Three Fur All

by Three Fur All [Amira] (mobi)

  “Tell me what happened.” She pulled something out of her bag and wiped it over the wounds on October’s face and hands.

  “We were driving home from Trent’s, the club outside of Bakersville. She was flagging us down in middle of the road, screaming for help. We started to slow down, when an animal darted out in front of us. We hit it and totaled Elliot’s car. She fainted, and we called you. If we went to the hospital, they’d ask too many questions. And they’d want to check me out. Finding out that I’m not exactly human might pique their interest. You were the only alternative.”

  Dawn tore October’s pants around her left calf and cleansed another wound. She bandaged it and then moved on to her swollen right ankle. “All right. I won’t say anything. She’ll be fine. Superficial scrapes and bruises. I’d say she hasn’t eaten anything substantial in a few days. She can’t walk on the ankle for at least a week. I’ll drop off some crutches and some antibiotics, just in case, with the wound on her calf. She’s lucky that she didn’t break it.” She got up and headed toward the door. “I’ll be back to make sure she’s still human.”

  Before Mika could respond, she walked out the door. He sighed and looked down at October. Something about her captivated him. He picked up the washcloth and wiped the rest of the grunge from her face, wondering what she could tell them about her captor when she woke up. Anything to lead them to the wolf terrorizing the women in the area. Anything that could help him regain his ties with the pack. That was all that mattered.

  Chapter Three

  October opened her eyes to ones so dark they could have been black. She shrank back from the man who hovered over her. Everything in her hurt when she tried to slide off the bed. When she moved, the pain in her leg immobilized her. He smiled. His lips moved, but she couldn’t hear what he said because her pulse thundered in her ears. It was all she could do to keep calm. Her gaze darted around the room. There were wood-paneled walls all around. A white ceiling with a few cobwebs was above her. A fan whizzed, sending cooling air around the room. Images of the night before flashed through her mind. She had been running through the woods. A large wolf was nipping at her heels, but she had kept on running, trying to escape her captor. The road was before her, and she had flagged down a car. A man had helped her, and then she had collapsed.

  “Where am I?” she asked.

  “Do you remember last night?”

  She nodded. “Yeah. You’re the guy who helped me after the accident.”

  “I’m Mika. I brought you back to my friend’s house, the one I’m staying with. We had a friend of ours, a doctor, take a look at you. She’ll be back in a couple of days to make sure you’re healing and we haven’t eaten you yet.”

  A laugh slipped from her dry throat. It seemed she had been kidnapped again and being held captive in the lap of luxury compared to the underground cell. “Can I have a glass of water?”

  “Of course. I’ll be right back.”

  October repositioned herself on the bed and had a better look at her injuries. When she pulled the sheet back, she was dressed in a pair of sweatpants and an oversize blue plaid shirt. Her wrists were still raw, and everything else about her hurt. As she ran her fingers over her face, she felt the cuts and bruises. Her savior returned with the water.

  “Here you go.” He handed her the glass.

  She took it gratefully and gulped it down, but began to choke on it after a few sips. “Thank you.”

  He took the glass and set it on the nightstand. Her caregiver pulled up a chair and then sat down, keeping his distance. October studied him. Tendrils of his brown hair hung in his face. A smattering of freckles ran along his nose and over the tops of his cheeks. A faraway look lingered in his eyes. His knee bounced up and down while he looked at her. He was antsy about something, and she figured it had to do with her.

  “Is there something you wanted to ask me? You’re nearly leaping out of your skin.”

  “Huh?” He glanced down at his knee and then stopped. “Sorry. I wanted talk to you, but I didn’t want to push you.”

  She ran her fingers through her hair and cringed at how she must look. “Um . . . okay. I guess. I mean, I can try. What’s your name, and the other guy who was with you last night?”

  “Shit. Sorry.” He stretched out his hand. “I’m Mika Winston. Elliot, my friend, owns the house. You said last night your name was October. Where are you from?”

  “Yeah. My mother had me in October, so she figured why not name me after the month too. She’s a bit of a free spirit. Originally I’m from Massachusetts, but I moved to Charlotte for a job. I don’t know where I am now.”

  “You’re not that far from Charlotte, really. Just a couple of hours north, in the mountains near Asheville. We’re a small town called Lupine Gorge. Mostly the tourists drive through. The biggest draw we get is the deserted silver mine. I know you were being held captive. Do you think you could find the place you were held if you were brought back there?”

  Horror gripped her at his comment. Why would he want me to go back there? Haven’t I suffered enough? I just want to go home and forget everything. Her heart picked up its pace, and the world closed in around her.

  She struggled to remain grounded in the present and not return to the dark cell where she had been held. October drew in a deep breath and rubbed her hands, feeling the shredded skin on her wrists. The world swam before her. All she could smell was damp earth and musk. Screams erupted around from the women in the other cells. Her captor’s eyes burned yellow in her mind. She shook her head.

  “I can’t. I can’t.” She drew her knees up to her chest and buried her head into them. Sobs built in her throat and racked her shoulders.

  “Whoa! It’s okay. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked you so soon.” Mika came over to the bed and put his arm around her. She leaned into his embrace and inhaled his heady scent, a mixture of pine and cedar. It was the same aroma on the shirt she wore.

  At that moment, she figured he had changed her clothes, meaning he had seen her naked, and shrank back from him at that. October wiped her nose and then looked into his dark eyes, seeing his concern. “It’s okay. It’s too soon. I’m sorry.”

  He knelt down on the floor and took her hand. “Don’t be sorry. Just be happy you’re alive.” Mika brought her fingers to his lips and kissed the back of her hand.

  Something inside of her melted. Before she had been kidnapped, she hadn’t been in a relationship for over a year. The last one had lasted for three months. The one before that was four months. She feared something was wrong with her because no one wanted to commit. Mika seemed like a nice guy. He was doing everything to make her feel comfortable. He had gotten a doctor for her. I can’t believe that I’m thinking about this now. I can’t date a complete stranger, even if he’s nice to me. Besides, I don’t even know his situation.

  “Mika, you mind if I use your car?”

  Another man entered the room. The way the light hit his hair, it appeared silver. Tight jeans showed off his muscled thighs. His T-shirt was ratty, but she saw the defined muscles of his biceps through the holes in the fabric, and the lines of his six-pack.

  She bit her lip to keep from drooling. Her eyes widened when he noticed her. He stepped forward and extended his hand. “You’re awake. That’s good. Dawn said you’d probably sleep for a while considering the trauma you experienced, something about a defense mechanism. Sorry, where are my manners? I’m Elliot Davidson. You’ve already met Mika. Is he taking good care of you? He’s not trying to charm you, is he?”

  Mika patted her hand and then smiled at the other man. “No, I’m not charming her. Just seeing if our guest was hungry.”

  “Are you hungry? I’m sure we have something edible in the house. Or we can get you something. I have to go out for a few.” Elliot asked.

  Her stomach grumbled at the thought of food. The other two heard the rumbling and chuckled.

  “That’d be great. I can’t remember the last time I had a meal. They only fed
me every other day maybe. And then it was only a piece of fruit here and there. It wasn’t a lot. I don’t know. I could really go for a greasy cheeseburger, onion rings, and a vanilla milkshake.”

  “Well, we don’t have any of that in the house, but—”

  Mika put a hand on Elliot’s chest. “We can figure something out. Why don’t you take my car and pick up something on the way back? There should be some fast-food place near the interstate that has what October wants.”

  The vein bulged in his neck. “I wasn’t planning on traveling that far. I have community business to attend to, and I don’t know when I’ll be back.”

  “Guys, anything is fine. Even a tuna sandwich. I don’t want you to be inconvenienced.” October hated she had caused the trouble. The tension between the two of them was rising. It seemed they were having some sort of pissing contest to see who was dominant. The glares reminded her of the malicious leers of those who had abducted her. The two of them had squared off a few times she had seen, but the partner had always backed off.

  After a moment, Elliot looked away and stepped back. “I’ll pick up the food on the way back. Until then, Mika can make you something. He’s a decent enough cook. When I get back, we can talk some more. There are some questions I had for you. In the meantime, is there anyone we can call for you? A boyfriend? Family? A roommate?”

  October thought about his question. Her sister and she weren’t on speaking terms because of something stupid. Her mother wasn’t getting in the middle of it. Her roommate was the only person.

  “My roommate, but I’ll call her when I’m feeling a little bit better. Thank you both for taking such great care of me.”

  Elliot focused back on Mika. “Can I talk to you outside, please?”

  Mika nodded. “Sure. I’ll be outside in a second.”

  October studied Mika. He seemed distraught, judging by the muscles bulging in his neck. I wonder what’s going on between the two of them. “You two aren’t in a relationship, are you?”

  A snort left his lips, and he turned up the corners of his mouth. She liked the twinkle in his eye.

  “Elliot and me? God no! I’ve known him since we were pups. I mean kids. He’s letting me stay here while my house is being renovated. He’s a good guy, just has a lot on his mind at the moment. Look, I’ll make you that tuna sandwich and see what he wants to talk about. Then I’ll come back in to keep you company.”

  “Yeah. That’d be great. Can you tell me where the bathroom is?”

  His cheeks colored. “It’s right through the door there. Do you need some help?”

  “No. I’m good. Maybe just some clothes so I could take a shower. I appreciate you cleaning me up, but I have to wash my hair and feel somewhat human.”

  “Right. Clothes. I gave you some old ones of mine. I hope you don’t mind, but I figured you didn’t want to be in those dirty clothes.” He ran his hand through his hair. Mika glanced down at the floor and then back at her while the tops of his ears got redder and redder.

  She giggled. “You saved my life. I’m sure you got an eyeful.” October tried to stand, and winced at the pain in her right foot from her twisted ankle. It was wrapped up in a bandage, but it still appeared swollen. She stumbled while leaning on the wall. Mika caught her and helped her to the bathroom. His warm body made her realize how much she needed to shower and put on makeup.

  “I’ll let you go on from here.”

  “Thanks.” She opened the door to the bathroom and watched Mika stroll out of the room. When he left, she closed the door and peered into the mirror, seeing how badly she was cut up. God, I look horrible, but at least I’m alive. Her black hair was tangled and filled with leaves and a couple of small twigs, which she plucked out. Dark circles were drawn under her green eyes. Something about them looked haunted. I wonder if that will ever go away. October hung her head, let the tears fall freely from her cheeks, and sank down on the toilet seat. Her heart slammed into her chest. All she could see was the morphing form of the creature that had held her captive.

  Chapter Four

  Mika followed his friend into the kitchen and handed him the keys to his car. The pipes groaned from the sudden rush of water through them. October was in the shower. An image of her lithe body with water dripping off it flared through his mind. Her hands trailed over her breasts while she soaped them up. Her fingers then slipped lower, caressing the flat expanse of her stomach and then gliding to the down of her black curls, where she would touch herself and think about him under the scalding water. She would moan his name and then come to him after.

  “Dude!” Elliot punched him on the shoulder.

  Mika shook himself from his vision and blinked a couple of times. His cock jerked and firmed at the thought of claiming her. Her body was gorgeous even when it was covered in grime. He had changed her clothes after Dawn had left. He’d left her bra and panties on. Besides, her tattered garments had been covered with the scent of the beast they were hunting. They were now stashed behind his hamper in his closet so she wouldn’t find them. When he had brought them to his nose to detect the other wolf’s scent, hers was mixed with it, and he found her delectable.

  “Did you hear me?” Elliot asked.

  “Yeah. I heard you. I was just thinking.”

  His friend crossed his arms over his chest. “I know what you were thinking. Don’t even go there with her. We don’t need you getting into any more trouble and making her into one of us against her will.”

  “How could you say that to me?” Mika growled. “I’d never do that again. Besides, Dawn freaked at the last minute before I was going to bite her, and I couldn’t pull it back. That’s the truth. Not the way she spun it to Cooper.”

  Elliot threw up his hands. “Sorry, man. It’s been a long day, and I’m late. Go out and find some chick to fuck. I don’t care. Just keep your paws off our guest. We want to make sure she heals and doesn’t run back to the authorities. We don’t need human law on pack lands. Now I have to run. Play nice with her until Dawn can come.”

  “Why did you call her back here so soon?” He wasn’t in any mood to deal with his ex. All he wanted to do was switch his shape and run out some of his aggression. The wolf inside of him was clamoring for a hunt. He was hoping he could glean some more information from October.

  “Because our guest needs another woman to talk to and we don’t have any clothes or personal effects here. Did she tell you who we need to call?”

  “She said she would call her roommate when she felt better.”

  Elliot shook his head. “Right. She did say that. I have way too much on my mind. Thinking about Lana and how she was busted up is tearing me up.”

  “I can’t believe you’re thinking about that stupid car again. At least we can assume October doesn’t have a boyfriend, which could work to our advantage.”

  “Man, you think too much with your dick, and that’s what has always gotten you into trouble. You and those boyish good looks of yours. Every chick at the bar last night was eyeing you. I can’t get them to give me a second look. Lana was the only woman who adored me.”

  Mika was about to make some witty retort about Elliot’s Corvette, but he stopped when he saw his friend’s face. The sadness that lingered in his eyes was apparent. It didn’t matter how many new toys he bought to drown himself in technology. The hurt around his heart was like a cancer eating away at him. He was worried about Elliot. It might have been two years since Dominique had passed away, but his grief resonated inside the house like a ghost haunting a forsaken churchyard. Its wails were heard even in the night and in the howls his friend let off when they were alone in the forest. He figured Elliot was trying to hide that he was dying inside. No matter what he did, Mika couldn’t cheer the other man up.

  “That’s because they knew your ugly ass was driving that insane car that got totaled last night,” Mika joked.

  “Don’t bring Lana into this.”

  Mika threw up his hands. “You’re the one who brought up the
car first.”

  “It’s bad enough I have to drive around in that beat-up Honda of yours. You really need to get a new car.”

  “Hey, it runs. I don’t care how it looks.”

  “Smart-ass. I’ll see you later.”

  “Remember her cheeseburger, onion rings, and vanilla shake.”

  Elliot flipped him the one-finger salute as he walked out the door. When the taillights disappeared down the driveway, he dug through the refrigerator, searching for something that October might find appetizing. On the shelves were Chinese food boxes from last week that were starting to go rancid, an anchovy-and-olive pizza, which was Elliot’s favorite, with a half-eaten slice left, a can of beer, and a half-empty bottle of soda. There was also a loaf of moldy bread, but nothing else. He checked the pantry and found nothing but canned sardines and peaches, which had been in there for two years or more. The freezer was almost empty too. He did find a box of chocolate ice cream that hadn’t been opened. All chicks are supposed to like chocolate. Maybe this’ll do until Elliot can come back with her food. The water shut off while he hunted for a clean bowl and a spoon. Finally, he washed one out and then scooped the ice cream into the bowl. He waited a few minutes until he thought October had enough time to get dressed, and then knocked on the closed door.

  “Come in,” she called in a soft, raspy voice.

  Mika pushed open the door and saw her sitting on the bed in his shirt that hung down to her knees. The pants lay on the bed. She was pulling her fingers through the wet tendrils of her hair. Her milky calves were tucked underneath her. He saw the dip of her breasts from the V in her shirt. Her nipples poked through the fabric. Beneath all the cuts and bruises was a beautiful woman he could easily find himself in bed with. She’d make a good tumble partner. His wolf growled in agreement with the idea. He tried to rip his gaze away from the rise and fall of her chest, showing the subtle bounce of her breasts, but his cock stirred once again at the thought of her.