by Liv Brywood
A bolt of lightning arced down from the sky to strike a tree on a nearby hill. Diana realized the hunters were only one of the dangers within the forest. Within minutes, the scent of burning wood sifted through the trees.
Disoriented, she spun in a circle to try to find a landmark. The cacophony of thunder swallowed the sound of the retreating men.
She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself. Rivulets of water streamed down her face and body.
Panic set in as her gaze darted from tree to tree. Everything looked the same. She couldn’t figure out which direction she’d come from.
She staggered forward hoping to find shelter. Thirty minutes passed as she searched for any indication of a path. Her teeth chattered. Icy spikes of rain stabbed at her from every side. If she didn’t find shelter soon, hypothermia would set in and she’d die.
She’d almost given up hope when she stumbled out of the woods. A huge mountain rose up before her. She looked for an overhang or cave but couldn’t see anything. A barely visible path led up the side of the mountain. She knew she wasn’t going in the direction of the den, but if she got up high enough, she might be able to see the valley in the morning and find her way back.
Hundreds of feet up the mountain, the path forked. She held her hand over her eyes to block the rain and studied the path leading to the left. Night set in. The storm obstructed the rising moon and she couldn’t see more than a few feet in front of her.
She looked up the path to the right and tried to find any indication of which path to take. She’d just stepped onto the left path when the subtle slog of paws against mud sounded behind her. She turned and spotted Ryker in wolf form.
She immediately collapsed to her knees. “Thank God you’re here.”
Ryker trotted toward her and brushed his furry wolf body against her. She climbed onto his back and held onto his neck. Instead of going back into the forest, he took the path to the right and climbed further up the mountain.
Within minutes, he’d crested a shallow overhang. He gingerly stepped along the edge then approached the well-hidden entrance to a cave. He lowered himself to the floor so she could slide down his back.
She edged closer to the precipice and looked into the void. A break in the clouds revealed the waxing moon. It cast a ghostly glow on the winding black snake of the river below.
She realized Ryker had brought her to the place where he’d watched her bathe the first time she’d been to the river with Leah.
Behind her, Ryker shifted to his human form. He rushed toward her and pulled her quaking body into his arms. “I thought I’d lost you.”
She tried to hold back tears, but they trickled down her face. “They came and I tried to chase them and Trent was gone and—”
“Wait. Slow down. Come over here. Let me dry you off and get you warmed up.” He motioned for her to sit on a small raised dais.
She sat still as he wrapped a large fur blanket around her. He grabbed a few pieces of wood and a box of matches. He started a fire in a small pit in the center of the cave. As soon as the fire could sustain itself, he returned to her side.
He cradled her in his arms. She snuggled against him, trying to capture some of his warmth. If he hadn’t found her, she could have died from hypothermia. A shiver of anxiety snaked down her spine.
As Ryker spoke, an undertone of disapproval infused his voice. “Now, tell me what happened. All I know is that Trent ran into the den barking like a maniac. He said you went into the wood to relieve yourself and then all hell broke loose.”
She quickly relayed the story.
He shook his head. “I swear I can’t leave you alone for a second. If what you’re saying is true, we’re in even deeper trouble than I first thought. We’ll stay the night and when the storm breaks we’ll go see Stryde. With any luck he’ll have already scented us and will meet us here.”
“We’re that close to his territory?”
He chuckled. “We’re in his territory. Welcome to Howling Mountain, home to the Dark Moon Pack. At least you got lost in a useful place.”
“How can you laugh about this?”
His expression turned serious. “If I don’t laugh, I’m going to lose my mind. The hunters know where we live. Trent said they had cameras and now they have proof we exist. They’re probably planning to massacre the pack. I don’t know how this situation can get any worse. If we can’t convince Stryde to help us, we won’t be strong enough to fight them off.”
Chapter 10
Zane held a stack of flyers high above the crowd inside Drake’s. “I have proof. Werewolves live in our woods and we’re going to hunt them and take back our land.”
The men gathered around Zane. He’d been surprised by the turnout. About a hundred men stood shoulder to shoulder in the bar. Almost every able bodied man in Full Moon Bay was present. Most of them were hunters, but a few businessmen were from the city council and mayor’s office.
Good. He’d be able to get the news out quickly. “Take one and pass it back. Bill, Hank and I went into the woods last night. Bill took these with his camera.”
One of the younger Patterson boys yelled from the back. “How do we know these aren’t photoshopped?”
Bill stepped forward. “I wouldn’t have believed it either if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes.”
Hank joined them in the center. “The wolf stood about five feet high. Taller than any wolf I’ve ever seen in the woods.”
Murmurs of shock rippled through the crowd.
An older man standing near Zane asked, “Who’s the woman in the picture? Is she a wolf too?”
Zane cleared his throat. “That’s Diana Baxter. She was with me when the wolves captured her. She’s their prisoner and we must free her before they kill her. Who knows what they’ve done to her already.”
Several men shouted their rage and vowed to rescue her. Zane let them speak their minds. He didn’t need to get them riled up. They were good, God-fearing men who would help him rid the woods of the demonic creatures.
As the anger reached a boiling point, Zane held up his hands to silence the men. “We can’t leave tonight. We can’t risk a failed rescue attempt. If we wait until the full moon, we’ll have more light and a better chance of capturing them.”
“Why don’t we just go during the day?”
Bill responded. “Not enough cover. They could be up the mountain tracking our movement toward their den. If we go at night, we can use the darkness to our advantage. Zane has a few pairs of night vision goggles. Does anyone else have any?”
A few men confirmed they had at least a pair.
Zane said, “The full moon is five days away. Bill, Hank and I will be the team leaders. We want to break into a few groups so if the wolves plan an ambush, they only attack one group. The other two groups can circle around and come in from other angles.”
“What if they stay in their den? Can we just smoke them out?”
“No, we can’t risk hurting Diana.” Zane’s jaw twitched. He’d have to find her before the others did. The Jezebel would tell everyone he’d tried to kill her and ruin his credibility. “We’ll meet back here the night before the attack to review the plan.”
As the crowd dispersed, Zane retreated to the rear of the bar with Bill and Hank.
Bill slapped him on the back. “Hell of a turnout. Too bad your father died in ‘Nam. He’d be proud if he saw you now.”
Zane gritted his teeth. He’d lied to Bill years ago because he couldn’t stand the truth. He never knew who his father was thanks to his whore of a mother. He doubted she even knew who’d knocked her up.
“Thanks, Bill.”
Hank stepped behind the bar. “What can I get you? It’s on the house.”
“I’ll take your best cognac.”
Hank’s mouth twisted into a smile. “You got it, boss.”
Zane swirled the glass and watched the play of light as it filtered through the amber liquid. As he sipped the drink, he crafted a secret strategy.
He’d take a select group of men aside and let them in on the plan to use Luna to bait a trap. He’d have to kidnap the woman and tie her to a tree to lure the wolves out. She’d probably become a casualty in the holy war. But, if it was God’s will, He’d save her during the battle, and maybe even save her from him.
***
As dawn broke over the valley, Ryker paced the edge of the cliff outside his hideaway. Drops of water trickled down from trees, carrying a fresh pine scent throughout the forest.
A stone tumbled down the mountain. It careened over the precipice and fell hundreds of feet before splashing in the river. When another stone followed, he knew Stryde was coming down the mountain to meet him.
Ryker focused on his sleeping mate. It was so easy to forget she was human and not part of the pack. In a few days, the full moon would be upon them. If everything went well, Diana would walk back into her life and leave him without a backward glance.
But, what if she wanted to stay? Maybe she liked being with the wolves. Maybe she enjoyed the open space and clean air. Maybe she…he let the thought go. This was all just wishful thinking. Why would she give up her entire life to be with him, a werewolf?
She’d never be able to lead a normal human life living with the pack. Hell, most of the other wolves would be happy to see her go. And after Trista, he should know better.
He sat on the edge of the dais and fingered a lock of her silky black hair. She was so beautiful and fun to be around and sexy. Unbelievably sexy. Could he ever be happy again knowing that she was out in the world, living a life without him?
Before he could fall deeper into despair, steps sounded in the dirt just outside the cave. He looked up. Stryde’s imposing wolf form blocked the light. At almost six feet tall, Stryde towered over most wolves. A lethal hunter, his huge jaw could snap a deer’s neck in seconds.
As Stryde shifted to his human form, his red-brown coat receded to reveal coppery skin. His piercing gray eyes surveyed Ryker. “It’s a few weeks too early for the next council meeting.”
Ryker stood tall. “I’ve come to ask for help.”
“You want my help?” Stryde smiled as if amused by the idea.
“Yes.” He related the events of the past few days starting with Diana’s attack and ending with the previous night’s storm. As he spoke, Stryde’s expression changed from skeptical to one of concern.
“You saw the bullets? You’re sure they’re silver?” He asked.
Ryker nodded. “Yes. I had Akila and Leah check the bodies to make sure the bullets were silver.”
As soon as Leah’s name flew out of his mouth, he regretted it. Stryde’s entire demeanor shifted. His previously casual stance changed. Instead of leaning against the cave wall, he’d moved forward into a subtle fighter’s stance. His fists contracted at his sides.
As if noticing the sleeping woman for the first time, Stryde asked, “Is that Leah?”
Diana’s back was to them so Stryde couldn’t see her face. But even from across the room, he should have been able to recognize the difference. Where Diana was rounded and soft, Leah was firm and muscular. Their body types were totally different.
“No. That’s Diana. I told you, I followed her scent trail to the mountain. We took shelter from the storm in here.”
Stryde crossed his arms over his chest. “Why should I help you when you’ve taken everything from me? I only tolerate the council meetings because it benefits my pack.”
Ryker wanted to grab him and shake him. “I didn’t take anything from you. The council meetings on hunting restrictions and pack politics mean nothing compared to this. We’re in a life or death situation. Can’t you get past your ego to see that?”
“My ego? Are you kidding me? I should have become pack alpha but you lied, cheated and stole your way into that position. If I had told everyone that you were engaged, you wouldn’t have even been in the running. But I tried to be a good friend and kept your secret from the others.”
Stryde’s voice rose with each word. A vein in his neck bulged as his venomous words filled the den. On the dais, Diana stirred but didn’t move to get up.
Ryker glared at the other man. “They never would have chosen you because you can’t handle your temper. An alpha should be able to control himself, but you’ve never been able to do that. Why do you think Leah left you?”
Stryde lunged forward. His fist smashed into the side of Ryker’s jaw. Pain radiated down his face. Ryker returned the blow then shoved Stryde against the wall. Blood pounded in Ryker’s ears. Adrenaline coursed through his veins. Sick of listening to Stryde blame him for the past, Ryker roared and charged him.
Quick on his feet, Stryde dashed to one side and Ryker flew past him. He skidded to a halt on the ledge. Before he could move back into the cave, Stryde rushed forward and tackled him.
They rolled to the edge of the ledge. Dirt and rocks careened over the edge to crash down the mountain. Stryde’s fist smashed into Ryker’s stomach.
“Stop it,” Diana screamed.
Momentarily dazed, Ryker turned while gasping for air. Stryde straddled him. His fist hung in the air, coiled and ready to strike.
She continued. “Why are you still fighting about the past? What difference does any of that make if hunters are coming into the forest with silver bullets to kill all of you? They won’t care about who belongs to which pack or who became alpha over someone else. They’ll shoot to kill any wolf.”
She put her hands on her hips and glared at both men. “You’re acting like children. It’s a wonder either of you are allowed to be leader of anything.”
Stryde’s eyes went wide. Ryker almost wanted to laugh at his reaction, but she had a point. He shoved Stryde off of him and scrambled to his feet.
Ryker reached down to offer a hand to Stryde but he ignored it. Ryker dropped his hand. “If you won’t help us, fine. But you can’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Stryde stood and wiped dirt off his torso. He jabbed a finger in their direction. “I want you off of my mountain. Any alliance we had is finished.”
Chapter 11
Diana paced Ryker’s room. After returning to the main den, he’d left to find Trent to update him on the disastrous meeting with Stryde. The trip back from the mountain had been filled with tension. The muscles in her neck knotted hard enough to give her a headache.
She needed to find Akila and see if she had any medicine which would help with the pain. As she traversed the dark tunnel to Akila’s healing room, she worried about the fate of the pack. Without Stryde’s help, they wouldn’t be able to defend against an invasion.
She pushed the terrifying thought to the back of her mind. The thought of losing any other members of the pack made her stomach churn.
As she rounded the last corner, she heard Akila talking with someone in the healing room. Diana slowly pushed back the curtain.
Akila noticed her standing at the door and motioned for her to enter. Gwen sat on one of the daises. The scars on her back had faded slightly, but evidence of the attack still marred her skin. Diana’s heart went out to the woman. She knew the terror involved in being attacked and wished she could do something to ease the other woman’s fear.
Akila smiled. “I was just checking up on Gwen. How are you doing, sweetie?”
Gwen cringed as Akila applied a salve to her back. “Better. Your medicine is healing me faster than I expected.”
“I used my special blend. How are the nightmares?”
Gwen glanced at Diana. “I still have them.”
Diana tried to fade into the background. She didn’t want to make Gwen uncomfortable.
Akila held the young woman’s hand. “I expect you might still have them for a while. But now that we know who attacked you, Ryker’s going to catch him and bring him to justice.”
“I just…I wish he was dead, Zane.” Gwen whispered her attacker’s name.
Diana inched closer. “I know how you feel. He attacked me too and I want to see him behind bars for what he
did to us.”
“I shouldn’t have wandered off so far. I just wanted to find some strawberries…” Gwen choked back a sob.
Akila rubbed her back. “You didn’t do anything wrong. This man, Zane, is pure evil. He would have attacked any woman who crossed his path.”
Gwen’s eyes glazed. “I just hope…I just hope that he didn’t…that nothing took hold.”
Diana shot a glance at Akila. The older woman wrapped an arm around the trembling girl.
In a soft tone, Akila said, “I gave you special medicine. I didn’t know if he…I didn’t know exactly what he did, but I suspected. So I gave you a dose of a special herb which prevents pregnancy.”
Gwen sobbed. “Thank you.”
Akila gently laid the crying woman on the dais. “I’ll fix you up something to help you sleep.”
Diana sat next to Gwen. She didn’t know what to do or say to make the other woman feel better, so she simply held her hand.
Akila returned with a glass of milky liquid. “You’ll have to drink this fast because, honestly, it tasted terrible.”
Gwen’s lips twitched into a slight smile. She took the drink then sniffed it. Her nose scrunched up as she tipped back the glass. When she was finished, she handed the glass to Akila.
“Stay here as long as you like, sweetie. You’re safe here.” Akila said.
Diana asked, “Do you happen to have anything to treat a headache?”
Akila smiled. “White willow bark tincture will fix you right up.”
After placing a few drops under her tongue, Diana handed the bottle back to Akila. “I’m surprised you don’t have aspirin since Leah makes runs to the hospital for supplies.”
“I try to use natural remedies whenever possible. It’s much better for your body.”
“That makes sense.”
Akila said, “Humans probably wouldn’t even need hospitals if they’d stop putting all kinds of synthetic chemicals in and on their bodies. We only use hospital supplies for serious injuries like gunshot wounds. Which reminds me, I need to find Ryker. We need to send Leah on a run before the attack on Zane. I’ll need supplies for any injuries.”