Embracing the Wolf

by Catherine Bybee

  Richard followed and restrained her. “Shhh...It’s okay, we’ll find him.”

  Kate struggled against his hold. Her lips trembled. “This is like my dream. Oh, no, my nightmare’s coming true.”

  “What are you talking about? What nightmare?”

  “Joey’s missing or taken. The wolf or dog or something has him.”

  Richard put a hand to her cheek and forced her to look into his eyes. “Katie, you need to calm down.”

  By now, the household watched from the door. Max approached and placed a hand on her shoulder.“Go inside and search the house. Richard and I will search out here.”

  Unable to hold still, Kate nodded and followed Max’s suggestion.

  Out of sight, Richard turned to Max and said, “He didn’t go far. I can smell him.”

  “Search around here, I’ll check the back.” Max walked away, and Richard followed his nose.

  “Joey! Come on, sport, you have your mom worried.”

  The garage, although full of cars, didn’t have any little boys camped out in it. Around back where a small shed for tools and lawn equipment stood was also empty. Richard stopped, lifted his nose to the air, and closed his eyes. Small waves of Joey came from beyond the pool. Richard listened intently straining his ears to pick up any sound they could. The house air-conditioner hummed; the clock for the sprinkler system ticked, and a neighbor’s dog barked far beyond the perimeter of Max’s home.

  A slight flutter behind the paned glass of the pool house caught his eye.

  Of course, the pool house.

  Slowing his pace, Richard called out Joey’s name again to see if the little guy would come out on his own. Small eyes peeked over the windowsill and then quickly disappeared causing him to grin.

  Tapping on the door of the pool house, Richard waited to see if Joey would open it.

  He didn’t.

  “Joey, you in there?”

  “No,” a tiny voice called out.

  Richard twisted the knob slowly, opened the door, and let himself in. “Come on, Joey, everyone’s searching for you.”

  Joey’s head popped up behind the sofa. In his small trembling hands, he crushed a worn out blanket to his red eyes brimming with tears. His hair was pillow combed, and he still wore his pajamas from the night before.

  He was too cute for words, but from the serious expression on his face, telling him so wasn’t the right approach to finding out why he left.

  “Boy, am I glad to see you. You have everyone searching all over for you.”

  His lower lip stuck out before he managed to say his first words. “I d-don’t wanna leave.”

  “Who said you’re going to go anywhere?”

  “M-my mommy d-did, last night.”

  Richard gave his head a quick shake and made a big show out of sitting down.

  Just as he thought, Joey wasn’t running away so much as he was trying to stay. Patting the space next to him, Richard waited until Joey sat by his side.

  “Do you want to tell me what you’re doing here?”

  Joey shrugged his shoulders took in the fully furnished guesthouse. “This is almost as big as our apartment. My mommy and I don’t take up much space. We can stay here. Then we can be with you all the time.”

  “So you thought if you stayed here, maybe you won’t have to go back to your home?”

  Joey nodded and said, “I like it here. I don’t wanna go back. When you started fighting last night I got real scared that my mommy would take me and leave.”

  His lips started to quiver.

  “So you hid here so she wouldn’t?”

  “Yeah.”

  Good plan, wish I’d thought of it. Somehow, Richard didn’t think hiding would make Kate search for him. “What about my home, Joey? Do you like it at the beach?”

  His eyes opened wide and an enthusiastic nod shook his whole body.

  “Do you think your mommy would like it there, too?”

  With a little less assurance, Joey nodded again.

  “Well, I think we should ask her. First, we need to let her know you’re okay. She got really scared when you ran off.”

  “Am I in trouble?”

  “Naw, mom’s have a hard time being mad when they’re excited to see you. But you need to promise not to run off anymore. All you had to do was come to your mom or me and tell us how you’re feeling. We can solve almost anything by talking it out, sport. Promise me you won’t run off again.”

  Joey gave a wan smile, rubbed his sweaty palm over his chest, spit in it and held it out for Richard to shake. “I promise,” he said with a drop-dead serious voice.

  Gritting his back teeth and not so much as breaking into a grin, Richard repeated Joey’s actions and shook on it.

  “Come on; let’s go get your mom.”

  “Okay.”

  Joey gathered his blanket, stuffed dog, and pillow, then walked alongside Richard back to the main house.

  The door chimed, and Kate ran around the corner. Her hand flew to her open mouth. She gasped in relief. Joey nearly disappeared as she gathered him in her arms. Tears streamed from her eyes.

  “Thank God, thank God,” she cried.

  Kate pulled back, smoothed his hair away from his face, and asked. “Where have you been?”

  “I-I just went to the little house by the pool.”

  “Why, Joey? Why did you scare me like that?”

  Joey sent a nervous glance up at Richard and back to his mom. “I didn’t wanna leave, not without Richard.”

  Kate crushed Joey to her chest again. “You scared me, Joey. What would I do without you? You can’t run away like that again, okay?”

  “I won’t, I promised Richard I wouldn’t. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  “Well you did.” Richard knew she wanted to scold him, but she didn’t. Instead, Kate held her son and refused to meet his eyes.

  Exactly what that meant, he could only guess.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Kate slipped out of Joey’s bedroom as silently ass he could manage and tiptoed down the hall. Joey had snuck out of the house after her and Richard had finished their argument. He was too afraid to sleep alone in the guesthouse only feet away from the family. Now, exhausted and apologetic, Joey was making up for lost time.

  His explanation for hiding the way he did reaffirmed Kate’s need to sever their relationship with Richard and the Ritters as soon as humanly possible. Not that she really wanted to, but Joey was growing too attached. Without a promise of a future, Kate had little choice. The separation could lead to a much bigger problem than Joey running off to the house next door.

  Kate found Richard alone on the front porch. Janet and Max were nowhere in sight.

  “Where is everyone?”

  “Janet’s dad insisted they bring the baby over.”Richard lifted a cup of coffee to his lips, took a sip, and then said. “How is Joey?”

  “Sleeping. Poor kid, last night was quite traumatic for him.”

  “And mom too, I think.”

  Kate took a seat across from him and set her gaze upon the vast landscape. “I could never do that again and that would be too soon.”

  “If it helps, I don’t think Joey will run off twice.”

  “No, I don’t think so either.”

  For a while they didn’t talk, just watched the birds splashing around the bath set in the middle of a small rose garden. Hummingbirds fluttered around the climbing jasmine on a small trellis. How free the birds appeared flying from flower to flower. How different her life was from theirs.

  “Richard,” she took a deep breath before she started her speech. A speech she rehearsed in the early hours of the morning long before Joey had disappeared. “We need to talk.”

  He set his cup down. “Nothing good ever came out of that statement.”

  A smile flashed on her lips, but didn’t stay. “No, I guess you’re right.”

  “Before you go on, I have something to say.”

  Here it comes, she mused. I lik
e you but things are just too complicated. Joey is getting too attached and I don’t think it’s good that we keep seeing each other. She was ready for it. Still, her heart ached enough to know she cared deeply for the man across from her, enough to want him not to say those words.

  Biting her lip, Kate managed, “Go ahead.”

  “I think Joey is getting attached.”

  A huge lump started to build. Kate pulled it to the back of her throat and kept her eyes on the water flowing from the top of the fountain, the birds fluttering around it. Here it comes. Maybe I should make it easier for him. “Yes, he is.” Was all she could manage without bursting into tears.

  “So am I.”

  Her breath held for the blow that didn’t come. Instead, her eyes skirted toward his. Uncertainty stared back at her. She waited for him to elaborate, afraid to make assumptions.

  “Last night you said some things that made me take a long hard look at what’s going on between us.”

  “And?”

  “And...I don’t want you going back to that dank apartment. You don’t belong there anymore. You and Joey belong with me.”

  Kate pulled her lower lip inside her mouth and opened her eyes wide. “What are you saying, Richard?”

  He stood and started pacing the deck. His hands rang out his nerves. “Move in with me, Kate.”

  Now it was Kate’s turn to lower her eyes and wring her hands. Moving in was a huge step. If she only had herself to think about, she would likely tell him yes. “Richard...”

  “I’m not finished.”

  “All right.”

  “Joey needs some stability. This last month has been tough on him.”

  “I know.”

  “I want to make it easier, on him...and you.”

  “Richard.” Kate stood up and went over to him, placed a hand on his arm. “You want to protect us. I get that. But Joey needs more than just a change of address. Moving in with you, although tempting, isn’t the answer.”

  His brows arched with her words. “You’re saying no?”

  “I’m saying,” oh hell, what was she saying. “I’m saying, when I decide to move in with a man, it will have to be a permanent move. Joey wouldn’t understand if something happened and we had to leave.” Oh, please let him understand without having to spell it out. The only way she could move in with Richard was to do so as his wife. They hadn’t known each other long enough for that.

  Something in his eyes changed as understanding dawned on him. Instead of moving away, which was what Kate thought he’d do, he gathered her in his arms and pressed his lips to the top of her head.

  His heart beat against his chest and flooded her ears with its rhythm. He smelled so good.

  “It must be hard on you always needing to think about tomorrow. About the affect your actions will have on your son.”

  “Being a parent changes you and your priorities.”

  “Nothing needs to happen today,” he said under his breath.

  “Things will have to change soon, Richard.”

  He pulled away and watched her. “For Joey’s sake.”

  “Yes. Joey and I will have to go back as soon as the man responsible for shooting me is behind bars.”

  Richard’s jaw clenched, but he didn’t disagree. “That might take a while.”

  Sensing his game, Kate shook her head. “I’ll need to consider different options if he isn’t caught soon. Joey’s stunt proves I have to do something.”

  Richard nodded, turned away. “We have a lead. Max and I will be out the next three nights following up on it.”

  “Why at night?”

  “It seems to be when this man strikes,” he explained without meeting her eyes. “Janet could use your help while we’re away.”

  Something about the way he spoke spooked her. “Do you think you’ll be able to find him?”

  “We’ll find him.”

  His certainty caused alarm to course in her veins. “How can you be so sure?”

  “I...there are things about me you don’t know.”

  “What things?”

  He glanced her way, the chocolate depths of his eyes swirled. “Things I’ll tell you about after we catch the ass that’s following you.”

  Is he doing something illegal? She wanted to ask, but was afraid of the answer. Instead, she murmured a simple okay and didn’t press.

  ****

  “I’m not doing it!” Cutter tossed his empty beer can at the wall. “You’re taking too damn many risks for one broad.”

  He turned in time to see L.J.’s fist before it hit. Pain exploded between his eyes. Stars threatened to engulf his clouded brain. Before he could react, L.J. grabbed his shirt and hit him again.

  “I am tired of your bitching. Shut. The. Fuck. Up.”

  With every word, his body slammed against the wall. Cutter thrust his hands out, pushing L.J. away. He couldn’t win, he knew that from experience. Only a day away from the change and

  L.J. had the strength of three men. Provoking him was stupid, but Cutter had had enough of his shit. A sixth sense told him he wouldn’t be coming home after the next job.

  He needed out, and he needed out now. “Get off of me,” he shouted.

  “You done flapping your gums, chicken shit?”

  “Yeah. I’m done.” And as soon as you turn your back, I’m outta here.

  L.J. let go, pivoted on his heel, and paced the room. “I’ve got a plan.”

  A dumb shit plan Cutter knew wouldn’t work.

  “Right, tomorrow night we coax out the kid and catch the girl.”

  “After the men get word of a heist, they’ll come after us. Leaving the women unprotected.”

  “Don’t forget the butler.”

  L.J. went to table full of opened pizza boxes, took his gun in his hands, and rubbed the barrel against his leg as he spoke. “I haven’t forgotten him.”

  “No reason to kill the man, we could just knock him out.” Not that Cutter planned on being there when it all went down.

  “Yeah, whatever.” L.J. sat back, opened another beer, and didn’t put it down until it was half empty.

  Maybe if L.J. got drunk enough he’d pass out. “I could use something stronger.” Cutter went to the kitchen, poured two glasses of Jack, and brought the bottle back in the room with him.

  “That’s more like it.”

  Cutter watched L.J. tip the glass back with a grin.

  This would be easy.

  ****

  The changes were already happening. It started days before when he twisted the cap off a bottle of coke and he broke the glass. Strength was one thing, but the pull of the full moon weighed on him like a tornado. His body knew the night of the full moon approached. Smell enhanced, sight sharpened, and every twig snapped by the soft feet of rabbits and squirrels sounded like firecrackers on the Fourth of July.

  A thousand questions surfaced that he pushed to the back of his mind. Asking Max now, in the eleventh hour, was a sure fire way to be rousted for the rest of his adult life.

  Still, he wondered if the transformation would be painful. Would he be able to communicate with his brother in wolf form? Would he howl at the moon and eat grass because he felt the need?

  Then there was Kate. As much as he wanted to appease all her fears, he had too many of his own with the unknown on the horizon. He couldn’t come out and tell her about his new found change. Not until he knew what it was all about.

  Devon called when Kate tucked Joey into bed after his night all alone. There was a lead, and the possibility of Kate’s attackers facing justice was high. As long as he and Max could track them in wolf form, Kate would be free to live her life.

  A life he wanted to live with her.

  Her unspoken words of commitment didn’t come as a surprise. In fact, the ease in which his mind went from living with him to marriage was more of shock.

  She was right. Marriage was the only solution.

  Thinking about it calmed his frazzled nerves. He couldn’t wai
t to put all the nonsense of the men that tracked her behind them so he could pop the question.

  He loved her. All of her. She belonged with him, forever.

  Within the hour, the first of many full moons would work its magic on him. He welcomed it.

  He and Max would meet Devon at the gates after sunset. There, Devon would take them to where he believed the culprits hid.

  ****

  Kate stared out into the setting sun and wondered if she was doing the right thing. The idea was hers, but now she had second thoughts.

  Richard wouldn’t approve, which was why she kept it from him. But she needed to get her life back.

  She found Richard in the kitchen talking with Max and Janet. Silence hit the room when she entered, making her wonder what secrets they held. Downcast eyes and quick hellos added to her uncertainty.

  “We were just about to leave,” Richard said, walking around the counter and putting a reassuring arm over her shoulders.

  “So soon?”

  “Devon seems to think tonight is when he’ll strike again.”

  “Devon’s the police officer?” she asked, knowing full well who he spoke of.

  “Yeah.”

  “Come on, bro. Night is fast coming.” Max kissed his wife and winked at Kate when he walked by.

  “Be careful,” Kate whispered when he drew her close.

  His lips met hers with such tenderness, moisture gathered behind her lids. It felt like goodbye. She’d been in tears for one reason or another ever since they met. More would come. Of that, there was no doubt.

  “We’ll talk in the morning,” he said when he pulled away.

  Kate nodded. Her heart ached. “Be safe.”

  They walked out together in the direction of the garage.

  Janet turned to her and said, “How about a movie?”

  Kate shook her head. “You don’t have to entertain me. Brandy is sleeping.”

  “So.”

  “Please, I remember what it was like with a newborn. You’re exhausted, tired and did I say exhausted?”

  They both laughed.

  “Go to bed, Janet. Brandy will be crying for food in a couple of hours. I can help with the changing, but you’re in charge of the milk department.”

  “Are you sure?” Janet asked, obviously torn.