Isabel and the Wolf: (Part 4)

by Ariana Hawkes

  “No, of course it’s not possible,” she said, chuckling. “If it was, we’d all be werewolves too! Stop worrying, honey, please. Having our first sexual experiences with werewolves didn’t do me and my friends any damage at all – apart from setting our standards pretty high!”

  “Maybe I should get myself one of those,” Kara said, after Isabel had finished with the call.

  “What?”

  “I’ve always said, try anything once. Apart from incest and morris dancing!”

  “Well, I’ve always suspected that a mere man could never match up to your expectations!” Isabel said, and laughed for the first time in a while.

  The sky had turned from white to pink to violet, and it seemed to Isabel that there were more werewolves on the street than ever, and that people pressed closer, turning to examine the girls’ faces, muttering to each other. Some were werewolves, others were just humans. Isabel felt uneasy, and, from Kara’s expression, she had the same feeling.

  “I vote we get out of here,” Isabel said.

  “Agreed,” Kara replied, and they turned back for home.

  *

  For days, Peter and Jed were mercifully silent. Isabel missed them both, at different times, depending on her mood. But she still couldn’t cope with the thought of seeing either of them yet. She and Kara stayed holed up at home, only going out to buy food. A couple of times, they braved Silver City’s main street for a coffee, and Isabel was shocked at how changed the little town was. Gossip about the ‘giant wolves’ had swollen the population to about three times its usual number. SUVs lined the road, and the sidewalk was full of people wearing outdoor, and even camouflage gear, casting their eyes around greedily. It had the artificial feel of a tourist town, but Isabel was glad to observe that none of the locals were capitalizing on it. There was no ‘giant wolf’ merchandise anywhere that she could see.

  Several times a day, she scoured the local news for anything to do with wolves, and the national news for anything to do with Silver City, but the blackout stayed in place. She wondered how long before someone broke the silence, and Silver City became the busiest and tackiest attraction since Las Vegas. And then something happened.

  There was some breaking news. Two local police officers had been injured. That was all. A grinning, airbrushed newsreader said to stand by for updates. Isabel’s pulse pounded in her throat and she swallowed hard. Was one of them Jed? No, there were lots of police officers in the area; it could be any of them. Don’t panic!

  She sat on her sofa, hugging a cushion, her knees drawn up, and watching the same useless update again and again. What was the point of delivering breaking news with no actual information? She wished Kara was around to calm her down, but she’d just started working at the archaeological site. At last, there was something new: The men are not critically hurt. Initial reports indicate that they were shot by an unidentified attacker in Gila Wilderness. They have been taken to a local hospital and are reported to be in a stable condition.

  Isabel picked up her phone and dialed Jed’s number. It rang and rang, and went to voicemail. She cut the call and threw the phone to the corner of the sofa.

  “Shit!” she yelled to the empty room. She found the number of the police station at Black Peak City, retrieved her phone and called it.

  “I’m afraid we can’t give out names, ma’am,” a tense male voice said.

  “Can you just tell me if Jed is one of them?”

  “Are you a family member, ma’am?”

  “No,” she said, but she had all she needed to know. She picked up her car keys and raced out of the house.

  As Isabel drove down the road, she realized she had no idea where the hospital was. She flagged down a pedestrian who scowled at her with suspicion, before giving her directions. Moments later, she burst into the lobby of the small local hospital.

  “I’m here to see Jed Roberts,” she said, recalling his last name with difficulty.

  “Are you a relative of Officer Roberts?” the receptionist asked her. Isabel’s chest flooded with adrenaline at the confirmation that he was there.

  “Yes, I’m his sister.”

  “Do you have any ID?”

  “No, I only just heard what happened, so I rushed down here without my pocketbook. Which room is he in?”

  “I’m afraid without ID I can’t tell you – ” The woman’s eyes slid to the left, and Isabel started running in that same direction, ignoring the voice calling after her. She passed four doors, before she saw him through a glass panel in a door. He was sitting up in bed. His arm was bandaged from shoulder to forearm, and his muscular, olive-toned chest was bare. She hurried into the room.

  “Jed!”

  “Isabel!” he called back, grinning at her.

  “Oh my god, as soon as I saw the news, I just knew it was you! What happened?” she said, breathlessly. As she ran to his bed, she saw that he wasn’t alone in the room. There was a large, dark figure sitting at the side of the bed.

  “Peter! What the hell? Did you shoot him?” Jed broke into laughter.

  “Isabel, calm down! I’m ok, and Peter didn’t shoot me.” The door opened and the receptionist’s head popped through. “It’s fine,” Jed told her, giving her a thumbs up. Isabel walked around to the other side of the bed and sat on an empty seat.

  “What happened?”

  “My colleague and I apprehended a guy in Gila who was about to shoot Peter. Unfortunately, this nut job turned the gun on us instead. I got off pretty lightly, with two shotgun bullets in my upper arm, but John wasn’t so lucky and he’s just coming out of surgery now. They had to dig a bullet out of his abdomen.”

  “Oh, god. This is terrible,” Isabel exclaimed. “And were you, um, in your wolf form at that point?” Peter nodded.

  “Jed saved my life,” he said quietly. Jed gave a wry smile.

  “Folks are going crazy at the moment. I’ve never seen anything like it. And all these gun-toting psychopaths are coming out of the woodwork on a hunting spree.”

  “It’s so lucky you were there,” Isabel said with feeling. She stood up and put an arm around Jed’s left shoulder, then she went around the bed and wrapped her arms around Peter. She hugged him fiercely, enough for both him and Jed. Then she sat down again.

  “Does it hurt?” she asked Jed.

  “Not since I’ve been given enough morphine to knock out an elephant. They had to pull ’em out and stitch me up again, so it’ll be a little while before I’m back to normal.”

  “How long before you get out?”

  “They want to keep me in tonight, so they can monitor the pain relief, but I should be out tomorrow morning.”

  “I’ll drive you home,” she said.

  “I’ve already offered,” Peter said, a touch of hurt in his voice. She’d offended him by assuming that he wouldn’t have.

  “Of course,” she said quickly. Jed would need help at home for the first few days, that was obvious. But she wouldn’t ask now, for fear of putting her foot in it again. “I’ll come and see you when you’re settled in?” she said instead.

  “That would be great,” Jed said, with his lazy, sexy smile. Peter caught her eye and gave her a kind look, free from any jealousy. Isabel was suddenly overcome with emotion. She stood up.

  “I’m so, so relieved to hear that you’re ok. I’ll call you when you’re back home and find out when’s a good time to pay you a visit,” she said, squeezing Jed’s left hand. She nodded goodbye to Peter and left the room quickly.

  As she walked across the hospital’s parking lot, she welled up with emotion, knowing now, without a doubt, that she loved both men.

  *

  “That’s awesome!” Kara said. She’d just bounced in from work and was now curled up on the sofa listening to Isabel’s news. “I mean, it’s terrible that Jed got shot and all. But they say adversity shows what you’re truly made of!”

  “It seems I’m made of polygamous desires.” Isabel laughed bitterly. “It’s so confusing. When
I saw Jed hurt like that, my heart just went out to him. And I was so proud that he’d saved Peter. Then, I was so scared that Peter could have been killed, and I suddenly couldn’t stand the thought of losing him.”

  “Sounds great to me, girl. You’re into these dudes. They’re into you. They both claim they’re not jealous of the other one. What more could you want?”

  “Kara. I used to worry that I was never going to find a man, and that I’d be an old spinster forever. And now I find myself in love, but not with a man; with a werewolf. And not one, but two.”

  “I know. It’s pretty wild,” Kara said dreamily.

  “You think I should just chill the fuck out, don’t you?”

  “Maybe.” Kara turned herself around so her legs were up on the back of the sofa and her head was dangling over the edge of the seat, close to the floor. “I wish Dan was a werewolf. But he’s just a dude. I mean, he’s fine. Like nice and considerate and stuff. But he’s done in like five minutes, like every other dude.”

  “Yeah, werewolves are pretty insatiable, if Peter’s anything to go by,” Isabel said.

  “Oh, I forgot you and Jed didn’t go all the way.”

  “No, but I can say that they give great head!” Kara’s eyes sparkled.

  “Can you imagine having them both at the same time?” she said.

  “Have you ever?”

  “Yup. It should be on every girl’s bucket list! Speaking of which, can we go out soon, and you can point some of those werewolves out to me? My bucket list has just had a new entry!”

  “Kara, you’re terrible!” she said, and Kara let out an unrepentant cackle.

  Chapter Six

  The following afternoon, Isabel messaged Jed to check that he wasn’t too tired to see her, and then she went over with a tub of pasta she’d made, and some basic groceries.

  He greeted her warmly at the door, kissing her on the cheek, but she could tell that it hurt him to be walking around.

  “Would you mind coming to the bedroom?” he asked. “I just need to lie down as much as possible right now.”

  “Of course,” she said. “I’m sorry for making you get up.”

  “Don’t be, it’s really great to see you.” His expression was as open and unguarded as ever.

  She followed him back to the bedroom that she’d fled from in horror so recently, and she felt ashamed of herself. It looked cozy and welcoming in the daylight. Jed climbed onto the bed and reclined on a pile of pillows, laying his arm out carefully. Shyly, Isabel climbed onto the bed next to him.

  “Are you ok?” she asked. “It must’ve been a pretty big shock, as well as being really painful.”

  “Yeah, I’m fine. I’ve had worse,” he said. “It’s more inconvenient than anything. Right now I need to be out, making sure that these lunatics don’t get to do any more damage, as well as figuring out how to get rid of them once and for all. And instead I’m laid up here. Although – ” he turned to Isabel. “Having you lying on my bed here is a pretty good distraction.” Isabel’s heart warmed.

  “I’m a distraction, hey? If you hadn’t just been shot, I’d hit you with this pillow for saying that!” Jed gave her his cheeky grin, and she smiled back at him. She went quiet for a moment. “I am really sorry for running away from you like that. I mean, last time I was here.”

  “Don’t be. I know it hasn’t been easy to come to terms with – with what Peter and I are.” Isabel cast her eyes down.

  “No, it hasn’t. I won’t lie. It’s definitely the most out-there thing I’ve ever had to deal with.”

  “And now?” Jed asked in a low voice. “Is it becoming easier?”

  “I think so,” she said hesitantly.

  “I know it’ll take time. And I don’t have the right to ask for any more than your friendship, but I want you to know that your friendship would mean a lot to me.”

  “Oh, Jed, I want to be more than friends,” Isabel said, and turned her body so she was facing him. She leaned over and kissed him softly on the lips. He returned her kiss, but then she pulled away.

  “Sorry. I don’t want to injure you more.”

  “You won’t if you lie closer to me.”

  “Ok,” she said, and snuggled in closer, so she was under the crook of his left arm.

  A lot of time passed as they kissed each other, lost in the softness and warmth of each others’ mouths. It got late, and Isabel heated up the pasta, glad she’d been optimistic enough to bring a double portion.

  After dinner, they lay on the bed, chatting.

  “Do you have to leave tonight?” Jed asked. Isabel looked into his eyes, judging his emotions.

  “No,” she said. “I can stay.” She borrowed a t-shirt from him that came half way down her thighs.

  “You look adorable,” he said. They kissed some more, and she slept snuggled against his uninjured shoulder.

  Over the next few days, Isabel spent a lot of her time with Jed, and they grew closer and closer, confiding intimacies, telling each other silly stories. Peter came to visit him several times, but missed her each time. She was relieved, feeling awkward about seeing him when she was with Jed, her feelings for each of them running so high. At the same time, she was struck by his concern.

  A week after he’d been shot, Jed had his stitches out and said his arm felt about 75 percent better. That night, they made love, Jed lying on his back, and Isabel sitting astride him, rocking back and forth, overwhelmed with desire and tenderness. He was big and filled her so completely in this position, with her whole weight pressing down on him.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered, looking up at her, her naked body illuminated by the glow of a Japanese lantern, and her long wavy hair falling forward, over her face. He reached up with his left hand and cupped her full breasts.

  “So are you,” she said, her eyes feeding on his well-defined pecs and stomach. She placed her hands on his chest for balance, and began to ride him harder. As her tempo increased, she quickly brought herself to a sweet, pulsing orgasm that diffused its warmth all over her body.

  “Wow,” Jed breathed. “That felt incredible, Bella.” She smiled at him, flicking her hair out of her face, and began to move again. Jed’s breathing came more quickly, and his pelvis began to move back and forth, urging her to move faster.

  “Isabel!” he gasped at last. Knowing what he needed her to do, she fell forward, so she was lying flat on his chest, her face buried in his neck, and he came, holding her tight.

  Now that he was mostly recovered, Isabel spent more time with Kara, not wanting her to think she was ungrateful that she’d come to Silver City. They saw an arthouse film in a pop-up movie theater, and went out for food lots. The change in the locals had lost its edge, and they braved the suspicious looks and occasional interrogations. Kara was loving being at her dig. It was an area she’d studied, but never worked in before, and every day she came home full of chatter about the new things she’d pulled out of the earth. Isabel got back to her art commissions with enthusiasm, Kara’s passion stimulating her own.

  They were going to stay in Silver City, until Kara’s contract period was up at least. There was too much happening to leave, and Isabel’s feelings were still so unresolved.

  A few days after she and Jed had made love, she went to see him after finishing work for the day. She felt a familiar tingle as a tall, dark shape appeared behind the frosted glass panel of the front door, which increased as the door opened. But it wasn’t the man she’d been expecting. Peter opened the door wide and bent to kiss her on both cheeks. He was wearing black jeans, his leather biker jacket and a crisp white t-shirt. Isabel’s heart thudded in her chest. In the evening light, his eyes had a greenish tint, the color that the sky occasionally turned just after sunset, and his teeth were dazzling white. She had a powerful urge to kiss him, then was surprised at herself for wanting him so soon after she’d been with Jed.

  “Hi,” she said, a little breathlessly.

  “Hello, Isabel.” He looked pleased
to see her, but his expression quickly became serious again. “Jed’s upstairs, taking a work call. I’m very glad to have caught you alone. I have something to tell you.”

  “What is it?” she said, a burst of anxiety making her voice weak, as her instincts told her that she wouldn’t like what he had to say. She sat down on a kitchen chair, while he leaned against the counter.

  “Isabel, I have come to the conclusion that it is time for me to leave Silver City. I am the cause of all the recent trouble; the reason why the town is flooded with people trying to root out the mystery of the wolves. And sooner or later, they will. It’s the duty of all werewolves to protect our identity, and I have failed in this. What Jed has said about me is right. I didn’t understand the local laws and customs, nor respect them sufficiently. The fact is that I’m used to total freedom in Transylvania, and being here constrains me more than I can bear.”

  “No! Peter, you can’t leave!” Isabel said, her voice barely more than a whisper. “Maybe this is partly your fault, but you’re not the only one. The conservation center has caught sight of a few of you, you know?”

  “Yes, but I was the one seen downtown.”

  “And that was because of me.” Isabel stood up and threw her arms around him. “Peter, I can’t stand the thought of you leaving. Please don’t go!” She tipped her head back and looked up at him.

  “Bella, it’s so amazing to know that after all this, you still care about me. And the reason why I stayed for so long, after you saw me shift, was that I couldn’t stand to have you hate me, and be horrified by my true nature. When you came to see me that day, I was sick, just like my family. I was wasting away.”

  “I could see it.”

  “These past few weeks, I’ve hoped I could get you back, and that we could somehow be together. But I can see that you’re happy being with Jed. And, unlike me, he doesn’t have a family obligation to fulfill.” His eyes were full of sadness.

  “Peter, I do want to be with you. I love you – ” Peter’s face lit up.