Call of the Wilds

by Неизвестный

  Reluctantly, he pulled the towel from her body and wiped the water from her cleavage.

  She moved closer. “Use your tongue.” She smiled mischievously and tugged on the towel.

  He enfolded her snugly with the towel and stepped back. “Get dressed and we’ll eat.”

  “I’m hungry for you. Why didn’t you join me?” She frowned.

  Lycans were raised with a healthy respect for the human body as well as the canine. They had no qualms about disrobing and shifting in front of family and friends, but bathing with Sable would have implied something else. She expected him to take her as a mate, and he wasn’t ready to accept that responsibility. They had only just found each other. He needed time to think and to consider Karin’s feelings. She’d shared his bed. He’d made love to her in this shower and promised her she’d be the last to use it. They might not have a future, but they were together now. Could he take care of Sable and still have Karin in his life? He’d have to tell Karin the truth and possibly put Sable in danger.

  “Take your shower now. I’ll run the water and wash you. I don’t mind getting wet again.”

  “Sable, we need to talk.”

  “We have plenty of time for that.” She dropped the towel on the floor and started toward the bathroom.

  “Wait.” He sat on the bed and patted the spot next to him. “Come sit down.”

  “Oh, all right.” She sat next to him and put a possessive hand on his thigh.

  “I’ll get you one of my shirts. It’ll be big, but I’ll buy you some real clothes as soon as I can.”

  “Why? I like wearing your shirts. They smell like you.”

  “It’s okay for now, but if you go out, you’ll need more than my shirt. I’ll pick some things up in town.”

  “What do you know about women’s clothes?” She flashed him an impish smile.

  “Not much, I’ll ask Karin to help me. I can tell her my sister is visiting.”

  Her expression changed in an instant, lips curled in a defiant snarl. “I’m not your sister, and I don’t want that bitch buying my clothes.”

  Startled by the vehemence of her anger, he rubbed her back, trying to calm her down. “I know what it feels like to be caught in a trap. I wish you never had to go through it, but Karin had nothing to do with it. She’s always been on your side.” He studied her thoughtfully, recognizing the deep unhappiness and hurt she carried. Sable needed a scapegoat, and she chose Karin, blaming her for the events leading to her capture. It wasn’t fair, but he understood her pain. He’d been bitter and full of rage once, but he put it behind him. He hoped she could too, but she’d had it rougher, living more like a feral animal than a shifter. It would take a while until she felt safe. It didn’t bode well for a future with Karin. It tore him up inside, but Sable would never accept her as a part of his life. He always knew a relationship between them was impossible. He’d been foolish to think otherwise.

  “People in this town hate wolves. You could have been killed before you ever made it back to the refuge. Karin protected you.”

  “And drugged me and kept me caged.”

  “And kept you safe.”

  “But not safe from the sheriff,” she spat. “It’s not a good idea to tell her I’m your sister. She’ll find out soon enough we’re lovers, and humans don’t believe in relatives mating.”

  “And neither do I. You’re my sworn sister, Sable. I’ll always take care of you, but anything more just doesn’t feel right.”

  “I’m not your blood sister, and I’m not the little girl you remember.”

  “I know. You’re all grown and very beautiful, the image of Mia, but we’ve only just found each other. A lot has changed. You don’t know me. Let’s just take things slow.” He needed to talk to Karin before she found out about Sable.

  “There’s no reason to wait. We may be the only ones left to pass on our heritage.”

  “It’s not that simple. I don’t want to hurt Karin.”

  “What is she to you?”

  “A friend, a good friend. Karin is different. She’d never hurt anyone.”

  “They’re all alike. Afraid of anyone who’s different.” She softened her face. “I understand an alpha’s appetites. I don’t blame you for fucking her, but I’m here now. There’s no need to settle for a human female.”

  He frowned. “I’m not talking about sex.”

  “You’ve lived with them too long. Did you forget how dangerous they are? Do you think Karin would be your friend if she knew what you are? She’d put you in a cage too. They would study you or kill you. You’d never be free again.” She shook her head. “You can’t trust them.”

  “They’re not all the same.”

  “It doesn’t matter.” She took his face in her hands. “Things are different now. In time, you’ll feel different. Our parents would want us to be together. Mia would want it. You know I’m right.”

  He did know. His family would expect him to take Sable as a mate. But did he want it? The connection wasn’t there. In his heart, he knew time wouldn’t make a difference. An alpha knew his mate as soon as he scented her. But did his wants matter when he had a chance to preserve his race?

  “All right. I won’t say anything to Karin for now. It’s probably a good idea for you to stay out of sight anyway. Wolves are a problem here. You could get shot just going for a run. I can’t risk it.”

  “I won’t shift, and I’ll be careful. If anyone sees me, you can tell them I’m an old friend from out of town.”

  “Just lay low for a while. The deputy is dead, and the sheriff wants me dead as well. I’m in his sights, and you will be too.”

  “You’re wrong. When the sheriff finds out we’re lovers, he’ll never bother us again.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “He wants the woman. I saw them together many times, and I smelled his arousal every time he came near her. Let him have her and he’ll leave us alone.”

  What could he say? She spoke the truth. They’d all be better off if he took Sable as his mate. Even Karin. She might be upset at first, but she’d forget him. Frank would see to that. He would be all over her. He suppressed a jealous growl. Karin belonged to him, not Frank. He felt a territorial claim that he had no right to. He wasn’t sure he could control it, and he knew having Sable in his life wouldn’t make it go away.

  * * * *

  The steak had long since dried out, and the candles burned down to the wicks. Icy tendrils of fear wrapped around Karin’s heart. The rhythmic ticking of the clock marked each passing second, bringing her closer to an apocalypse. Something bad happened. She felt it in her bones.

  She tried calling Malcolm’s cell phone but kept getting voicemail. Frank must have locked him up. She’d never forgive him. She called the sheriff’s office and left a message there too.

  Malcolm could be lying unconscious somewhere, beaten to a pulp by Jude and his thugs. Why didn’t she insist on going with him? She couldn’t sit here worrying another minute. She knew the way to his house, and she could find it in the dark. He kept a window open for Ralf. If he wasn’t back, she would climb in and wait for him. If he still hadn’t come home by morning, she’d go to Frank’s office and demand some answers.

  Rattled, she took her time and tried to concentrate on her driving. Her heart slowed its hammering when she saw the Jeep parked outside his house. Thank God. She didn’t even care he hadn’t called. She would hug him first, then give him hell for worrying her. She knocked and waited impatiently until he opened the door.

  She threw herself into his arms. “I’ve been frantic.”

  “I’m okay. We need to talk.”

  Ralf came running out of the woods and almost knocked her over in his haste to get inside. She looked past Malcolm and saw the hybrid crouched at the foot of the stairs. He lifted his muzzle and scented the air. His ears flattened against his head and, snarling, he put a paw on the first step.

  Karin glanced from Ralf to Malcolm. She raised a brow. “What ar
e you hiding upstairs?” She walked into the house.

  Malcolm followed her in. Agitated, he swallowed and ran a hand over the back of his neck.

  “Karin—”

  Ralf started growling, and Karin watched transfixed as a woman descended the stairs. She had an arresting face with high cheekbones and a sensuous mouth. Malcolm’s flannel shirt barely covered her hips, revealing long slim legs that carried her downstairs with the fluid grace of a wild panther.

  This is why he hadn’t called. While she’d been blaming Frank, Malcolm held another woman in his arms. Tears stung her eyes, and she bit her lip to force them back. Did he even see Frank at all or did he go straight home to her? A wild wave of jealousy threatened to submerge her. It unleashed a flood of other emotions—anger, possessiveness, sadness, humiliation. Why did he have to pick a woman who was everything she wasn’t?

  The hackles stood on Ralf’s back, and the woman stopped a few steps above him. He raised his upper lip to bare his teeth and snarled at her, an aggressive threat meant to keep her at bay. She looked helplessly at Malcolm.

  “Settle down,” Malcolm warned.

  The woman came closer and put a hand out to pet him, and Ralf snapped at her fingers. Malcolm rushed to his side and rolled the dog on his back, holding him down gently but firmly with one hand so he couldn’t escape. With his other hand, he held Ralf’s muzzle pointed up toward his face so he could hold eye contact. In a loud, firm voice he repeated his command. “Settle.” He only had to say it once more before Ralf went limp and gazed into his eyes submissively.

  “Good boy.” Malcolm turned to the woman. “He’s had a rough time lately. Somebody shot him, and he almost died.” He turned back toward Karin, as if he just remembered she was still there. “Karin saved his life.”

  “You must be good with animals.” Her icy gaze swept over Karin and dismissed her. “I got tired of waiting for you.” She flashed a provocative smile at Malcolm.

  Karin’s gasp was barely audible. The pit of her stomach churned, and she fought to keep the contents down. She stared at Malcolm in disbelief. While she sat worrying over a ruined dinner, he made love to another woman. Just this morning, it had been her he made love to. Last night, she slept in his bed. Did he find her so lacking he already had her replacement picked out? How could he be so cruel and cast her off so easily? True, he never told her he loved her, but she thought…Hell, she hadn’t thought at all. If she had, she would have kept her distance. He’d never really been hers. She’d been fooling herself all along.

  Without meeting her eyes, he mumbled, “Karin, this is—”

  “Sable.” The black-haired beauty moved toward her. She held out a hand, a look of triumph on her face. “I’m an old friend from out of town.”

  Karin ignored the outstretched hand and met her stony gaze. She had the weirdest sensation they’d met before, but she would have remembered someone so striking. Sable made her blood run cold, but she wouldn’t let this woman intimidate her. Never let them see you sweat. It had become her catchphrase. She mumbled something and flew out the door.

  “Karin, wait,” Malcolm called, but she refused to turn and let them see her tears.

  Chapter Twenty-two

  The cabin loomed in the distance. The closer Frank got to it the farther he wanted to be from it. Shit! He never should have listened to Glenn. His harebrained scheme cost him his life, and now he had to clean up the mess by himself. Damn! He shook his head. It couldn’t wait any longer. He needed the cover of dark.

  He parked near the cabin and pulled his gun. Mumbling a prayer, he jumped from the truck. The front door stood open just as he left it. Quiet. So far, so good. He picked up a rock and threw it inside. Nothing. No movement. No sound.

  He peeked around the door frame, pulled back, and leaned against the building to calm his breathing. The next time, he held the gun in front of him and played the beam of his flashlight over the interior. No sign of the wolf. He let out a breath and holstered his gun.

  He only saw one body. The wolf could have dragged Malcolm’s carcass off. So much the better. It saved him the trouble of moving two bodies.

  He approached the corpse slowly. Glenn lay on his side, curled up like a baby. Frank made the sign of the cross and whispered a prayer to the Almighty Father.

  He shined his flashlight on the body, and his stomach heaved. Half of the man’s face was gone, his cheekbone and teeth exposed in a gaping grimace. The flesh had been eaten away around one staring eyeball. The wolf had torn his throat out as well. His stomach twisted, and the floor tilted.

  Horrified, he stumbled outside and tossed his cookies right then and there. He leaned against the truck for a few minutes, then pulled a flask out of his pocket.

  It was worse than he imagined, and he’d seen a lot of bodies in his time. The young deputy never thought a wolf would do him in. More likely he expected to go at the hands of a jealous husband or in a bar brawl. It was his own fault, really. He was a good shot, but he must have missed his mark with the tranquilizer dart. Frank hoped his death had been quick and he didn’t suffer much. Always a willing accomplice, the boy would be pleased to know he’d still play a big part in the plan, just a different role. Glenn’s mangled body would be found in the gorge. May he rest in peace.

  He put the flask away. He still had a lot to do and no time to waste. The hunting cabin could have been a problem. Nobody used it anymore, but some nosy asshole might stumble into it and get curious about all the blood.

  It had been Glenn’s idea to burn down the cabin after they removed the bodies. It was a dumb idea. They could have started a forest fire. Even if he contained the fire, the smoke might attract attention. At first, he couldn’t think of another option, but he got lucky on the way over and spotted a dead deer. It gave him the idea to use the carcass to muck up the crime scene. He had a deer drag and a plywood ramp in the truck, so moving the carcass didn’t pose a problem.

  Once the deer was out of the truck, he went back for Glenn’s body. He didn’t want to touch it, but he had no choice. Surprised to find Malcolm’s clothes, he took them too. They might prove useful down the road. He couldn’t imagine why they weren’t ripped or bloody. It appeared he removed them himself, along with the rope. Glenn was no Boy Scout. He should have checked the knots himself.

  He dumped the deer where he found Glenn and left the cabin door open to encourage scavengers. He needed another drink before he started the truck.

  Glenn had a nice spot in the gorge waiting for him, and he needed to get him there before the sun came up. In a day or two, he would discover the body and everyone in town would be out with their hunting rifles. Traps would be set, and, one way or another, they would catch the wolf. He wanted to be the one to shoot the bitch and avenge Glenn’s death.

  * * * *

  It seemed like Frank had just gotten to bed when the phone rang. He looked at the clock. Shit, only six a.m. Exhausted, he almost didn’t answer. It surprised him to hear Karin’s distraught voice. Was she looking for her missing boyfriend already? Why else would she call so early? Something sure as hell bothered her. He heard it in her voice. Well, he had to go and do damage control. Connor must have told her about the interrogation, and he didn’t want her to think he had him locked up. No, Malcolm got caught in the woods, and Karin’s wolf had him for dinner. By tomorrow or the next day, he’d organize a search party for him and Glenn. Of course, he would be the one to find Glenn’s body—because he knew exactly where to look. Malcolm could be anywhere, and he really didn’t give a shit. Everybody would be out hunting the wolf and someone was bound to find his remains. Karin would feel guilty about it and realize she made a mistake by not letting them kill the wolf when they had the chance. Then he’d show his generosity by taking all the responsibility for the wolf on his shoulders and console her. He hoped she wouldn’t play the grieving girlfriend too long. Pleased with his story, he told her he’d meet her at the refuge for breakfast.

  On the way, he picked up coffee and
breakfast sandwiches. She never ate much and she could use a little meat on her bones. He liked a curvy woman with a good-sized butt and breasts.

  He arrived at the refuge before her and opened up.

  “Morning, Frank.” She looked haggard when she walked into her office. “Sorry to get you up so early.”

  “Not a problem.” He gestured at the bag and two Styrofoam cups on her desk. “I picked up breakfast. Sit down and eat.”

  “I’m really not hungry.”

  “Well, I am. And I don’t want to eat alone.” He unwrapped the sandwiches. “Eggs and cheese on muffins. Mine is the one with the sausage.” He looked at her until she picked it up and nibbled at the edge.

  When he didn’t say anything, she took a bigger bite and made a big deal out of chewing it.

  “Good girl.” He eyed her thoughtfully. “So, what’s on your mind?”

  “Did you question Malcolm yesterday?” she mumbled around a mouthful.

  “I did,” he answered truthfully. Here we go. Malcolm told her where he was going, and she’s wondering where he is.

  “Why?”

  “Karin, I really shouldn’t be telling you this.” He considered his words carefully. “You can’t discuss this with anyone.”

  He waited until she nodded and then continued. “Glenn told me he saw Malcolm around the refuge the night the wolf went missing. I had to check it out. Malcolm denied everything, and I don’t have any other evidence. I had nothing to hold him on so I let him go. Why are you asking?”

  She swallowed hard and put the food down. “How long did you hold him?”

  “What difference does it make?”

  “I just want to know.”

  He thought for a second. “Twenty minutes at the most,” he said decisively. “Now what is this all about?”

  “I saw him late last night—”

  He choked on a mouthful and disguised it with a cough.

  “Are you all right?”

  “Went down the wrong way.” He took a sip of his coffee, wishing he had something stronger. For the life of him, he couldn’t figure out how the son of a bitch had done it. He must have come to while the she-wolf fed on Glenn and took off. Or else the bitch had her fill and left before he came to. He had to be the luckiest bastard on the face of the Earth. But why leave his clothes?