* * *
Dakota drank in the warmth of the body lying next to her. The feel of muscular arms wrapped protectively around her and the warm body pressed against her back felt wonderful. Turning her head slowly, she looked at the sleeping woman. Black hair partially hid Yemaya's face before spreading across the pillow, across her shoulders, and down her chest. Her skin was a golden brown, more natural than tanned.
"You are so beautiful," she whispered, reaching out to brush her fingers lightly down the sleeping woman's exposed arm and then grimaced from the pain of moving. That didn't feel good, she thought and then turned her attention back to Yemaya. How can I compete with anyone for someone like you?"
Blue eyes opened slowly, trapping her gaze.
"There is no one else," Yemaya answered softly, her warm breath fanning Dakota's cheek. "Surely you know that by now."
"I hoped. I prayed. Even Grandma Dakota hinted a few times, but I never really believed I could have you," Dakota whispered back.
"Well, listen to Grandma Dakota. She seems to know an awful lot," Yemaya teased.
"From now on, I will."
"How are you feeling?" Yemaya asked, reaching over to touch the lump on Dakota's head.
"Actually, pretty good… well except for a few twinges here and there."
"Good, although I suspect the painkiller the doctor gave you is masking a lot of the pain. Are you hungry?"
Images of Yemaya naked in bed with her made her blush. Yemaya laughed.
"Guess you are feeling better," she chuckled. Pushing up on one elbow, she leaned forward and kissed Dakota, her lips lingering. Backing off, Yemaya stared into green eyes, her own passion growing.
"I do not think you are up to this yet," Yemaya said, her voice husky with desire.
"Don't think then. I've been ready for this all my life," Dakota whispered softy.
Dakota wrapped her arms around Yemaya's neck.
"Love me, Yemaya," Dakota begged, her breathing ragged.
Yemaya flashed her a huge grin but shook her head no.
"Now is not the time. We will wait until you are better."
Dakota made a wry face. "I suppose I can wait until after breakfast," she replied and then yawned.
"We will see," Yemaya promised. Already, Dakota was drifting off to sleep. Smiling, Yemaya slipped out of bed and put on her clothes knowing Maria would be preparing a meal for them.
* * *
Several hours later, Dakota awoke to the smell of chicken and dumplings. Yemaya had just arrived with a tray with two bowls of the broth soup and some homemade bread. Sitting up Dakota heard her stomach rumbling.
"That smells wonderful," she exclaimed, picking up a spoon. Within minutes she had finished off the contents of the bowl. "I can't believe I was so hungry."
"It is normal. Your body needs nourishment."
Dakota smiled impishly. "You're right… in more ways than one. I vaguely recall a promise you made earlier... or was I dreaming?" she asked having second doubts.
"It was not a dream," Yemaya said. "You still need…"
"I need you," Dakota interrupted. "I'm fine, Yemaya. Please."
Yemaya felt her own passions rising but knew now wasn't the time for lovemaking. Shaking her head, she leaned forward and kissed Dakota gently on the lips.
"Not yet. I want you well before we take the next step. With your injuries I would worry about hurting you."
"You won't…."
Yemaya put her fingers over Dakota's lips to silence her.
"Not now," she repeated. "Sleep. Your body will heal quickly."
Realizing it was useless to argue, Dakota snuggled into her pillow and closed her eyes. "Oh, alright," she grumbled.
Smiling Yemaya lay down next to her and began rubbing Dakota's back. Within minutes both were asleep.
* * *
The men couldn't sleep. The wolves were constantly growling and prowling in the darkness. Being hunters, they knew tired prey made mistakes. By sunrise, everyone was so irritable, the group just packed up and left without eating, hoping they were headed in the right direction. Occasionally, they spotted furtive movements in the shadows and veered off in an effort to avoid the wolves.
Voinic was getting restless. As the alpha male, he wanted to avenge Simtire. Only the death of her attackers would satisfy his thirst, and only the will of his mistress kept him from exacting revenge. His patience was limited, though. Sensing her mate's thoughts, Regina walked to him, touching her nose to his. She too wanted vengeance, but their mistress wished otherwise. She would not permit her pack to violate the trust the Carpi placed in them. The wolves of these mountain ranges had been companions to the Lupescu family for hundreds of years. The alliance benefited both Carpi and wolf. Their lives were forever intertwined and their loyalty was absolute.
* * *
"We're fuckin' lost," Jimmy complained, kicking at a small stone near his foot.
"Damn it, Jimmy. Shut the fuck up!" Billy yelled, annoyed at to the other man's continuous whining. "You're always bitchin' about something."
"Fuck you. We're lost and you're too stupid to realize it. Those wolves have been controlling us, and no one here seems to have noticed—"
"I noticed," Eddy interrupted. "I don't know what you think we're supposed to do about it. You shot that wolf. I hear wolves are intelligent and very protective of their own. I told you that gun would get us in trouble."
"At least I kept it from killing us. That's more than what you did. And I don't care if these things are Einstein's. I ain't lettin' no wolf control me." Jimmy snarled.
"And just what are you going to do about it, Jimmy? We have one gun and five bullets. Shit, we don't even know how many wolves are out there. I suppose we could try killing the ones we see, but what if there's more than five? Then what? Right now they're playing with us. Maybe they'll grow tired and leave, but for sure, I'm not going to piss them off any further. I suggest you follow suit," Eddy advised.
"All I've got to say is I'm not going to spend another night in this fuckin' place. If it takes killing them all, I'll do it. Even if I have to use my bare hands."
Eddy snorted in disgust. Jimmy was known for his bravado, not his brains. Problem was he never followed through. He was all talk and no action unless the odds were in his favor. Then he was really brave.
* * *
Yemaya slipped from under the sheets, kissing the sleeping woman on the cheek. Dakota needed rest to heal from her injuries. Glancing out the window, she realized she had about six hours before the sunset. Her first priority had been to care for Dakota. Now it was time to do something about those who had hurt Simtire and Dakota. She had to move quickly. Before leaving, she gave instructions to Maria about Dakota's care.
In a small pack strapped to her back was enough gear for one night in case she couldn't make it back by sunset. At the foot of the drawbridge stood Balba, a large black wolf from across the ridge on the other side of the river. A younger gray wolf sat slightly behind him. Balba was one of Regina's older offspring's but now had his own family. Verdina, his mate, was hidden deep within their den. She was pregnant and due to give birth shortly.
"Hello, Balba." Yemaya knelt, letting the wolf lick her face. "Thank you for coming, but you must return to Verdina. She will need your protection."
The wolf lowered his head, growling unhappily. He and Verdina knew about Simtire. He was aware of Regina and her pack's movements and where they were. It was his duty to help.
"You have a duty to protect your life mate, Balba. Go home. Shina will take me to the men who did this. It will be a good lesson for her."
Reluctantly, Balba turned and trotted into the woods. It would be good to be with Verdina. This was her first time bearing pups and both were worried.
"Well, Shina, shall we go?"
The young gray wolf grinned happily. She loved being near the mistress.
Three hours later, Shina stopped. Raising her nose to the sky, she howled loudly. Within minutes, Regina an
d Voinic appeared. Seeing Yemaya, they ran to her, nuzzling her hand.
"Simtire is fine. She will be sore and needs rest," Yemaya explained.
Both wolves raised their faces to the sky and howled joyfully. Their howls were greeted by others until the mountains reverberated with the sounds and echoes of the distant packs.
"Where are they?" Yemaya demanded, interrupting the chorus. It was time to find out why the men had shot Simtire and attacked Dakota.
CHAPTER 15
CHUCK RESTED AGAINST a log, unable to move his leg. Billy's arm was swollen, red streaks running up the forearm. He was sweating from the exertion and a fever that was developing because of an infection. Eddy walked around restlessly, unsure of his next move. The wolves were playing with them, but to what purpose?
If Jimmy hadn't been so hasty with the gun and so crude with the woman, he might have talked her into coming with them peacefully. He was sure the wolf would have done whatever she wanted. Now he had to think of something to tell Chisholm. The man would carry out his threats. Maybe he'd just disappear and not tell Chisholm anything. The others could do whatever they wanted — that is, if they made it out of the forest. Right now he wasn't so sure they would. Hearing footsteps, he stopped pacing.
"Eddy," Jimmy said, looking at the others to make sure they couldn't hear him, "I think we need to leave them and try to get help."
"You do, huh? And if we get out of here, how are we gonna find them again?"
"That shouldn't be a problem for the locals. I'm sure they know these woods inside and out."
"And what are we going to tell them? We were going for a stroll and got attacked by wolves?" Eddy's voice dripped with sarcasm.
"We don't have to tell them anything. Just that Billy and Chuck are lost. By the time they're found, we'll be gone."
"I see. And what will Chisholm have to say about leaving them behind?"
"Hmmm... Good point. Maybe we should just kill them. By the time their bodies are found — if they're found — we can come up with something to satisfy Chisholm."
"You gonna do them, Jimmy?" Eddy asked.
"Sure. I don't have any problems eliminating liabilities. I've done it before, and I'll probably have to do it again," Jimmy bragged and smirked, proud of himself.
"Am I a liability?"
"Huh?"
"I asked... am I a liability?" Eddy snapped.
"No, of course not. Nothing's wrong with you," Jimmy replied, not realizing his answer said more than he intended.
"Let me think about it for a few minutes. I'll let you know."
Jimmy strolled away, his hands in his pockets, confident Eddy would see things his way. Eddy, on the other hand, was even more worried now. Not knowing what the wolves wanted and whether the girl's body had been discovered was bad enough. He actually felt sorry about her. It took a lot of courage to do what she had done. Eddy respected real courage. Now he had Jimmy to watch.
Injured, Billy and Chuck couldn't defend themselves against Jimmy. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the gun. Eddy didn't like guns. They caused more trouble than they were worth.
He was thinking about the weapon when he heard a wolf howl. Seconds later, another wolf joined in, then the entire mountain range echoed with the noise. It was frightening to realize how many animals might be out there. For a second, he considered Jimmy's offer to kill the others and run. It just wasn't his style. He could take care of a problem if his boss ordered him to; it was another thing to kill a partner. Eddy had a peculiar sense of honor.
* * *
Yemaya listened, unnoticed, to the conversation between Jimmy and Eddy and was disgusted at how easily Jimmy was willing to kill. Eddy, though, was different. She sensed he was a killer, but there was a reluctance in him to kill his companions. It wouldn't change his fate, but it did make her sad in a strange way. She wondered what had happened in his past to change him into the person he was. At some point, he must have been a decent man.
Shrugging, she ordered the wolves to surround the group but to keep a safe distance. If Eddy chose to shoot, several of them could be wounded or killed. The two injured men wouldn't be a problem. She suspected Jimmy was the greatest threat. Eddy was a mystery, which made him unpredictable, but he wasn't a loose cannon.
Yemaya decided it was time to make her presence known. She could see Regina and the other wolves moving stealthily through the trees, taking up their positions.
* * *
Billy, shivering from a developing fever, blinked several times when a woman appeared near Eddy. Shaking his head and mumbling incoherently, he pointed at her. Eddy and Jimmy looked at Billy, then in the direction he was pointing. Eddy jumped when he saw Yemaya only a few feet away. Pointing the gun at her, he backed up.
"That would be unwise," Yemaya advised, her voice velvet-covered steel — silky smooth, pleasing to the ear, and determined.
"How'd you get here?" Eddy stammered, glancing around for signs of other people.
Looking past him at Jimmy, Yemaya nodded in his direction.
"Tell your friend to stay where he is."
Eddy felt compelled to obey her quiet order.
"Stand still, Jimmy. Let me talk to her."
"No problem, Eddy," the man replied taking a step backward.
Jimmy was as startled as companions. He had noticed several wolves lying nearby but without the gun wasn't feeling very brave. The previous howling was a warning that there were more wolves concealed by the darkness. The thought of all those teeth tearing into his flesh terrified him.
"Good. You are Eddy." It was a statement, not a question.
He nodded but didn't say anything. Her voice was low, even seductive. It drifted through the air like a warm breeze, soft, soothing, irresistible. Eddy waited for her to speak again, his mind craving the verbal contact.
"Give me the gun, Eddy."
Eddy looked down at the handgun he was holding. He had forgotten he still held it. Looking at her, he seemed confused. He knew he needed the gun for something but couldn't remember what. Her voice, her eyes made resistance futile. Still he tried.
"You never liked guns, Eddy, remember? Give it to me before someone else gets hurt. Enough harm has been done already. The girl and the wolf are alive. Now give me the gun," she repeated.
Eddy could feel his mind surrendering to the compulsion. He stretched out his hand, offering her the weapon. When Jimmy saw her take it he shouted angrily.
"What the fuck are you doing, Eddy? You just gave the bitch my gun."
Yemaya stared at Jimmy, her eyes ablaze with barely controlled rage and as black as coal. This was the man who shot Simtire. That alone would have been enough reason enough for her to kill him, were it her place to do so. The images in his mind of his intended rape of Dakota fanned her anger to dangerous levels.
"You will be quiet." She hissed, her voice seething. "Or I will order the wolves to rip out your throat. I can promise you it will be slow and painful, and they will take great pleasure in avenging their packmate. Do you understand me?" Yemaya demanded angrily.
Jimmy cringed and nodded. The woman's voice was like molten steel in his brain, burning hot and furious. He had no choice but to be quiet if he wanted the pain to stop and keep the wolves at bay.
"Good. You say another word, you move a muscle, you even think something I do not like and you will die, and the pain you just felt is nothing compared to what you will feel. This I promise. Regina and her pack would like nothing better than to tear you to pieces right now. That would be a quicker death than I would give you. You think about that for a while."
Jimmy nodded again, feeling more afraid than he had ever felt in his entire life. It was a relief when she turned her attention back to Eddy.
"Why did you attack my friend and shoot the wolf?"
Eddy didn't want to answer her. He knew Chisholm would kill him once he discovered he had been betrayed. There would be no place to hide from the man's power and influence.
"Answer me,"
she ordered. "I know someone hired you. Who?" Although it was and order, Yemaya's voice remained calm, almost soothing.
Eddy sighed. He didn't owe Chisholm anything. Chisholm was an asshole. What did he care if she knew? She deserved an answer. It was Chisholm's fault Brenda Simpson had died and that Dakota had fallen over the cliff. Hell, if it hadn't been for him, Eddy might still have a life as a photographer. He wished he had never met Robert Chisholm., Eddy decided to tell her everything, and Chisholm could rot in hell for all he cared. He never questioned why he the decision came so easily.
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