by Gayle Riley
“Yeah he did. So you live alone here? I thought you had other servants,” I said.
“I have a couple, but Spencer is the only live-in servant. He’s been my right-hand man since the beginning, since I moved out here and put my business remotely,” he said.
I knew his business was in computers and other stuff, which shocked me since the signal out here is poor.
“Well, it seems you’ve done well,” I said.
“Naturally. Now might I ask you a question?” he offered.
I blushed, trying my hardest to figure out what to say to him next. I finally nodded, looking in his eyes.
“Shoot,” I said.
“What were you doing in the forest? It’s dangerous at night,” he said.
“I got lost. I was supposed to take a different way, but I didn’t know until it was too late. One thing led to another, and I was attacked. I could’ve sworn I was saved by a red wolf, who I was looking for, but I guess that was my imagination,” I said.
Now I knew something was fishy. Immediately, Richard’s shoulders stiffened at those words.
“You said you’re looking for the red wolf?” he asked.
“Yeah. I’m a nature photographer. I thought maybe being a bit curious would help, but I guess that wasn’t the case,” I said.
“It’s best not to meddle in those affairs. The red wolf is a myth, a legend and I suggest you don’t get too close to it, for your life might be in danger as the legend says,” he insisted.
That’s right. If you did see the red wolf, there was a chance you’d die. I shook my head, thinking that it was nothing more than crazy talk.
“I don’t fear death,” I said.
“I don’t fear it either, but that doesn’t mean I suggest you follow that pathway. It’s only going to hurt you Kiera, especially if you get too curious,” he said to me.
I looked to Spencer, who smiled weakly. Richard was an attractive man, about five years older than me. He had a poise that screamed he had money and a look in his eyes that also begged for something else. I didn’t know why, but something about this man intrigued me, making me wonder if there was more to this than what met the eye. But he was so insistent upon not telling me about whatever it was he was hiding, and avoiding the subject of the red wolf. I simply nodded, staring at him.
“Very well sir,” I said.
“It’s for your own good not to get involved,” he told me.
“Right. Well thank you for taking care of me.”
“Naturally. Once you’re well, I’ll escort you back to the visitor’s center. There, I suggest that you head back, and don’t try to go and find out more about that red wolf. He’s a legend for a reason,” he said.
I listened to this, taking his advice and heeding it. “Right,” I said.
“Besides, it’s better to not sweat that small stuff. You seem like an interesting girl,” Richard said.
“Thank you,” I replied.
I spent the next few days recovering, talking to the two attractive men a lot. I really wanted to come back, but I didn’t know how possible that would be, and with the way he warned me of whatever was happening, I had a feeling that whatever he was hiding was something that would explain it all, and he wasn’t too keen on telling everyone just yet. I kept those thoughts to myself, hoping that he’d tell me later.
The time spent at the mansion was nice. I wanted to stick around. Not only that, I totally caught Spencer and Richard looking at me, eyeing my body with a look of something that I couldn’t put my finger on. I mean, I didn’t mind being looked at like that from them, but it was obvious they wanted to say something, but refused to do so. Maybe they would tell me when the time was right. I could only hope.
Once I recovered, Richard took me back to the visitor’s center. Sure enough, my car was still there.
“Thank God. I almost thought they’d tow me,” I said.
“I let them know the situation. Now be safe,” he said.
“Right. Thank you for everything. I mean, both you and Spencer are so interesting. I’d love to get to know you better,” I said. I knew I was obviously implying something more, but he simply frowned.
“It’s best you run along, don’t get involved and live your life. This isn’t made for someone like you. The legend is something you wouldn’t understand, and I don’t think I’d have the heart to tell you everything,” he said.
The cryptic words struck a nerve in me, but I simply nodded. “Very well,” I said. I left the car, heading to my own, thankful that I remembered my keys. I guess the mysterious beast that almost killed me didn’t care for them. While I wanted to let go of that curiosity, it was hard to, and soon, I felt an urge to learn more what this man was hiding, what he was holding back and the truth behind it all. I feared it was something larger than what I expected, but there was also that inexplicable urge to learn the truth and to get the answers.
Chapter 3
I went back home, heading to my computer to do a write up over what happened. I said I didn’t get to see the red wolf, but I guess that was something that would be saved for next time. If there ever was a next time.
I tried to get my mind off the whole situation, especially with how suspicious both Spender and Richard were acting. I mean, I didn’t understand why they hid the truth from me, about who they were. Something seemed off, and I want to go back and find out.
I tried to ignore the feeling that I should dig into this, but at the same time, I knew I couldn’t keep doing this. I wanted to know if my feelings were correct, if there was something more there.
I went back to the visitor’s center about a week later. The guard in front of the park looked at me, confusion spreading across his face.
“Weren’t you just here?” he asked me.
“Yeah. I have another assignment to do,” I explained to him. That was only kind of a lie. I did have to take a few photos of some plants, so I used that as a means to get in. Of course, I wasn’t going to leave for a while, but I guessed the only way to find out was to hopefully experience that once again.
The guard looked me over, eyeing me to see if there was anything else. However, he sighed.
“Fair enough. Have a nice day,” he said to me.
I smiled at him with a beaming grin, excited that it was so easy. I walked past, heading down the pathway, trying my hardest to figure out where it was that I got attacked at. I couldn’t really put my finger on it, but I guess I would find out. I really didn’t want to experience the throes of death again, but hopefully that wouldn’t be the case.
I wandered around once more, the edge of nightfall obvious, when I saw it. I knew my eyes weren’t deceiving me. I could’ve sworn It was the red wolf, right there before my eyes. I got moving, following the creature, when I noticed it started to go somewhere else.
“What are you doing?” I asked myself. I knew that this creature could be dangerous, but there was almost an inherent desire within my body to see this through to the end. I began to look at what might happen, and soon, I followed the wolf as best as I could. I twisted through the forest, looking to see just where this wolf was taking me.
It was then when I saw another one. He was a beautiful snow-white wolf, and it appeared that the two of them knew one another. They morphed, and that’s when I saw it.
It was Richard and Spencer. They were the wolves.
“Did you see any more bears around?” Richard asked.
“No sir. I believe we scared them away. However, I did notice a girl around,” Spencer said.
Immediately, Richard stiffened.
“You don’t think it’s her, do you?” he asked Spencer with concern.
“No master. I believe it’s probably just some animal. Maybe I’m seeing things. But we can’t let her tell others about our secret. It’s personal,” he said.
“Indeed. It’s a shame that she’s a great woman. If she actually left us alone and let our secret stay safe, I’d be fine with letting her in,” Richard said.
“That is correct.”
I felt my heart start to rush forward as I heard this. They actually liked me, but that was the reason? I mean, it explained a whole lot, that’s for sure. But how did I approach this? I began to wonder if it was even wise to do so.
However, I heard something run into me, pushing me into the clearing. I screamed out, falling in front of them with a thud.
“Kiera?” they both said at the same time. However, their attention soon turned to whatever hit me. They immediately shifted, their bodies turning into wolves once again.
“Show yourself!” Spencer said.
“Why, I was just giving her a little push,” a voice said.
Spencer and Richard braced themselves as they looked at the figure, realizing who it was. It was a bear, but not one that was like the rest.
“What are you doing here? I thought we told you not to get too close. This is our land,” Richard said.
“I was just minding my own business on my side. But then I found this woman and I found you two. Perhaps I could have a little bit of fun with this,” the man said.
Both of the wolves stepped forward, lunging at the bear. I watched as the animals fought, fear creeping over my body. What the hell was going on? I didn’t want to be afraid, but just watching this sight was far too much for me. However, it was then when I saw it, noticing immediately just what the hell it was. They were fighting to kill and I could only hope they would make it out alive.
However, I noticed Richard lunged forward, claws out, and that’s when he grabbed onto the bear, he grasped the person, holding them close as the bear struggled.
“You leave this area, you hear? If I catch you here again, I’m going to kill you,” he said.
“Okay,” the voice said.
Immediately, Richard let the bear go, and soon, they scrambled off. Spencer turned to me, checking my body.
“You’re hurt,” he said.
I had a small cut along my back, probably from where he pushed me. I began to stiffen as his hands touched there, almost as if he was healing the area.
“What are you doing?” I said.
“Helping you,” he said.
“But how?” I said to him.
“You’ll see,” he said.
It was then when I felt the pain almost go away instantly. I began to wonder if there was something special about the man’s hands. Maybe, I wouldn’t be too surprised. I began to feel a bit better about this, enjoying the comfort of the man’s hand. However, Richard looked at me, his eyes stern.
“You know about everything, don’t you?” he asked me.
I blushed, but then, I shook my head.
“I don’t know all there is to know about you, but I do know your secret,” I said.
He frowned, looking at me and sighing.
“Then I guess it’s time to explain everything,” he said.
“You’re not going to hide it?” I asked him.
“I don’t see the point anymore. I mean, you know the truth. You know about us, so I guess it’s only a matter of time,” he added.
I nodded.
“Thank you,” I said.
“The only thing I ask is for you not to tell anyone else about this. I don’t want it getting out. If you can promise that, then I’ll explain everything,” he said.
Could I really keep this a secret? I didn’t know for sure, but maybe it was possible. Maybe I could learn to understand this man, this creature in a sense. I wanted to, but I felt scared of what the consequences of this might end up being, that was for sure. I braced myself for what I was about to hear, hoping that I could learn to accept that nobody would know the secret.
Chapter 4
Richard turned into a wolf, motioning for me to ride on his back. I blushed, but I did so, feeling how soft and warm he was. I had to admit, this was such a foreign feeling, something so weird, but in a way, I really liked it. I wanted to indulge in this feeling forever, or at least for a little while.
We got back to the mansion a lot quicker than I thought. When we got in, he motioned for me to go to the conference room. I did so, following him along with Spencer. Spencer seemed almost excited to tell me everything, whereas Richard had almost a barrier up. I mean, I wouldn’t say anything, even though I wanted to.
I went into the room and sat down. Spencer was next to me on the left and Richard was on the right. Richard sighed, looking at me before speaking.
“So you know that I’m the legendary red wolf, correct? And that Spencer is the legendary white wolf,” he said to me.
“I know that. Well, I kind of stumbled upon it,” I said to him with a blush.
“I understand. We’re actually protectors of the land, two people that have a lot of power here. We need to make sure that power is maintained, for if it does fall into the wrong hands, it can spell the end for us,” he explained.
I nodded, taking all of this in and understanding it.
“I see,” I replied.
“Yeah. It’s why I’m always afraid to tell people. I’m here for a reason, not because I want to be. I changed my whole life so that I could protect this place. I’ve been a shifter for as long as I can remember, a werewolf in a sense. I grew up outside of here, but my parents were guardians,” he said.
“What happened? If you don’t mind me asking,” I said.
He paused, tensing up and looking at me.
“They died,” he said.
Oh. That wasn’t what I expected. I looked at him, understanding what was going on.
“I’m sorry,” I said.
“You didn’t know. But that’s why I came back. I needed to protect the forest and I’ve been doing so for the past twenty years,” he said.
Twenty years? How old was this guy?
“How old are you?” I asked.
He paused, shaking his head.
“Forty, but age doesn’t matter when it comes to being a shifter. Spencer here is thirty. He’s been my companion ever since I’ve taken on this duty. I’m glad to have him,” he said.
I listened to his story, understanding the impact this man had on him.
“That’s good at least. I mean, I’m glad that you have someone. All of this is so interesting,” I said.
“It is. I mean, I’d love to find a mate eventually, but I know for a fact that it won’t be immediately. I mean, you’re beautiful, but I can’t ask that of you,” he said.
I paused, looking at him with a serious gaze.
“You’d really consider me for a mate?” I asked with an incredulous gaze.
He paused, blushing as he tried to hide the obvious reddening of his face.
“I mean, if you want to. I don’t want to scare you away. It’s why I’m not asking right away. But, if you consider it, I wouldn’t be against it,” he said.
I looked at him, thinking about it for a bit.
“I’ll consider it,” I said.
“I mean, I wouldn’t mind having you around. Both Spencer and I do enjoy your company. We kind of hoped you’d make your way back when the time was right,” he said.
I flushed, listening to this and nodding in assent.
“Same. I wanted to come back. At least to see you two,” I said.
There was an obvious tension in the air. I mean, I shouldn’t let my feelings get in the way, but at the same time, I liked the way this all played out.
“Can I ask you one thing?” Spencer asked.
I looked at him, a curious glance across my visage. “What is it?” I asked.
“If you do choose to stick around, to be a mate and all, will you tell them about us?” he asked.
I paused. That’s what I was still struggling with. On the one hand, I do want to report this, especially since it was an interesting find, but at the same time, I knew how it was going to affect them if I did.
“I don’t know yet. Giv
e me time. I’ll see what I can do,” I said.
“Remember, if you do say anything, it might come back to bite you,” he said.
I knew that. I was honestly kind of scared of what might happen to me, of what might come about now as a result of this decision. I wanted to be with them, to be their mate, but I didn’t want to scare either of them away. I sighed, looking at both of them with a smile.
“Can I at least stay here for the night?” I asked.
“Sure. You can stay longer if you’d like,” Richard offered.
I appreciated that. I nodded, agreeing to this. They led me to a room, where I slept there soundly. They seemed perfect, and I didn’t want to ruin this. The feelings of desire, of lust, of everything else, ached in my heart, making me want to be there for them no matter what.
I knew what I had to do about this information. It was time.
Chapter 5
The next few days were spent at Richard’s home, where I spent my days working there. I mean, even though I hadn’t reported to the editor yet about the red wolf, I started to imagine that this lie wouldn’t hurt my reputation. I didn’t want to ruin what I already had going with both of these men. If I could just keep it going, then I would be happy as a clam.
However, I knew that the potential for failure was close which was part of the reason why I thought about doing a few other pieces, so that when I broke the news, they didn’t get too upset. It’s why I spent the next couple of days around his estate, photographing wildlife and the like. Spencer stuck with me throughout most of it, and the two of us grew closer.
I wasn’t going to lie. I did like both of them a lot. It was weird, but there was something about each of these men that made me feel a strange warmth in my bones, a rush of excitement that seemed to know no bounds. I didn’t mind the fact that my heart raced slightly when I saw them, or when little, lingering touches seemed to ghost against my palms. I felt Spencer’s gaze upon me quite a bit, and Richard seemed to hold it as well. I knew for a fact that I couldn’t betray them. I wanted to help them, even if it was for my own personal feelings.
Spencer and I spent one of the days out in the field, and when I looked at him, he seemed to be thinking about something.