“You and yours were separate for years…” Kid began, and while Cody understood his perspective, Kid didn’t understand. Not fully
“My wolf and I were never at odds before Mariska.” In fact, his wolf had saved his life on countless occasions. Cody’s family, his entire town, had been wiped out by the fever when he was four years old. He shifted for the first time just days after his parents’ death, while he himself could barely stand after the fever ravaged his body. Without the wolf, Cody would have starved.
They had been symbiotes, with the wolf taking the lead at least in the beginning because the animal understood how to hunt and had weapons that allowed him to do it. The boy retreated beneath the animal, but he hadn’t disappeared. As he’d matured, he and the wolf worked together and even discussed things.
Only Mariska had created true division in them. Cody had loved her and the wolf hadn’t. Decades of experience had made them equals…
Pausing, the last piece of the puzzle clicked into place. He and his wolf had been equals—of like age and maturity. Inside his house, he could hear the labored breathing of Mariska’s wolf. Though she had shifted and now controlled their form, the wolf still obeyed him. He’d told her not to follow until he was gone.
The wolf would definitely pick up his scent, especially since Cody did nothing to disguise it or his presence. But for such a young animal…
“Where did you go?” Kid’s tone changed, as if he’d already sensed the growing surety within Cody. Maybe he had.
“Her wolf is young and needs to learn. Mariska is used to leading, but she isn’t trying to lead her wolf, she’s trying to dominate her.” Yes, the words fit the situation. No wonder his mate had been so frustrated. Why hadn’t he…? “Stop that.” He glared at Kid. The empath had worked hard to soften the ragged edges of their emotions before—at a severe personal cost.
“I’m not. That’s all you.” Kid nodded toward the house. “I’m more interested in the frustration and rage building in there. She hates whatever it was you told her to do.”
Of course she would. Mariska’s wolf was young. The young—like Ben, and the other Fevered children—wanted to follow a stronger, more capable person or, in this case, animal. Pack was safe. Cody’s brothers and Scarlett were his pack, the bonds had extended to the still-developing generation of Fevered children they’d been raising since Miller’s brutal attack wiped out the town and nearly half the ranch population.
“Can you and Evelyn do what I’ve asked?” They didn’t have time to debate this. If he forced her wolf too long, the animal would lash out when she was finally able to follow. Kid could handle her. If necessary, he could calm her down until she went to sleep, but then they wouldn’t achieve what they needed.
“Yes,” Kid said, and glanced at his wife who stood in the window. An illusionist of some sort, she could create very real, very vivid images. “Not for long because I won’t let her hurt herself, but we can give Mariska something to follow for a time.”
Cody nodded. “Take her to the eastern reaches.”
“The rock canyon?”
“Yes.” As far from the Fort as they could go and still be on Flying K land.
Kid’s eyes unfocused briefly and then he said, “It’s all clear out there. Ben’s in class with Jo and we’ll make sure he stays in Haven or with one of us.”
A solid plan. He didn’t want Ben to have to deal with dominance games yet. Fortunately, his cougar was a juvenile, like him. “Are you sure you have this?” He didn’t want to overtax Kid, but to make this work, he had to be well ahead of her, yet know she was heading in the right direction.
With a long look, Kid said patiently, “Yes, Cody. I have this. Go.”
Quanto and Wyatt had trusted him to leave the mountain and he seemed happier than he ever had in the past. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” A quick smile. “And she’s probably going to destroy something in there. She’s getting restless.”
“See you in a few days.”
“That confident?”
Not answering, Cody took off at a jog. Confidence had nothing to do with this particular battle. If Mariska and her wolf couldn’t reach some type of understanding over the next few days, they would have more serious problems to worry about. Leaving Haven behind, he went wide of the lower pastures and grazing lands. He’d be faster on four legs, but to criss-cross the trail and leave his scent while Evelyn created an illusion of his wolf to lead Mariska on a parallel course…yes, he was better on two.
Hoofbeats echoed in the distance and Cody had made the first rise when he realized the horse followed him. Turning, he scowled at his unexpected escort. The deep red hair was a dead giveaway. “Not now, Scarlett. Go home.” She was a few months along in her pregnancy and shouldn’t be this far out on her own.
“Yes, now. Sam told me what you were doing.” She slowed her sweet, painted mare as she drew alongside him.
“Then you know why you need to go away. Her wolf doesn’t need to pick up your scent in her frame of mind.” His sister could be such a brat sometimes. When her chin lifted and fire flashed in her eyes, he knew today would be another terrible example.
“I don’t think what you’re doing is—”
Holding up a hand to cut her off, Cody studied his sister. Yes, her temper was still there, but so was a softness that came with pregnancy. Her kids were everything to her. Once upon a time, he’d hated the very idea of her with Sam, but no longer. The two fit each other. The marshal tamed her wildness with an understated calm. Scarlett, like him, had a temper. Mariska had one, too. Cody wanted what Scarlett had found—albeit with Mariska. His mate calmed him like no other, just as Sam calmed Scarlett. “You don’t need to agree with my methods,” he said after a long pause. Yelling at Scarlett never worked. She’d just dig in and become more stubborn. “But in this, I am right. You aren’t a wolf, little sister. Your beast is your fire, and you are comfortable with it. Finally.”
Because of Sam. He didn’t say that. He didn’t have to. The marshal’s utter lack of fear where she was concerned, his deep faith in her—it gave her faith in herself.
Brows drawing together into a frown, she sighed. “I want you both to be happy. I know I haven’t always seemed that way and there was probably an easier way to say to her what I did.”
Cody shrugged. “Honesty stings. We both know that. You were right. I am smothering her.”
“And this is going to correct that?” Skepticism thickened her words.
“No. But I know Mariska’s strength, and I do trust her. She needs to trust herself and the only way to do that is to make her fight for it. To fight me.” He couldn’t lose her. He refused to even consider the notion. “Now you need to go home and take care of my niece or nephew.”
A smile softened her face. “Are you sure? You shouldn’t have to do this alone. Neither should she.”
“We all have to be alone sometimes. It’s how we grow.” A truth he’d had a difficult time swallowing for years. Scarlett’s separation from them had been the best thing in the world for her. “Go home.”
Patting the mare’s neck, Scarlett nodded slowly. “Both of you better come back or I’m going to be very angry.”
“Frightening, I’m sure.” His very dry response had the intended effect. His sister laughed. “Go.” He didn’t have any more time to waste on the conversation. He waited, watching as she rode away before continuing on his run. The late afternoon sun had already begun its lazy descent in the western sky. He wouldn’t make the rock canyon before dark.
By the time Mariska got there, her wolf would probably be exhausted and mad.
A thrill pulsed through his blood. Hunting his mate while avoiding her capturing him held a certain allure. But in this high stakes game, the right outcome would let them both win.
As for losing? He refused to contemplate the chance.
Chapter 4
Wolf Sister
They had tried to trick her, but the ruse faded over the r
ougher land. The scent didn’t cling to rock as it did to grass. Yes, her mate had come this way, but much earlier than the shadow wolf she’d trailed. Testing her suspicions, she’d found a cool patch of shade beneath an overhang and settled in. The shadow wolf doubled back twice to where she lay, but the closer it ventured, the more certain she became.
Whatever creature she’d tracked lacked the substance of her mate. Though similar in shape and size, the male was not hers. When it darted toward her, ears forward and tail up, she lunged. Catching the male under the throat, she tested the strength of her jaw, carrying the animal over onto his back.
Not her mate at all.
Satisfied, she ripped the interloper’s throat out and the animal shivered, collapsed, and then vanished. Yelping, she backpedaled and glared at the spot where the wolf had been. Not even a trace of his scent or the blood remained. Panting, she ran her tongue over her mouth and muzzle.
No blood.
Frustrated, she growled and slunk back toward the shadow beneath the rock. Her mate ordered her to wait until after he left to follow. Obeying had hurt, but she had done so. Then the shadow wolf fooled her. Disgruntled by her failure, she glared at the sun-heated rocks. Without the shadow beast to distract her, she heard the distinct clip-clop of hoofbeats. Ears angled forward, she lifted her head and studied the direction the sound came from.
The breeze carried a familiar scent. The boy. She knew the scent because the boy was familiar. Not a boy now, but he had been one. Her mate ordered her never to hurt him.
Withdrawing deeper into the shadows, she watched through half-closed eyes as the boy—now a man—appeared above. A female rode with him, their scents twined together. Mates.
“She’s not all the way to the canyon,” the woman said. The words didn’t mean much, but some part of her brain roused at the statement.
“No, and she’s not feeling friendly. This is close, though, so we’re going to leave her—”
“How can you say that? She’s all alone.”
The man turned the horse. The woman rode with him, so she had no choice but to hold on as he turned away. “She’s a wolf. She’ll be fine.”
Turning the words over in her mind, she understood that they should have a deeper meaning. The canyon sounded familiar, but she needed a scent or a direction. Waiting until she could no longer hear the horse or the voices, she then crept out from beneath the rock.
All around her the land was quiet save for the occasional rustle of scales on rock. Snakes sunning themselves, small lizards—easy prey, but she wanted her mate, not food. She ignored them. None were close enough to give her any issue. Birds flew overhead, but they were flying away…and ground rodents stayed safely in their nests, huddled into the crevices made by stone. Padding over the warm rocks, she tried to avoid the hotter spots while angling on a path away from the direction the boy had traveled. The damp odor of water reached her and she tried to pinpoint the source of the scent. Tired, annoyed, and thirsty, she trotted toward the water.
A spring splashed between two rocks and trickled down to a small creek. Smelling only freshness, she lapped at the cool water. Tasting nothing off, she drank several gulps. Thirst satisfied, she considered the running water, the rocks, and the local scents. Something about the terrain was familiar. A fly buzzed close to her and she flicked her ear to send it away. Tracking the path of the water, she followed it until it spilled down the cliff side into a canyon.
An elusive scent tickled her nose. Pausing, she raised her face to the breeze. The shift carried another trace of the scent…her mate. He’d been through here. Moving slowly and deliberately, she began searching for him.
Mariska
Day One
A rock dug into her side. The pinch intruded on her sleep. A bird screamed overhead and she jerked awake. It took her several seconds to process where she was—the middle of nowhere—that she was human again, naked and under a blanket she could not possibly have carried with her. Her last rational memory had been in the house she shared with Cody in Haven.
Dirt crusted her nails and clung to the damp sweat on her arms, chest and sides. So, she’d gone wolf and her wolf had gone…where? Lifting the blanket, she sniffed the fabric. Rough hewn, but warm and durable. Cody’s scent lingered. He must’ve found her and covered her with a blanket and gone. Twisting, she glanced around. Gone where?
The sun had barely crested the eastern sky and, despite the heat of the previous day, the temperatures were cool. Cool enough, she shivered. Dragging the blanket around her shoulders and doing her best to make it into a poncho, she stood. The sun promised a warmer day and the season hadn’t quite committed to the autumn.
Currently, however, she was chilled, sore, and filthy. Not to mention lost. Edging out from the rock she’d taken shelter under for the night, she scanned the area. Rock Canyon. Red stone walls, yellow stone and sandy shale ground. Boulders. Caves. And fresh water. It trickled beneath the rocks, bubbling up into springs. A violently unpleasant place in high summer, when the stone held onto the heat and could flood swiftly during a storm.
Located in the far eastern reaches of the property, she was still safely on the Flying K and behind the barrier. The barrier protected them from invasion by Fevered not welcomed by the Kanes. Since Kid’s arrival home, however, they’d learned the barrier could be much more.
She didn’t understand it all, but Jason and Kid had been working together to explore the possibilities. Strange…they are working together. And not all that long ago they were enemies…
“You don’t like her.” Kid hadn’t liked Jason. He’d had his reasons, but then, apparently so had Jason. Cody said she didn’t like her wolf. She loathed the loss of control, but did that transfer to the animal, too?
Adjusting the blanket, she paused to listen, then visually scanned the area before testing the scent of the air. Some of her senses were always heightened. Scent. Sound. She’d undergone physical changes like strength, too. A rock dug into the soft arch of her foot. Biting back an oath, she checked for blood.
Shoes would have been nice. So would clothes. At least her husband had brought her a blanket. So where was he? She doubted he’d gone far, he never did. Other than the trace of his scent on the blanket, she didn’t see or smell him anywhere. Stop worrying about him. He’ll show up when he wants to show up. He’d said something about her hunting him, but she needed clothes, food—and water.
First things first. She followed the faint scent of water till she caught the rushing sound. Her feet were killing her, however, by the time she climbed over the rocks hiding the stream from her. After slaking her thirst, she slid her feet into the cool water. Sweat dampened her brow. The air was cool, but the sun continued its steady ascent.
Loosening the blanket, she set it aside and washed up as best she could with the water, then finger combed the tangles of her hair away from her face. She had nothing out here. Thank you, wolf. Aggravated that the animal had set off without letting her bring the pack she’d been preparing, leaving her with nothing to hunt with, wear, or even prepare any food, should she be fortunate enough to bring down an animal.
Damp, but at least clean, she redraped the blanket and tugged it to cover most of her vital parts. Her legs and arms were bare. Hopefully the army men would keep well away and no other strangers wandered onto the ranch. If she headed east and deeper into the canyon, she could find shelter. A cave would do.
Caves.
Excitement threaded through her blood. The Kanes stocked the caves in case anyone needed shelter when checking the herds this far out. Food. Clothes.
And boots. Emboldened by that hope, she turned east and headed into the canyon.
Cody
Crouched high above and downwind, he tracked his mate’s progress. The wolf had finally given up her hunt, frustrated and depressed. He’d damn near gone to her then, but she’d shifted and his woman was exhausted. She’d curled up and simply gone to sleep. When she made no sign of rousing, he’d jogged down into the c
anyon and covered her. He needed the nearness to know she was safe, healthy—alive. Walking away had been the second hardest act of his life.
She limped. The uneven ground hurt her feet. Had she remembered the caves? The Kanes kept dry foods, clothing, blankets, and more in caches all over the farthest reaches of the ranch. Micah visited them regularly, made sure they were maintained. If anyone was trapped too far from the house or the stables, they could find one of the caches or caves and have enough to survive. Dry firewood was added throughout the year, but always checked before winter. A cool night could be survived in summer, but a long night of winter exposure could kill.
But Mariska could go wolf. She had her own fur. Of course, she had to be willing. Waiting until she was out of sight, he rose and paralleled her path. He’d stay high for as long as he could. When she decided to look for him, he’d be ready. Half the night had been spent scattering his scent everywhere.
Wolf and woman would need all their senses to find him. Mouth open in a wolfish grin, he hoped she’d start seeking him, soon. Until then, he’d satisfy his need to watch after her from a distance.
Mariska
Day Two
It took her the better part of the first day to even locate the right cave. Her feet were bleeding by the time she limped inside. As soon as she’d cleaned, wrapped, and put borrowed boots onto her feet, she went back out to wash away the blood. She didn’t need to attract other predators to her. Surprisingly, her wolf didn’t scrabble or claw at her—she was as quiet as if Cody were around.
Too tired to examine it closely, she curled up on her makeshift bed and gazed at the flames until she fell asleep. Dawn hid behind dark clouds and the air carried the promise of rain. If nothing else, a fresh downpour would wash away what blood she hadn’t been able to cover. The dampness also carried a chill. After adding logs to the fire, she circled the fire pit and walked to the mouth of the cave. Still no sign of Cody. Not even a hint of his scent on the breeze.
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