In a second the ground rushed at her. Disoriented and dizzy, she was suddenly falling. She was mildly surprised when someone caught her, stopping the impact. She thought she heard Tyson speaking. In the end, she lost the battle to hone in on his voice and fell unconscious.
Chapter 3 - Eyes
The next Clara woke, it was to shady, cool dark. She lay in dirt and leaves on the ground, curled in a ball to keep warm. The musty smell of the forest was comforting. Sitting up quickly, she discovered she had been concealed in a thick of trees. The darkness was heavier than she was used to as the canopy overhead allowed very little light to touch the ground and she was far from city lights. From what she could see, she was alone. Her thoughts were occupied by the memory of the wolves and how terribly they’d fought—and how Tyson’s eyes had watched her from a black wolf’s body.
Her thoughts left her feeling insecure and she hugged her knees, shivering against the chill of the evening. She wore nothing but a tee and light cotton pants, the same outfit she’d discovered in her room. Warmth eluded her and she wondered how foolish it would be to get up and start wandering in search of it. A puff of hot breath hit the back of her neck and she swallowed a scream. The large black wolf’s head came around to stare at her with penetrating, telling eyes. Every bit of Clara’s body wanted to be afraid, but Tyson’s icy eyes struck a sense of calm in her heart.
“Tyson?” she breathed and raised a hand to the wolf’s muzzle. He let her stroke the dense fur on his cheek, never answering her query. Offering his warmth, he wrapped his long body around her. Uncertainty fled and she only hesitated a moment before laying her cheek against the vast side of his chest. His great heart beat like a drum and she enjoyed the gentle rise and fall of his ribs. The wolf warmed her enough that she was able to fall back to sleep.
The sun climbing the sky woke her the next morning. The black wolf had vanished and she sat up with a start. Brushing leaves from her hair and clothing, she stood. Her attention was arrested by a grocery bag, tied and sitting at her feet. She opened it, finding a wrapped sandwich, an apple and a bottle of water. She ate hungrily for a time. Tyson emerged just as she finished the water.
“You slept late,” he said to cover the shocked silence.
“Tyson!” Without thinking, she dropped the crust of her sandwich and marched over to touch his chest. “How is it possible?” she asked after assuring herself he was real.
“How is what possible?” he asked skeptically.
She glared at him. “You deny it then?”
“Deny what exactly?”
“Don’t play with me!” she waved a finger in his face. “I know what I saw! I just don’t know how it’s possible!”
His gaze shifted to her finger and he stared at it for an instant. With a furrowed brow, he looked her in the eye. “If you know what you saw, how can you stand here without a trace of fear?”
She inadvertently stepped back. “Should I be afraid?”
Tyson drew to his full height in anger and annoyance. “Are you insane?” he demanded, his voice booming. “YES! You should be afraid! You’re saying you aren’t?”
“You haven’t given me reason to be and I…” The sentence was left hanging when she almost admitted to trusting him. She bit her lip and averted her gaze.
“You what?” Tyson urged.
“I just want to know how it’s possible.”
Tyson kicked at the leaves underfoot. “You saw me in my werewolf form,” he stated. “I tried to avoid discovery, but you woke last night and it’s incredibly hard to fight the moon.”
“The moon?” She remembered how sick he’d been when they unceremoniously met. “The moon was full when Mark brought us together, was that why you were so ill?”
“How can you talk as if nothing’s wrong?”
She ignored him, her mind reeling. His strength and his speed were both evidence he spoke the truth. “Callan?” she gasped.
“Is going to kill me,” Tyson said as if finishing a sentence for her.
“What?”
“Your brother wanted to tell you this himself.”
“Then he is a…a…”
“Werewolf, yes.” He had to finish the sentence when she couldn’t bring herself to say the word.
“Mark?” she asked, suddenly thinking of him.
“My brother is a werewolf too, yes. I infected him and he blames me for his unhappiness.”
“You infected him?”
“It wasn’t intentional. I had no idea what I was at the time.” Tyson ran a hand through his hair. “Mark is deranged.”
“He’s your brother?”
“Yeah, Mark is my brother.”
“Why did he try to kill you?”
“Which time, last night? How did you know that was Mark?”
“I meant before.”
His cold eyes darkened. “Like I said, he’s deranged. He wants to get even with me for causing him so much misery, but he wasn’t trying to kill me.”
“The brown wolf was Mark then? Why was he attacking you if he wasn’t trying to kill you?”
“He wasn’t trying to kill anyone. He was trying to infect you.”
Her heart skipped and her chest filled with raw fear. “Why me?”
His jaw tightened and his icy eyes burned with anger. “He knows infecting people is the best way to hurt me.”
The amount of anger and hate displayed between the brothers staggered her. “Is it really that bad to be a werewolf?”
His eyes lit at the preposterous question and that was all the answer she needed. “We really should be moving.”
“Do you think those things will find us?”
“No.”
“I’ve never seen a dog so ugly and sick.”
He glanced around nervously before answering. “They weren’t dogs. They were once, before they were infected.”
“They were werewolves too?” she squeaked.
“In a way, sure, but they were only dogs. They were trained by Parker to find and attack you.”
“Me?” she gasped. “Who is Parker?”
“I’m sorry, I know it’s unfair, but I can’t allow you to linger here. We really should be moving.”
“You just said we don’t have to worry about those dogs.”
He glanced around the trees once again. “I know and you don’t. We are in the territory of a werewolf I’ve never smelled before, we have to be careful.”
It was her turn to look around expectantly. “Where are we going?”
Tyson raised an eyebrow at her and looked all the more impatient. “We really—”
“You can answer that at the very least, can’t you?” she demanded.
“I’d rather not say, not now. I can tell you we’ll be safe for a time.”
Her mind itched for answers. She also knew she had little choice but to do as he said. When her argument died, he revealed his plan. “I have not made an alliance or asked permission to wander these lands. I’m going to survey our surroundings to make sure the werewolf isn’t near. Things could turn ugly if we run into them. I won’t be back for fifteen minutes.”
“Is it safe?”
“Of course not, your life has changed for the worse. Safety is not a luxury you have anymore. I will protect you. Stay here and nothing will happen.”
Having said that, he left in a blur. Her mind needed time to absorb everything she’d learned and she was relieved to have a few moments alone. Presently she knew fifteen minutes had passed and she worried. Her heart jumped when he emerged not as the Tyson she expected, but as the giant black wolf. The enormous black bundle of obvious strength approached slowly as if he expected her to make a dash for it. His icy blue eyes watched curiously and even seemed surprised.
“I guess we better get going?” she asked weakly. Tyson moved so his shoulder was parallel with her line of sight then crouched low. “You want me to…sit on your back?”
He nodded his enormous head once.
“Are you sure? I am perfect
ly capable of walking.” His eyes flashed. She nodded and mumbled, “okay, okay.” She stood for a delayed moment trying to find a way on his back. She’d never been riding, horseback or any other kind. In the end, all she could do was grab a fist full of fur and pull herself on. He didn’t shy away and stood carefully after she situated herself between his shoulder blades. With a giant leap he began gaining speed until they were once again a blur. Her body protested with shards of pain at each movement. She hugged his neck and stayed low. The wind stung her cheeks and she found it easier to hide her face in his fur. She squeezed her eyes shut and the wind rushed all the louder.
Every powerful stride sent thrills through her very bones. He panted for breath and his heart thudded as he moved indefatigably. The aroma of pine and dirt was in his coat and the scent mingled with the fresh air of the forest. His power was exhilarating and calming all at once. If it weren’t for her wounds, nothing would have dampened her excitement. After some time she was lulled into a strange place where she was only half aware and the only thing keeping her awake was pain. She was drawn from the state when Tyson’s ears fell flat and he slowed his pace to a walk. He sniffed the air with his ears lowered and a low growl rumbled in his chest.
“What is it?”
Tyson stood still, his eyes focused on something in the distance. She could only see trees, but the woods were strangely still. She was glad she hadn’t let her grip relax when he suddenly bolted forward, almost throwing her. If possible, he moved faster and she grabbed him tighter. A few torturous moments later they stopped again and she gasped in alarm. The forest had cleared to an elevated, barren rocky area. He moved around the face of the mountain at a less unsettling pace until they were on higher footing. His head moved this way and that as he searched for something she could only guess at. Finally, they came to an opening in the side of the rock. Nothing but stone and blue sky could be seen from the nook he’d chosen to stop in. He found a small cavity and crouched low.
“You want me to get down?” she asked in a panic. He glanced at her and nodded. She slid off his back and her feet touched uneven surface, but her legs buckled. She caught herself by leaning against his colossal body. He shook her loose and urged her into the mouth of the cave. “Where are you going?” she asked quickly. He shook his head and stuck his nose in her stomach, forcing her beneath the shade. She ducked to avoid hitting her head. He pushed her even further back and she fell on her rear, scraping her elbow on a rock. He pulled his head out, but didn’t leave her as she dreaded he would. He stood outside, his body tense.
She didn’t know who he was hiding her from, but fear had her guessing the wild dogs had found them. Her body tensed and she mentally prepared herself to witness another grisly display. She barely noticed the cool of the cave or the smell of damp air. Thunderous growls exploded from Tyson and the noise nearly deafened her as it echoed off rock. There was little to see until another wolf, formidable in size, crept slowly into view. Silver in color and with eyes so yellow they looked to be glowing, the animal was a wonder to behold.
From where she was, Clara could only see Tyson’s tail end. The front of him was making such ferocious sounds that she was afraid to behold his face. The silver wolf crawled toward him on its belly with ears lowered in submission. Without any signs of hostility it edged nearer and nearer until it was close enough that Tyson could take a chunk out of it if he wanted. Rolling over, it fell onto its back, showing its stomach in complete submission. Tyson’s growls became less fierce and it seemed he might accept the silver werewolf’s call for truce.
Clara watched the strange wolf so closely she didn’t notice Tyson change shape until he spoke. “You can come out,” he informed her. She glanced at him, and, sure enough, he stood in his human form. He ducked into the mouth of the crevice when she didn’t move, her body too stiff to allow such a thing. He offered a hand and pulled her out. Meanwhile, the silver wolf remained belly up. Tyson, with Clara’s hand in his, pulled her to face the newcomer.
“Who is it?” she asked as she stepped into the sun and blinked.
“I don’t know, but she won’t hurt you. She smelled you and came. Once we get this over with she will leave us alone.”
“She smelled me?” she asked skeptically.
“Yes,” he said with a curt nod and pushed his hair back in an agitated way. The silver wolf slowly rolled to all fours and stood. She was every bit as majestic and beautiful as Tyson, only slightly smaller and slightly less fierce. The sun caused her coat to shine and her yellow eyes to sparkle like gold. Taken with her beauty, Clara wanted to go to her. Tyson kept her from doing so.
“Wait for her to approach, never go to them.”
Clara nodded and held still. The silver wolf moved ever so slowly toward them. Until that moment, Clara hadn’t noticed how the wolf trembled.
“You scared her!” she said accusingly.
“That was the goal.”
“She’s shaking!”
“She should be.”
The silver wolf came to Clara, but her yellow eyes were wide and she continuously glanced in Tyson’s direction. “Wouldn’t this be easier if she changed to her human form?” Clara asked.
“Yes, but she can’t. She’s feral, which means she’s trapped as a wolf,” Tyson answered, never taking his eyes from the stranger or his hand from hers.
“Trapped?” she repeated as she raised her free hand toward the silver wolf’s snout. She was close enough to touch and raised her nose to Clara’s outstretched fingers. Her hot breath warmed Clara’s skin. When the wolf touched her palm, Clara’s first reaction was to stroke her soft fur, but her hand froze. Her fingers tingled like they were being pricked, starting where she and the wolf touched. The sensation spread up her wrist and arm. An invisible bond held them together and she was powerless to pull away. Her energy drained as if the silver wolf absorbed it.
“What is it?” Tyson asked, unable to see the invisible interaction. She couldn’t answer or move. Intuitively, he knocked her hand, instantly breaking the connection. She fell back with a cry and he caught her arm, steadying her.
“What happened?” he asked again his eye shifting to the silver wolf. Clara cradled her mildly throbbing hand. “Clara,” Tyson said and put a hand on either side of her face, making her look at him. “What happened?”
“I don’t know. When she touched my hand…” Her brow knit together as she watched the silver wolf over his shoulder. The wolf had begun to transform. Clara’s sharp intake of breath made him turn back and face her away from the transformation. He had hoped to prepare her before she witnessed such a ghastly thing. When he did let her turn around, the silver wolf was gone and in her place stood a remarkable young woman. She wore raggedy clothes on her tall frame and her hair stood on end in dark, frizzy mats. Her eyes were golden and she stared at them in wild-eyed shock.
“Who are you?” Tyson asked while using his body to shield Clara.
“I…” The woman’s voice was quiet and grainy. “I don’t know, I can’t remember. You pulled me out,” she said while looking at Clara.
“Don’t talk to her!” Tyson snapped. “Address me.”
The woman jumped and nodded. “That girl pulled me out…made me remember…” She raised her fingers to eye level and examined them as if for the first time.
“You shouldn’t have let the wolf instinct take over.”
The woman’s yellow eyes flashed and she lowered her hands. “I know that now! It was not my intention to forget.”
Tyson bit back a growl and his annoyance, taking a deep breath. “What’s your name?”
She put a long finger to her chin and thought hard. “Flash?... No, that wasn’t it. Blur? No…streak? I don’t remember.”
“You don’t remember your own name?” Clara asked.
“No, I can only remember what the other animals of the woods thought I was. Perhaps I’ll remember with time,” she answered without looking Clara in the eye.
“We don’t have time,”
Tyson growled. “What happened when you touched her?”
“How should I know? She made me remember my human instincts, my human thoughts…I’d forgotten I ever was human.”
Tyson kept his body between the she-werewolf and Clara, unwilling to trust the newcomer. Clara put a hand on his tensed shoulder. “I don’t think she’s going to hurt me.”
“Hurt you?” the woman asked. “Why would I do that?”
“Perhaps you’d like to answer that for me,” Tyson growled again. Her yellow eyes shifted to Clara a glimpse of a moment.
“It’s impossible,” she whispered and weaved her fingers together. “She has enough pain. Her heart is bruised. I could never add to such suffering.”
Clara’s face went warm. Tyson relaxed, seeming to believe the she-werewolf. “Pain?” he asked for good measure.
“Yes,” the lady replied. She finally dared to meet Clara’s eye full on. “We are alike, you and I, we have both been alone far too long.”
At a loss for words, Clara cleared her throat awkwardly.
“Enough!” Tyson insisted, casually pushing his hair from his eyes. Relieved, Clara sighed and stepped back in effort to distance herself from what had transpired.
“You bonded with Clara in a way I’ve never heard one of us do with a mortal,” Tyson said quickly. “I’ve seen similar connections happen among wolves, but never on this level.”
Of everything he said, one word rang through Clara’s mind—mortal.
“I don’t know what you plan on doing now. You obviously need a pack to keep you from going wild,” Tyson continued.
“You have a pack? Where are they?” the woman asked eagerly.
“We’re going to meet them.”
“Oh, please allow me to come! I swear I won’t be trouble,” she immediately begged.
“You must remember Clara is mortal. First and foremost, keep your distance until I know you can be trusted. If you ever make one wrong move, the consequences will be dire. Do you understand?”
Bright Moon Page 5