by Bonnie Vanak
Troy informed Aiden, who sent out another patrol to investigate. All seemed well, he told them. As a precaution, he’d had Darius put extra warding around the wolf pack.
Last night Troy tried to coax her into telling him exactly what she’d seen, but she’d evaded the subject.
They’d made love when they went to bed, sharing the big bed for the first time, and she’d fallen asleep in his arms.
When he woke at sunrise, she was outside, pacing the grounds as wolf, clearly agitated. He’d joined her for a run and they’d dashed through the forest as wolves. Only then did she seem to relax a little.
No time to probe her thoughts after breakfast, though, because he had chores before the meeting.
Troy wished they didn’t have to attend.
Jenny disliked crowds and the one here at the Mitchell Ranch proved no exception. Troy could tell how rattled she felt by her body’s trembling as he put a hand on the small of her back to guide her inside.
“It’ll be a quick one. Aiden needs to keep everyone updated on what’s happening. Informed is best,” he told her as he herded her to two empty chairs near the front.
Troy gave her hand a reassuring squeeze as they sat. It did nothing to reassure her. Her gaze roamed around the room, and she kept moving in her seat. Jenny wanted out. Now.
But if they were to make this a home and be part of the pack, they needed to follow the rules.
Jenny turned to him, clutching his arm. “Troy, before Aiden speaks, I have to tell you exactly what I saw.”
Finally.
“Perry and his gang were in the woods yesterday afternoon while you were patrolling.”
He searched her expression. This wasn’t good. “I wish you would have told me yesterday it was Perry.”
“I wanted to, but you said you and the security team combed over every inch of those woods near the wolf pack and saw and sensed nothing. And then Aiden sent another team and still they found nothing. I was afraid you wouldn’t believe me.”
Face palm. “Don’t you know by now you can trust me?”
Her mouth trembled. “I’m sorry.”
“Tell me everything. Now.”
Aiden stood at the far end of the stage, talking with Darius and Dale as the crowd settled into their seats.
When she finished talking, Troy struggled to curb his worry and anger. “You should have told me instead of zapping them with magick, Jenny. You could have been hurt stumbling onto something like that.”
“There wasn’t any time. They looked ready to attack the wolf pack!”
“You know how fast I can run. I would have been there. He could have shot you, Jenny.”
“I need to tell Aiden what I saw.”
Troy shook his head. “Tell Aiden after the meeting. We can see him in private. There’ll be questions and you’ll be in the hot seat. They may not believe you.”
Even he had a hard time believing her. Something akin to demons on the Mitchell Ranch? Or witches? Aiden and several others were powerful Lupines. Their magick was strong enough to keep evil away.
Then the alpha started speaking and everyone hushed, Jenny included.
“I called this meeting to address a serious matter on the ranch. There are two professors at Beth’s college who wish to study the Timber Wolf pack on our land. One, Carson, was already granted access and has been studying them for a while without any interference. The other, Perry, wishes to do his own studies. I need to find out…”
“There is no need to find out anything.” Jenny stood, stared at the alpha. “I told you Perry is dangerous.”
Several low growls. Troy groaned.
Aiden stood calmly before them, not angry she’d had the balls to do so. He simply waited.
Jenny told them what she’d seen by the Timberline pack, leaving out the part about her magick turning Perry’s rifle red hot and the Skins resembling witches or demons. Gasps sounded among the audience. The Mitchell pack was protective of the wild wolves living on their land.
But Dale, sitting near Aiden, frowned. “Impossible. Perry and any other Skins could not access our land without us lifting the warding. I made certain to ward that land again yesterday after you told Aiden that Skins had been there. It must have been Professor Chance you saw from a distance. The only Skin allowed through the magick barrier is Professor Chance. In addition, if Chance carried any kind of weapon, he could not access that land near the pack.”
“I’m telling you, Perry and his little cult were there and Perry had a gun.”
They didn’t believe her. Dismay filled Troy as doubting looks were cast her way. Jenny was new, and they didn’t know or trust her.
Aiden held up a hand. “Quiet. Dale, go to the Timberline pack and take two men with you. Check it out again. If what Jenny says is true, there will be evidence of tire tracks on the access road.”
The meeting continued on with routine matters about the cattle herd, moving them to the summer pasture, and cutting back on trail rides for Skins. Aiden’s cell phone buzzed. He answered it.
“Right. Okay. Thanks.” The alpha pocketed the phone, looking directly at Jenny. “That was Dale. Just like last night, the only tire tracks were from Professor Chance’s Jeep. That’s it. No one else was there.”
Troy’s stomach clenched. No one would believe her now, even if he did.
Her jaw dropped. “But I saw them! I know they intended harm to the pack!”
“The pack’s fine,” Aiden said, his expression guarded. “Skins can’t erase their tire tracks by magick.”
“Unless Perry isn’t human,” Jenny shot out. “And those with him are either witches or demons. One had glowing red eyes.”
Silence descended over the crowd. This wasn’t going to be good. More than anything, Troy wanted to pick up Jenny and carry her out of there. Protect her, because the crowd was looking angrier.
Jenny pressed on. “Perry is evil. I saw a death head skull beneath his skin. He is not human, but darkness itself, summoned from the underworld to infiltrate this ranch and destroy all of you because you are powerful Lupines.”
Jenny swept her hand over the crowd.
Murmurs and slight laughter greeted her words. Aiden stood patiently at the podium, but disbelief filled his expression.
“Death head skull?” Sitting on the stage next to Aiden, Darius snorted. “That sounds like a parlor trick one of the wizards would perform. Perry is a Skin.”
“You must believe me. Perry must die before he can unleash harm upon you and your land,” Jenny droned.
“Right,” someone called out. “How do you know?”
“How can we trust you?” This from Ellison, a longtime pack member. “You just got here. Some of us have been living here for years.”
“Believe me. I’ve seen evil and it must be vanquished.” Her voice deepened as she turned to face the assembly.
Troy’s stomach clenched. He knew what was coming. Couldn’t stop it, didn’t even know if he should. He turned in his seat to gauge the crowd and someone screamed.
“Look at her eyes,” someone yelled.
Oh crap. Troy turned. Sure enough, as they had in that night in the alley, Jenny’s eyes turned pure white. She blazed with power.
Unnatural power other Lupines lacked. The first time he’d seen it, he knew she was different.
Different was bad. These Lupines didn’t know Jenny’s kind heart or her honest nature.
They didn’t understand her. What they didn’t understand, many feared. This pack proved no exception.
“She’s a freak,” Ellison yelled.
“Drive her away,” shouted another Lupine.
A mob mentality was building. Even Aiden, who ruled with an iron hand, couldn’t calm the fears. He barked orders, but Lupines were standing, yelling at her and the smell of fear increased. Tension accelerated.
An object whistled through the air, striking her on the temple. Troy saw red, but before he could blink, Jenny shifted into wolf. She leapt over the Lupines sit
ting nearby and crashed through the window. Glass shattered, not from her breaking it with her body, but her powers.
Screams followed.
So did the pack, some in Skin form, picking up stones as they ran outside, throwing them at the retreating Jenny. Some shifted into wolves, the intention to take her down quite clear.
Not on my watch.
Troy ran. Not as wolf, for he didn’t need his magick to outpace the others. He ran on two legs, his speed making the others gasp.
Now you know my secret, Aiden. I can outran any one of you, even as a Skin.
The gift the Fae had endowed in him charged through his cells, making him as swift as a breath of wind. No one could catch him.
He caught up to Jenny, who had vanished into the woods and now cowered behind some trees. Troy dropped to the ground beside her as she shifted into Skin. Naked, shivering, she hugged herself.
Poor thing was so terrified, she forgot her magick. He shrugged out of his jacket, draped it around her naked shoulders.
Jenny took a deep breath and clothed herself by magick, handing him back his jacket. “This is yours.”
Distant voices sounded. The pack was losing the will to pursue, and some had shifted back into Skin.
“We don’t need you around!” someone shouted. “Get away from our land!”
Troy wiped a streak of blood away from Jenny’s temple. “They hurt you.”
He slammed a fist against his thigh. “Why did you do it, Jenny? I told you, it wasn’t the right forum or the right time. They could have killed you! Lupines don’t like different, even in this pack, not that different!”
Her lower lip wobbled. “I had to, Troy. I couldn’t keep quiet about Perry. It went against everything inside me. Like something compelled me to speak the truth. I had to let them know how dangerous he was.”
He wrapped his arms around her. “I know, sweetheart. I’m sorry. I know you couldn’t help it.”
“Do you believe me?” her voice dropped to a whisper.
He nodded. “Always.”
Troy glanced around. “The cabin you stayed at in the woods isn’t far. Let’s go.”
When they arrived, Troy’s cell rang. His heart sank. Aiden.
Knowing they couldn’t hide long, he told the alpha where they were, but warned Aiden to come alone. He and Jenny sat on the porch to wait.
Minutes later, Aiden pulled up on an ATV.
The alpha climbed out and walked onto the porch, pacing. Finally he turned and faced them.
The alpha’s serious expression warned how bad it was going to be. Troy took Jenny’s hand and led her up the steps. He opened the door and ushered her inside.
“Go splash cold water on your face and rest,” he told her. “I’ll handle this.”
She headed to the sink. Worry filled him. Jenny was either too scared or too exhausted to argue. Or both.
Troy headed back outside and closed the door behind him to confront Aiden.
“You want me out now,” Troy said flatly.
Aiden shook his head. “You’re safe here, you and Jenny, if you stay in this cabin. For the time being.”
“Jenny was right, Aiden. I believe her.”
The alpha sighed. “At this point it doesn’t matter. No proof. The pack is mighty upset, hell, everyone is. No one believes her. Everyone wants her out, Troy. Except for Nia, who says we have to wait. She convinced me to give you another chance.”
Troy waited, his stomach tight. “And?”
“I’m giving you a chance and a choice. Leave Jenny and stay here, or go with her. Stay here in the emergency cabin and by the end of the day tomorrow, give me your answer.” Aiden’s sigh was heavy. “I’m sorry, Troy. I thought it would work out. You’re a hard worker. Everyone likes and respects you. But Jenny is too different. My people are too frightened of her. It’s either her, or us.”
Troy forced himself to speak past the tightness in his throat. “I got it.”
Knew it was coming to this. Jenny was simply too different for most Lupines. They feared her.
As he watched Aiden drive off, anguish knotted Troy’s insides.
He had finally found a home at last with the Mitchell pack. But if he stayed, he’d lose the only woman he’d ever loved.
She totally screwed up. Should have known Mitchell’s people would react like that… hadn’t she seen the same with her own pack?
Jenny plopped on the old sofa, burying her head into her hands. Outside, she heard Aiden drive off on the ATV.
Troy opened the door and crossed the room, leaving the door open. Probably to freshen the cabin.
Or maybe to leave her here alone. She deserved it. Didn’t deserve someone as caring and loyal as Troy.
She didn’t glance up as the sofa creaked from his weight as he sat.
“It’s okay, Troy. You can leave. They want you. Not me.” A slight, bitter laugh. “I’m used to it. I won’t drag you down.”
A gentle hand pushed back a lock of hair from her face. “Since when have you ever dragged me down, sweetheart? Or held me back?”
Now she did look up to see his solemn expression. “What did Aiden say?”
When he finished telling her, her heart sank. “This is what you want, Troy. Stay here with the pack. They need you.”
“I need you with me, Jenny.”
“Then we have a slight problem, don’t we?” She laughed again, no humor in the sound. “I told you not to fall in love with me when we first met. I’m bad news.”
“You’re different. That’s not bad.”
But he didn’t sound as convinced as previously.
“Why did you tell them?”
“I had to. Something inside me compelled to warn them. I couldn’t stop it any more than I can stop breathing.”
She studied her hands. “It’s the same thing that drove my family away, Troy. I got to the point where I couldn’t hide anymore.”
This was going to hurt, but he’d leveled with her about his family. Time to finally level with him about her past.
“You should know exactly what I did the day my family died, Troy.”
His gaze turned solemn. “You told me someone shot them from a helicopter.”
“They did. I didn’t tell you why we were running when it was dangerous to shift into wolves.”
Every action had a reaction in her life. Even the smallest ones that seemed inconsequential. She learned the hard way.
“You think you drove away your family when you were seventeen. You didn’t lead them into a death trap.”
Troy braced his hands on his knees. “Go on.”
“I was 21 when these … powers… started manifesting themselves. It was terrifying. I didn’t know what to do, so I turned to my parents. I thought they would understand. I mean, I was their daughter and maybe it was a result of my DNA.” Jenny took a deep breath. “Instead, they freaked out. They… wanted to leave me. They said I was an adult now and could care for myself. They did their duty.”
Troy’s jaw tightened. “Duty? That’s a hell of a thing to tell your daughter.”
“Their only child.” Jenny tried to smile and could not. “They’d always been attentive and caring, but growing up, I felt something was missing. Especially when I saw other Lupines with their parents – tender, loving.”
His gaze turned thoughtful. “Jenny did you ever consider if you were adopted?”
“Yeah. It crossed my mind. Even asked them at one point, and they grew so angry I never asked again.”
She stood and began to pace. “It would explain a lot of things. Anyway, the day after I told my parents I woke in my bed to hear noises in the house, like furniture being moved. Ran out into the living room. They weren’t making me move out. They were doing it instead.
“I tried to stop them. Begged them not to leave. It wasn’t just them. The whole damn pack was leaving. Leaving me behind. I howled. Turned into wolf and howled because I was an adult and big girls don’t cry. The alpha came by and told me I had to acc
ept my fate.
“I agreed. Only if the pack did one last run as wolf with me. Just so I could remember them. I promised I wouldn’t hurt anyone, and I would let them leave if they did that. I figured it would buy me time, a few days, because there were Skins in the area shooting wolves from helicopters.
“I guess I was desperate for them not to abandon me I didn’t count on the alpha’s urge to leave me behind would be greater than the threat of Skins. The alpha ordered everyone on a pack run. The Skins in the copters showed up and they killed everyone, except me. I hid by my mother’s body and then used my powers to transport myself into the cover of the trees. When I returned, the helicopters were beginning to land, I guess, to claim their prizes. I felt horrible and guilty. It was my fault. I used my powers to cremate the bodies so there could be no wolf trophies. And then I used them to dismantle the copters… I gave them more of a chance than they gave the pack. Skilled pilots could land, even with damaged machines. These pilots were not skilled.”
Troy held out his arms. She resisted at first, but he enveloped her in a tight hug.
“It wasn’t your fault. They never should have abandoned you. Never. You only wanted to belong.”
“I can’t belong, Troy.” His jacket muffled her voice as she buried her face into his shoulder. “You must understand this. I’m not meant to belong to a wolf pack. Whatever I am, I don’t fit into the structure of a normal pack. Even one like this filled with hybrids and half-breeds.”
“Let’s not think about that now. Let’s relax, get you settled. Live for today.”
“What are you going to do, Troy? I can’t stay here and I won’t subject you to a nomadic life when you need a pack.”
She lifted her head.
“I’m going out for supplies. We need food for tonight. Stay inside, lock the cabin.”
After he left she knew the truth. Troy couldn’t stay with her. He was too used to the Skin life with a pack.
Jenny went for a walk to think.
In the distance, she saw what looked like ominous figures in robes. The stench of evil invaded her nostrils and her hackles rose. Not again!
She shifted into wolf and began running toward the threat when suddenly something snapped on her leg. Bone broke and she howled in terror and pain.