Heart of the Pack

by Jenny Frame

  The sensations were too much for her. She dropped the gym bag as her heart thudded faster and faster. Her blood thrummed around her body, carrying transmutation molecules to every cell. She stood quickly and tore off her clothes, before the cracking bones moved and reshaped her body to her wolf form. Caden’s groans grew to loud roars as her shift was complete. She leaped onto the bed and buried her snout in Lena’s pillow.

  Lena’s scent was heady, and Caden closed her eyes and let her senses reel. Her sex burned and throbbed to the beat of her heart.

  Lena…Lena…mine.

  She licked the pillow, allowing Lena’s taste to explode on her tongue, and let out a long, loud howl. A warning to any nearby wolves that this human was hers.

  One of Lena’s stuffed toys caught her eye, a scruffy-looking bear, and Caden took it in her mouth and shook it hard from side to side. After her initial burst of energy, she calmed and began to enjoy chewing on the bear and rolling around the bed, spreading her own scent across Lena’s most private space.

  As her energy calmed, contentment came upon her, and that was when she started to realize what she had done.

  She looked up at the mirror on the dresser and saw her reflection staring back at her. A wolf who covered the entire expanse of Lena’s king-size bed, blankets all ruffled up and half on the floor, and pillows strewn around the room. Worst of all, though, was the bear sitting next to her, its head and ear hanging off, and the stuffing bleeding from its belly.

  She shifted to skin in an instant and held her head in her hands. “No. No, no, I didn’t do this, no.”

  Never in her life had she lost control of her wolf like this. She had always been in control of herself, always cool and levelheaded, but this human woman made her lose control like a cub.

  She held the bear’s head in one hand and the body in another. How could she fix this? How would she explain?

  Caden jumped up and threw the injured bear into her gym bag, then hurriedly made the bed as best she could, brushing the stray wolf hairs off the bedding.

  She looked up at the clock on the bedside table. “Great Mother, I’m going to be late.” She ran from the apartment and down to her truck, where she changed into her spare clothing.

  Caden thought back to the ripped bear in her bag. She had to make this right. If she hurried, she could squeeze in one last stop before heading back to the hospital.

  Her engine roared as she zoomed off on her mission.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Lena’s muscles and lungs burned as she tried to stay ahead of her pursuer. Dressed only in her nightdress, her bare feet snagged every sharp twig and branch in her path. She looked behind her and saw that the huge dark wolf was gaining on her with every step.

  Its hungry yellow eyes shone brightly in the clear night. Lena didn’t know why she was running here in this forest, but she did know that the wolf wanted her, and wanted her badly. She could feel it in the air and every fiber of her body. This wolf would not give up till it had her.

  The wolf was now only a few feet away, and about to catch her, when Lena tripped over and fell to the dirt. She threw her hands over her head, waiting for the wolf’s jaws to bite, and claws to slash.

  When the expected pain of attack didn’t come, Lena lifted her head and peeked behind her. Standing there was not the fierce wolf that chased her, but her friend Caden.

  She leaped up into Caden’s arms, shouting, “Caden. Thank God. I thought…I thought…”

  Tears overwhelmed her, and Caden pulled her in tighter. “Shh, shh, now. I’ve got you. I’ll always protect you.”

  Lena’s perspective suddenly changed, and she was now floating above the scene, watching as Caden held her body tightly. Caden slowly looked upward, as if she knew Lena could see her. She smiled and her eyes changed to flashing yellow in an instant.

  *

  Caden hurried down the corridor with Lena’s things and a couple of gifts she had brought. She only hoped she wasn’t too late to be there when Lena woke up.

  The nurse she was following said, “We moved her to the rooms we use for any humans who are admitted, Second. It’s a quiet part of the hospital, where we hope they won’t see anything they aren’t meant to.” They finally came to Lena’s room. “Here we are. The doctor is just checking on her at the moment.”

  Caden walked in and was given a salute by the friendly silver-haired doctor. Thankfully Lena was still asleep. “Dr. Jaycen, how is she?” Caden put the gym bag down by the side of the bed and ran her hand along the newly applied cast and down to Lena’s fingers at the end, feeling the overwhelming need to touch her.

  “She’s done well. Ms. Miller is a strong young woman. I must say, it’s a pleasure to treat a human from time to time. It tests your medical skills much more than our kind do.”

  “What will happen next? I mean, she can’t shift to accelerate the healing process.”

  Jaycen checked the levels of drugs and fluids being fed from the drip. “Ah, yes. That’s what makes humans fascinating creatures. Instead of shifting to heal, they wait.”

  She gave the doctor a questioning look. “Wait? What does wait mean?”

  Jaycen walked over and put a comforting arm on Caden’s shoulders. “Their bodies require time and care to heal, unlike ours, Second. Young Ms. Miller will take her time to heal. We have pinned the bones together and placed her arm in a cast. In six weeks, I’ll check the position of the bones and perhaps change it to a lighter cast. But it could take up to three months to fully heal.”

  Caden was shocked. “Three months?”

  “Yes, followed by a great deal of physical therapy. Humans are delicate creatures, Second.” Lena began to murmur in her sleep, drawing the doctor’s attention down to her. “She’ll awaken soon.”

  As Caden looked down at her, she realized just how fragile human life was. She wanted to gather Lena up, take her back to her den, and protect her from every harm that could come to her, but it was impossible. “When can she go home, Doctor?”

  Jaycen stroked his white goatee beard as he thought. “Hmm…tomorrow morning probably. As long as there’s no sign of infection overnight. I’ll leave you to it, Second.”

  “Thank you for taking care of her, Jaycen.”

  He thumped his chest with his fist. “It’s my privilege to serve, Second.”

  Now alone, Caden sat down by the side of Lena’s bed. Her mumbles had continued, and her eyes flitted back and forth under the lids.

  Caden stroked the hair on Lena’s forehead tenderly. “Are you dreaming, beautiful one?”

  Lena began breathing heavily, her head moving side to side as if she was struggling. Caden placed a kiss on her forehead and whispered, “Don’t be scared or anxious. I will protect you.”

  Lena’s eyes sprang open. “Caden. You…saved me.” She tried to grab Caden but fell back when she realized her arm was in a cast.

  Caden cupped Lena’s cheek and looked her directly in the eye. “Hey, hey. Calm down. You’re safe, I promise.”

  Lena’s breathing got deeper and calmed. “I had a nightmare. I was running through the forest, and this huge wolf was chasing me. Much bigger than an ordinary wolf, you know?”

  Caden’s heart started to beat double time, and she wondered what was coming next. “A wolf, huh?”

  “Yes. I was running as fast as I could, but it kept getting closer and closer, and somehow I knew inside that the wolf wanted me, badly. A voice kept repeating in my head, The wolf wants you.”

  The wolf does want you, Lena, but can’t have you, thought Caden sadly. “What happened next?”

  “I tripped on a branch or something, and I remember being so terrified. I knew this was it, and I just waited for the bite that would kill me, but it never came. I looked around and you were standing there, instead of the wolf. I’ve never been happier to see another human being in my life. You held me, said I would be safe, and just as I was waking, your eyes flashed yellow like the wolf’s.”

  Caden tried not to show an
y emotion on her face, but she was certain Lena’s subconscious was trying to tell her who Caden was. Somewhere in Lena’s mind, she knew Caden was the wolf that rescued her the first time in the forest. “That’s quite a dream.”

  “What do you think it means?”

  Caden hesitated. She hated lying to Lena like this. “I know it seemed like a frightening dream, but my instinct tells me it wasn’t meant to be a nightmare.”

  “How could you think that?” Lena asked.

  “The wolf is a great omen in Wolfgang County. They are greatly revered. Wolves help us manage the deer population spread over our vast territory. We live in harmony with them. So I think the fact that you saw one in your dream is a good thing.”

  “Really? Do you think so?”

  Caden nodded her head. “I do. You have nothing to fear.”

  “Why did you have yellow eyes in my dream? I’m sure I’ve seen those eyes before, somewhere…”

  Caden needed to change the subject and fast. “Hey, I got your things. Here’s your purse, and some clothes.”

  “Oh, thanks. Could you give me my glasses, please?”

  “Sure, hang on.” Caden fished around in the gym bag for the glasses, but instead of handing them over, she put them on Lena herself, her fingers grazing Lena’s face tenderly.

  Lena’s gaze caught hers, but when Lena raised her good arm to touch her, she pulled back. Lena’s cheeks went red with embarrassment at what she’d been about to do, so Caden decided to lighten the mood. She pulled Lena’s pen box out of the gym bag. “Here are your pens, so you don’t have to worry about them.”

  Lena held on to the box tightly with her good arm, instantly seeming calmer for having them in her possession. “Thank you so much. I know I must seem strange.”

  She placed a finger over Lena’s lips. “Shh…you don’t need to explain. I understand you, and that’s all you need to know.”

  *

  Lena had been overwhelmed with feelings and emotions since opening her eyes. The dream had been so vivid, and the meaning was in her mind somewhere, just out of reach.

  The pain in her arm was just about bearable with the drugs, but everything was made better when Caden looked at her or touched her. She felt safe and protected. No one in her life before had been able to quiet the constant anxiety that turned over in her mind, and no one had made her want to be touched like Caden did. Her body came alive with needs and wants which she had never experienced before. Everything seemed connected to Caden, and she just had to work out why.

  “Are you in pain, Lena?” Caden asked.

  “It’s not too bad. I was just thinking, that’s all.” Thinking was an understatement. Everything around her seemed to be a puzzle waiting to be worked out.

  “If I can interrupt your thinking,” Caden said with a big grin, “I almost forgot. I got you some presents—hope you like them.”

  “You didn’t have to…Oh!” Lena was surprised when a big bunch of flowers was placed in her lap along with a rectangular wrapped box and a gift bag. “Oh, these are beautiful. I’ve never gotten flowers before.”

  “I know. I remembered. That’s why I wanted to be the first,” Caden said proudly.

  Caden looked at her with a huge smile and wide eyes, and to Lena she looked like a little puppy trying to please its owner, so unlike the serious and tough person she normally was.

  Lena was unused to this kind of kindness. It became too much for her, and the tears started to fall.

  “What’s wrong? Don’t you like them?” Caden asked, looking stricken.

  “I’m sorry. I love them—it’s just no one’s ever been so kind to me, and I don’t understand why you would be.” She took off her glasses and wiped away her tears.

  “I like you, what more reason is there?”

  Lena was stumped by this question. Caden was stunningly good looking, like a tall, rugged cowboy from the movies. She could imagine a five-foot-eight, super-skinny blonde waiting at home for her. So why was Caden spending so much time with her?

  “Open your presents.” Caden was just about bouncing with excitement.

  She smiled and looked down at her arm in the cast. “Could you help me out?”

  “Oh, sure. Sorry, I didn’t think of that.” Caden started to unwrap the rectangular box. “I got the girl in the store to wrap these for me, or else you would have gotten them in a paper bag.”

  Lena giggled. She was seeing a different side to Caden, a more lighthearted, playful side to her personality.

  “I hope the dream you had hasn’t turned you against wolves altogether.” Caden opened the box and revealed a beautiful silver pen with a wolf engraved on it.

  Lena gasped.

  “I know you love your pens, so I hoped…”

  “It’s wonderful. Thank you so much.” Caden was like no one she’d ever met.

  Caden rubbed the back of her neck bashfully. “It’s something to remember Wolfgang County by, wherever life takes you.”

  Lena didn’t want to think about that. Think about when her assignment came to an end and she had to go home, back under the scrutiny of her parents. “Thank you. Truly.” Lena’s eyes went to the gift bag. “What’s in there?”

  “Ah…it’s just a bit of fun. I noticed when I was getting your things, you had a few stuffed animals, and I thought you might like this noble animal to sit with them.”

  Lena laughed when Caden pulled a stuffed wolf out of the gift bag. “Aww. It’s so cute.” She took it in her good hand and brought it to her chest in a hug.

  “Cute?” Caden raised an eyebrow in mock annoyance. “A wolf is not cute, Ms. Miller. A wolf is a hunter, a protector, a passionate mate, but never cute.”

  “Well, I think it’s cute, and I love it. It’ll keep me company tonight. Did you see the scruffy-looking bear on my bed?” Caden nodded, trying not to look worried.

  Lena gave the wolf a kiss on the snout, and Caden wished she was receiving that affection. “My uncle gave it to me. He died a few months before I moved here. I know it may seem a little childish, but it always makes me think of him.”

  Caden changed the subject quickly. “Dr. Jaycen said you could leave tomorrow morning, as long as there was no sign of infection overnight. So I’ll come pick you up.”

  Lena stroked the wolf in her hand. “You don’t have to.”

  “I do, and I will. I’m only sorry I can’t stay any longer tonight, but I have to attend a meeting with Dante.”

  “If you insist, then that’s very kind.”

  Caden stood and lifted the bunch of flowers. “Great, I’ll just go and see if I can get someone to put these in water.” She turned to leave. “Oh, and before I forget, I found your moonstone.” Caden got it from her pocket and placed it on the bedside table.

  “Thank you. I’ll make sure to always keep it safe.”

  *

  The door opened before Caden had knocked twice. “Hi, Caden. Come in.” Eden ushered her into her den.

  “Thanks, Mater.” She took off her Stetson and saluted.

  “How’s Lena doing?” How typical of the Mater, Caden thought, to ask after Lena’s well-being, even though she was a human. “Dante said she had an accident.”

  “Yeah, she has a bad break in her arm, but Dr. Jaycen pinned it. He thinks she should get out tomorrow, lunchtime.”

  “I’m glad to hear it. I thought Stella and I would go to the hospital in the morning and visit her. As Mater I should make her feel welcome and let her know we’re here if she needs any help at all.”

  Caden felt nervous all of sudden and clenched her hat tightly to her chest. “That would be kind, Mater. Lena is a very nervous, anxious creature—like a deer. She’s constantly worrying and is very self-conscious with other people. I—”

  Eden held up her hand to stop Caden and smiled. “Don’t worry, Cade. We’ll be very gentle, I promise.”

  “Thank you, Mater.”

  “Dante is waiting for you in the war room. Go on down.”

  Just as Ed
en turned to return to the family room, Caden said, “Mater? Could I ask a favor?”

  “Anything, Second. You know that,” Eden said.

  Caden opened the bag she had with her and lifted out Lena’s stuffed bear. “Um…I wondered if you would be able to fix this for me.”

  Eden took the ripped bear and its decapitated head from her and said, “This has been in the wars. It looks like Conan’s stuffed animals after he shifts and plays with them. What happened?”

  Caden rubbed her forehead in resignation. She knew that she would be the main topic of den talk for months to come. “I was at Lena’s apartment picking up some of her things, and I had…an accident with it. Can you fix it? Lena’s uncle gave it to her and he died recently, so it means a lot to her.”

  Eden smiled and shook her head as if she knew exactly what had happened, but there was no way Caden was going to admit she had lost control of her wolf while being intoxicated with Lena’s scent. Drunk on love. She remembered how Dante looked at Eden sometimes. Was that what was wrong with her?

  “I can fix it,” Eden said. “With three wolf cubs, I’ve had to do plenty of this type of thing. Go on down to Dante, and I’ll have it ready before you leave.”

  “Thank you, Mater.”

  *

  Caden entered the war room and found the Alpha sitting on the edge of the conference table, watching the big screen, with Blaze standing beside her.

  “Alpha?”

  Dante didn’t turn around, but said, “Blaze? Could you leave us?”

  “Yes, Alpha.” Blaze thumped his chest and nodded to Caden as he passed. “Second.”

  On the large flat screen in front of Dante flashed some gruesome images, similar to the ones they had seen of Suzy Mitchell.

  “What is this, Alpha?” Caden asked as she reached Dante’s side.

  “That, Second, is a wolf out of control. Blaze noticed a pattern of human murders radiating out from Suzy Mitchell’s murder scene. He wanted us to see it before my elite wolves got here.”