by Strider, Jez
“What now?”
“We watch and we hunt. The bastard doing this will slip up eventually.”
“And he’ll be killed.” Mara said without doubt.
Marala really wanted a shot of any kind of alcohol she could get her hands on and a cigarette or ten. Unfortunately for her, Jak had made her promise to get rid of them and Kaden had poured what was left of the whiskey down the drain when he’d found her passed out in his recliner a couple of weeks earlier.
Things were getting tense. No more evidence or clues about the disappearance had surfaced. Each night the couple stared up at the sliver of moon growing larger and larger every evening until it was nearly a full pie. No matter how many times she and Kaden had sex… in the clearing, up against trees, or in the cool waters of the river… they couldn’t screw away the angst that the long anticipated bonding brought.
And the night was upon them. The days had dragged by until this moment and now everything was happening too fast. Mara sighed, running her hands over the delicate white dress. Not her usual style, but she sure felt beautiful for once.
Marala had let her hair flow freely down her back and over her shoulders. Only a small strand was braided in the side. The wolf paw necklace was where it stayed now, around her neck with the pendant near her heart. The sound of people talking drew her to a nearby window.
Outside, pack members were bearing gifts. She assumed they were leaving the offerings of blessing on the porch. From her angle, she couldn’t see. Their voices were animated and excited. The gestures warmed her heart. Within a pack, you were never alone in the world.
Why did I think leaving was the right answer? She asked herself, but then thought about everything she’d gone through, from the loss of her parents to Kaden’s infidelity, and she couldn’t blame herself too much.
Kade knocked on the bedroom door a short time later. He had a busy night ahead of him. First the bonding with her and then pack leader business. That meant fighting. New scars. Danger.
She opened the door for him. He was dressed in a black robe the same color as his hair, the same as his eyes, and the same as his wolf. Her breath caught in her throat and for a split second she was afraid of the beastly man. One mistake and he could snap her like a twig. But, she knew he’d die before harming her when he smiled down at her. A brutal, aggressive man like shouldn’t have such a heartwarming smile. It was almost too amazing.
Kaden touched her cheek before stepping inside. “You ready?”
“I think so. What if something goes wrong? I’m so old. The transformation could kill me or not work at all.”
He laughed a little. “Oh, it will work. You’re not that old. I can smell the need on you. Relax. I’ll take care of you. Jak is locked up in his room with his headphones on at full blast.” His hands rubbed over her shoulders and down her arms. “You’re more beautiful than you were the day you left.”
Marala ran a fingertip along his chiseled jawline, looking into the depths of his eyes. Rising to her tiptoes, she pressed her lips to his. She loved him so much it hurt and soon they’d be even closer. Instead of trying to kill the wolf within with depressants, she’d spend full moons running through the forest with her mate.
His hands fell to her waist and slowly he lifted the gown from the bottom until he was pulling it over her head. Though it was removed quickly, the respect and honor the dress represented was important to her. When he’d finished, he untied the belt holding his robe closed and it fell open to reveal his toned, muscular physique. Without modesty, he allowed his member to jut out toward her.
“I’m scared.” She whispered, not wanting to admit it. Ashamed to say the words out loud.
Firmly, he touched lips to her forehead and held her close against his chest. She could hear his heart and it was racing. “Do you want to be with me forever?” He asked.
“Forever.” She repeated.
“Then it’s necessary. Everyone is afraid the first time they shift. Even I was.”
“I wish I had been here for it.”
“Me too, wa-ya. We’re together now.” He led her to the bed, lifted her, and placed her flat on her back. Discarding the robe, he covered her with his body.
“Don’t bite me when you change.” He put one finger against her nose and smiled again, trying to ease her tension.
Mara wiggled a little to spread herself open and he positioned himself in a way to give her room beneath his massive frame. “I won’t.”
He must have caught more of her scent because his nostrils flared and ravenously he went in for a kiss. His tongue pushed into her mouth, followed by his member between her legs and into her body.
Mara and Kaden were both virgins to full moon sex. Neither was prepared for the mind-shattering, body shocking ecstasy of the most intimate embrace two lycan can share.
She locked eyes with him when he pulled away from the kisses to look down at her expression while he made love to her. Never stopping, never losing rhythm. Thrusting for what was surely hours but felt like days. Her hands went up to his chest and she lightly ran her fingernails down it. Only for a moment they weren’t nails at all, but claws. She blinked once and the illusion vanished.
“Don’t be scared of the wolf.” She heard him say and felt his hands protectively on the sides of her head to still the insanity.
Had she been writhing back and forth, screaming? Yes. But his mouth was on hers again and she calmed. This only lasted a moment because orgasm sent her body arching upward. His arms wrapped around her and lifted her up to sitting on him, hugging her tightly as he released within her.
Reality revealed. With eyes open, the truth of what she was, visions and shared memories, were shown to her. The wolf was free and she belonged. Not only to Kaden forever, but to the pack… to the wolf and to the moon.
He’d slipped away from her to the foot of the bed, watching. She saw his form, but couldn’t make out his features clearly with her new eyes. His mouth was moving, but there was too much going on in her mind and body for her to hear.
Then she fell forward on the bed where Kaden had placed her after he’d lifted her off him and set her down. On all fours, her back arched upward, then another tingling sensation went through her body and she lowered it. Her head rose into the air next. In a shaky motion, not fluid like Kaden’s shifts, she suddenly transformed into a soft red wolf with bright yellow eyes. A sensation like vertigo disoriented her, but nothing she would call pain happened.
“You’re the most amazing creature I have ever seen.” Kaden whispered.
She could see him clearly now and he had tears in his eyes. The tough guy, the leader of lycan, was on the verge of crying. Mara drew in a breath, testing her newfound senses. Immediately, she bristled and jumped off the bed. Her changed appendages faltered and she fell flat, but in a scramble, made it to her feet.
“Marala, my love, please calm down. You’re okay.” He spoke soothingly, knowing how the wolf mind could be confusing. It was mostly instinct, not thought.
Looking directly at him she growled and then placed her front paws on the bedroom door, clawing at the knob, trying to open it. She knew it would be nearly impossible to return to human form until her first full moon set.
Kaden, confused, put on his robe and opened the door. Mara darted across the hall and did the same clawing motion on Jak’s door. Kade gently pushed her aside. “Stay here and let me check. I will not hesitate to muzzle you if you try to bite our son.”
Mara gave a heartbreaking howl to tell Kade to hurry. He opened the door, stepped inside and shut the door behind him. When he came back out, Marala looked up expectantly.
“He’s gone.” Kaden told her as he ran for the front door.
“Wake up, Jak.” A familiar voice said. He was being shaken.
“Taylor?” Growling. What is that?
“Come on, kid. I know you’re groggy, but bad shit is happening.”
Jak forced one eyelid up. What he saw had the other open wide despite the effects o
f the drugs he’d been shot with. A wolf stood in the corner of the dirt hole he was in and looked ready to attack at the slightest provocation.
“Is that Mason?” Jak asked.
“Uh, yeah, and he’s about to eat us.”
The moonlight lit the pit enough for Jak to see how weak Taylor and the wolf were. With a little help, Jak was able to get to his feet. He leaned against the dirt wall and spoke. “Mason, I’m a wolf like you. My dad is Kaden Dakota. You know him, the pack leader.”
Mason’s eyes lowered a little as if he was remembering the pack… or thinking about how delicious two humans might taste. A few seconds passed and the wolf took a step forward, teethed bared again as if he’d forgotten everything Jak had said.
Taylor went to block the wolf from attacking Jak, but Jak held out an arm to stop him. “No. I got this.”
“I sure as hell hope you do because I don’t.”
Without showing an ounce of fear, Jak Dakota stepped forward and extended his hand toward the wolf. “I am pack. We are brothers.” The act of bravery would have made any ancestor proud.
The wolf sniffed his palm and calmed down a little. Jak had bought them some time, but the hungry wolfborn could lose control at any moment.
“Stay over there, Taylor.” He draped one arm over the new wolf’s back and tried to remain calm.
“No argument here.” Taylor held up his hands briefly and shrugged.
On the surface, the kidnapper watched the exchange. “You’re a braver man than your father. Too bad it means little at this point. If your mother hadn’t taken you away things may have been different.”
“You know nothing about my family.” Jak yelled and the wolf at his side growled again, this time at the kidnapper. “You’re a cowardly, rejected pup.” The usually calm teenager screamed with ferocity that surprised even him.
The man laughed, removing his mask and speaking clearly. “I should have been leader. I was older, your grandfather’s closest friend. Your father never appreciated any of his blessings.”
“Levi… I knew it.” Jak said. “You’re pathetic.”
“So I’ve been told by my wife for years since I’m unable to give her a child. It ends tonight. You’re the last two young sons. She’ll thank me for not having to witness the others with children.” He rambled on, crazed. “Kaden and Marala will be broken. The pack will fall apart and I can take my wife and live as a human away from all this.”
“It’s not too late to stop. Let us go. We can get you the help you need.” Jak told the elder wolf.
“It’s almost time for the battle for high pack. Of course, if they’ve noticed you’re missing, that won’t happen. Their lengthy mating ritual gave me the perfect opportunity to take Kaden’s spare key and sneak inside to take you.” Levi laughed. “Enjoy your night. Eat up, Mason.”
The young wolf bared teeth. When Jak tried to soothe him, he snapped in warning. Jak slowly moved to the other side of the hole and huddled up with Taylor. The two of them might be able to take Mason, but it was a long shot. And all options left someone dead.
Marala ran out the front door as soon as Kaden opened it, following the scent of her son that still lingered in the air. No one else would be able to find him but her. She’d carried him for nine months, cut his hair, tended to his cuts, and washed his dirty socks. All these memories melded together and flared like beacons before her sniffing nose.
“Wait for me.” Kaden called out, tripping over the gifts that had been left on the porch by the pack members. He dropped his robe after catching himself on the post near the steps. There was no keeping up with her as a human. Gracefully, he jumped off the porch as a human and landed on the ground on all four black paws.
Occasionally, she’d catch a whiff of Levi, but she wasn’t as familiar with it. Instead, she focused on Jak, tracking him like a veteran instead of a wolf at her first moon. Behind her, she heard Kaden keeping pace. He howled and the sounds of more paws hitting the forest floor joined in.
Marala led the way, the pack trusting her judgment. They wound around trees, through thickets they had to crawl through on their stomachs, paws dragging them through inch by inch. Jak’s scent was strong there, where he’d been dragged on the ground. Mara growled low, but tried to keep quiet so she wouldn’t alert the man they were after.
When she was through the brush and rock formations, she took off running again without waiting for the others. Kaden was the largest wolf, having trouble squeezing through the brambles and low hanging limbs and stone. He wasn’t on her heels anymore, but she couldn’t stop. There was no time to wait.
At a river, she briefly lost Jak’s scent and almost panicked, but when she crossed, she immediately found it again. It was getting stronger. He’d been here recently. Her son was close by. She slowed down. Up ahead she could see a figure. A quick inhale told her that it was Levi, but where was Jak?
“Eat up, Mason.” She heard Levi say. He was looking down at the ground. That’s when she charged.
Mara nearly ran right into the huge pit. The fall would have probably killed her, at minimum broken some bones. At the last second, she leapt and hit Levi full force. Surprised, he stumbled backwards and fell to the ground. He lifted his arm to block her. She bit and tore at it, the large teeth ripping through his sleeve and into flesh. When he turned his head to the side, she pinned him to the ground by his throat.
“Marala! No!” Kaden screamed from a distance.
She didn’t tear Levi’s throat out, but held him still, low rumbles coming from her. The other wolves closed in, setting a perimeter. Nashoba, Blake, Luke, and Martell were all there, along with some lesser wolves.
Kaden stood naked like an ancient statue, watching over his pack and his mate. “Let him go and I will take care of this. Tend to Jak.” He peered into the hole briefly, the impact of his powerful presence calmed the new wolf in the pit.
Several of the other pack members had shifted and begun lowering a rope to pull the captives out. Mason was first so that Jak and Taylor could tie the rope around him. The wolf kicked at the walls on the way up, trying to gain traction. Martell hugged him closely and Mason whimpered in his father’s arms when he was safely on the surface.
Mara’s eyes were wild. She wanted to kill Levi. Wanted to gut him and leave him for the buzzards. But Jak needed her and she found it difficult to go against Kaden’s word. Carefully, she released her hold on Levi and stepped back.
“This is why the pack needed to be dissolved. It took a newly transformed female to find me.” Levi said hoarsely.
Kaden’s calmness was unnerving. “Why did you do this?”
Mara waited at the edge of the pit, pacing back and forth as she waited for Jak to be retrieved.
He called up to her. “I’m okay, Mom. That’s weird, calling a wolf ‘Mom.’” He said.
She listened while Kaden spoke to Levi, comprehending, but the wild anger making it difficult.
“Because my first plans backfired. Marala was like a daughter to me. Elle found the positive pregnancy test Mara had taken. When she told me, I decided to remove you from the picture, Kaden. Mara would be my daughter and her child my grandson. This would allow me to influence the direction of the pack.” He rubbed his neck lightly, blood was on his palm.
“Keep going.” Kaden said.
Jak was lifted from the pit next. He wrapped his arms around the red wolf in a hug. Mara gave out a big sigh of relief.
Levi continued, watching Mara and Jak. “I paid this woman in town to slip some drugs into your drink the night at the bowling alley. She basically raped you. I told Mara where you were and she thought you were cheating on her.” He grinned, prideful of his deceit.
Mara knew what those words meant, even as a wolf. She looked to Kaden who glanced at her. The relief on his face was evident, but it changed to fury. “She was supposed to run home to you, not run away? And then what? You would have killed me?” Kade asked.
“Something like that.” Levi nodded. “I never
could stand you. Still can’t.” He removed a gun from his belt and aimed it at Kaden.
Marala pushed Kaden out of the wait, narrowly missing taking a bullet to the head herself. Reacting swiftly, Kaden shifted and latched onto Levi’s wrist, causing him to drop the weapon. Taylor had just been lifted out of the hole. He ran over and picked up the pistol, aiming it at Levi who had shifted as well.
The black wolf and the brown one were hard to tell apart as they fought in the dark. Movements were fast and fierce. Luckily, Taylor didn’t have to fire a shot. Kaden won the battle, slinging the defeated wolf around with his maw violently. Levi’s body was bruised, bleeding, and lifeless by the time Kade stopped his assault. He panted heavily. Marala ran over to him, bumping her head against his.
“How about you wolves all stay in form so I don’t have to see anymore dick tonight?” Taylor said. “Mara, if that’s you, you’re good to go ahead and strut around naked.” He walked over and spit on Levi before grabbing him by the one arm that was still attached all the way and dragged him toward the pit. He let go on the edge and kicked the body into the hole that had been his prison for a couple of weeks.
Kaden lifted his head in approval and respect for Taylor. Marala stayed by Kaden’s side and Jak supported their weakened human friend as they walked. The rest of the wolves followed as they led the way back to town.
The pack leader, mostly clean of blood from wading through the river, walked up his steps and dropped his wolf form. He picked up the robe he’d discarded and put it on before facing his pack.
“I want to thank everyone for a good job tonight. This is what it means to be a pack, to be brothers and sisters.” He gestured with his arm. Marala had climbed the steps and sat beside him. Jak was on Kaden’s other side. “We will not mourn our lost brother, for in the end, he was not one of us.”
“Taylor Andin.” He pointed at the only true human in the crowd. “He is our new brother and is welcome here for as long as he wishes.”