Wolf-Way (Wolf of my Heart)

by Linda Palmer

  I said little while we ate. Rhyan complimented me on the eggs, which earned him a suspicious glance from Cam and Chief. When he winked at me later, I realized he'd done it on purpose. I felt my cheeks heat up again.

  As soon as we finished, Chief motioned for the guys to pass me their plates. I started filling the sink with soapy water.

  "Later." Chief pointed to the door, my invitation to leave so the men could talk.

  Fuming, I did. But I didn't go far. Instead, I lurked in the hall to eavesdrop, ready to sprint for cover if I heard a chair leg scrape the floor.

  "Why are you here?" asked Chief.

  Rhyan's silence told me he might prefer not having a witness.

  "Don't mind Cam. He's shaman-in-training."

  What! Cam had a few gifts, sure, but shaman...? I couldn't see that happening.

  "I'm sure you've realized I'm a shifter, same as you."

  The silence told me that Chief probably nodded.

  "I'm one-quarter Quantauk courtesy of my mom. So the only way I can get rid of this curse is with the help of a tribe shaman. I'm told that's you, which is why I'm here."

  My jaw dropped. Rhyan didn't want to shapeshift? Then why in the heck had he...?

  Suddenly I couldn't breathe.

  Did the movies have it right after all? Could a person be turned against their will by, say, a bite? Since Quantauks didn't do things that way, I'd never believed that foolishness or known anyone who did. Or maybe it was common knowledge that Chief hadn't bothered sharing since I didn't have powers.

  "I take it you were bitten."

  Chief did know!

  "Yes."

  "When?"

  "Over two years ago--the first semester of my senior year in high school. A man named Titus Leopold sent a scout to Shreveport--"

  "A scout?"

  "Weres who lure teenage boys with beer, weed, girls--whatever it takes--and then turn them."

  "Did this scout single you out?"

  "I believe he did."

  "Why?" asked Cam.

  Rhyan hesitated. "I had skills that Titus considered useful."

  "Such as?"

  Rhyan did not answer Cam.

  "What happened once you shifted for the first time?" Chief asked.

  "I became part of a group of guys in similar circumstances. We went through a sort of boot camp that built us up physically, but crushed us mentally. Once we completed that, we had to, um, work, I guess you'd say, for Titus to keep him from going after our families and loved ones."

  What did he mean by 'work'? My blood ran cold. This beat the worst curse I'd ever heard of. Not that this could be called that in the strictest sense. I mean, no one had said any magic words or opened any ancient tombs or drunk a potion. It simply took one bite by a so-called scout, which I assumed was the name given to a wolf whose venom could turn humans into animals.

  One single bite.

  So what would happen if I walked on the dark side and went about this another way? I suddenly wondered. Here stood a guy who could tell me where to get it done, right?

  Wrong.

  Guilt instantly consumed me. Being bitten to gain wolf status was not only dishonorable, it was just plain stupid, not to mention dangerous. And my motives for doing such a thing? Murky, even to me, the dreamer of crazy dreams.

  "You're talking about le bras du loup."

  "You've heard of it, then?" Rhyan sounded surprised.

  "Yes, but we--the elders and I--didn't believe the rumors."

  "This gang was in Shreveport?" Cam again.

  "Birmingham, but there are--were--gangs in every state, including this one. And when they went down earlier this year, the Corteggio--"

  "The what...?" asked Cam.

  "Corteggio," Chief told him. "That's the governing body of the paranormal world."

  World? Had my grandfather really said 'world'? How did he know all this stuff? And why hadn't he shared his knowledge with me?

  Chief spoke again. "Tell me about the man who ran your gang. This Titus Leapold."

  "He was a Palatine, which is like a supernatural sheriff. See, everyone thought Weres accounted for all the crime in the world, and so the Palatines legally assassinated them. But the truth is Titus didn't really kill Weres, at all. Instead, he created and then enslaved them."

  "And Titus is dead now?"

  "Him and his silent partner. And even though the truth is finally out, the Sups are scared of us. It doesn't help that some of the Weres liked gang life and are still out there, stirring up trouble. Gang members who never wanted to be one have been arrested and interrogated, especially the ones who haven't heard about, much less taken, the cure."

  "You're talking about the witch."

  "Yeah. Andee Rivera. She actually tried to cure me. That altered things a little, but didn't rid me of the curse because of my mixed heritage. I did some research on Quantauks and found out about you, Chief. So can you help me or not?"

  "I can."

  I heard Rhyan's happy intake of breath.

  "But there are conditions, and I need for you to be more specific about how the witch 'altered things.'"

  "I can shift from wolf to guy immediately, even if the initial shift was NFM, er, non full moon. There'd always been a one-to-two hour delay."

  "So you couldn't change at will." Cam's tone mocked.

  I wanted to slug him.

  "I couldn't change back, no." A long silence followed Rhyan's answer. I wished I could see Chief's expression. "What are your conditions?"

  My grandfather cleared his throat. "Before I tell you, I should explain how things work here. For hundreds of years members of the Quantauk tribe have walked what we call the wolf-way to gain shifter status. By that I mean that our young men deliberately prepare themselves mentally and physically to become wolves. Sort of like your boot camp, I'm thinking, but with a positive spin. As shaman, I manage the process."

  "You shift to protect the tribe?"

  Cam laughed derisively at that.

  Chief shushed him with a curt, "Can it." He directed his next words to Rhyan. "You've been watching too many vampire movies, son. We walk the wolf-way for the same reason other men compete in sports, earn their doctorates, or seek promotion in the workplace. We want to reach a higher plane of existence for fulfillment and to gain the respect of other tribe members."

  "This is optional?"

  "Yes."

  "For all tribe members?"

  "Not the women."

  "By tradition?"

  Chief hesitated as if carefully wording his answer. "The wolf-way is a mental, physical and, ultimately, spiritual impossibility for females. All who attempt it will not only fail, but will defile the process."

  I rolled my eyes. Life sure sucked. I couldn't walk the wolf-way, myself, yet had to help tutor males who could. And the kicker? I could've passed all the tests. I really could've. Well...maybe not the ten-foot wall...at least right away. But with weight training, I could probably climb it.

  Never mind that I didn't really want to be a freak of nature. It was the principle of the thing. I believed in equal rights, and any female-male rivalry naturally presented an interesting challenge.

  "What's all that got to do with me?" I now heard an edge of impatience in Rhyan's tone.

  "If you want my help, you must walk the wolf-way, too."

  "Why in the hell would I? I’m already a Were."

  "To gain a full understanding and appreciation of what you have before you throw it away. I want you to be able to make an informed decision, son. After all, this is your birthright."

  I realized he had a point.

  I heard Rhyan's sigh and guessed he did, too. "How long would it take?"

  "Well, that's our hang up. I'm not doing another session until November."

  "November?" Someone's hand hit the table, probably Rhyan's. "Can't wait that long. Shifting is not an honor; it's a curse that ruined my life. I've got to get rid of this now."

  "Then you'll have to find someo
ne else to help you."

  "But you're the only--"

  "Listen to me. The next class is in the fall. Period."

  "But--"

  "Was that your car we saw stuck in the snow?"

  Rhyan said nothing.

  "I'll wench you out so you can leave the reservation."

  I heard someone scoot back a chair. I darted into my room and sat on the bed.

  "Tehya?" Chief's deep voice reached every corner of the cabin. "We're finished in here."

  I got up and started to the kitchen. Rhyan met me in the hall, his face flushed and his eyes averted. I grabbed his arm and kept my voice low. "You're really not going to do it?"

  His gaze clashed with mine. "You were listening."

  I nodded.

  "No, I'm not doing it."

  "But why?"

  "I don't have time for this shit, okay? I need to go home and get a job, my GED, and an apartment or something. My parents and little sister think someone kidnapped me. I saw my picture on a bulletin board in Wal-Mart. 'Have you seen this boy?'" His eyes filled with tears.

  So did mine. "You couldn't call them...?"

  "And say what? Hello, Mom, Dad. I haven't been in contact for two years because I'm a badass wolf."

  "You could explain--"

  "Believe me, Tehya. They'd never understand, much less believe me. I’m scared shitless the Corteggio will go after my family before I can get cured."

  "What about the old gang? Are you worried about them?"

  "Hell yeah."

  "So what are you going to do now?"

  "Hit the road, I guess. Chief's helping me with the car."

  "I'm talking about the rest of your life, Rhyan. What are you going to do about that?"

  "Damned if I know." He started to move away.

  I grabbed him by the wrist. "We need to do something."

  He frowned. "As in...?"

  "Link."

  Rhyan arched an eyebrow. "Are you talking about sex?"

  I punched his arm.

  "Ow! Okay. I get it. No sex."

  "Not today, anyway."

  Rhyan's jaw dropped.

  I gave myself a mental slap. "Simply put, linking will give me access to your memories."

  "Like a mind meld? What is this, Star Trek Colorado style?"

  "No, it's the reality that is my sucky life. It'll just take a few minutes, and it will give me insight into your condition so I can figure out how to help you."

  "But what could you possibly do?"

  "Granddaughter of a shaman, here, remember?" I patted my heart. "At least give me a chance."

  "You're serious."

  "As your shapeshifting curse."

  "Rhyan?" Chief sounded too close.

  "Trust me," I whispered.

  "Fine then. Tell me when." Rhyan took the stairs three at a time. I ran back to my room.

  Chief stepped into the hall from the kitchen just as I walked out of it again. "Where's Rhyan?"

  "Haven't seen him."

  He frowned as if doubting me. "I thought I heard voices."

  I shrugged. "Wasn't me. Are you going to help him?"

  "Only with his car. He's supposed to be changing clothes." Chief glanced at the stairs.

  "What was his problem?"

  "That's our business." He nodded toward the kitchen. "You can wash the dishes now."

  "On my way." I slipped past him with my heart pounding in my chest. While I worked at the sink on autopilot, my head spun with possibilities that began popping up from nowhere.

  Rhyan's unsanctioned shifter status had opened my eyes, and I now questioned so-called truths regarding the wolf-way. I knew for a fact that the written tests had been added in the last ten years as a way to gauge intelligence. I also knew the ceremony at the end served as window dressing--a way to let tribe members know they had yet another Quantauk male to admire. That meant it all came down to Chief and his magic.

  Magic I'd probably inherited, but didn't know how to use.

  Not that the wolf-way didn't have merit. Learning about wolves could only help if you were about to become one. I mean, these guys didn't start out as pups with mamas to train them. As for the strength and endurance trials, those had merit, too. But waiting until fall to help Rhyan...? Ridiculous. Chief had done one-on-ones in the past. I didn't know why he wouldn't consider it now.

  What if I embraced my gifts just long enough to cure Rhyan? True, I'd never actually witnessed what Chief did to start the shifting process since that part happened in private. For all I knew, he bit those poor guys, which meant I'd have to do that in reverse to cure Rhyan.

  I actually laughed at the thought.

  But I did have a couple of psychic gifts and a brain. Surely I could do a little research and figure out what I needed to do, and when I did, I'd rid Rhyan of the curse. My price would be his help getting me off the reservation.

  And then we'd both be free.

  Chapter Four

  Rhyan walked back into the kitchen wearing his own clothes just about the time I began stacking clean plates in the cabinet. He stepped up close and kept his voice low. "Where are we going to do this?"

  "In the barn out back. When Chief comes in from helping you, I'll tell him I'm going to feed the horses. You can leave your car at the res park and approach the property from the rear, then enter the barn that way."

  "What will happen if we get caught?" He glanced uneasily toward the living room door.

  "We won't."

  Rhyan didn't look so sure.

  I pushed him toward the connecting door. "Go. They're waiting."

  Rhyan fetched the men, who bundled up again within minutes. He borrowed a hoodie from Cody's closet. Once they left, I paced the kitchen, my thoughts in a frenzy, until Cam and Chief came back over an hour later.

  "You got his car out?" I asked the second they stepped inside.

  Chief nodded and took off his jacket. He handed me the borrowed hoodie.

  "Is he coming back in?" I glanced toward the door.

  "Nope," said Cam with a smug smile. "He's gone."

  "Oh."

  Chief headed straight to his recliner, but Cam hovered. "So what are you doing next Saturday night? I thought we could go to a movie or something." He hung his pea jacket over the back of a chair and leaned against the counter. Not for the first time, I wondered why I didn't flip for him. Every other girl on the res had.

  I suddenly thought of another handsome face. I realized I already missed Rhyan, who'd been out of the house just over an hour. His troubles had taken me out of mine for a while, a breath of fresh air to my polluted life.

  "Cam, I really--"

  He placed his fingers on my mouth to shush me. "Come on, Tay-Tay. What's holding you back?"

  "It's Tehya, and you're way too much wolf for the likes of me." Cam totally exalted in his wolf status.

  He laughed, never doubting my flattery. "But you could tame it, baby."

  Ew.

  I folded my towel and draped it over the edge of the sink. "Mortal woman could never, ever tame it. Now I have to feed the horses."

  "I'll come with you."

  "No!"

  Cam's gaze narrowed. "Why not?"

  "There's no reason for both of us to freeze our butts off. Go watch football with Chief, who adores you. Congratulations on being named second-in-command, by the way. I had no idea."

  "Well, it's not really official."

  "But it will be." I forced a smile.

  "Thanks. You'll watch the game with us?"

  "Sure, and I'll bring hot chocolate and popcorn."

  "But we just ate breakfast."

  "Your point?"

  With a cocky grin, Cam left me.

  I ran to my room to put on my boots and a jacket. In minutes, I slipped out the side door and trudged my way through knee-deep drifts down the driveway and across the back yard to Chief's barn. We boarded horses for friends without barns and pastures. I enjoyed feeding and exercising them, as well as the money I got fo
r doing it. Chief didn't want me to get a real job right now, big surprise. That would give me way too much independence.

  I had to dig snow before I could open the barn door enough to slip inside. I shut it behind me and flipped on a light that consisted of three bare bulbs, dangling from wires strung in the center of the structure. They didn't help that much, but with bright sunlight streaming through the cracks between the boards that made up the four walls, I managed. Since our barn had run-offs at the backs of the stalls, I wasn't sure I'd find any of the horses indoors.

  But all four greeted me with hungry whinnies.

  "Hi, guys. Ready for some really yummy oats with a side of alfalfa?" I scooped a measured amount from a feed sack and filled the buckets. I also gave them each a flake of hay.