With Her Capture

by Lorie O'Clare

  I…something. His heart swelled so much the change threatened his insides simply so he could accommodate the emotions in his human form. His animal form wouldn’t accept what he was feeling.

  Nonetheless, he understood the pain in his chest. Magda was gone. She’d left without saying goodbye. She’d left a simple message wishing him well.

  Stepping over the message he walked around the fire. She’d doused it with water. He stared a moment at dead fish and the large pot that was still damp from the water that had been used to put out the fire. The backpack he’d torn the day before was on the cave floor. Ayden stuck his nose inside the bag. Her scent was so strong there he buried his head in the fabric and breathed in deeply.

  His insides hardened. The truth was too intense. There was a picture laid out before him. The side of his cheek brushed against the needle she’d used to mend the bag. Thread was attached to it bound into a tight knot. Magda had told him she hated mending things.

  Ayden lifted his head and took in the entire picture. She’d hunted, brought fish in to prepare her kill for him. A pot of water proved she’d planned on cleaning and preparing the meat. There had been a fire going. He saw where she’d stood, her footprints a slight indention near where she’d written her message. She’d spent time working on mending the backpack but had stopped working on it, either out of frustration because of her dislike of the task or because something had distracted her, like the smell of other werewolves.

  One of the backpacks was gone, as were all of her clothes. The clothes Ayden had sniffed out for her. The toiletries he’d obtained for her were also gone.

  Magda had been in the middle of morning chores. Werewolves had come too close to her for comfort. She’d panicked and she’d run. His beaute noire hadn’t trusted him enough to protect her.

  Granted, he hadn’t been here. But didn’t Magda know by now that he knew every Cariboo on this mountain? If anyone had sniffed her out they would have herded her into the pack. Where, regardless of any consequences, Ayden would have howled for her. If that hadn’t worked, he would have killed for her.

  She had to know that.

  He let out a fierce roar and it echoed off the cave walls. Magda was his female. She belonged to him. His scent was embedded in her flesh, and hers in his. Maybe they hadn’t voiced out loud that they were mated. It was the twenty-first century. Males and females allowed time in today’s world for their human emotions to catch up with what their more carnal instinct already knew.

  Leaping around the wet ashes, Ayden slid into the message she’d left for him. His paws destroyed the two words. Then bounding out of the cave, Ayden took off in a full forced run. He would hunt well. He would hunt down his female. And when he finally captured her, he would make sure it sunk into her adorable, stubborn head that she belonged to him.

  It wasn’t hard picking up her scent. He’d tracked before, and under worse circumstances. Snow began falling. The wind settled as he descended the mountain. He’d give Magda this much. She did know how to hide, and throw off her scent. Ayden knew his territory, though. Even the less inhabited parts of the mountains.

  What the fuck? he snarled under his breath after chasing her scent down the mountain.

  Ayden had been sure he’d pounce on her hot little tail long before reaching the bottom of the mountain. He slowed at a narrow human road, glancing up and down it. He’d lost her scent. There was no way Magda had escaped him.

  Pacing the side of the road and sniffing the ground, he imagined she knew he was following her. It fueled the predator in him and made the hunt all the more intense. Thoughts of fucking her senseless, once he had her in his paws, had him almost pouncing up and down the side of the road.

  Then he found what he was looking for, although not what he’d expected. Ayden studied the small prints along the side of the road. They weren’t paw prints though. Magda had found time to change into her human form, get dressed, and still stay ahead of him. He stared at the boot prints that looked very much like the bottom of the boots he’d gotten for Magda.

  There was also the smell of diesel. Someone had stopped, then taken off again. Magda had changed into her human form, dressed, then hitchhiked. Had a human picked her up? No way would she get in a truck with another werewolf.

  He had plenty of time to speculate on what Magda might have done. The most logical answer being that she accepted a ride from a human into Banff, then got lost in the human part of the town, which was full of tourists. The popular ski resort had many human hotels and bed and breakfasts. Although many businesses in Banff were owned by a member of the large owl parliament that dominated the town, there were humans who also lived there. According to the howlings, a small pack of leopards, who now resided outside of Banff, were becoming business owners in town as well. The place was a melting pot of species. Although humans knew of the owls, and probably the leopards too, most liked to smell as if they were oblivious to anyone around them but their own kind. Disappearing among them was the perfect way for Magda to avoid having anyone howl that she was a Malta werewolf.

  Ayden hoped his theory was right, since he also needed time to prepare for chasing her again. But he didn’t plan on sniffing out the human part of Banff. His scent would be easy for Magda to pick up on if he stalked into one of their establishments and she was there. If she took off running, he’d leap on her. Not a good sight for humans to see. Ayden ducked back into the trees and took off running. He knew exactly where he’d go.

  “Ayden Toubec, what brings you to our humble establishment?” Elisa Hampton, co-owner of one of the nicer bed and breakfasts on the out skirts of Banff, greeted him when he entered the lobby.

  The tall, slender female was a Great Horned owl. Elaine Hampton, the other female in their nest, stood behind the glossy counter. The strong smell of humans lingered in the place, although it was no secret that the rather pricey establishment did so well due to humans who came to ski. The Hampton nest allowed any species to stay at their bed and breakfast. Ayden wasn’t there simply because the two owls were impartial to Cariboo. It was howled the Hampton females offered other services as well, which was why he’d decided to pay their higher prices and get a room.

  Elisa stood almost as tall as Ayden, and seemed to flow across the lobby as she approached him. Her pale blonde hair fell down her back. There were streaks of silver in it, which matched the color of the dress she wore. Elisa was slender. Her dark gray eyes were a bit too round. It was a distinctive trait with all owls. In their human form, unlike other species, they didn’t quite pull off looking completely human.

  “It’s been a while since a Cariboo has graced us with their presence,” she said, her soft voice almost monotone. Her scent gave no indication whether that mattered to her, or not.

  Ayden guessed that it didn’t. All he was able to do was guess, though. Owls were masters at restraining their emotions. It was very rare to pick up anything from their scent. He smiled easily, knowing he probably smelled and looked rather unkempt. Elisa didn’t appear to notice.

  “Your place looks as impressive as always,” he offered, keeping his greeting pleasant. “The howlings are you’ve made quite a success with Hampton’s bed and breakfast.”

  “It’s true.” Elisa’s expression remained relaxed, indifferent. “And are you here for a room?”

  “Yes.” He had the pleasure of seeing what might be construed as surprise. Another time he might have bragged with a satisfied bark over witnessing an owl show a reaction to something he’d just said. Right now, it didn’t matter to him what the owl thought. “I need a room. And information, as well as someone to make a run for me, if you have anyone who might be able to help.”

  “We strive to make all our guests happy.” She never blinked. Her actions were typical for an owl but it was probably also true that she’d had this conversation with many guests and responded automatically. Elisa gestured to the counter, lifting her long, thin arm and moving elegant fingers. “Elaine will check you in. Are you hungry
?”

  Ayden paid a hefty price for the room. He had no intention of sleeping there but listened as Elaine explained the room’s amenities. “If you prefer breakfast in your room we can arrange that. We own the land up the mountain if you wish to hunt,” she added, her dark, round eyes never leaving Ayden’s face. “There is also a buffet and all meat served is, of course, local and fresh.”

  He had no doubts. Ayden responded with a quick nod, picked his keycard off the smooth, marble countertop between them and glanced at the room number. Although it had been years, he’d been there before. When the owls first opened for business they had encouraged all species to check out the place. Ayden and Anthony had come for the party.

  That was a different life from now. He barely heard Elaine tell him how to get to his room. “Thank you,” he grunted, knowing if he smelled rude it would dishonor and offend them more than if he’d roared in anger for them to be quiet and send for someone to help him in what he needed done that evening.

  Taking the wide staircase two steps at a time, he reached the second floor and bounded down the hallway to his room. A few minutes later he paced over thick carpet, walking around the king sized four-poster bed in the room. Ayden stalked from the large, thick-glass window that had an even thicker set of drapes covering it, to the door and back again. He wouldn’t have cared if the room was a dump. All he wanted was the service that the owls were known for offering.

  The Hampton bed and breakfast was surrounded by a thick grove of trees on the edge of the mountain. It wouldn’t take long to run into Banff through the trees and change into his flesh before entering town. He was more than capable of finding Magda without help, except for the fact that he’d probably take out half of Banff hunting her. Ayden didn’t like asking for help. He preferred handling matters his way. In spite of mounting irritation the longer he paced, the urge to run mounting inside him, he knew hunting Magda in Banff might draw attention to her.

  That was why he had howled that someone be sent to him. Owls were very good at discreetly locating someone, and didn’t mind offering their services for a price. Ayden forced himself to calm down by dwelling on what he’d do once he had his paws on his hot little beaute noire. It helped him keep the room from reeking of anger and frustration.

  If his hunch was right and Magda made a temporary den out of one of the human motels in town, Ayden plotted out how he’d approach her once the owl told him where she was. Kicking the door to the room in was his first thought, although humans didn’t seem to understand how that action was necessary at times. It didn’t bother Ayden if Magda might get pissed by the action. She could howl all she wanted about his actions once he found her. There were a few of her actions he planned on howling about, too.

  Ayden knew Magda had run because she feared for her life. It bothered him more than a little bit that she didn’t believe him capable of protecting her. She might also think she was doing him a favor by running. Like it mattered to him what breed of werewolf she was. She was his werewolf.

  There wasn’t a doubt in his mind that she cared about him. He smelled her happiness every time he came to her. Ayden had spent every minute away from her rushing as fast as possible in order to return to her side as soon as he could. The moment she spotted him nearing the cave, if she’d been outside, she would perk up. Her expression changed. And her scent—that wonderful, alluring aroma—fragranced the air when she hurried to meet him.

  There were also times when he’d returned and Magda had been in the cave. She was either preparing her kill for him, preparing her bath, or once even cleaning the cave. He had loved how the fire had made her dark hair shine and her tan skin glow. He found himself standing in the middle of the room, at the end of the large bed that he doubted would get any use that night, and remembering the smile on Magda’s face when he’d entered the cave the day before.

  Magda had been standing in the middle of the cave. Her scent was thick with satisfied pleasure. Other than after fucking her senseless, it had been the first time he’d seen her look so happy. There had been an ornery grin on her face while she watched a broom move in front of her. She was sweeping the cave without touching the broom.

  Magda had started to explain to him, laughing and pointing at the broom, that she had begun using and learning the extent of her gift after running from the den she’d been whelped in with her littermates. Ayden hadn’t allowed her to share the story of how her gift was developing. Not that it bothered him hearing her howl in excitement every time she mastered a new feat. The smell of her, the way she had looked, slightly dirty from cleaning the cave, and the pure pleasure on her face had drawn hot, hard and needy lust from deep inside him. Ayden had cleared the space between them and ripped her clothes from her body. The broom had clamored to the cave floor. Magda had laughed and wrapped her arms and legs around him. She then rode him hard and drained him fast.

  “I’m going to find you, Magdaline,” he muttered out loud then shot his attention to the door when there was a soft knock. “The hunt begins now.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Magda sat on a barstool at the busy bar inside the human night club and stared, her gaze unfocused, at the crowded dance floor. She’d sent the third human male, who had offered to buy her a drink, on his way and sipped at the draw of beer she’d purchased. Her funds were limited, very limited. Not to mention she couldn’t risk getting drunk. She needed her wits about her and her cash to travel into the states to Colorado. Since she’d decided not to spend money on a motel room, passing the time among humans beat hovering on the outskirts of town in her fur until her bus left—sort of.

  “May I buy you a drink?”

  “No thanks. My boyfriend will be back from the bathroom—“ Magda cut herself off when she turned on her bar stool to face the young man who had just spoken. She lowered her voice, which was probably unnecessary considering the noise from music and hundreds of humans laughing and talking around them. Looking into the round eyes of the young male owl, she frowned when she didn’t pick up his scent. “Odd place for you to be,” she said softly.

  The owl didn’t smile, or blink. “But not so odd for you to be here.”

  Did he think she enjoyed hanging out with drunken humans? “Why is that?”

  “A place like this makes it very hard for someone to sniff you out.”

  It was none of his business that she was here because she needed to kill time before going to the bus station. She could sit here without spending too much money, and yes, maybe she wanted to hide, but that was really none of his business.

  Magda smiled and did her best to appear relaxed. “You found me.”

  “It was the second place I looked,” he offered.

  “You came here looking for me?” Magda’s stomach twisted in knots. “Who sent you?”

  “Not who you think. It might be easier to speak outside.”

  With that the young male turned and easily disappeared through the crowd. Which was an accomplishment since he stood at least as tall as Ayden. He didn’t have a fraction of the muscle tone, though. Magda left her half-drank beer at the bar and hurried off her stool after the owl. It was impossible to see around the crowded night club but she sniffed the air for any smell that wasn’t human. Was Ayden somewhere in the club?

  As many times as she’d told herself to not think about him, to simply act and make the trip to Colorado where the Malta werewolf pack was, her brain wasn’t doing a good job of listening to her reasoning. Magda continued sniffing the air and almost choked on the human stench surrounding her.

  The moment she stepped outside, she fought the urge to gulp at the night air. Humans repressed emotions all their life. With their inability to change and release their emotions, as they grew older their smell increasingly grew worse. Magda wanted to run to the nearest group of trees, planted on the edge of the large parking lot, and fill her lungs with fresh air. As it was, she breathed in the car exhaust and continual smell of humans from those lingering outside.

  I
t was something she would have to endure. For the next few days, at least, she would be surrounded by humans. It was the only way to stay alive. As long as she stayed away from all packs, no one would notice that she was a Malta werewolf.

  Except now an owl had sniffed her out. Glancing around the parking lot, Magda took a few steps away from those lingering at the entrance. The young male had walked past the parked cars and motorcycles and stood on planted grass under two large saplings in the middle of the surrounding cement lot.

  “Owls don’t care about werewolves.” Magda muttered under her breath as she walked toward him. He’d said he hadn’t been sent by who she thought, and the owl probably had sniffed out her curiosity and trepidation as soon as he’d uttered the words. “Which means he knows a hell of a lot more about me than I do about him.”

  When she remembered how well owls could hear, even in their human form, Magda glanced up and quit talking.

  “Interesting,” the young male owl murmured when Magda stepped onto the curb surrounding the grassy patch in the middle of the lot.

  She joined him under the two large saplings. “What’s interesting?” she demanded.

  “All I know about you is what I have been told,” he said in answer to her question.

  He had heard her talking to herself on the way across the parking lot to join him.

  “You’d think you would have enough manners not to eavesdrop,” Magda snapped.

  If she offended him, he gave no indication. “There are times when it’s important to step into someone’s life. That is, of course, depending on how their feathers lay.”

  Magda crossed her arms, her irritability growing because she had no idea how he smelled. Actually, that wasn’t exactly true. The tall—he stood well over six feet—thin male, with his almost white hair, long pointed nose and chin, narrow face, and eyes that were too big for his head, smelled of laundry soap, bath soap and deodorant. So she now knew he had good hygiene.