Holden announced, “They’ve found it.”
The mystical demonic portal was nothing more than an area within a copse of trees that made my skin prickle and tingle with unease. “It feels like someone walking over your grave. Doesn’t it?” Colby asked me.
I nodded and rubbed my arms.
“Alright. Now that we’ve located it, let’s get some barbed wire and some mistletoe. Sage doesn’t grow in these parts,” Hunting Wolf said.
“Mistletoe?” I asked.
“Yes, aside from being a customary means of acquiring sweet kisses from pretty girls, it wards off evil spirits.” Hunting Wolf stood still with the wind blowing his long black hair.
“You heard him. I’ve got some in the back of my truck if there’s not enough to be found growing hereabouts,” Colby said. Steve and Bob tore off at runs back to the hotel.
Hours later, the men had completed what looked to me like a teepee of planks, razor-sharp barbed wire, and mistletoe. Sam hammered another danger sign into the ground. Satisfied with the work, we returned to the hotel and fervently hoped no more night hunters would come to call.
Chapter Eight
The hotel wasn’t as I had expected to find it. Instead, pack members stood guard as we entered the relatively silent parking lot where shell casings littered the ground and sparkled in the afternoon sunlight. It wasn’t my idea of El Dorado any more than the devastated cities we had driven by during our trip from the Republic of Texas had been. Male eyes seemed to watch me appreciatively as we entered, and the attention caused blushes to rise in my cheeks.
“They saw what you did out there. You were deadly, brave, and sexy as hell. Don’t worry. I won’t lose any challenges for you,” Holden said.
“Excuse me?” I asked. I stopped walking and faced him.
“You’ve got nothing to worry about, sweetheart.”
“Holden, I am not your mate. Nor can I be won and lost like chips in a poker game.”
He held his hands up. “Ain’t nobody poking you as you don’t want poking you.” He grinned lasciviously.
“Ignore him. I will thwart any attempts he makes at humping your leg,” Sam promised, taking my arm and leading me away.
Holden snorted.
“We’re too tired for your shenanigans,” Colby told him. Catching a scent on the air, he asked, “Is that coffee? Thank you, Jesus.”
We walked inside the restaurant and wearily sat. Tired waitresses brought us coffee, bacon, eggs, and toast. While we ate, we learned from Cecil that there hadn’t been any casualties at the hotel, but there had been a few close calls. Almost having breached the hotel’s defenses, the night hunters had been kept at bay with machine gun fire, but a back wall had been ruined in the process.
Cecil said, “Folks don’t want to stay. They’re looking to leave, and I can’t say that I blame them.”
“Where do they plan to relocate?” Sam asked.
Staring into his eyes, Cecil said, “These people are afraid, Chief Stillwater. After what has happened, they have reason to be. They lost their livestock over the course of a few nights and along with that their livelihoods. I might have mentioned to them that Silver Springs has a Sheriff’s department, stores, restaurants, a couple of doctors, and a library. This town has a population of fewer than fifty men, women, and children. They aren’t safe here.”
Steve said, “There’s safety in numbers. We do what we can for the people here, but we don’t typically reside here year-round. Anyway, we’ve been talking. It doesn’t seem right for our Alpha to be away in another state. Packs don’t work like that. Family sticks together. We can make ourselves useful to you, Colby.”
“You could choose a new Alpha,” Colby quietly stated.
“We don’t want one.”
I knew the conversation they were having was an important one and tried to pay attention. However, even with the power I had gained in battle while helping to vanquish our enemies, I was tired. It was a bone-deep tired, and I wasn’t the only one. Other than the restaurant’s staff and a few men, the town’s civilians were sleeping. Excusing myself from the table, I went in search of the concierge. Those who were sleeping had the right idea. He stared at me with his mouth opened and his Adam’s apple bobbing from behind his counter.
“Excuse me. May I please get a room?”
“Yes, yes, ma’am. We’ve put you and your party in the same rooms in which you previously stayed. Your key.”
I took it from him, mildly bewildered by his behavior, and made my way up the stairs. With the room to myself, I took over the bathroom, scrubbing both Elizabeth and myself clean. Afterwards and wrapped in towels, I pulled back the bedsheets, crawled between them, and did what just about everyone else in town was doing, slept.
It was late the next day when I woke up with a pounding headache in Hunting Wolf’s arms. “Oh.”
“Does your head hurt?”
“Yes, how did you know?” I hid my eyes against his warm chest.
“Overindulgence,” he said knowingly.
“It’s not like we were out drinking.”
“Tell that to our Wendigo natures.”
When he put it like that, it did seem as if we had been out partying or feasting like the hedonists of ancient Rome rather than protecting the town from night hunters. “Maybe I should hunt down some pain relievers for the both of us.”
Pulling me closer, he said, “You don’t need them, not with our healing abilities. What we need to do is to expend some of our energy.” He slid his hands along my bare skin. His strong wrists and forearms made mine look delicate and pale in comparison.
“What do you suggest?”
He stretched out on his back, his lower half sprang to life, and his smile was just as thick but with seduction.
“Oh, I know. By doing laundry, right?” I made a move as if to get out of bed.
Snagging my wrist with the speed of a snake, he looked at me with feigned consternation. Laughing at his expression, I slid my leg over his hips and straddled him with the intention of doing what Colby had taught me. “You enjoy teasing me. Don’t you?”
“Yes, and I believe I will continue to do so.”
Combing through his long, dark hair with my fingers, I took a moment to appreciate his strong male beauty before lowering my face to his chest and licking one dark nipple, watching as it and the surrounding skin pebbled. I left a path of kisses to his throat. Gripping my hips through the crisp white sheets, he whispered my name and moved his hips while trying to find his own path inside of me. Resisting his attempts to penetrate me, I rubbed my folds against his length, enjoying the sensation too much to stop. Tingling pleasure replaced the hard ache my grinding had caused. He groaned in frustration. Smiling against his lips, I held his shaft and guided him home, lowering myself and enjoying the feel of him as he stretched my inner walls. Evident on his face was the ecstasy my touch alone gave him. As I moved up and down his length, his struggle to remain on his back and not to roll me onto mine was also clear. To reward his self-control, I sped up my movements, and the blissful expression on his face when he came made me love him even more.
However, it was quickly replaced with chagrin. “Let me see to your needs.”
“Um…. You already did. I didn’t last anywhere near as long as you did.”
“Are you being truthful?” He narrowed his mahogany eyes at me.
“I have never lied to you and never will. I um… when I was grinding against you….”
A smug look replaced the distrustful one. Our heads turned toward the door as it slowly opened.
I saw Colby’s blue eyes and then several shopping bags as he entered. “People are packing up, and store owners are selling everything at low prices before closing in preparation for the exodus to Silver Springs. I helped.” He lifted a hand and shook some bags for emphasis. “If you want to get some good deals, now’s the time,” he said to Hunting Wolf.
“Might as well,” he said as he strutted in all of his naked glory int
o the bathroom.
Colby covered the other bed with bags.
“My goodness. I know as a werewolf that you go through a lot of clothes, but this appears to be rather excessive.”
Winking at me, he said, “I already put my bags in the truck. All of this is for you. I even got you things to dress your other form in.” He started pulling things out of bags, and by the time he was done, my eyes were bulging.
Meanwhile, Hunting Wolf had showered and dressed. He kissed me on the way out and grinned at Colby. Taking over the bathroom, I quickly got cleaned up and then ogled all of the clothes. “I haven’t had such a haul since back when Mom did her annual back to school shopping sprees.”
“Try those on her,” Colby said of a stack of jeans, T-shirts, and leather.
Knowing exactly who he meant, I concentrated and called Elizabeth forth. With his help, I quickly dressed and stared at her reflection, my reflection. I still needed to accept in my own heart and mind that I was her, and she was me, but it wasn’t easy reconciling my mind to it.
“You look sexy. I don’t have a Harley, but do you think you might want to ride on the back of my four-wheeler sometime?”
I busted out laughing. The jeans, leather jacket, and boots suited Elizabeth’s form and the purposes for which I tended to use it. Then, my thoughts turned serious. “I don’t have the red eyes, antlers, and claws of a Wendigo because Holden and Hunting Wolf’s curses fought for me and neither one of them won. I need to stop thinking of her as Elizabeth and instead as me as a Wendigo, but it doesn’t seem right.”
Colby entwined our fingers, stood behind me, and gazed at our reflections. “Is that what you need to do? Elizabeth was a bitch. Hell, after what she did to Ben and me, I’ll admit that it took me a while to get over my unease of this form.”
My eyes found the reflection of his and held them as the color drained from my cheeks.
“I got over it, Rosie, just like you got over your fear of my wolf. I think it’s the guilt which troubles you even though you were acting in self-defense. One thing I’ve learned so far from our new family is the importance of forgiveness. I think you might need to forgive yourself. You were in mortal danger, and the magic took over. This is your Wendigo, and I for one am glad you don’t look like a jackalope. Now, try on the things I bought for my Rosie.” He kissed my temple and waited while I shifted into my human form. “You’re getting better at that.”
I shrugged. “I don’t know what to do with you sometimes. It’s like you understand me in a way no one else ever could.”
Tilting up my chin, he said, “I’ve thought the same about you since damn soon after I met you.” Reaching down, he pulled my towel away and tossed it onto the rumpled bed where I’d slept. Going down to his knees before me, he splayed his fingers across my back, holding me in place while he kissed my breasts. “I love you, Rosie.”
I gazed down into his sincere blue eyes and ran my fingers through his blond hair. “I love you, Colby.”
Reaching around me, he grabbed something and pulled it toward us. “Pretty please?” He held out a dress to me. A few moments later, he had a smug look on his face while he checked me out. “May I take my beautiful wife down to brunch?”
“You may.” I was quite pleased with the hunter-green plaid, calf-length dress I was wearing. It was perfect for work with its full skirt, and I adored the cute black ankle boots and smart black blazer I’d paired with it. Thinking Colby deserved it, I gave him another kiss. “I really liked everything you picked out. I can put all of it to good use.”
With a hand low on my back as we walked down the stairs, he said, “What can I say? I know what my wife likes.” The hotel restaurant was practically empty when Colby pulled out a chair for me. We were in the middle of an enjoyable late breakfast when Steve approached. He tipped his head to me just as Colby slid his arm possessively across the back of my chair. His actions caused a smile to form on my lips. “Have a seat,” he offered.
“Thank you, Colby. Morning, ma’am.” The way he looked me over had Colby clenching his jaw.
“Good morning.” Quickly, I returned my attention to my plate.
“The Chief joined us for a town hall meeting this morning and shared with us locations in Silver Springs and the surrounding areas where folks can resettle. Since that’s all figured out, the guys and I were wondering about your plans for us.”
Colby leaned back in his chair and moved his hand to the back of my hair.
Steve continued saying, “After the men we lost fighting for Pascal against Holden and then against you and later the night hunters, there’s only seventeen of us left, nineteen if you count you and the missus. We’ve got a wide range of skills and can make ourselves useful to you, seeing as how you’re determined to stay put and grow roots.”
“I’ve already got deep roots in Silver Springs.”
Interrupting, I asked, “What kinds of skills? Do you know how to build things, like barns?” Colby raised an eyebrow at me. “We could use the help, and we have plenty of land to build them a place like what your family has for their cowboys. We’re trying to clear our land and make a ranch of it, a family business. I know it will take a while before we earn anything, but perhaps you could ask if any of your pack has the type of experience you require. Well, we’d need to discuss it with the rest of our family.” Frowning, I added, “Not that our own little house couldn’t use some work.”
Colby said, “Our.”
“Our what?”
“Our pack, baby. It’s the only word you just said that I didn’t agree with.”
“Very well. Now then, before we leave, I intend to look at some of the goods which are currently for sale. How long before we leave?” I wiped my mouth and placed my napkin beside my plate.
“We’re heading out in two days to give them time to pack up what they can’t leave behind,” Holden said as he commandeered the chair beside me and sat uninvited. “With the boys pitching in to help, it’s going fast. No worries, sweetheart.”
With a heavy sigh, I stood and kissed Colby’s cheek.
Steve asked, “Do you want me to send a few men to guard her?”
Colby laughed long and hard. Even Holden shook his head.
Steve gave me a bashful look.
“Thank you for your concern. However, I believe I can handle myself should any trouble arise.” Someone didn’t hold me in the same awe as the concierge apparently did.
Outside in the parking lot, a few men stood around Colby’s truck where Sam was sitting and speaking into the CB. I assumed he was making whatever arrangements he could for the town’s fleeing citizens. A few blocks away and not far from where we had battled the night hunters, trucks lined the streets in front of the closing businesses. The main focus was the feed and supply store. The night hunters had killed all of their livestock, but that didn’t mean Silver Springs couldn’t put the supplies to good use. I didn’t bother entering any of the clothing stores since Colby had already purchased everything I could possibly need or want. Instead, I entered a jewelry and gift shop where a sad older couple was packing up. They were busy taking down their Christmas decorations, carefully boxing them away.
“Everything is seventy-five percent off,” the gray-haired lady said.
“Thank you.” I picked up a scented candle and sniffed it, smelling cinnamon and cloves. Knowing candles were always useful and that they could use the business, I started placing items of interest on the counter near their register. Getting some of my Christmas shopping done here was as good of a place as any, and in a display case I found the perfect gifts for my Wendigoag family members. “Ma’am?” Pulling out my wallet, I did some quick calculations. With my husbands constantly sneaking money into it, I had no financial worries. “How much for these?” I pointed out six gold crucifixes on heavy gold chains.
After a bit of haggling, I had gifts for Hunting Wolf, our brothers, Aponi, and Mrs. Delaney and even got them wrapped. Unfortunately, I still had no idea of what to get Caro
lyn, Cy, Ben, Colby, and Sam. What did you get people who had everything? After pretty much emptying my wallet, I hurried back to the hotel. Seeing me in a hurry caused a wave of concern, and Colby strode to meet me with Holden and Kacey close behind.
“What’s the matter?”
“Nothing. Why? Here,” I thrust my bags toward him. “Hide these in the back where they won’t get squished. What should I get your mom for Christmas?”
Grinning, he said, “Any kind of baking stuff. She loves anything for her kitchen.” After stashing my bags, he took my wallet and replenished it. “Have fun, Rosie.”
“You’re Christmas shopping?” Holden asked incredulously.
“Well, yeah. Why not? They need the money and fewer things to load, and I need gifts.” Speculatively, to Holden, I said, “Your tree must have hundreds of presents under it already.”
“What makes you think that?” he asked.
“Well, there are about fifty wolves and their mates in your pack. How does it work? Do you get each of them gifts or draw names?” I watched his expression. I hadn’t quite gotten used to being able to see his face since he’d shaved off his singed beard. Unbidden thoughts of nuzzling my cheek against his filled me with shame.
“Uh, well, now that I’m staying put….” He let his words trail off. I feared he had sensed my thoughts or worse that Colby had.
From Elizabeth, I had no memories of any holiday celebrations other than July 4th, my least favorite. Firecrackers were upsetting to me, but many survivors shared the same unease which was understandable after having lived through the bombings. The pack had been nomadic which explained a lot. “I’m certain in due time, you will all begin some lovely traditions. If you will excuse me?” After kissing Colby, I returned to my mission, but I really just wanted to put distance between Holden and me.
I was wandering around in an antique store whose owner was taking full advantage of the volunteering werewolves and their strength. She was having them load up carefully wrapped pieces into a delivery truck which I worried might not be maneuverable on the roads on which we would be travelling. A row of curio cabinets and their contents caught my notice. I was considering a porcelain figurine holding a rolling pin when I got the eerie feeling that I was being watched. The cabinet’s mirrored backing provided me with a glimpse of a shifty-eyed female with black hair who was standing a few feet behind me.
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