“Do you have a better idea?”
“Not off the top of my head, but maybe if I think about it.”
“Take a few hours. Let’s make sure everyone else has turned in for the night.”
“You mean Hunter.”
“No. I don’t want to think about him turning in.”
She sat down next to me. “So what kind of guy were you before?”
“What do you mean?”
“I get the sense you were a jock or something.”
“I played a lot of sports in high school. Now I only play for fun.”
“Or did. I doubt you’ll be playing those sorts of games for fun anymore.”
“Wolves don’t play sports?”
“Wolves? Sure. But Dires? What’s the point? We can do much better things.”
“Like what?” I was discovering there was still a lot more to learn about being a Dire.
“Haven’t you figured some out yet? You’re nearly invincible now. You can run faster, lift almost anything. What fun would sports with humans be?”
“It’s better than hanging out in the middle of nowhere doing nothing.”
“You say that because you haven’t been on a hunt yet.”
“It’s that good?” The word hunt made me think about meat, and that got me hungry again.
“It is. You’ll never want to go to the grocery store again, well except to get chocolate. That’s pretty good too.”
I laughed. “Why doesn’t that surprise me?”
“Why? Because I’m a girl?”
“Pretty much. I don’t know if I’ve ever met a girl who doesn’t like chocolate.”
“I’ve met a few. But I get the point.”
“Do you think we can get more to eat before we head over?”
“I have some steaks in my freezer.”
“Great. I don’t feel like burning witches on an empty stomach.”
“That’s kind of cold.”
“Cold? I’m talking about fire. Shouldn’t that be hot?”
She groaned. “Bad joke.”
“I’m just saying.”
“What did she ever see in you?”
“Excuse me?”
“Nothing. Sorry.”
“You told me not to think about her and bringing her up all the time doesn’t exactly help.”
“You were thinking about her though.”
“Maybe I was. What are you going to do about it?”
“Nothing. Hopefully it will gradually fade away.” She pulled out a few slabs of raw meat from the freezer.
“That shouldn’t appeal to me.” Raw meat should have repulsed me, yet now I craved it.
“Yes it should. It definitely should appeal to you.”
“One of these days I’ll get used to the fact that I’m not human.”
“It’s only been a day, so you’re actually doing pretty well.”
“Does that impress you?”
“No.” She put the meat in the microwave to defrost. I guess we weren’t going to eat it completely frozen.
“I take it you aren’t easy to impress.”
“Not at all.”
“Yeah, me either.”
“Oh yeah?” She leaned back against the counter. “I’d have thought you were easily impressed.”
“Why’d you say that?”
“Because you were human until yesterday. Humans are always easily impressed.”
“Are they?”
“Well, most of the time. Mary Anne’s stubborn.”
“And once again you’re the one who brings her up.”
“Sorry. She needs to give in to Hunter.”
“Hasn’t she already?” I felt a wave of relief even though I knew she wouldn’t give in that easily. “She did agree to be his mate, and I still don’t get why you care so much.”
“It’s important for all of us. Especially you. You’ll be dead if she isn’t careful.”
“And why’s that?” This was the first I was hearing about it.
“Because Hunter needs to finish the transformation.”
“Meaning?”
“If he decides to ditch you you’ll most likely die.”
“And he’ll decide to if Mary Anne doesn’t make him happy?” I couldn’t believe how calmly I was talking about my potential death. I guess I’d been through so much already that nothing surprised me anymore.
“Who knows what Hunter will do? But it’s not a risk I’d want to take.”
I had to make sure Mary Anne didn’t know that. I didn’t want her doing anything stupid again to protect me. We’d find another way.
“There is no other way.”
“How did you know what I was thinking?” Was I really that obvious?
“I just did. I know things. Get used to it.”
I got the meat out of the microwave myself after the timer went off.
“A hungry boy aren’t you?”
“You already know the answer to that.”
“It will get better eventually, but you’re still going to want to eat meat more than anything.”
“A high protein diet.”
She hopped up onto the counter. “You could say that.”
“Maybe I’ll get used to it one day.”
“You will, and you won’t even remember what it felt like before.”
“Is everything different?” No matter how much I learned, I was still filled with questions.
“You’re asking me about sex, aren’t you?” She meticulously cut up her steak.
“Yes, but first, why are you being so neat?”
She shrugged. “I don’t like ruining my clothes.”
“It’s not like you need them.”
“First you ask me about Dire sex, and now you’re telling me I should spend all of my time naked. Should I be worried, Gage?”
“Don’t be worried. I’m asking for research purposes.”
“Research purposes.” She took a bite. “Uh huh.”
“Tell me.”
“Which part? Why I don’t run around naked?’
“Sure. Let’s start there.”
“First of all, do you know how bad sun burn or frost bite would feel on certain parts?”
“Can you get either of those?” I was genuinely curious.
“I don’t know for sure. Maybe. But anyway, I don’t enjoy having guys watch me all the time, even if they are part of the pack.”
“Fair enough. Now the sex.”
“Demanding, aren’t you?” She teased.
“I’ve been called that.” I polished off my steak in a few large chunks.
“I’ve only known Dire sex, so I might not be the best to ask.”
“Seriously? That’s all you’re giving me?”
“I guess you’re going to have to do your own research.” She leaned in close but then grabbed my plate. “And don’t get any ideas. I’m not interested.”
“Neither am I.”
“Then who were you asking your research question about? It can’t be Mary Anne.”
“For future reference.” Of course it was Mary Anne.
“Sure.” She brought the plates to the sink. “Get some rest. My guess is it’s going to be a wild night.”
“Don’t you need to sleep?”
“You need it more.”
“In other words, you don’t trust me.”
“Not entirely.” She stared me down. “Do you blame me?”
“No.” I returned to the couch. “Don’t forget to wake me up.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not doing this without you.”
I settled down on the couch and closed my eyes. It felt like only minutes, but it had probably been hours when I awoke to someone shaking me. I bolted up, grabbing the person by the neck.
“Fuck, Gage!”
“Oh. Marni. Sorry. It was instinct.” Had I almost choked her? How was I ever going to be in control enough to be with Mary Anne again? I had to find a way to control my instincts.
“Then get your instincts in
check.”
“I’m trying.”
“Try harder.”
“Maybe call out my name next time.” I was never much of a morning person, and my difficulty waking up seemed to have followed me into my transformation.
“I was trying not to wake up the whole pack.”
“We probably did now, huh?”
“We should wait a few minutes just in case.”
“You think Chet is going to come check on you?”
“No. He’ll want to, but he knows how mad I get when he gets protective of me. I’ve spent years trying to show him I can take care of myself.”
“Can you? I mean was it smart of you to invite a newly turned Dire over?” It still seemed strange she’d have me over. And why was everyone else giving us so much space?
“No, that decision was reckless, but it was still the right one to make. Sometimes life requires a little bit of recklessness. Don’t you think?”
“Like driving through a snow storm.”
“That was pretty reckless.”
“And stupid. I’ll admit to that.” That was my biggest regret. If I’d only waited for the storm to pass or stopped at a hotel when Mary Anne asked me to.
“Try to rein some of those cowboy antics in for our sake.”
Cowboy? Not exactly. “Should I do that before or after we torch the witches?”
“After. Definitely after.” She grinned.
“Just checking.”
“Are you ready?”
“Ready? That’s an interesting term.”
“Do you want to do this?”
“Yes. We’re doing it.” I strode toward the front door. There was no backing down. I needed to do it.
“Let’s hope we both survive this.”
“Do you really have doubts?” With my new found strength I was feeling nearly invincible.
“A few.”
“Yet you’re still coming?”
“I told you, I hate Vanessa. Besides you have a better chance of surviving and not getting all of us in trouble if I come.”
“Fair enough.” I tried to play off some confidence that I didn’t have. I hadn't thought things through, but it wasn't the first time in my life that had happened.
We waited just outside the door for a moment to make sure no one heard us. I was doubtful we’d get away without being observed. Marni’s house was the furthest from the main house, but it wasn’t that far. Maybe everyone would think we’d gone for a run. Apparently new Dires were supposed to need to do that a lot.
Marni stripped down and slung a sling type bag over her shoulder. I averted my eyes as best I could, but I was starting to get used to the nudity. Marni certainly didn’t seem to care. She’d packed clothes for us and lighter fluid. I was going to have to remember that bag trick for the future.
We quickly shifted and took off toward the woods. I was glad for Marni as she led the way through the snow. I’d let the detail of location slip. I hadn’t exactly been in the frame of mind to watch where I was going when I’d left with Hunter.
I stayed close beside Marni as she slowed down.
When the house and barn came into view, we shifted back.
“Are you sure you're ready for this?” Marni hissed as she slipped into clothes.
“Would you quit asking me that?”
“I’m just making sure.”
“We’ve come this far. I can’t let them get away with this.”
“I know.”
“I need to check out the barn first. I don't know if Granola is still there, but I can't risk leaving him or anyone else in there. If we don't get all the witches who the hell knows what they'll do to the guys?”
“Granola?” She asked.
“They called me Sprinkles.” Even thinking about the name made me nearly boil over in anger.
“Because of those little freckles?” She touched my chest.
I grabbed her wrist. “Don’t.”
She laughed lightly. “Ok. Point taken.”
“Good.”
“Now let go of my hand and go check on Granola.”
“Stay close, but if trouble comes, run. This isn’t your fight.”
“How isn’t it my fight? We’ve been helping these witches.”
“True, but Hunter is Alpha. It’s his fault.”
“Don’t excuse my role in this. I’m helping.”
“Fine. Just stay close.”
She nodded. “Be careful.”
“Nothing we’re doing tonight is careful.”
“That’s true.”
“See you soon.” I walked over to the barn and quickly snapped the lock on the door.
It was dark inside, but I could see well enough. The night vision that came from being a Dire was helpful.
I needed to stay naked in case I had to shift fast, so hopefully anyone inside wouldn’t mind seeing my naked ass.
I walked over to the main stall where I’d been held. It felt like ages ago, but really barely any time had passed. I was lucky to even be alive. When I finally got to see Mary Anne, I’d have to make sure she knew how much I appreciated what she’d done. From what Marni said, she’d been beating herself up about it.
I heard no movement, so I peered into the stall. I didn’t see anything at first, but then I noticed something in the hay. I shook the door, but it was locked. I tugged on the door, desperate to get inside to see if my eyes were deceiving me. The door came off the hinges, and I rushed in.
My heart nearly beat out of my chest. There in the hay, were two bodies. I was ready to vomit as I stared into the dead eyes of Granola and Tootsie. I swallowed down bile as I touched them. Their lifeless bodies were nearly frozen. “Those fucking witches.”
I turned away from the bodies. I’d have to find a way to give those guys a proper burial, but first I needed to burn the witches responsible.
“Gage?” Marni eyed me warily when I walked out. “You okay?”
“They killed them. They killed them both.”
Marni’s hands twisted into fists. “You ready?”
“Yes.” I headed over to the house.
I’d never participated in anything resembling arson before, so I had no clue what I was doing. I figured dousing the entire perimeter of the house with lighter fluid was a good place to start. I made sure to get some on the door as well. I knew they’d probably find a way to get out, but there was no reason to make it easy on them. And when they did come out, we’d be ready for them.
“I swear I heard something out there,” a female voice called from inside.
Marni and I crouched behind a car as the blonde witch stepped outside and looked around.
“It was probably an animal,” another girl called. “Come back inside, you’re getting us cold.”
“We need to find new pets, I’m bored,” Vanessa complained. I knew her voice. I’d never forget the way she’d laughed when she left Mary Anne. “If Hunter doesn’t deliver soon I’m going into town.”
“You make that sound difficult.” I heard Jerry, the older of the witches. “Relying on shifters is sheer lunacy.”
Jerry was there, and she was the one masterminding everything. It was time to act. I tossed a lit match and watched as the fire slowly spread around the small cottage. The small flames grew until the entire cottage was enflamed.
Several high pitched screams filled the night as glass shattered out of the windows. The witches quickly jumped out as the building became engulfed in flames.
Vanessa laughed, seemingly unperturbed by the house burning behind her. “Look, Sprinkles came back.”
The blonde one nudged her. “And he brought a new little bitch.”
“You calling her a bitch?” I stepped toward them. “What happened to those guys, huh? You got tired of playing with them?”
“They were useless to us so we disposed of them.” Jerry sneered. “Much like the way Hunter will discard of your girl when he’s done with her. Humans are no better than trash.”
Images of the dead bo
dies flew through my mind, and I lost control. Within seconds I shifted, and I lunged for Jerry, tackling her to the ground. Everything was in shades of black and red as I tore mindlessly with my teeth.
I heard a loud wolf howl, and then became aware of Marni calling my name. “Gage. Stop. She’s dead.”
I looked down at the unrecognizable mess that had once been Jerry. My stomach turned. Had I really done that?
“Gage. It’s okay. She deserved it. You did nothing wrong.”
I shifted back to my human form and stared at the body and the burning house.
Marni touched my arm. “We’ve got to go. I heard Hunter.”
“Where are the other witches?”
“They ran off after seeing you transform and tear Jerry to shreds.”
“You let them run away?” I spun on Marni.
“They are nothing without Jerry. They’re like kids.”
“They kidnapped me without Jerry. They almost killed Mary Anne.”
“We can talk about this later, but we have to go.” She looked me straight in the eye.
I nodded, overwhelmed with shock, anger, and confusion. Had I just killed someone? Marni was right, Jerry deserved it, but the crazy lack of control scared me.
“You’re a Dire. Your thoughts and decisions aren’t human, especially when you get emotional. It’s over now. Let’s go.”
I listened, but she was wrong. It wasn’t over. Even if I couldn’t remember exactly what happened when I lunged for Jerry, I’d remember what she looked like after. Was I human at all anymore?
Another howl carried through the woods and Marni and I ran back. It was time to face the music.
***
“What the hell were you thinking?” Hunter roared as we entered the clearing.
“I was thinking about all of the other innocent people they were going to hurt if I did nothing.”
“You should have come to me. You don’t realize the trouble you’ve caused us all.”
“It’s not all his fault. I did it too,” Marni jumped in. It was still weird how we could all talk in wolf form.
“Ignore her. Blame me.” I wasn’t letting her take the rap. It was all my idea, and I wasn’t going to let her get in trouble for it.
“We’re going to have to move again. We can’t even wait until dawn.”
“Who’s with Mary Anne?” A horrible thought hit me. What if the witches that escaped got to her? I picked up the pace.
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