by Kimber White
“Move over!”
Harold glowered at me, but jammed the truck in neutral and scooted. I climbed into the cab and slammed the door. Harold lodged his protest by cranking the radio. We got all of three stations and one of those, only in the rain. But CKLW came through loud and clear tonight.
“You’ll like this one,” Harold practically screamed as he turned the dial even further, making the radio squawk. If I didn’t have my hands on the wheel, I would have covered my ears. It was the Rolling Stones and he knew how much I hated it. I lodged my protest by pressing down on the gas and rolling down the window so the truck’s clunker of an engine drowned out most of the sound.
We only made it halfway to town before the engine quit and sputtered. The thing gave out a gasping puff of smoke and died by the side of the road.
“Terrific!” I screamed into the steering wheel. “Let me guess. You didn’t change the oil like Dad told you to.”
I didn’t wait for Harold to answer before I climbed out of the cab and slammed the door. I pulled the hood open and waved the black smoke away from my face.
“That’s not the oil, dummy,” Harold said. “That’s the shit carburetor Dad’s been trying to rebuild. I thought he had it fixed this time.”
“You know what this is? Karma. That’s what. This is fate telling me I need to stay on the damn farm and take care of Grandpa and you and Daddy and everything else.”
I fumed almost as hot as the engine. Something inside of me snapped. I kicked the front tire and stubbed my toe.
“Patsy.”
Rage, hot as lava, poured through my veins. One thing. I just wanted one thing to go right today. I’d forgotten my own stupid birthday. Who forgets their own birthday? I kicked the tire again even though my foot throbbed. Harold put a hand on me and turned me away from the car.
“Just let go of me!” I jerked my arm away from him. My head pounded and tears started to flow. God. I knew I shouldn’t start. I understood my father on every level now. This hurt. Feeling hurt. It was so much better just to stay numb. When Harold reached for me again I lost it.
“Stop it! Don’t touch me! You did this.”
“What?”
“You. You had no business getting mixed up with those wolves. You had no right to let them stay here. You’re always doing that.”
“Doing what? Patsy…”
I took a swing at him. Harold dodged it easily and he backed away. “You do whatever you want. You go wherever you want. What’s that like, huh? You want to skip school? Fine. Who cares if you screw up your future? Because Patsy will always be around to clean up after you. Right? Same with Dad. Stay here, take care of Grandpa, Patsy. So Harold can just run off and be a kid. So, Dad can just avoid everything. And then you bring the pack here. If you hadn’t...if Luke…”
I couldn’t finish. The rest of my words came out in a choked sob and I couldn’t catch my breath. Harold came toward me again, holding his hands out like I was some skittish colt. I guess I must have seemed like one. Never in my life had I lost it like this when Harold was around. I don’t even really remember crying much when our mother died. I just took my brother’s hand and led him down the path to the school bus.
“I’m sorry. Patsy. Really.”
Shaking my head, I kept my hand up, shielding my face. I couldn’t stand it if he touched me now. I didn’t want comfort, I wanted solitude.
“Just let me be. I’ll walk back up to the house. You stay with the truck. I’ll call the Tanners or the Englewoods and somebody’ll come out here and tow it back. I’ll take care of it.”
“You don’t have to do that. I’ll walk back with you. Or, to hell with the truck. Let’s just walk back into town.”
I was already running. For once, Harold didn’t follow me. It felt good. The temperature dropped about ten degrees since the sun set and the cool breeze felt good on my skin. I hadn’t realized how hot I’d been. The house had been stifling.
I left the road and cut through the trail toward the outer edge of the lake. A scared rabbit scampered under the brush as I approached. Harold’s voice faded as I got deeper into the woods. I knew he wouldn’t do what I told him. He’d tear off toward town and trouble and probably pout all day tomorrow. Fine. Good for him.
My hair tumbled out of my ribbon as I picked up more speed. Sweat poured down my back and I knew just what I needed to do. I needed the lake. I needed to baptize myself in the cool, clean water and scream at the moon. Just one more bend in the trail and there would be nothing but open water and moonlight. When I burst through the trees, I stopped just long enough to kick off my shoes. I planned to jump in fully clothed and dive to the bottom.
I got two feet from the water’s edge before chaos erupted all around me. Yellow eyes seemed to hover in the dusk. A pair came from both directions and I felt hot breath on my back. Their low, snapping growls stopped my heart.
I skidded to a halt, kicking up sand. Turning, I tried to find a way out, but four huge, gray wolves blocked my path on all sides.
Able’s wolves. I recognized them from the road all those weeks ago. Something Luke said replayed in my mind.
They don’t make a move without Able.
But Able wasn’t anywhere I could see. For half a beat, I felt relief. Then I turned my back on the largest of the wolves, pointing my feet toward the woods. I heard the snap of teeth and fire streaked across my back. I don’t think I even screamed as the ground came up in front of me and the full weight of the wolf’s body drove mine into the sand.
A second heartbeat filled my head. I didn’t have the strength to lift my head, but everything happened with lightning speed after that.
Luke’s wolf seemed to fly as he hurled his body through the air and swiped his mammoth paw across the back of the wolf who’d felled me. They tumbled end over end with fur and fangs hurtling by me. Then, a second wolf appeared. He was just as big as Luke’s but red, with eyes that shone like sapphires. He wasn’t from Luke’s pack, but he lunged at the other three wolves, driving them back toward the lake.
I found the strength to sit up and instantly regretted it. Pain shot through me and cool air hit my naked back. The wolf had torn the shirt off my back and lines of stinging fire began to sear across my skin.
Luke’s wolf made quick, deadly work of the one who’d struck me. Luke had him on his back, driving him into the ground with his front paws. Luke bared his mighty jaws then rent the flesh in the wolf’s neck. An arc of bright red blood splattered on the leaves around me as Luke tore open his jugular. The wolf yelped once then slumped sideways as Luke finished the kill by snapping his neck.
My vision wavered and I nearly fell over. Strong hands came around me, dragging me away from the carnage. It was the red wolf. He’d shifted and lifted me against him as if I weighed nothing.
“Patricia?” Luke’s voice was ragged and full of emotion.
“Elle est vivante,” the other man answered. “Pour l’instant.”
This was a dream. This had to be a dream. Luke was gone. I couldn’t feel my legs. The ground spun beneath me and it seemed I’d forgotten how to breathe.
“Follow me,” Luke’s voice tore through the fog of my mind. Follow him. I’d follow him anywhere. I tried to answer, I tried to reach for him. But, the world was black and cold.
Chapter Thirteen
“Patricia!”
I was dreaming again. Luke always came to me in my dreams. He was always just outside my reach and when I lifted my hand to touch him, he would dissipate like vapor, leaving me cold and shivering. But, I reached for him anyway. This time, my fingers found purchase.
My eyes snapped open. Luke’s face hovered above mine. His silver eyes stared into mine with the intensity of white lightning.
“Patricia!” He shook me gently and fire spread across my back. I found my voice to groan, then pulled away from him. My stomach roiled and I doubled over, vomiting into the grass.
“Well, shit,” I gasped. “I thought I was dreaming.” I dug my fingers into the ea
rth and tried to steady myself.
I heard soft laughter behind Luke and found the courage to lift my head and look over my shoulder. We were at the cabin. I could sense the rest of the pack close by, but wherever they were, they stayed hidden. The laughter came from a large, auburn-haired man leaning against the cabin doorway. He flicked a cigarette between his fingers and crossed one leg over the other. His words came in a rapid stream, but I couldn’t make sense of any of them. French. He was speaking French. I could only pick out the occasional word, but by the set of his chin and the way he pointed two fingers at Luke, he was saying something to the equivalent of, “I told you so.”
“Can you sit?” Luke said, ignoring his new companion.
“I think so.” I hissed as I moved my arm to steady myself. I felt Luke’s pulse flare with alarm inside my own head as he put a gentle hand on my lower back.
“The scratches aren’t deep,” he said. “But left alone, they’ll get infected and you’ll have a scar.”
The other man raised his voice as he tapped out his cigarette on the cabin floor. His wolf eyes flashed a deep blue as he came toward us. A faint tremor ran through me as he got close to me. My heart fluttered and I recognized him for what he was. This man was another Alpha.
“Patricia,” Luke said through tight lips. “This is Philippe Lanier.”
Philippe leaned down so he squatted in front of me. He flashed me a kind smile and extended his hand to mine. I winced as I took his offered hand. He raised it to his lips and kissed my knuckles, warming my blood. One red brow arched skyward as he let me go and Philippe’s eyes flicked to Luke’s transmitting some unspoken comment. Philippe cleared his throat and stepped away as Luke’s entire posture shifted. A low, territorial growl sent a vibration from him to me and I edged closer to him.
“Pleasure to meet you,” Philippe said. “I regret we did not intervene in time to spare you injury.”
“Where have you been?” I looked from Philippe to Luke.
“I’m sorry,” he said, moving away from me. Luke rose to his feet and stood beside Philippe. Though pain shot through me, I managed to get to my feet. It was at this point I became aware of my state of undress. The wolf who attacked me had clawed my shirt clean off. I stood in front of two virile Alpha wolves wearing nothing but jeans and a bra. When I tried to cover myself by crossing my arms, I cried out in agony.
Luke’s face went white and he shot out a hand to steady me. “Don’t try to move too much,” he said. “The cuts aren’t serious but you’re in shock. You passed out. God, Patricia. I’m so sorry.”
He tore off his shirt and put it carefully around my shoulders. Even in pain, the sight of Luke’s bare chest sent a ripple of desire through me.
“Do you see?” he shouted, turning on Philippe. “Now do you understand what I’m up against? This was unprovoked. Able sent those wolves to hurt Patricia, maybe even kill her if we hadn’t gotten there when we did. He’s sending a message that he can. What more evidence do you need?”
Philippe let out a snort and leaned against the cabin wall again. “Mademoiselle,” he turned to me. “I am deeply, deeply sorry for your pain. Able Valent does not represent all shifters.”
“I know what he is,” I said. “I also know what he’s capable of. What I don’t understand is why? I mean, why now?”
Philippe’s nostrils flared and some of the color drained from his face. I’d only just met the man and couldn’t presume to read him, but if I had to guess, the expression on his face was shame. He lifted his eyes to meet Luke’s.
“She’s the one?” he asked. I very much didn’t like being discussed as if I weren’t here. Still, my heart stopped beating for the instant it took for Luke to answer.
“She is. And she and her brother are friends of the pack. We owe them our protection.”
Philippe dropped his head and nodded. “Then, I am sorry. But how do we know this isn’t just a personal vendetta for Able?”
Luke’s simmering rage made him tremble. He bared his teeth and that low, vibrating growl rose and made me shiver. He was having increasing trouble staying human.
“Even if it is, do you really think Able will stop with just my pack? His numbers are growing, and you know it. If his strategy is to get to me by hurting someone I care about, he’ll cross into Ontario and do the same to you. Or he’ll go after the Monroe pack or the Matthews. Their numbers are smaller than mine, even. If you won’t stand with me against him, we are all at risk. You’ve seen it with your own eyes now. You can’t ignore what’s going on. You felt those wolves and what they are now. They are barely human and Able is to blame for that. You said it yourself; he doesn’t represent us. But, if we stand by and do nothing, we’re complicit and more innocent people will suffer. This isn’t about me.”
Philippe ran a hand over his face. Letting out his own growl, he pounded his fist against the cabin. His next words came out in a stream of French peppered with only one word I understood. Merde! But, his posture finally changed and Philippe dropped his shoulders, as he nodded toward Luke.
Luke left my side and went to Philippe. He put a heavy hand on his shoulder. “You have to tell the others what you saw and what you know in your heart is happening. I know what I’m asking. But we are already at war, Philippe. We have been for years. It’s time to pick a side.”
The two of them squared off standing nearly nose to nose. God, they were both beautiful men, strong and powerful. The undercurrent of their shifter’s magic made the air crackle. Luke pressed his forehead to Philippe’s and gripped his shoulders hard. Philippe finally broke away first, rearing his head back and letting out a full-throated growl that rattled the cabin windows. Then, he clasped Luke’s hand and gave him a grim nod.
“I’ll tell them what happened here today. I can’t promise anything more.”
“That’s all I ask.”
Philippe turned and came to me. Leaning down to meet my eyes, he put a hand on my upper arm. “I am sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry,” I said, meeting his gaze. “Be persuasive.”
Philippe’s face cracked into a smile and he let out a hearty laugh. Leaning forward, he kissed my forehead then turned back toward Luke. “You’ve found yourself a rare woman, mon ami. Let’s hope you deserve her.”
With that, Philippe stepped away and toward the tallest pines lining the hill. My ears buzzed as he dropped to all fours and raised his head. Like Luke, he shifted seamlessly as if it took no more effort than drawing breath. But also, like Luke, Philippe’s magic took my breath from me. Philippe shook his ears and arched his back, letting out a soulful howl that raised gooseflesh on my arms. His golden-red hair rippled and he took two steps forward then leaned back on his powerful haunches. Then, Philippe Lanier’s wolf sprang up and disappeared into the tree line.
In the distance, Luke’s pack howled in unison, marking Philippe’s passage. Though I couldn’t claim to understand their language, I recognized it as a sign of respect for another powerful leader. A friend, hopefully an ally.
Then, Luke came to me. The last lingering rays of sunlight had dissipated into a pink band across the horizon. An orange moon rose and Luke put a cautious hand on my shoulder.
“I’m sorry. I should have come sooner.”
“You shouldn’t have left at all,” I said, trying to keep the hurt out of my voice. “Or at least you should have said goodbye.”
He turned me, inspecting the wounds on my back. The pain had dulled to a throbbing ache, but I knew that was temporary. They needed to be cleaned and I shuddered to imagine the fresh hell that would bring.
“You said they’d scar,” I said, bile rising in my throat again. The idea of bearing any mark of Able or his pack sickened me.
A shudder went through Luke. He stepped in front of me. His gaze grew dark and a muscle jumped in his jaw. He was holding something back. I could read it in his pain-etched face and the swirling clouds behind his eyes. But, it was no good. Realization settled over me, heating my blood and str
engthening my spine.
“But you know a way to keep that from happening, don’t you?” I don’t know how I knew. I just did. The truth seemed to rise from him like a mist.
“Patricia.”
“You said it was too dangerous. You said I could get hurt. Well, I have. No matter what, I’m a target now. Able knows what I am to you. He’s never going to stop trying to hurt you through me now.”
“I thought leaving you would make you safer. I’m so sorry. I misjudged Able. He wants more than just Lucia. He wants to assimilate all the wolf packs he can. What I told Philippe was true. If he gets what he wants here, he’ll go north over the border. He’ll pick them off one by one.”
I reached up and ran my finger along Luke’s jaw. “Unless you can convince the other packs to stand together against him. I think you’ve convinced Philippe. But, how much will that help? What are the odds?”
Luke smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Fifty-fifty if I’m lucky. Packs don’t like to mix in each other’s business. Too many Alphas in one place never ends well.”
It wasn’t the answer I wanted to hear. I dropped my hand and Luke caught it. We stood like that, hand in hand as he stared into my eyes at the edge of the forest. The pack was close but far enough away I knew they couldn’t see us. For a moment, it felt like Luke and I had the world to ourselves.
“Luke.” My voice grew heavy with emotion.
He squeezed his eyes shut. When he opened them, the light within them burned so bright it almost hurt to look at him. But, look at him I did.
“Take me to the lake,” I whispered. “When I’ve dreamt it, it happens at the lake.”
Luke lifted his hand. He smoothed a wild curl away from my face. Then, he leaned down and put a tender kiss on my cheek. I thought he would argue with me. Instead, he gathered my hands in his and turned me toward the east. We took the first steps toward the lake. When I faltered from the searing pain in my back, Luke didn’t. With one swift and powerful motion, he lifted me off my feet and carried me.
The lake was still and quiet, as if God Himself had prepared it just for us. Luke set me down and went to his knees in front of me. He looked up at me with tender eyes and brought my hands to his lips.