by R. Casteel
Responding to her scream, Lobo and her mate gave a low wavering howl. Backing up in fear with hackles raised, their tails tucked tightly between their legs, they stood ready to attack the hideous beast writhing on the floor.
The pain died away and she turned back to the elk. As she ate, Taneika snarled and snapped viciously at the lesser wolves in her pack, warning them to keep their distance.
Bolting up from the couch where he had fallen asleep, Taren’s heart was gripped in fear at the scream that woke him. It couldn’t be classified as human.
Taneika!
Taren ran to the door, nearly tearing it off the hinges as he threw it open. Missing the last step, he rolled in the snow. Finding his footing again, he started towards her house. His foot broke through the top crust of hard snow and he fell. Clawing and fighting his way forward it seemed the snow was alive, fighting against him to prevent his reaching her side.
Why did I leave her alone? Why didn’t I insist to be with her?
“I’m coming, love. Don’t worry, I’m coming!”
The door exploded open and the glass shattered. Taren came to an abrupt halt, face to face with a snarling wolf. With lips curled exposing long gleaming teeth, the wolf crouched. Two other wolves stood in the archway between the kitchen and living room. They were submissive, acting like rebuked children, a typical reaction of a wolf pack beta member.
Taren jumped off to the side as the wolf sprang past him and through the open door. The other wolves moved across the room and followed.
Horrified, Taren stood in Taneika’s kitchen. There was a small portion of meat on the floor and a pool of blood. A white bath towel lay on the floor. The dark crimson stain slowly spread across the cotton material. Picking up the towel his eyes caught the sparkle of something shiny in the blood at his feet. Reaching down, he picked up Taneika’s engagement ring.
Taren blindly groped for a chair before his legs, which threatened to buckle, no longer held him. Staggering into the chair, his mind tried to grasp the evidence before him, and couldn’t.
Yet, it had happened.
Why, my love, why? Resting his head on his crossed arms, he held the ring tightly locked in his closed fist.
Taren wept.
A wispy transparent form of a woman stood in the door. She watched as great racking sobs shook his body. Weep not, my son. You have accepted her, stood by her and loved her. Do not, I pray thee, falter now.
Taren raised his head and searched the empty room. His eyes locked on the ghost-like figure in the doorway.
You are the only one she has to give her the comfort, acceptance and the love she desperately needs.
Heartbroken and defeated, her sudden appearance gave him an avenue of release for his anger. “This is your fault, you meddling witch.”
Amused laughter filled his head.
I assure you, I’m no witch. I have no power to change the future.
“You could’ve warned her earlier to prevent it,” he clamped his jaws tight. Taneika’s ring cut into the palm of his hand. “Why didn’t you? What’s going to happen to her, to our child?”
I cannot interfere with destiny in matters of the heart. I have no power over life and death.
“You hypocrite. Aren’t you interfering now?
Your heart has already decided. Take the time to listen.
“Damn you! Answer my question!” Taren jumped up and slammed his fist against the cabinet.
Silence greeted his tortured mind.
“Please. Don’t leave!”
Listen to your heart.
The words were but a fading whisper on the wind.
Taren slid slowly down the face of the cabinet and rested his head on his bent knees. A wolf. I made love to a fucking wolf. Of all the normal women in the world, I not only pick one that turns into a damn wolf, I get her knocked up and ask her to be my wife.
“Why?” His tortured cry pleaded for an answer.
In the midst of all the turmoil within his mind came a still, small persistent voice, which refused to be silent. The answer was from the heart, sent out with every beat.
You love her.
* * * * *
A cold wet nose nudged his arm. Taren raised his head and stared into the eyes of a wolf. “Lobo?”
She whined and licked his face.
Taren lightly stroked the wolf’s head. “Taneika, where is she girl?”
‘Woof.’ Lobo barked in his face and started for the door. She stopped, turned her head around and barked again. ‘Woof, woof.’
Taren climbed stiffly to his feet and shivered in the cold.
“Okay, girl, let me get my coat.” Taren jogged to his house, grabbed his coat, flashlight, strapped on a pair of snowshoes and followed Lobo into the forest.
Lobo’s mate rose out of the snow as he approached the remains of an elk. Taneika lay on her side in a fetal ball. Dried blood was smeared over her body, the snow red-streaked where she had rolled, trying to cool her skin. Dropping to his knees beside her, Taren checked for a pulse at her wrist. It appeared strong and normal.
Taneika moaned, “Go away.”
“Is it over? Are you back to normal?”
“Normal,” she turned onto her back. “When have I ever been normal?”
“Come on, love, time to get you back to the house. If I have to, I’ll carry you.”
“Leave me alone.” She swatted his hand away. “Better that I’d died, than to have it happen again.”
“Dear, open your eyes. Look at me.”
Slowly, she opened her eyes. Concern, compassion and most of all, love radiated from his face. “How can you stand to look at me after last night? Why even bother finding me?”
His hand smoothed her matted hair, his touch gentle and loving. Taren lowered his head and touched his lips to hers.
“Because, my dear, I listened to my heart, and with each and every beat, it says your lovely name. Although my mind still rejects what happened, in my heart, I love you and have accepted what and who you are. We must be going, love; it will soon be light.”
“I’m hungry. Let me gain my strength and we can go.”
With her body replenished, she walked beside Taren back to the house. The wolves followed several steps behind.
Taneika stepped out of the shower and dried her hair. Her womb felt heavier today. Feeling movement from the baby surprised her. It should be several more weeks before that happened.
Looking up, she found Taren watching her with tempered desire.
“Are you afraid to make love to me, worried I might change completely? No need to lie, my love, I can see it in your eyes.”
Going to him, she wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest. “I’m worried too. I see the desire in your eyes and my own comes alive. But, until I can control the wolf and learn to keep it at bay…”She sobbed against his chest.
“Shh, don’t cry, love.” Picking her up he carried her to her bed and gently rocked her to sleep. “We’ll work it out.” Somehow.
Chapter 23
Taneika pulled into the parking lot and got out. The first day back after winter break found students running to make it to class on time or standing in small groups catching up on the latest gossip and news. Looking around the campus, she didn’t see Paula. As she walked across the pavement, a hawk landed in the tree above her and let out a screech. She had the ridiculous feeling that the hawk was watching her.
As the day wore on and still no Paula, Taneika began to get worried. The last class was over and as she stepped outside, the hawk she had seen that morning glided from the tree and circled the parking lot.
Taneika drove home and found Taren, his face white and his hands shaking. “Taren, what’s wrong?” She ran to him and wrapped her arms around him. “What’s happened? Is it Jeanie? Bill?
“It’s Agent Myers. Two ice-fishermen found her body down by the lake.”
“Oh, God! No!” She began to sob. “I talked with her Friday afternoon.”
“Dear, you couldn’t have. The coroner said she had been dead almost two weeks.”
She moved away from him and sat on the low table. “Paula has been at the library every day for the past two weeks. Medium height, dark complexion, black hair just below the collar and almond shaped black eyes.”
“That fits her description perfectly. Must be someone else you saw. They swear it’s her body at the morgue.” Taren shook his head and with a heavy sigh continued. “I’m the only agent in the area that knew her. Although she had all of her identification on her, they want me to come down and make sure it’s her.”
“I’m going with you. I’m telling you, I talked with her on Friday in the college library.”
Taren drove to town and pulled up at the county morgue.
Taren paused and turned to face her. “If this is the same girl you saw at the college for the last two weeks, don’t say a word, look at me and nod your head.”
Taren got out and Taneika slid out his door. Walking with their hands clasped in fear and confusion they entered the building. They followed the coroner down an empty hallway and into a room of stainless steel and florescent lighting. In the middle of the room a table stood, draped with a sheet.
The coroner lifted the sheet.
Taren took one look at Taneika’s white face and knew that the woman she had seen at the library was the same one that now lay lifeless and naked on the table.
“That’s Paula Myers.” Taren suddenly felt very tired. Nothing about this case had been normal. Every lead was turning up with dead bodies blocking the way forward. “You’re positive as to the time of death?”
“Positive as I can be, within plus or minus a few hours.” The coroner covered the face of Agent Myers. “Sorry to have you come in, but we had to be sure.”
They left the building in silence.
The screech of a hawk caused Taneika to look up. You show up at school and now here.
Raising her right arm level with her shoulder she patted her arm with her other hand.
“What are you doing?” Taren looked up at the hawk.
“If I’m right, that hawk will land on my arm.” Even as she spoke, the hawk swooped down and landed.
“Well, I’ll be damned.” Taren gawked at the bird of prey.
“Taren, dear,” she smiled knowingly. “I would like for you to meet an old acquaintance. May I present my spirit guide, in yet a different body?”
You, my child, must learn to control the wolf within, as you control those around you.
The hawk flew off and they watched it ‘til it could no longer be seen.
* * * * *
“Are you sure you won’t reconsider?” Taren watched as she removed the last of her clothes and dropped them by the bed. “There has to be another way. What if something happens and you can’t control it?”
“Don’t you see, this is the only way that’s safe for both of us?” She stepped closer and lovingly stroked the side of his cheek. “I have to be out there in case I don’t have control. There has to be a supply of meat if the wolf is released. I see the smoldering fire in your eyes when you look at me. For your information, I want you just as badly, maybe more. But if the wolf overpowers me and turns on you. …”
“Go.” He took her in his arms and kissed her. “Take control of the wolf as you have taken my heart. Hurry back to me, love, and be careful. Our enemy is still lurking in the shadows.”
The night was clear and bright as Taneika and the wolves traveled through the trees. They found the herd of elk bedded down and slowly circled it. A yearling on the edge of the sleeping herd was singled out and they moved in for the kill.
She felt the wolf begin to stir. So, you want to come out and play. I am the alpha. You will obey me. I will use your power from within. The transition was mild as her body adjusted and she felt the new power released throughout her body.
The herd bolted from their beds as the wolves attacked. Startled in the confusion, a late season yearling hesitated a moment too long and was overtaken. Taneika found the tender throat and clamped her teeth around the pulsing jugular vein. The elk’s hot sweet blood sent a burst of renewed energy and strength surging through her arms and legs as she wrestled the elk to the ground.
Her body changed as she ate and she rolled in the snow. The other wolves joined her in the romp turning it into a time of play instead of pain.
Peeling back the hide, Taneika ripped off the remainder of the elk’s front shoulder and carried it home.
From its perch high in the top of a tree, a hawk let out a screech, swooped down and helped itself to the remains of the fresh kill.
Taneika dropped the meat in the snow outside Taren’s back door and turned to the two wolves. “This is mine. You want more, you know where the kill is, go get your own. I plan on being hungry again before the night is over.”
Lobo turned on her mate. Get your nose out of there. That’s not me you’re smelling.
He turned away and curled up in the snow. ‘Woof.’
Taren watched her walk through the door. Did the sight of her body covered in blood turn him on? Was it the sultry look in her eyes? Or the way she walked towards him, as if stalking her next meal? Whatever the stimulus, it was working.
“Tell me you kept the big bad wolf at bay and now it’s our turn to play.” He had been waiting in the nude, anticipating her return.
She watched him stand, her eyes riveting on his erection as he walked toward her. “Promise me, my love, if I tell you to go…you will run and not look back.” She saw the hesitation. “Damn it, Taren. I’ve controlled the beast one time. I think I can control it again but I’m not willing to bet your life on it. The first few seconds after the change could be deadly.”
“My darling Taneika, I’ll go but I won’t go far.”
Wetting her lips, which had suddenly gone dry, she heard him groan. Placing her arms around his neck, she sprang up and locked her feet behind his waist. Lips met and parted, tongues dueled for access as the heat of passion grew to a fevered pitch.
“Take me…to…the shower.” She felt his hard shaft against her and shifted to allow him entrance.
Taren chuckled, “Is my Little Wolf in heat?”
“No!” Taneika moaned as she lowered herself around his length and tightened around him. “Little Wolf is past heat. She’s on fire for her mate.”
Stepping into the shower, Taren adjusted the water ‘til it was warm.
Taneika released him and swung her feet to the floor. “Wash my hair, love.” She slid to the floor as Taren reached for the shampoo. With her face resting in the tightly curled hair below his waist, she began kissing his hardened shaft.
“You expect me to wash your hair…ahh…while you’re…doing that?” He looked down and saw her wicked little grin as she licked him with her tongue.
“Is Little Wolf’s mate not up to the task?” she teased.
Taren poured the shampoo onto her hair and began to work up a lather of thick suds. The only way to wash his woman’s hair.
Unwilling to have him finish before her own need was filled, Taneika worked her way up his body with little love bites and kisses. “Wash the rest of me,” she begged.
His hands moved sensuously over her body, slowly working down her back, then her arms. When fingers touched her sensitive breasts, she moaned and arched her back. A whimper of regret came from her as his fingers moved on. Spreading her legs, inviting him to touch and invade her body, her desire was heightened when his fingers lightly skimmed across her.
Taren turned the water off. “All done.”
“Done? We haven’t even started.” Taking his hand, she led the way to his bed.
Bound emotionally together by the chains of desire, the union of their souls was complete with Taren’s hardness fully sheathed inside her. At the telltale burning pain beneath her breast, Taneika knew the wolf was awake and had raised her ferocious head.
If the power of Orion set you free, by his power you shall be in
submission to me. Lie down, now! She commanded the inner-wolf. Another time and place I’ll let you run free.
Carried on the wings of passion as autumn leaves caught in a whirlwind, she rose with each driving thrust of his body. His mouth captured hers and drank in her moans of exquisite pleasure. Warmth flooded her as his body stiffened and his eyes flashed open. Their wild smoky gaze revealed the pinnacle of his satisfaction and pleasure at filling her with the essence and power of his desire.
Taneika gasped, the breath in her lungs spilling forth in a low sensual howl as her body responded to his release. Her climax took her over the crest and she felt herself floating in love’s sweet embrace.
* * * * *
Early the next morning Taren made his decision. “I don’t think Paula’s death was a random act. I think she was removed to get close to you. Pack whatever you need, we’re going back to the cabin.”
“Good, maybe we can stop and have Jeanie check me over.”
“Is something wrong? Aren’t you feeling okay?”
She heard the concern in his voice and laughed. “Relax, love. I’m fine. I want her to check the baby.”
* * * * *
Taren pulled up in front of the clinic. He had received several curious stares at the sight of the two wolves riding in back. For most of the trip, they had their faces to the wind and seemed to take great delight in watching the other cars from his side of the truck.
“Taren, there’s no need for you to come in. Why don’t you go load the snowmobile and meet me back here?” She stepped out of the truck and told the wolves, “Stay.”
“You sure you don’t need me to come in?” Taren had his hand on the door.
“Go, I’ll be fine.” She walked around the truck and gave him a kiss.
‘Woof.’ I’ve got to pee.
‘Woof.’ Lobo barked. Me too.
Taneika’s shoulders sagged. “When Taren stops again you can get out. But you must get back in when he does. No running off.”