Chapter Four – Nadine
Nadine stopped herself from looking behind as she ran. She had to put some distance between them, to shut him out. For his sake, she kept telling herself, it was purely for his sake—as if that made it easier.
A safe distance away she slowed to a walk, wondering if it would be wise to go and find somewhere to get some coffee before she drove home, although she knew it wasn’t the wine that was making her feel light-headed. It was Kurt and the need to be with him, a need that infiltrated her body and soul.
Not trusting herself to stay away from him, she went to her car and got in, catching her breath and silencing her brain before she put the key in the ignition and started the engine. Pulling out slowly, she headed out of the city. Along the country road leading to her home, she passed the signs for Wolf Valley, but she resolutely drove on. She lived in a small house nestled in the woods between Bear Bluff and Cougar Ridge. It had been her home and her sanctuary for the past ten years, but there was nowhere safe from the pull of her mate.
Growing up, she had always lived in between everything and everyone. Neither shifter nor human, not fully, she had never fit in and never achieved her full potential, as her mom often told her. What she meant was Nadine had never been able to transform into the other side of herself. It wasn’t as if it wasn’t there, she could feel it and hear it; she simply couldn’t grasp hold of it and change. And then her fear became that if she ever did change, she would not be able to change back.
Being presented with this conundrum had given her a purpose, and so she had pursued psychology as a career, tailoring it to helping those who were like her. Stuck. Mainly her work involved helping those who had shifted and couldn’t come back, those like Kurt. And she was good at it, really good.
But one of her rules was not to get involved with anyone, other than on a professional level. It saved her a lot of heartache. She knew patients became too reliant on her; she became their security blanket. It was harmful in itself, but especially if it was allowed to fester into something deep and meaningful. She was there to help them overcome their problems and then move on.
Nadine was always moving on, so that her patients didn’t realise what a fake she was. Because let’s face it, if she were any good at this psycho mumbo jumbo, she would be able to control her other side. And she couldn’t.
“Damn!” She braked hard. Something had run across the road in front of her and she thought she had hit it.
Opening the car door, she got out, fearing the worst. The car had thudded into something, and she only hoped if it was an animal, it wasn’t one with a human side too. That would be just awful. She edged around the car, relieved to see no one on the road, no one bleeding out on the asphalt. Nothing.
Relieved but mystified, she walked towards the back of the car, leaning down to look at what she had hit. There: a rock, someone had dropped a rock in the road and she had gone over it. Hoping there was no damage done to her car, she got back in and pulled her car forward, enabling her to pick the rock up and drop it onto the ground on the side of the road. She didn’t want anyone else to drive over it.
Only when she turned back to the car, did she realise she was being ambushed.
“Hello there,” a voice said. It belonged to a man, tall, broad, and trouble.
“Hi,” she said, keeping her voice calm. She would talk her way out of this. She understood enough about how people’s brains worked, and she could deal with this. Surely.
“You having a bit of trouble?” Had she been wrong, had he stopped by to help—if so, where was his car? Maybe he had shifted and been running in this direction when he saw her headlights stop, and come over to help.
However, something about him was off. Nadine was certain he meant her harm.
“No, everything is fine, thank you,” she said, trying to figure out whether to make a run for her car or the hills. But he was sure to be faster than she was at running. Although reasonably fit, she carried a few extra pounds in all the right places, whereas he was toned and looked as if he could easily run for miles. Her instincts told her he was a wolf.
“Are you sure, because it looks as though you are having car trouble.” He came closer, standing right by the open door of her car and she cursed her stupidity—she had left her keys in the ignition while she got out and checked the road.
Now she had a choice, did she try to bluff her way out, or what? What else could she do?
“Thanks again,” she said, walking back around to where he stood with his hand on her door. Smiling, she kept her breathing even and all traces of panic from her voice. She knew how to play this game; she often had to keep calm no matter what was going on around her in order to keep her patients calm.
“No, problem, I would hate for you to be a damsel in distress with no knight in shining armour to help you.” He took a deep breath—was he scenting her, smelling her fear? Swallowing, trying to keep her heart from racing, she slipped into the car seat, relieved when he shut the door for her and stood back.
Not bothering with her seatbelt—she would fix it once she had got away from him—she turned the key, holding her breath while the engine turned over. She had no idea if he had tampered with it while she was moving the rock. But he hadn’t had chance to lift the hood, so it must all be fine. Still, it was somewhat of a relief when the engine fired into life and she drove off, lifting her hand as a thank-you gesture. He watched her, eyes sparkling in the night, a green glow shimmering across them, and by the time she drew past him and looked in her mirror, he was gone.
Nadine trembled. That had to be the weirdest thing she had ever experienced, and she had seen a lot of weird stuff.
Watching the road carefully, just in case there were more rocks in her path, she drove slowly home, wanting to put as much distance between her and the wolf, but knowing if she hit a larger rock at speed, she would damage the car and be stranded, that didn’t bear thinking about.
As the miles drifted by, and the road began to narrow, following the twists and turns of the mountain, she put it all behind her, until she heard the unmistakable sound of a flat tire. At first, it was just a small noise, different, but as the air escaped, the sound and the way the car held the road told her she was going to have to pull over.
Glancing around, she recognised the part of the forest she was in. It went on for another mile or so before it opened out again. It was maybe another mile after that until she would reach her house.
There was no way this was a coincidence. The guy she met on the road must have tampered with her tire, which meant he would know she would not get home and be stranded on the road.
“Damn it,” she cursed and pushed her driver’s door open, getting out as quickly as she could. Grabbing her purse, she locked the car and then melted into the trees. It might have been the wrong choice, but she knew she was too exposed out there on the road whilst changing the tire. It wasn’t that she couldn’t do it, but she didn’t have the luxury of time.
She knew the way through the woods well enough. But had never attempted it in the dark. Everything seemed different, as though she had stepped into another world. Her heart beat rapidly, the sound thundering in her ears as she climbed steadily higher. After ten minutes, she slowed, trying to regain her breath and her composure. With no one pursuing her, she figured she had completely overreacted; the flat tire was just a coincidence and no one was after her.
Then she heard the plaintive howl of a wolf. Not too unusual, but then it was taken up by one or two more voices, and her blood chilled. Turning to head for her house, her legs carrying her as quickly as they could through the undergrowth, she tried not to panic. Surely, whoever it was wouldn’t hurt her.
The voice of the wolf rose again, haunting. Closer.
Others joined now, and she knew one thing above all else. She was being hunted, prey to the wolves who had been raiding people’s houses, stealing cars, and generally creating trouble around Wolf Valley. Tonight, Nadine was their entertainment.
But what they intended to do with her if they caught her made her run faster, tears flooding her eyes, which she angrily rubbed away. What right did they have to do this? Damn it, if she wouldn’t fight them with her last breath if they caught her!
But she didn’t want to fight; she didn’t want to know what they wanted with her. She just wanted to be home, safe in her cabin.
Chapter Five – Kurt
An hour was about all that he could stand. It must have been obvious he was struggling to keep his head together because it was Mia who suggested he leave the gallery and all of his adoring public and go home.
“I’m sorry, I haven’t coped very well with tonight,” he told her as they stood outside by her car.
“No problem, Kurt, you’ve come a long way. I think it might be my fault for not listening to you. You told me you weren’t ready and I pushed you.” She smiled, handing him the keys to her car.
“Now, you take yourself home and Joel can give me a lift on the back of his bike when we have finished up here. I’ll let you know the grand total you’ve earned, and we can celebrate over a cup of coffee.”
“Mom will make you some cocoa. All I need is a pipe and slippers to complete the ensemble and I will look like an old man before my time.” He couldn’t keep the tinge of regret from his voice.
“Listen, Kurt. I know you thought she was going to be there tonight.”
“No, Mia, she was there.”
“Listen,” Mia said, opening the car door and watching her brother get in. “It was probably the excitement of the evening. You know how it is, nerves got the better of you and your mind played tricks.”
He shook his head while fastening his seat belt. “No. She was there. I have to find her.”
“Then we’ll help you,” She frowned, looking increasingly worried. “I’ll go to the hospital and find out who she is. Maybe if you saw her, it would make you see she isn’t the one.”
“Or prove that she is,” he smiled weakly at his sister, but she nodded in agreement.
“Or prove that she is. I think one way or another we have to put this behind you.”
“Thanks, Mia. For everything. I know you didn’t have to do this for me.”
“Well, we’re blood aren’t we, and since there is no pack to help you and watch your back, I guess it falls to me.”
“But I’m the eldest, the male. Aren’t I supposed to be the one to watch your back?”
“Welcome to the twenty-first century, Kurt. Women are the stronger sex.”
“Don’t I know it,” he said, laughing at her. She was right. Between the nurse who he was certain was his mate, his sister, and his mom, it was obvious he wasn’t man enough to look after himself. Maybe she knew that and hankered after a better, stronger man; perhaps he should leave his search for her until he regained his full strength, and his wolf.
Chapter Six – Nadine
“Damn it.” She could almost see the break in the trees which opened up into a glade and then it was only a five-minute walk to her cabin. But they were herding her back down the mountain. It started with howls from in front of her as they outflanked her, then movement in the undergrowth close by sent her running in the wrong direction. Should she stand and face them, or keep running?
In all of her training, she had never had to deal with a pack of wolves. Yes, she understood the pack mentality, but that didn’t help her now. Because if they were hunting as a pack, there was no doubt in her mind, they weren’t simply going to yell, “Caught you!” and then roll around on the floor laughing like children.
No, this was a serious hunt for them, and she was the reward at the end, but what they meant to do with her ranged from beating her through to raping her or killing her, and eating her for their supper.
“Not helping,” she said, although she could barely spare the breath to talk. Tired, scratched, and dirty, she wanted to sit down and cry, but she couldn’t. She couldn’t.
As her legs grew tired, she knew they were wearing her down, exhausting her. Nadine had little choice. She had to stand and fight.
Trembling, despite her best efforts not to show her fear, she stood still, looking all around her. There was no movement, no sound. Had they left her alone, was that it, the game was over? Taking a few steps back in the direction her cabin was in, she kept her eyes on the forest around her. Nothing.
Unable to go faster than a walk, her whole body trembling as shock gave way to relief, she made her way back home. Occasionally, she stopped and listened; still nothing, only the sensation pricking her neck telling her she was not alone.
Nearly home now, she was dragging her feet as she walked; hell, she was dragging her whole body. One foot in front of another, small hiccupping sobs escaping her as she wearily thought of her little cabin and the big bolt on the door she would shoot home as soon as she was inside. The solitary life had somehow lost its appeal after this attack. Yet where else would she go? She didn’t belong in any of the towns around here.
You could leave. Her animal quickly killed off that voice. It would never let her leave, but it also made it impossible to stay. Could she ever face explaining her inability to change to Kurt? Would he lose his faith in her if he knew?
“Hello there, little rabbit.” The sudden voice made her jump, and then freeze. Where had it come from? She recognised it and her fears were confirmed; the flat tire had been done maliciously. This was the same voice from when she stopped on the road.
Too tired to run, she asked, “What do you want?”
“A little fun, a little entertainment. This big bad wolf wants to gobble you up.” The voice was accompanied by a figure, which slid stealthily out from behind a tree. His eyes were bright; even in the dark she could see the way they glowed in the moonlight.
“Leave me alone. I am tired of your games.” She stood straight, her body rigid, something that took all of her strength of will because her knees wanted to knock together and her teeth chatter in fear of this animal in front of her.
“I’m sorry, we thought you were having fun too,” he said, coming to stand in front of her, his arms folded across his chest, his teeth white in the moonlight. Apart from that, she could make out no real features, the trees casting their shadows perfectly across his face to conceal him.
“No, I am not,” she said tartly. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I am going home.”
“That suits me fine. It will be much better to do what I have in mind in the comfort of your little log cabin in the mountains.”
“I don’t think my boyfriend will be quite so pleased about that,” she replied and moved off in a different direction to get round him.
“Tut tut, no one likes a liar.” He walked parallel to her, through the trees.
“I am not lying. Now why don’t you go home?”
“Because I want you.” He leaned forward and sniffed the air. “Oh yes, the scent of your fear makes me hard. And I know you would hate for a man like me to be left wanting.”
“Go to hell!” she said, turning to face him, her hands on her hips, bringing herself up to her full height and thrusting her chin out at him. She had to see him off, she couldn’t let him hurt her, or rape her. Because that’s what his eyes were telling her he wanted to do. Her heart ached for Kurt; he was the one she was going to give herself to. Not this damn brute. Not without a fight. Inside, her animal agreed.
Now would be a good time for you to help, she told it, and it fell silent. Useless.
Chapter Seven – Kurt
The drive home gave him time to think. What if she knew he was a damp squib now, unable to change, unable to conquer his wolf, and no match for a woman like her? A woman like what? All he knew from his drug-fuelled haze was what she looked like and that she was his mate.
He didn’t even know her name. The hospital hadn’t told him, no matter how many times he asked. His deep-seated fear was that she had asked them not to tell him, not to trace her. They had stated it was their policy, but he doubted the policy existed for anyone
but him. Paranoia. My old friend.
Driving past the turning to Wolf Valley, he looked across to where the lights illuminated the neighbourhood where he lived. How many other wolves were gripped by the need to be the alpha? It was so messed up. They needed a leader, someone to keep them safe … from each other, and themselves.
Tightening his hands on the steering wheel, he knew he would never be that person. But he hoped he could still become a better person, a whole person. Gripped with a sudden need, he headed up the road leading to his house, picking up speed. He needed to do this before he changed his mind.
With a spray of stones, the car slid to a halt and he got out, his heart beating so fast he thought it would explode in his chest. The front door of his house flew open; his mom appeared, looking concerned. The same expression he drew from her on a daily basis as she obsessed over one facet of his emotional stability after another. He hated making her feel like that. He had to make himself better. He needed to be whole again.
“Kurt, are you OK? How did it go?” She came towards him. He had to stop her, he didn’t want to hurt her.
“Mom, go back inside. There is something I need to do.”
“Kurt, you have nothing to prove,” she said, pleading with him.
“I have everything to prove. That night I chased Fiona up the mountain and nearly killed her, that was me, all me. Now I am paying the price for it. And I need to reclaim the part of me I lost. Perhaps in that way I won’t have to live with such guilt every day.”
“Kurt, what if you get stuck again?”
Then she’ll come back to me. He had never consciously thought of it that way. Was that what he was trying to do? Lying to himself once more, as to what his objective was for turning wolf again. Did he secretly hope that if he was stuck he might need her help again and this time she would stay?
Redeem the Wolf: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Wolf Valley Raiders Book 1) Page 2