John knew they'd think of it eventually. “Well, I'm afraid I've got some bad news. I'm not saying it's related or nothing, but it seems just a little too coincidental.” He sat down again and looked sadly at Altheia. “Do you know who was staying in your apartment in New Orleans?"
She felt a shiver run down her spine. “Yes, I had less than a month on my lease, so after I told the landlord I wouldn't renew, I let Jordon Kramer stay there while he looked for a place. Why? What happened?"
Michael knew from the look on John's face it wasn't going to be pleasant and he took Altheia's hand in his.
"It looks like it was an accident, a gas leak ... the place blew up. Kramer's dead."
Altheia gasped. “Oh my God,” she whispered.
"John, Altheia's been here for a month already. What's it got to do with her?” Michael wanted to know.
John rose and began to pace again. “That was my first thought. But it seems this happened only a week after she left. And she didn't leave a forwarding address, except maybe with Kramer. But the place was destroyed. At first they thought it was Altheia, till the autopsy came back."
Altheia flinched and turned paler, if that was possible.
"Then they began looking for you. But the landlord didn't know where you'd worked or where you'd gone. Someone finally came forward after reading a newspaper article and gave them a lead on where you'd worked. But you know the government; it took them a while to find out you'd transferred to New Hampshire. Only no one here knew where you were living."
"They checked with the Grange Post Office, but you never gave them an address or number. And there were no new listings."
"That's right! Things were happening around here so fast.” She looked at Michael for a second. “And I forgot. I've been using Jordon's phone number. We were going to change it after he got settled."
"Yeah, I figured it was something like that. Anyway, they finally started to send APB's out to the surrounding towns. When I happened to stop in this morning, I found it on the fax. And after all the trouble you've been having, I got a little concerned.” John sat down again with a sigh. “I'm beginning to think there's more going on here than meets the eye, especially after what happened Saturday night."
All at once, Michael remembered the fortune teller's words and a chill of foreboding rippled through his body. “Are you trying to say these incidents are related? They were 2000 miles apart! You think someone followed her here?"
"Damn it Michael! I just thought she might know something about who had died in her apartment in New Orleans. But after Saturday, I can't help but wonder if they're related somehow. You know anyone who might wish you harm, Ms Jones?"
Altheia couldn't think clearly anymore. Someone was trying to kill her? Oh God, she thought, why me! She shook her head. Why would someone want her dead?
Altheia continued to shake her head as a groan fell from her lips. Michael turned to her and saw the blood leave her face. Dear God, she was retreating again. Grabbing her, he shook her. “Damn it Altheia, don't you hide now. You'll be all right, you hear? I won't let anyone hurt you. Come on baby, it's going to be all right.” Pulling her close in his arms, he whispered in her ear, “I love you, Altheia. Don't you dare leave me. We can beat this together."
Altheia's arms went around his waist and she hugged him like she was trying to squeeze him in two. Michael returned her embrace with a sigh of relief. Then he looked up, a question in his eyes.
John nodded in response. “Okay, I guess that will do for now. Is she staying here?” he asked quietly. Michael nodded grimly. “I'll take care of New Orleans for now, to confirm Kramer's identity. I'm keeping quiet about the possible connection with what's going on here. But only for the present."
He stood up to leave. “I can let myself out.” When he reached the door he paused. “Keep me informed this time or I'll throw you both in jail where I can keep an eye on you till I get this straightened out.” With that he left.
"Are you all right?” Michael needed her and wasn't going to let her retreat from the world. She nodded her head against his shoulder. Gently he lifted her head, forcing her to look at him. He felt a shudder pass through her body and then she drew herself together. Sitting upright, she stared him in the eye and gave a small smile.
"I'll be fine,” she told him. “Don't I have a big bad wolf to protect me?"
"Oh God, Altheia,” he groaned as he pulled her back into her arms. “I'm sorry you had to go through that."
"Do you really think there's a connection?” she whispered.
Michael didn't answer because he was afraid there might be.
"Look, let's forget all this, just for today. How would you like to be on top of the world for a while?” He leaned back and grinned at her.
She looked bewildered.
"Give me your keys. I'm going to run to your place. Tell me what clothes you need and anything else for a few days."
"That's all right, I can go,” she answered.
"No. You don't need to be upset any more today; you're not ready to face it. It's not necessary. I'll go,” he said, his tone leaving room for no argument. “Why don't you take a shower and fix some breakfast. There's ham and eggs in the fridge. I won't be long."
* * * *
It was almost midnight by the time they got home. They were both exhausted.
He had taken her to the summit of Mount Washington, the highest point in the Northeast, practically on top of the world. And they didn't have to walk either. They had ridden on a glorious old coal-fired steam train, the Cog Railway.
For dinner they had stopped at some quaint romantic Inn. The day really had been a reprieve of sorts and she was thankful for the peace of mind, however temporary it might be.
Altheia stumbled with fatigue. Michael swept her into his arms and carried her in the cabin. Undressing her gently, he put her in bed.
"That was beautiful, Michael. Thank you."
"My pleasure,” he murmured as he kissed her forehead. After tucking her in, he left to lock up the cabin. When he returned to bed she was sound asleep.
She looks like a child, he thought. Climbing into bed, he pulled her back against his chest, holding her in his arms. She smelled of sun and pine and woman. No, he thought again, definitely not a child. Snuggling closer, he slept more peacefully than he had in weeks.
TWENTY
Full Moon
The nearness of the full moon called out, luring him awake. Michael could feel the bloodlust begin to rise in his veins. Groaning, he opened his eyes.
Even though in human form, he could feel the animal in him begin to assert control. He turned to see the female lying beside him. Altheia, his mind whispered. The need rose up in him swiftly, blinding him in its intensity. With a growl, he pulled her lush body back against his. The hard, hot evidence of his arousal throbbed and brushed her bottom.
She awoke with a start, but relaxed when she recognized him. With a sigh she snuggled closer, her own desires quickly bursting into flame.
Her scent rose up around him, tantalizing, luring him on. His lips caressed the back of her neck; his tongue ran across her shoulder. With a growl, his teeth nipped at the arch of her throat. His hand grabbed her thigh, lifting and pulling her closer still as he thrust deep, answering the primordial need to mate.
Altheia released a sharp cry as Michael's need swiftly ignited a primal response deep inside of her. Passion flared as she moaned in ecstasy, her body quickly matching his demands.
Michael was now driven solely by lust. Never before had the need been this great. Some small part of him realized it was Altheia that had been the spark that set his lust ablaze. And only she would be able to quench the flame.
Her scent, musk and woman, was making him crazed. The heat from her body scalded his, inflaming his lust still higher. The animal in him recognized its mate and his desire for her was as old as time.
Michael shifted her body slightly, bringing her breast within reach of his mouth. His tongue laved the soft swell of her brea
st and she whimpered in response. Reaching the dusky peak, he surrounded it with his mouth, sucking and nipping with his teeth.
Shock waves rippled through her body as Michael thrust harder. Suddenly, it was as if she had stepped off a cliff and she was free ... she could fly! With a scream, she writhed beneath him as wave upon wave of ecstasy washed over her.
Michael couldn't breathe. His body stilled deep within her. Holding her tight, he felt every ripple of orgasmic delight that swept through her. With a growl, he stepped off the cliff after her.
It was some time before their bodies cooled and their heartbeats returned to normal. Michael continued to hold her close in his arms. Now that his need to mate had been sated, he found her presence also subdued the pull of the full moon.
"Michael,” she sighed.
"What?” he whispered against her neck. He never wanted to move. He felt he could stay here forever.
"Nothing,” she murmured. “Do we have to move? I want to stay like this all day."
Chuckling in her ear, he replied, “No, we can stay for a while. But there are things I have to do later.” A tingle of awareness ran along his nerve endings.
* * * *
It was almost noon when Altheia woke. Michael was gone. Quickly dressing, she went looking for him and found him in a small shed outside the back door.
"I didn't know you had rabbits,” she exclaimed, startling him. He hadn't heard her approach.
He watched her nervously as she cooed and cuddled the rabbits. Then she spotted the baby bunnies, going absolutely maternal as she fawned all over them.
Michael felt a stab of fear. He could not afford to get her pregnant, and he had unthinkingly let himself mate with her often in the last few days. God help him to control his baser instincts in the future unless they were adequately prepared. Maybe she was on the pill. He hoped to God for it to be so.
"Oh Michael, they're adorable,” she exclaimed. “Can I play with them? They're so soft and cuddly."
"They're not pets, Altheia,” he told her quietly.
"Not pets? Then what would you be keeping them for?” Puzzled she looked at him. Suddenly her eyes grew big and she looked at him in horror.
Guilt washed over him. He wasn't comfortable talking about his food. Even though she knew what he was, this was part of the stigma attached to being what he was. He couldn't stand to have her look at him like that. He turned to leave; he could no longer face her. He was afraid he would see fear in her eyes and he wouldn't be able to live with that.
"Michael, wait.” She quickly returned the bunny to its mother and then turned to him. “I'm sorry,” she said softly.
Michael spun around to stare at her. “What the hell do you have to be sorry for? You just came face to face with what I really am and you now understand what a loathsome creature you slept with."
"Michael. That's not true! It's not what you're thinking. I'll admit to a slight shock..."
"Slight? You were horrified. I could see it in your eyes,” he cried as he turned away once more.
She reached out her hand to stop him. His arm was stiff and unyielding beneath her palm. “When I was seven years old, I spent the summer on my grandfather's farm in New Jersey. There was a lamb that year. I fed it and played with it and it followed me around like a puppy all summer.” She stopped. Releasing his arm, she turned towards the baby rabbits. A shudder went through her body.
"I didn't get back to the farm until Christmas. It was dinner time when we arrived and then there were presents ... It was late before I was allowed to go out and play. I quickly ran to the barn to see the lamb, but I couldn't find it. So I asked Frank, my grandfather's handyman, where she was."
"He laughed at me. ‘You don't know?’ he asked. ‘You had her for dinner.’ I didn't understand at first; then he explained. My grandfather had slaughtered my pet for food. We had eaten roast lamb for Christmas dinner."
"I'm not a child anymore Michael. I understand and accept that we raise animals for food. But for one second there I was seven years old again and I could only see that lamb. To this day, I can't eat lamb.
"It wasn't you, Michael. You've got to believe that.” She turned to him again and reached out to touch his back. “I love you Michael,” she said softly.
He slowly turned to face her. “How could you possibly love me?” he questioned. “I'm no different than your grandfather. I raise these rabbits and then kill them for food.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “Hell, I'm probably worse. I don't even kill them humanly.” His hand reached out to touch her, then hesitated. “I release them so that I can chase them for the thrill of the hunt."
He dropped his hand and looked away. Now she knew how feral he really was. He tried to steel himself for her loathing and her leaving him. He could go back to his mother's, he thought. There was nothing left here without Altheia.
He stiffened as he felt her arms wrap around him. He could feel her pressed against his back and her warm breath, even through his clothes. Desire rose unbidden, and he felt himself respond to her touch. He groaned in pain with the need for her. It took all his resolve to keep from taking her here and now.
"You're even more human, Michael. At least you give them a chance to escape when you release them. My lamb didn't get that.” She released him and turned him to face her. “I do love you, Michael, more than I thought possible."
With a groan, he crushed her to him, burying his face in her hair. Pulling away, he swept her into his arms and carried her back to the cabin. Laying her gently on the bed, he quickly stripped off her garments and then his own. Joining her, he took her in his arms. He hardened swiftly with the feel of her silken skin against his.
"My God, Michael, are you always like this? How did you ever resist me for the last month?"
"It was hell,” he growled. “But now that we've mated, I can't resist you at all.” He savaged her mouth beneath his, his hands caressing, stroking. Skillfully he fanned an answering response in her soft enticing body, till it also cried out for satiation.
"Now, Michael, I want you now!” she screamed as his fingers teased her.
Michael could no more refuse his mate than he could stop breathing. Moving between her thighs, he buried himself deep within her impelling body. Her body closed hotly around his rigid shaft. Slowly he pulled himself from her, pausing a second before plunging back into her depths. Her nails clung to his shoulders, spurring him on.
"Harder,” she breathed as her body began to writhe beneath him.
Groaning, he began to thrust faster, striving for release from the lust that consumed him. Cries of ecstasy fell from her lips and her hands fell to his pistoning buttocks, her nails drawing blood in their haste. The scent of blood, even his own, drove him mad. With a soul-searing cry, he stiffened and poured his seed deep within her.
Altheia felt him throb deep inside her and her own body suddenly went white hot in orgasmic bliss.
It was late by the time they got out of bed again. Michael's lust drove them again and again. But as dusk approached, he became more and more agitated. Altheia's willing body could no longer bring him even momentary peace. She now watched him pace the yard restlessly.
"Michael,” she called from the porch. He approached her with quick impatient strides. “Can I fix you something to eat?” she asked.
"No,” He growled, turning away again. She reached out a hand to stay him. He turned back, a growl in his throat. “Go back inside Altheia, and stay there."
"I just wanted to tell you I love you,” she whispered as she turned to leave.
He raked his fingers through his hair. “I know you do. I'd just feel better if you stayed in the cabin."
She looked back at him again. “It's all right. I understand.” Then her eyes went wide and her breath caught in her throat.
Michael's shirt was on the ground before he finished turning around and his hands were at the waist of his pants when he spotted Koani at the edge of the forest. He fought to stifle the instinct to change.
The urge to protect his mate had been unthinking—just something he was compelled to do.
He met Koani's eyes and after a few moments, she whimpered and turned away, disappearing into the underbrush.
Altheia was still staring into the forest as he went to her, pulling her against his bare chest. He could feel her tremble beneath his fingers.
"It's all right. Koani won't hurt you. She won't touch what is mine."
"You know her?” she asked as she stepped back to look at him. Her eyes flickered to the trees and back. “Is she a werewolf?"
Michael shook his head. “No. She's just a normal wolf. I saved her life as a cub. She's like family."
"But I thought there weren't any wolves left in New Hampshire."
"There weren't. She followed me from Canada."
Altheia was surprised but no longer afraid. She was sure that Michael would protect her from harm.
"How old is she? Shouldn't she be with other wolves? Does she have a mate?” All of a sudden she glanced at him sharply.
"Koani's mate died two winters ago. She's 12 years old. And she's not alone, Altheia,” he stated softly.
"God,” she sighed. “This is still so hard to believe.” She looked up suddenly and realized that the sun had almost set. Looking again at Michael, she could see the tension in his stance. And she could see small tremors ripple across his skin.
"It's almost time, isn't it?"
"Yes.” Pulling her to him, he kissed her gently, then let her go. “Go in the cabin. And don't leave it."
Michael turned his back and faced the yard. After a few minutes he heard the door close quietly. He released the breath he had been holding. For a few minutes more he simply stood waiting, not thinking. He could feel the tremors racing rapidly across his skin and the blood heating up in his veins. Soon, he thought, soon. His mind unconsciously registered Koani's return to the edge of the yard. She knew this was their night to hunt.
Altheia stood away from the window but where she could still see Michael standing in the yard. He finally moved as he dropped his pants and stepped out of them. His head fell back as he closed his eyes as if in pain. She could now see the shocks whip across his body. As she watched, he slowly dropped to his knees and his head fell forward.
Greywolf Page 11