One of her car's headlamps was still on. The light was flickering and dimming rapidly, and she knew she would soon be left in complete and utter darkness. A shadow passed in front of the light, and Mina jumped. The figure advanced slowly, confidently until it stood right in front of the car. Mina stared into the yellowish eyes of a large, red wolf. The wolf put one massive paw on the smoking hood of her car and the car dipped forward. Mina had to stuff her fist into her mouth to stifle a scream. If that gigantic wolf sat on her car, it would crush the flimsy tin can into a pulp.
More yellow eyes emerged from the fog. She saw more red wolves prowling silently in the fog, closing in on her. Their coppery red fur brushed against her windows as they circled her car. They growled as they paced impatiently, and Mina wondered briefly why they hadn't attacked. What were they waiting for?
Very slowly, Mina turned to face the large wolf standing on the collapsed hood of her car. Frozen in terror, she could only stare at it as the wolf watched her through her windscreen. It was staring straight into her eyes, almost nose to nose with her. Only a sheet of glass separated them.
Mina stared into those glowing eyes, and willed herself not to show fear. Animals, especially predators, could smell fear, and they were quick to pounce on any weakness. She had to look braver and stronger than she felt. Mina sensed that this big wolf was the leader of the pack, and the other wolves were waiting for the command or signal to attack.
As she glared at the wolf, she sensed that the wolf wasn't just waiting for the chance to smash through the glass and seize her by the neck. There was something in its eyes. The eyes held cunning and cruelty.
And she knew. She knew that these weren't just ordinary wolves. Animals only killed when they needed to feed. And they killed their prey swiftly. They didn't take pleasure and pride in torturing and terrorizing their prey.
Very slowly, Mina slid her hand under her seat. Eva had given her a gun, a gun that was loaded with silver bullets.
Eva was right. The weres in the wild were different from the weres living in the city. The weres in New Moon City were easily recognized as shifters, even in their animal forms. Their eyes, their mannerisms and habits were less feral, more human, more gentle. City living had tamed their beasts somewhat, made them more civilized, less savage. But outside the city, that was where the wild things were. Shifters outside New Moon City lived close to nature, and let their beasts out more often, without inhibition. There was nothing civilized or genteel about them. They were animals, wild, dangerous, savage. They possessed beastly speed and strength, and human cunning and callousness.
She was staring into the eyes of a monster. A werewolf with violent, sadistic eyes.
Mina knew she had to lodge a silver bullet into the head or heart of a werewolf to kill it. Eva had taught her well. Mina tried to still her breathing. Her aim had to be dead accurate. Killing one of the many wolves surrounding her car wouldn't make a difference. She had to kill the Alpha of the pack. And the Alpha was right in front of her.
She kept her gaze steady, but something must have shifted in her eyes. The wolf opened its mouth, revealing sharp, glinting fangs. Mina's fingers closed around the gun under her seat and she froze. It knows that I know, she realized. The wolf chuffed, and it sounded like a derisive laugh. Mina slid the gun further out. One shot, that's all she had, before those powerful jaws smashed through the glass and clamped round her throat.
The wolf's eyes flashed and glowed brighter as it stared at her moving throat. At the same instant that Mina whipped out her gun and fired, the wolf unsheathed its lethal claws and punched through the windscreen.
Glass splinters rained down on Mina, and she had to raise her arms to shield her face and eyes.
Their Alpha's charge was the signal to attack. The wolves immediately swarmed her car, and Mina heard the sound of glass breaking and metal screeching and groaning as her car crumpled under their assault.
Mina was aware that her gun was still in her hand and she fired blindly. They were going to tear her from limb to limb, so she figured she'd better squeeze off a few shots while her arm was still attached to her body. Hopefully, she could take a few of her killers down with her.
She fired again and again, seeing nothing but red fur and slashing claws in front of her. She cried out when she felt a sharp claw drag down her forearm. Her hand shook and she could feel blood oozing down her arm but still she kept her finger on the trigger.
Forcing her eyes open, she saw that large Alpha wolf crouching in front of the broken windscreen, preparing to pounce. Mina was still strapped to the driver's seat, and she fumbled frantically with the seat belt, trying to free herself. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a sudden movement, and before she could get out of the way, a wolf with brownish-red fur and hazel eyes barreled into her. She screamed as the wolf snapped its jaws inches from her throat. She waited, but she never felt teeth and fangs tearing into her skin. She opened her eyes a crack, and realized that the wolf was just snarling, growling, making all kinds of intimidating noises while pretending to bite her.
She blinked into those hazel eyes, and saw the wolf give her a small, sharp nod. Play along.
Mina nodded back quickly, and opened her mouth to let out a blood-curdling scream. She smeared the blood from her bleeding arm all over her face and neck as she flailed wildly, screaming, sobbing and begging as though she were in excruciating agony.
She wondered how long the wolf could keep up the pretense before the Alpha caught on. Clearly, this hazel-eyed wolf was not on board with his Alpha's plan to brutalize a helpless, harmless human woman who was traveling quietly along a deserted highway and just minding her own business.
Her scream sounded hoarse and weak to her own ears. She turned to meet the wolf's narrowed hazel eyes before he lunged at her.
Instinctively, she fired a shot.
And then everything became...white. Not blood red, as she'd expected. But white.
Pure, pristine, snowy white.
Angel wings? Mina thought dazedly.
But furry angel wings? Who would've thought.
CHAPTER THREE
Mina shrank back as white fur swept across her vision. She scrambled out of the way of snapping teeth and swiping claws, and huddled behind the driver's seat. Her gun was still in her hand, but she had run out of silver bullets.
She raised her head just in time to see a magnificent white wolf close its jaws around the neck of a smaller red wolf. There was a sickening crack, and the white wolf dragged the dead wolf out through the back window of her car. Mina met the eyes of the white wolf, and did a double take. Did the wolf just...wink at her?
Mina shook her head hard. She must be going out of her mind. No wolf would wink at her, right after snapping the neck of another wolf. The shock and terror must have been too much for her.
Cautiously, she peeked out of the broken back window of her car. What she saw made her eyes and mouth round with shock and awe. The angry red wolves were being attacked and chased off by a pack of the most beautiful white wolves she had ever seen. Their fur coats were blindingly white, pure and shiny. Their fangs and claws gleamed silver as they moved with lethal speed.
The Alpha red wolf was now grappling with a gigantic, growling white wolf in front of her car. The white wolf's blue eyes shone like sapphires, glittering with menace and fury.
As the two Alpha wolves clashed, the white wolves drove the rest of the red wolves back into the woods. Mina saw the tide of wolves recede from her car, and she finally let out a shaky breath. The Alpha red wolf twisted away from the relentless attack of the white wolf to fix cold, yellow eyes on Mina. With a howl, the Alpha red wolf turned and disappeared into the woods. Mina could still hear its angry call through the woods, as it rallied its fleeing wolves and led them away from their relentless pursuers.
The Alpha white wolf raised his head and let out a short howl. The woods echoed with the answering howls of his wo
lves. Instinctively, Mina knew that the wolf had just sent out a command to his pack. And from the sounds of pursuit rushing through the trees, she guessed it was a command to chase the red wolves far off.
Slowly, Mina let her eyes swivel back to the majestic white wolf standing guard in front of her mangled car. All the other wolves had disappeared into the shadowy woods. Only what was left of her car, Mina and this beautiful, intimidating snowy wolf were left in the middle of the highway.
The wolf was watching her intently with those brilliant blue eyes. Eyes that looked all too human and knowing.
“Um...” Mina sucked in a shuddering breath, and inched gingerly away from the imaginary safety of her car.
This wolf had saved her life. And he had ordered his pack to keep the red wolves away and keep her safe. She should walk right up to him and thank him, even though her knees were shaking so badly. She took one step forward, and promptly tripped over her own feet.
“Oof! Damn,” she muttered under her breath, picking herself up and dusting her jeans hurriedly. She looked up and saw the wolf standing a few feet from her. Unlike that bullying, brutal red wolf, he made no move to approach her. He stood still, doing his best not to frighten her.
The white wolf watched her with calm but alert eyes.
Mina took a tentative step forward. No sudden moves now.
“Ah, thank you,” she began and cleared her throat. “You saved my life. Thank you. I...I know you're not a real wolf, I mean, you are a real wolf and you're a very splendid wolf,” she corrected hastily. “I mean...y-you're a werewolf. Right?” When the wolf made no response, Mina winced and backed away slowly. Could she be wrong? Was he not a wolf shifter?
Mina was about to scramble back to her crumpled car when the wolf nodded once. Mina blew out a breath of relief. He was a shifter. He was part human, so he'd be able to understand her just fine.
“I was on my way to Misty Valley when my car broke down and I got attacked by those wolves,” she said quickly. “Do you think you could lead me to Misty Valley? I don't think I should spend the night out here. Those red wolves might come back.”
The wolf stared at the metal heap behind her that only vaguely held the shape of a car and inclined his head at her. Quietly, he moved to her side and nudged her thigh with his muscular body.
Mina's eyes bulged. “You...you want me to...ride you?”
The wolf turned his blue eyes to the miles of deserted road ahead and shrugged.
“I...I appreciate the offer, but I can't...you can't.” Mina shook her head. “I'm too heavy. You won't be able to take my weight...”
The wolf glowered at her. Then he growled and nipped at her ankles.
Mina glowered back. “You...bit me? Fine! Have it your way. Don't say I didn't warn you.” With that, she grabbed her purse from the car and straddled the huge, white wolf. She settled herself on his sturdy, muscular back and leaned forward.
“See? I'm no featherweight,” she began. “So...”
The wolf merely crouched slightly to indicate that he was about to take off. Mina just had time to dig her fingers into his lush, white fur and hold on for dear life before he leaped from the ground and was off.
The cold wind blew against her face and streamed through her hair as the wolf raced ahead, covering miles with his long, powerful legs. Mina let out a small squeal of exhilaration as the wolf raced up an incline and leaped gracefully through the air to land soundlessly on the ground.
The laugh which bubbled from her throat sounded girlish and carefree. The fog gradually cleared, and she could see stars peeking out from behind the clouds. She breathed in the fresh air, and closed her eyes against the rushing wind. Never had she felt so alive and so free.
Mina looked up and saw a dimly lit road sign announcing that she had arrived in Misty Valley. Mina let out a triumphant whoop.
She had made it. Alive!
She saw houses and small shops as the wolf wound his way to the town square. He padded his way silently down the street and stopped in front of a small hotel. Mina looked up in surprise.
“Hunter's Lodge,” she read the sign above the door. “Hey, this is my hotel!” she exclaimed excitedly. “I made a reservation here way in advance! How did you...” Mina frowned at the wolf, then glanced around the small town. There was just one other hotel further down the road, so it must have been just a lucky guess on his part. Clever wolf. She ran her fingers through his fur absently and she heard a soft growl rumble from his throat.
Mina clambered off the wolf's back. “Thank you,” she whispered. “You saved my life. How...can I repay you?” She swallowed and asked tentatively, “Will you...tell me your name? How will I recognize you...” When you're in human form.
The wolf gazed deeply into her eyes and gently stepped back.
He was leaving.
Clearly, he didn't want to answer her questions.
Mina sighed and straightened up. She didn't know why she should feel so disappointed that the wolf was leaving. Surely she couldn't expect him to stay.
“Um...I guess I won't keep you any longer. I'll just check myself into the hotel.” She jerked her thumb at the hotel behind her and glanced around the small town center in wonder. This sleepy little town was a real change from the noisy, bustling city. There were no tall buildings and skyscrapers here, no flashing neon lights and loud music blaring from the clubs and bars all night long. Here, the shops were small and quaint, and they were all locked up at night. She guessed most of the shops closed early and only very few restaurants remained open for supper. It was so different from New Moon City, which was always humming with activity and seething with threats. Vampires, demons, dark witches and warlocks prowled the city streets at night, and the blood bars and clubs around the city were always crowded with vamps, blood demons, humans and other paranormals looking for some strange and exotic entertainment. New Moon City never slept, whereas here in Misty Valley, the whole town seemed to fall into a deep slumber after dark. Even the small hotel in front of her seemed to be dozing, with just a dim light above the hanging signboard. Misty Valley really was a very small, cozy town.
Mina looked down at the dried blood on her hands and instantly, her smile vanished.
She had just been attacked by a pack of vicious, violent red wolves. Misty Valley might be a small town, but it was populated by all kinds of shifters. She'd checked the demographics of Misty Valley before accepting the job. There were some human families and a few covens of witches living in Misty Valley. But Misty Valley was by and large a shifter town. Misty Valley was surrounded by rolling hills and lush forests, so she guessed the shifters liked living close to nature and the wild. There were many shifter packs and clans living in Misty Valley. Wolf, coyote, leopard, tiger, lion, bear...all in one little town.
The red wolves had shown her that out here in Misty Valley, slightly different laws applied.
She had seen first hand how wolf packs behaved and operated. The Alpha controlled and commanded the pack. The town had a Sheriff's office but it was clear that the law of the pack applied here.
The white wolves had saved her, but to what end? Would she now have to swear eternal fealty to the white wolf Alpha?
She turned and saw that the white wolf was still watching her. “Eh, g-good night, and...t-thank you, again,” she stammered, backing away. “I...I think I'll recognize you.” She managed a lopsided smile. Somehow she knew that he wouldn't hurt her. “I'll know it's you, whatever form you take,” she whispered. Wolf or man.
The thought of her white wolf as a man sent a strange shiver down her body, a shiver that wasn't at all unpleasant. Mina took a deep breath to compose herself. Obviously, her nerves were finally fraying and getting the better of her.
She stared into the wolf's blue eyes and cleared her throat. “I realize I haven't introduced myself. My name is Mina Stone. And this is my first night in Misty Valley. I'll be working and living here, so..
.I'll see you around.” She bit her lip, hesitating. She knew that some shifters didn't like to shift in front of humans. They didn't like gawking, curious, sometimes contemptuous human eyes watching them while they called forth a part of themselves and went through their shift, which she was told could be painful for some shifters. “I'd like to know your name though...”
A gentle breeze blew her hair into her eyes, and she blinked and brushed her hair from her face. When she looked up, the white wolf was gone. But she heard a whisper in the wind, and she heard his name.
Declan.
CHAPTER FOUR
Mina woke up and jumped out of bed. The hotel room was clean and comfortable, and had a homely feel with its pinewood furnishings and bright curtains. She would love to sleep in, but she didn't want to be late for her first day at Snow River Construction.
She brushed her messy curls again, and finally gave up trying to tame them. She grabbed a rubber band and pulled her hair tightly into a low ponytail. Scowling into the bathroom mirror, she tried her best to straighten her rumpled blouse and jeans. She had jumped out of her car and onto the white wolf's back last night with nothing but her purse and the clothes on her back.
Her suitcase was stuck in the dented trunk of her poor, deceased car. She would just have to explain to her new boss that she had been attacked by a pack of red wolves on her way to Misty Valley and assure him that this would be the first and last time she turned up for work in a pair of torn jeans, old sneakers and a wrinkled blouse.
Mina examined herself in the mirror one last time and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. There. All ready for her first day at work. Mina applied another coat of lip gloss and glanced at her watch.
She had time to check out of Hunter's Lodge and take a nice, leisurely stroll down to the head office of Snow River Construction. At breakfast, Mina had checked with the receptionist and was relieved to learn that the head office of Snow River Construction was just a ten-minute walk from the hotel. Mina looked around and checked that she had taken all her meager belongings with her. The company had assured her that once she reported for work, they would arrange lodgings for her so she only needed to stay in a hotel for one night.
Growl For Me: BBW Paranormal Shifter Romance (Misty Valley Shifters Book 1) Page 2