumn.”

  “She’s mine now. Stay away from her.”

  I knew Zack was only trying to get Daniel to give up on me, but Zack’s words she’s mine now sent a thrill through my bones anyway.

  Daniel growled.

  “Careful.” Zack angled his body to better dodge an attack. “I’ve been a werewolf my entire life. Which means I’ve had eighteen more years than you to build up strength.”

  “I’ll take my chances.” Daniel backed up ever so slightly, like he was about to spring.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  “I’m disappointed in you, Daniel.”

  From the cover of the tree, I scanned the vicinity for the body belonging to the vaguely familiar voice. The next moment, he appeared beside Daniel — the man we’d seen at the dealership dressed in black. But today, he wore faded jeans and a T-shirt. Zack had said he was a scout and had probably been the one to bite Daniel. By his presence now, I guessed Zack was right.

  “There’s a time and place for everything but I say when and where.” The scout held perfectly still just before his hand struck out. The force of the blow lifted Daniel off the ground, sending him crashing into a tree trunk. “I could end you as easily as I made you. Do not force me to remind you again.” He motioned for Daniel to come, then turned on his heel and strode away.

  Daniel rose and followed, his eyes shooting daggers at Zack over his shoulder. When I was sure they were long gone, I dropped to the ground.

  “It’s getting crowded around here,” Zack told me silently. “We need to find a new place to run,” Zack said as we headed back to my house.

  “So you’ve been morphing since you were born?” I asked, pretty sure I’d heard Zack tell me a different story.

  “No, just the last couple years.” He moved a branch out of the way for me.

  I hurried past him, avoiding the end of the branch. “That’s not the impression you gave Daniel.”

  “I told him the truth. He can take it however he wants. I learned that from you.” Zack flashed me a grin. “But I’d probably still be stronger, because I’ve got two years on him.”

  “You think that makes a difference?” I sidestepped to avoid an overgrown tree root.

  He shrugged. “I would think so.”

  We arrived at the field and took off running to my house. Once home, I wasn’t sure I had the energy for anything but a quick shower and maybe a few pages of reading. Zack retrieved his blanket and pillow from the closet while I disappeared upstairs.

  Energized after my shower, I changed into a tiny pair of flannel shorts and a spaghetti strap tank, then headed downstairs for water. The scents of soap and shampoo wafted from the bathroom and tickled my nose. Zack was lying on the couch, his hair wet and disheveled. Yum.

  Propping his top half up on his elbows, he eyed me as I hit the landing.

  “Everything okay?” I asked, wondering what the chances were of making out with him again.

  “Yeah, sure. Just winding down.” Zack looked around the room, anywhere but at me. “I was about to call it a night.”

  “Is the couch okay? Need anything?” I passed through the living room toward the kitchen doorway.

  “I’m fine, thanks.” Avoiding my gaze, he reached to the floor and picked up a book.

  I was about to step into the kitchen when I caught him staring at my legs, so I paused.

  His eye twitched. “Do me a favor and put on some real pajamas, okay?”

  Biting my lip, I pretended to mull it over, then scrunched up my nose. “I have to cover up and you get to run around with that six-pack exposed?”

  “I get hot at night.”

  I couldn’t have agreed more, which made me want to throw myself at him. Jolting back to reality, I trudged to the kitchen and poured a glass of water. Not wanting to appear desperate, I did my best to keep my eyes off him.

  Who was I kidding? He looked too good not to get my fill. I wanted to drink him up. Glass in hand, I stood in the doorway between the kitchen and living room and observed him while I sipped the cool liquid. He studied me, leaning against a pillow with his hands behind his head. From where I stood, I could hear his breathing change, his heart speed up.

  My veins hummed just looking at Zack. Instinct told me that if I pressed, he wouldn’t resist. But I didn’t want him that way. I wanted him to want me without reservations. Most of all, I didn’t want to be rejected again.

  “Well, sweet dreams.” Gulping the rest of the water, I set the cup on the counter and sprinted up the stairs.

  † † †

  Zack dropped me off at his house the next day after school and went to work. Once I finished my homework, I asked Cara and Favianne if they needed help with anything. They didn’t. Bored, I rifled through Zack’s backpack in search of notes that would tell me his assignments. I found them and did all his homework, fairly sure he’d get an A on everything. I checked in with Cara again and she asked me to set the table. As I placed the last plate, I heard Zack arrive in the Mustang.

  “Honey, I’m home,” he called out as he came through the door.

  I chuckled. “Supper’s about ready, dear.”

  When dinner was over, we spent some time with his mom, then gathered our things and went to my house.

  “Why don’t I morph?” I asked, leaning against a wall in the living room. Zack had the couch. I could’ve taken my dad’s recliner, but even that was too close. Too comfortable. The temptation to flirt with Zack was too much.

  “Everyone’s different. I started noticing changes when I was sixteen. This was right after my mom qui
t working, because she kept getting sick. It was stressful having a job, doing the grocery shopping and everything else while worrying about my mom. From what I’ve learned so far, stress can bring on the first morph. It was another two weeks before I turned into a wolf though.”

  I recalled the first day I’d noticed changes. I’d just learned we’d be moving again and then I’d gotten grounded. The next day, I had the run-in with Zack, then Gina got pissed off at me and later Daniel douched it up at my expense.

  “You must’ve completely freaked the first time you morphed,” I said.

  “It was strange,” Zack agreed. “But I had so much energy and this wild urge to… I don’t know. One time I took off running and in my mind I was a wolf. I needed to be a wolf. And an instant later, I really was. It felt natural. Instinct, I guess.”

  I didn’t feel any of those things, except the extra energy and the running part. “I haven’t had the urge to morph.”

  “You probably won’t. Shape-shifters are different. Relax. It’ll come.”

  I shook my head. The sooner I learned to change into a bear or some other dangerous animal, the sooner I could protect myself. “I’d like to try now.”

  “Go for it.” Zack pointed to his temple. “It’s all in here.”

  “What if I can’t change back? I’m afraid I might get stuck.”

  He chuckled. “Not gonna happen. If you can change once, you can change again. Once you morph, you’ll see.”

  “Okay, here goes nothing.” Focusing everything I had into being a wolf, my body heated up and a tingle that felt like it might turn into a headache traveled up the base of my neck.

  “You’re trying too hard,” he said after a moment. “Think soothing thoughts and picture a specific animal. Visualize it. Be it. You have to know you can do it.”

  I imagined myself as a wolf. I am a wolf… a wolf… a wolf. I opened my eyes and held out my arms. They were blurry, almost translucent. It felt… like I was meant to morph. Peaceful.

  “Yes,” Zack whispered. “That’s it.”

  My arms steadied and became normal again.

  “Sorry. I guess I distracted you. Try again. This time I’ll be quiet. Go on,” Zack coaxed.

  I focused again, the exact same way. The vibrations started, only this time, more controlled. Then, my body became lighter, almost weightless. Suddenly, I stood on all fours and the world appeared a lot different. Black and white, mostly. Ugh. I wanted to run now, but couldn’t in the living room. I felt trapped and claustrophobic.

  I thought about being human again, and the next moment, I was.

  I felt the chill across my naked flesh and screamed. Zack gaped as I hunched over to cover myself. “The least you could do is look away,” I hissed.

  He turned around.

  “You could’ve warned me.” Snatching my clothes, I disappeared behind the recliner and threw on my shirt. My pants weren’t on yet, but Zack couldn’t see beyond the furniture. “You can look now.”

  “Kind of like when I was barking for you to turn around and ended up having to dress in the bushes. Twice.” Zack raised a brow.

  “Okay, Zack. Now we’re even,” I said, zipping up my jeans and sitting next to him on the couch. I was so irritated that I knew nothing could possibly happen between us now. Which made the close proximity to him totally safe.

  “I wasn’t trying to get even for the times I morphed and you forgot to turn around. I wouldn’t do that on purpose.” His eyes were riveted to mine. “Besides, there are less sneaky ways of getting you naked.”

  Why was I thinking the couch would be safe? This yo-yo business was getting painful. Standing up, I struggled to concentrate as I leaned against the recliner. “So it’s always like that? You shift back buck naked? Kind of inconvenient, isn’t it?”

  “I never worried about it, because I’ve always been alone when I morphed.” He shrugged. “If you wore one hundred percent cotton or linen — something from nature, or close — it would shift with you. When you’re human again, you’re fully dressed.”

  “Seriously?” That was great news. “I see a shopping spree in my future.”

  My first morph. I’d done it. I inched forward to sit on the arm of the recliner that was nearest to Zack. “What else should I know about us?”

  “There’s not much more.” He leaned back and ran a hand through his hair. “Except that werewolves aren’t very nice. According to one of my books that documented various crimes throughout history, all the really violent periods, werewolves were responsible. Like the Spanish Inquisition and Hitler, Charles Manson — they were all werewolves. The very worst of mankind weren’t really men at all. They were monsters.”

  “But there are good ones, too.” Zack was proof of that. “Like you.”

  “Sometimes I’m not good.” He looked at me, his eyes intense. Hungry.

  I swallowed hard, staring at him.

  He let his head fall back against the couch and closed his eyes. When he focused on me again, his eyes were clear.

  “Of course you’re good. You always try to do right by me.”

  “Which isn’t easy,” Zack said. “You’re like fast food.”

  I narrowed my eyes at him and crossed my arms. “How’s that?”

  “You know it’s not a good idea, but you keep coming back for more anyway.”

  I wanted to get mad at Zack, be offended. But if he was compelled to spend time with me and even wanted to kiss me, how could that be a bad thing?

  “I see why Daniel won’t go away.”

  Now he’d gone and ruined my good mood by bringing him up.

  Zack groaned. “Totally off the subject, but I just remembered I still have homework to do.”

  “I did it while you were at work.”

  Zack beamed. “You did my homework for me?”

  Nodding, I returned his smile.

  “Wow,” he said. “Thanks.”

  Zack was openly staring and the longer he did, the more I wanted to kiss him. I pretended there were bars between us that were impossible to squeeze through. I would not invite him in, because if I did, surely we’d make out and I’d get my heart crushed all over again.

  He rose from the couch, but when I sidestepped off the arm of the recliner to avoid him, he paused and seemed to shake it off. “Let’s go for a run,” he said. “I’m thinking of a spot more private, but we need a car. Mind if I drive?”

  “Sure.” I dashed upstairs to change, wondering where he’d pick. And wishing I wasn’t so excited to be going into the woods with him.

  † † †

  We drove with the top down, so I gathered my hair in a ponytail and enjoyed the night air infused with the scent of pine.

  “The scouts can’t catch us together as werewolf and shifter,” Zack said, eyes trained on the road.

  “Right,” I said, admiring his exquisite profile. “They’ll want to enslave me.”

  “It’s not just that. Shape-shifters and werewolves do not socialize with each other. At all. You guys are slaves and not worthy of us.”

  “Really?” I asked, an edge to my voice. Maybe that was the real reason he didn’t want to be with me.

  He spared me a glance. “Hey, I didn’t make the rules. If I felt that way, I wouldn’t be here.”

  I believed him. “Right. Sorry.”

  “Forget it.”

  We’d driven around winding roads and now cruised through a deserted area, one side a cliff and the other a mountain. Zack slowed and glided the car into a lookout spot, then grinned at me. “I can’t wait to see what else you can do. Let’s go.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  We reached a dense part of the forest and could no longer see the car, the sky barely visible through the thick clumps of branches and leaves. I could smell moss growing on the ground and boulders where massive trees provided protection from the sun.

  Zack stood, his arms folded. “What do you most want to be?”

  I thought about it a moment, then closed my eyes and t
he vibrating began. Except this time, it was more like a shimmer, then the floating sensation enveloped me. A moment later, I roared.

  Zack chuckled. “A tiger, of course. I should’ve known. Cream, not white or striped. You had to be different, didn’t you?” His eyes traveled down my form and landed on my shoes at my feet. “You thought ahead. That’s too bad, because your wardrobe malfunction earlier was rather illuminating. I’ll have to sneak into your room and steal all your natural fiber clothes, so they don’t morph with you.”

  I snarled at him and bared my fangs.

  He laughed and morphed, then bolted off into the trees.

  When we’d run enough to soothe the animal in us, we returned to the spot where we’d left Zack’s clothes and my sneakers. I easily shifted to human.

  “Turn around,” he told me silently.

  I would’ve rather watched. So far, I’d seen his stomach and chest. Was the rest of him as flawless? But I grudgingly obeyed, listening to the fabric rustling as he got dressed. After finding my shoes, I put them on.

  “I want to try something else,” I said.

  Better to practice another time,” he said. “Morphing takes more energy than you think. You’ll sleep like a rock tonight, but it’ll get easier as you get stronger. You can turn around now.”

  As I did, I got a glimpse of the muscle at his hips that cut in at his waist. Then it all disappeared, hidden by his shirt. Back to business. “I’ll get stronger?”

  “I did.” He finished with his socks and located a shoe. “We should arm wrestle and see what you’re made of. We can use it to gauge any future increase.”

  “I am curious, but we can do that tomorrow.” I still had so many questions. But he was right when he said morphing took energy. I felt all used up, mentally and physically. “We should get home.”

  Zack led the way to the Mustang. Once inside, I leaned back and closed my eyes. What seemed like several seconds later, the car stopped and I popped up. How long had I been sleeping? I hated getting that tired. Embarrassing things happened, like drooling with my mouth open. Hopefully, he’d been concentrating on the road.