Wolf

by D. M. Turner

  Colin nodded. “Much to her profound relief.”

  “And she’ll make a decision before the thirty-first?”

  “She already has.”

  Dad cocked his head. “And?”

  “She chose me.”

  “Good.” The pleased smile that curved his mouth surprised Colin.

  “You really like her?”

  “The two of you are good for each other. You’re more inclined to be patient with her than the others. You’re right. She needs time to deal with everything that’s happened. You, more than anyone, have the temperament to help her with that process.” A half-grin tilted one corner of his mouth. “And she’s not afraid to argue with you. That’s good, too.”

  “How do you figure?”

  “If you married someone who never argued with you, or challenged you, you’d be bored out of your mind. Your mother used to stand up to me about a lot of things. We argued all the time.” The grin spread to the other corner of his mouth. “We sure had fun working it out though.”

  Colin laughed. “I probably don’t need to hear that.”

  “Why not? I think it’s good for a boy to know how much his parents loved each other.” Humor faded, and Dad’s gaze strayed out one of the windows.

  “Do you think you’ll ever get married again?”

  “Maybe one day. I don’t know.” He shrugged. A slow smile swept old sorrow from his face. “She’d have to be able to stand up to me without flinching and not afraid to tell me what she thinks.”

  “Tanya’s proven she’ll do that.”

  “Yeah, but if I growl, she cringes and drops her gaze, just like the rest of you.” He shook his head. “Your mother never batted an eye, no matter how much I growled. I snapped at her one day when I was especially ticked off. She rolled her eyes, snorted, and refused to budge.”

  Colin chuckled. Then humor slipped away. “I wish I remembered her.”

  “So do I. She was a courageous warrior, your mother, and she knew how to love both of us.”

  * * *

  Alone in her room, Tanya stretched out on the bed and stared at the ceiling. She’d actually done it—chosen Colin as her mate. They’d be married. Eventually. How long would he wait before restlessness took hold? Men weren’t the most patient creatures when it came to sex, or so she’d been told often over the years by friends. They weren’t content with platonic relationships for very long, the girls had warned. All those dire stories had kept her nose firmly in the books. She’d focused on her education.

  Yet, she’d agreed to marry a man she’d known for a month. Granted, they weren’t getting married right away, but… small comfort. What would it be like to have someone beside her in bed, night after night, year after year? Could she do it without panicking if he touched her?

  Tanya climbed out of bed and went to the closet, retrieving his bathrobe. Had he noticed she hadn’t given it back? If so, he hadn’t said anything. She smiled and carried it back to bed. She curled up on her side, wadded the robe, and hugged it close to her face, allowing the scent on it to permeate her whole being. Eyes closed, she pretended he was there.

  Comfort swept through her, easing tension, relaxing muscles. Nights where they’d slept curled up together in wolf form in the dark of the sanctuary rock came to the front of memory.

  Yes. She’d made the right choice. Colin had been the only choice her heart would accept. Hopefully, when the time came for them to be married, she’d be able to do so without the slightest fear or hesitation. He deserved that.

  * * *

  Wednesday, July 15, 2015

  Darkness. Heavy and foreboding. Tanya groaned. The sun hadn’t come up yet, but the dark moon pressed skyward. She didn’t have to see it to know it was there. She’d wanted to greet it as a wolf, hide out in the forest until it passed, but Colin had nixed that idea when she’d mentioned it the night before while they sat talking on the back deck, watching stars twinkle overhead.

  Chris had called before dinner, said he’d known the dark moon was coming and wanted to remind her how much he loved her. Even after the fact, his gentle, sincere words brought tears to her eyes. He’d called at least a couple of times a week since he’d been to see her during June’s new moon, giving her updates on the children and other safe, upbeat news.

  “Yes, Pam’s still letting the yapper next door live.” He’d chuckled. “I can’t guarantee self-control will win the day forever though.”

  Tanya had laughed at the silly notion of sweet, gentle Pam actually hurting another creature. Even one as annoying as the little dog next door.

  Still no improvement on the parental front. Chris had told her once that he continued to talk to their parents, trying to reason with them. It had upset her, so he hadn’t brought it up again. She wasn’t sure whether to be annoyed that he felt the need to protect her or grateful for it.

  Her sisters hadn’t contacted her yet. Marcy was gone a lot, since she worked as an airline attendant. Alexis lived in Tucson, further away, so not the most convenient drive.

  Tanya had hoped for a phone call or two. She’d mentioned it to Chris.

  “Don’t take it personally. They don’t have the number where you are. I didn’t think to ask Ian if he minded my sharing his phone number with them. I didn’t want to do so without his permission.”

  “I’m sure he’ll appreciate that.” Something tense and hurting in her heart had relaxed and settled.

  “They plan to converge on our house this weekend. We’ll call you then.”

  Tanya closed her eyes and savored the reality that her siblings hadn’t abandoned her. She also had Colin, and Ian. She wasn’t so sure about the rest of the pack though.

  A knock on her bedroom door pulled her to the present. The heaviness of the new moon closed around her. “Come in.”

  Colin opened the door and grinned. “Are you still in bed? Up and at ’em. Breakfast’ll be ready soon.”

  Tanya rolled away from him and hugged a pillow to her face. “I don’t want to get up.”

  The bed dipped under his weight, and he poked her ribs. “Come on, you lazy thing. We’ve got things to do today.”

  “Like what?” She lifted her head and glanced over her shoulder at him, hope blossoming. “Are we going into the forest?”

  “Not today. What we’re doing is even better!”

  “What could be better than hiding until the dark moon passes?” She flopped her face back into the pillow. “I hate this.”

  “I’m taking you shopping. You need supplies for school, right?”

  He couldn’t possibly be serious. The most depressing, energy-sapping day of the month, and he wanted her to brave stores? She rolled onto her back and eyed him. “Are you out of your mind? Do you really think I have the energy to deal with stores and crowds today?”

  “Are you turning chicken on me?” His eyes narrowed playfully.

  “Flattery will get you nowhere.” She flopped back onto her stomach and buried her face into a pillow again. “The forest calls.”

  “Not today, you don’t.”

  “Man, you’re bossy.”

  He chuckled. “Hey, third in the pack here. I’m supposed to be bossy.”

  “Are you supposed to be annoying, too?”

  “Sure.”

  “Why did I choose you for a mate again?”

  Colin laughed. The bed shifted as his weight disappeared. “Come on. Or do I have to ask Brett to order you up?”

  She rolled enough to glare at him. “You wouldn’t.”

  “Try me, beautiful.” A totally unrepentant half-grin showed the double canine tooth trait he shared with his father.

  “Fine. I won’t like it, but I’ll do it.” She threw aside the covers and forced her feet to the floor. “For the record, you’re mean and demanding.”

  “Only when I have to be.”

  So much for insulting him.

  “Dress quickly. Breakfast waits for no woman.”

  The door clicked behind him.

&n
bsp; Bossy, stubborn male.

  * * *

  Friday, July 31, 2015

  “Settle down.” The living room went still as Ian stood before them, the fireplace his backdrop. He’d gathered the whole pack. Every seat was taken. Chairs had been pulled in from the dining room to handle overflow.

  Tanya forced herself to remain seated in one of the leather chairs and not squirm.

  Colin had perched on the arm of the chair, stationed between her and the rest of the pack.

  The sun hadn’t gone down yet. The moon wouldn’t rise until shortly after the sun set, but its call had already started to reach into her bones. Surely the others felt it, too.

  Peter and Carlos kept casting her sideways glances.

  She tried to ignore them, keeping a tight grip on Colin’s hand and leaning against his hip.

  She and Colin had spent every day of the past month together. Talking for hours. Walking the property so she could better know its boundaries and landmarks. Running and playing as wolves in the forest, taking time to snuggle in the shelter of their rock. He’d chided her for remaining squeamish about eating fresh kills, but he never seemed angry.

  “I asked all of you here early because there’s business to attend to. First, an announcement.” He held out a hand toward Tanya.

  Her heart jumped into a gallop. He hadn’t told her she’d have to say anything to the pack. She got up and settled her hand in his.

  “All of you met Tanya last month, and I’m afraid things quickly got out of hand. Some of you were injured, and Tanya was almost killed.” He pinned Graham with a displeased scowl. The man dropped his gaze, his face coloring. “We knew having an unmated female in the pack would eventually lead to strife, but we had no idea how quickly that would happen. That’s my fault. I shouldn’t have underestimated the effect she’d have. That said, I wanted all of you here before the moon’s rise to tell you that Tanya has chosen a mate.”

  Restless stirrings among the wolves quieted with a stern look from Ian. Then he turned his gaze on her. “Tanya, is Colin of your own choosing and according to your free will? No one coerced you?”

  “I chose him. He’s the one I want to spend my life with.” Where had that confidence come from? Wow. I didn’t know I had that in me. She restrained a smile, afraid someone would take it wrong. She didn’t want to offend Ian or anyone else in the room.

  “You’ve all heard it for yourself. She is taken, no longer unmated.” He released her hand and nudged her back toward Colin.

  Tanya returned to her seat and leaned into Colin again.

  He rested a hand on her back, his thumb making gentle back and forth caresses on her nape that kicked up her pulse rate. Did he know that those barely discernible touches had such an effect on her?

  No dirty looks flashed their way, which surprised her. She’d fully expected resentment and anger from at least the three who’d fought over her the previous month. But nothing. They seemed calm and content.

  To be on the safe side, she’d stick as close as possible to Colin through the night. No point taking chances.

  She glanced sideways and up at him. Mine. Would he be scandalized to know how possessive she’d already begun to feel about him?

  “The second issue is one of a more serious nature.” He motioned toward Isaac, who got to his feet, his gaze lowered. Tension tightened the skin around his eyes. “All of you know Isaac’s wife, Imelda. This past week, she was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer. It’s already in her lungs and liver. There’s no cure. She and Isaac came to see me after they received the news. She would like the opportunity to join the pack as one of us. Anyone have questions for Isaac?”

  Brett raised a hand, waiting until his alpha nodded to him to speak. “Isaac, does Imelda fully understand how rarely women survive the Turning? Chances are, it will kill her.”

  The lower-ranking wolf nodded. “She’s willing to take the chance. As it stands now, if we do nothing, she’ll die. There’s nothing the medical profession can do. If she attempts the Turning, she has a chance of survival. As we all know, wolves don’t get things like cancer.” His gaze rose to Tanya. “And we have a female in the pack. Perhaps she can help Imelda’s chances of surviving her first Shift.”

  Tanya’s heart kicked and breath caught. Did they honestly believe she could, in any way, help another wolf? She didn’t even know why she had survived. How could she help someone else?

  Grief darkened Isaac’s hazel eyes. “The longer she’s ill, the weaker she’ll get, and the less likely she is to survive the Turning, so we don’t want to wait any longer than necessary. We’ve talked about this over the years, as she’s aged. Whether or not she should make the attempt, so we could remain together. Until Tanya, we didn’t honestly believe that women could survive. Tanya has given us hope. No matter how small the chance, at least we know there’s hope.”

  Tears stung Tanya’s eyes. The poor man. He faced the death of his mate. Human or not, he loved her. That much was obvious. Tanya leaned harder into Colin, grateful he was a wolf and wouldn’t be taken from her by a horrible illness like cancer.

  Ian glanced her way before his gaze swept the room. “This is not a decision we must make this evening. Please, think about it until we meet again for next month’s full moon. We’ll convene early then and make a final decision.”

  Isaac nodded, as did everyone else.

  “You’re free to go. See you soon.” Ian turned his back on everyone and left the room, going in the direction of his office.

  Tanya put a hand on Colin’s thigh, drawing his attention. “If the pack chooses for an attempt to be made, who will do the Turning?”

  “My dad.”

  “It won’t be pleasant, will it?”

  He shook his head. “By the very nature of the Turning, it’s never pleasant. There’s no way around it.”

  Poor Ian. No wonder Colin had no desire to be alpha. If that was one of the responsibilities he’d mentioned…. She shuddered and got to her feet.

  Men slowly filed out the outside door. They stopped on the deck and began shedding their clothes.

  Tanya turned her back on them, drawing a chuckle from Colin. “What?”

  “You.” He leaned closer and kissed the end of her nose. “One of these days, you’ll get over the modesty.”

  “You said basically the same thing about my lack of desire to eat fresh kills, and that hasn’t happened yet. I still hate it.”

  “It’ll come. Wait and see.” He nudged her toward the guestroom. “Go. Shift. I’ll wait here for you.”

  * * *

  Mine. Tanya was his. They might not be one flesh yet, but she had chosen him as her mate. No more precious gift had ever been given to him than her trust. As Colin trotted into the forest under the rising full moon, the air still illuminated by twilight, she remained close to his side. Isaac and Imelda’s situation remained fresh in his mind. He’d always liked Imelda.

  Lord, thank You that Tanya’s already a wolf and we’ll never face such a difficult choice. Help me be the man she needs. Help me be patient and put her needs above my own. She needs both of us, I think, to heal the hurts of the past couple of months. Give me wisdom to help her. Hold her in Your embrace, so she knows You love her forever.

  A short bark drew him to a halt. He glanced at Tanya.

  She licked his nose then bound away, stopping a few yards off to glance over her shoulder.

  When he just stood there, she turned and gave him a proper play bow—front end flush to the ground, tail high in the air. A wide lupine grin revealed teeth that gleamed in the moonlight.

  Colin gave chase. Instead of taking off like a shot, intent on using her speed to outrun him, she led him a merry chase in zigzags and loops, never moving too far from him. It took him a few minutes to realize what she was doing. She didn’t trust the others, but she wanted to play with him, so she’d adapted. Pride filled him.

  Mine.

  Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He saved th
em out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their bands apart. - Psalm 107:13-14

  Campbell Wildlife Preserve

  Somewhere Outside Flagstaff, Arizona

  Friday, August 28, 2015

  “GOOD morning.” Tanya smiled brightly at her fiancé, Colin Campbell, and his father, Ian.

  Fiancé. That word should scare her, and did on some level, but she couldn’t fear Colin. They hadn’t yet set a wedding date. He’d assured her there was no hurry. They could be married whenever she was ready. She wanted to be confident, and fearless, and set a date in the near future, but every time she tried to talk to him about it, panic seized her throat and wouldn’t let go until she dismissed the notion.

  Maybe he was right. She’d been Turned with such violence in early June. Perhaps she wasn’t past it after all. In general, she avoided thinking about those days of captivity. She stuffed the urge to flee back to the guestroom until she’d squashed the memories. Running had proven fruitless.

  Colin glanced up from the newspaper he’d been reading and smiled, but it lacked its normal luster and warmth. The worried expression on Ian’s face clicked, too.

  “What’s wrong? You aren’t worried about tomorrow’s full moon, are you? The last one went well.” None of the pack had attacked or chased her like the one before that. Colin had been right. Announcing their intention to be mated had settled the pack.

  “It’s not that.” Colin shook his head.

  The two men glanced at each other, shared some incomprehensible look, and looked back at her, grim-faced. She braced for something ugly.

  Colin was first to speak. “Two women were taken last night.”

  Tanya dropped into the nearest chair, her knees giving out as abruptly as the breath rushed from her lungs and left her lightheaded. No women had been taken during the full moons since she’d been rescued. She’d hoped, selfishly perhaps, that the men who’d kidnapped her had left the area.

  “We’re not entirely sure these disappearances are related to your case.” Ian scowled at his son. “One of them had a child with her who was also taken.”

  “A child?” Her stomach turned over. Considering what those men had done to her and the others, what would they do to a child? Oh, God, please…. They wouldn’t. Would they? “A girl?”