Corey froze and backed away again to stand on steady ground. Coming to a quick decision, he shifted to human.
Seconds later, a naked Teague stood beside him. “What should we do? Hal and R.J. told us to avoid wolves.”
“We can’t leave him trapped. I can’t leave without trying to help.” The wolf twisted and Corey noted the swollen teats. “Her. She must have pups somewhere.”
“Yeah. Okay.” Teague squared his shoulders. “What’s the plan?”
Corey eyed the enormous rock. “Do you think we can lift the rock between us?”
“Maybe. As long as the wolf doesn’t try to fight us. Or bite.”
“If we can’t shift the rock, maybe we can lever it enough to lift the wolf free.” Corey scanned the area for a suitable stick to use. “You check that way. I’ll go this way.”
Ten minutes later they returned to the trapped wolf with a selection of stout sticks and branches.
Corey drew a sharp breath. “Let’s do this.”
Teague eyed the wolf. “Lady, you bite me and I’m gonna bite back.”
“That sort of talk get you very far with the ladies?”
Teague grinned. “I do better than you.”
If only he knew. “How should we do this?”
“I’ll lever the rock and you drag her free,” Teague said.
Corey studied the nervous wolf and glanced back to Teague. “Why do I get the hard part? Can’t we toss for it?”
Teague gestured at his naked body. “Do I look as if I have a coin on me?”
Laughter burst from Corey. “All right. You win. On three.”
They stepped closer to the trapped wolf and she growled, hackles rising to enforce the warning.
“Maybe you should flirt with her or something.”
Corey chuckled. “Please, Mr. Silver Tongue. You forget I’ve heard you chatting up both Maria and Beth. Damn, look at her teeth. They look sharp.”
“Quit stalling, Corey.”
“You’d better make sure I don’t bleed to death when she bites me.”
“I promise.” Teague ignored the wolf’s growls to position the lever carefully. “Hurry, we don’t have much time.”
Corey started talking to the wolf in a low voice and edged closer. Those teeth looked lethal. A healthy dose of fear shot through him even though he attempted to bank his trepidation down. The wolf would catch his anxiety if he wasn’t careful and that would make things ten times worse for them. Steeling himself, he kept talking and extended his hand for the wolf to sniff. All the time he moved closer.
The wolf snapped at his forearm. Teeth crunched down and pain shot the length of his arm.
“Fuck! Three, dammit, Teague. Three!”
Teague pushed down on the lever and the rock moved a fraction. Corey seized the wolf, attempting to ignore the pain where she gripped his arm. He tugged. The wolf howled and struggled. Right with you, buddy. My arm fuckin’ hurts too.
“Teague, do something.”
Teague grunted and the rock moved again.
Suddenly the wolf popped free, much like a champagne cork exploding from a bottle. Corey toppled backward and dropped her. She, thankfully, released him. Splotches of blood sprayed the ground, dripping down Corey’s arm.
The wolf snarled and scuttled away. Although limping, she disappeared rapidly into the undergrowth.
“There’s gratitude for you,” Corey muttered.
Teague put the thick branch down. “You okay?”
“My arm is throbbing like a bitch.”
“Shift to wolf. R.J. said a change to wolf form always speeds up healing. Do you think the wolf is okay?”
“What about me?” A surge of indignation zapped Corey. “I have an ouchie too.”
“You’ll live. We have time to track the wolf.”
“How long do you think she was there?”
“Can’t have been too long because she didn’t seem dehydrated.”
Corey shifted, wincing at the extra slice of pain that cut him when the shift took control of his body. His right arm throbbed, but the bleeding was sluggish now. Ignoring the twinge of pain when he put his weight on his front right paw, he seized his rabbit and trotted off in the direction the wolf had departed.
He and Teague followed the trail for ten minutes. At least the wolf had managed to move.
The scenery transformed from shady forest to steep and rocky terrain. They trotted from the shady forest into bright sunshine.
They saw the wolf at the same time. Three pups burst from inside a shallow cave to greet her. Their piercing cries held hunger and fear.
Without considering the matter overly much, Corey walked toward them, his rabbit dangling from his mouth. He halted a few feet away and dumped his rabbit. Giving a faint rumbling whine, Teague followed suit, dropping his ground squirrel beside Corey’s rabbit. Once they’d backed up to the shelter of the trees, they paused to watch.
The female wolf limped forward and seized the rabbit. One of her pups grabbed the ground squirrel.
Without warning, a familiar howl cut through the air.
Crap! Corey and Teague shared a glance, realizing their time was up and they’d failed the final test.
Chapter Eight
The day before departure…
“I don’t want to leave Yellowstone.” Anguish filled Corey’s voice and contorted his features until R.J. had to glance away. “Please let me stay.”
R.J. swallowed, armored his heart when he’d like nothing better than to seize Corey and run off with him, preferably into a sunset. Wouldn’t happen. Corey couldn’t stay. Hal would ask questions, for one. Then there was Corey’s father.
They had no future together. Corey would realize this too if he thought with his head.
“Your family expects you at home, and I have a job here. Responsibilities.” When Corey would have spoken, R.J. continued, determined to drive a wedge between them, one to protect them both, to protect Hal and those who secretly stayed for a few days. “Don’t you get it? We’re too different.”
“But I—”
“I’m not interested in anything permanent,” R.J. broke in before Corey uttered the L word. He might suspect Corey’s feelings, but hearing the kid verbalize them would totally destroy him. Other wolves would judge them. Corey’s parents would judge them, reject them both. R.J. wouldn’t wish an outcast status on anyone, least of all someone he loved. He steeled himself not to show a hint of uncertainty about his decision.
“So all you wanted from me was sex? A good fuck?”
“Yes.” R.J. froze, not moving a muscle. He’d wanted to make love with Corey today, to say goodbye and show him the depth of his feelings. Instead this conversation was heading steadily downhill.
“Anyone would have done?”
God, he hadn’t thought parting from Corey would hurt so much. He had to get away before he did something stupid.
“I have things to do before the next intake of kids arrives.”
“R.J.” Corey’s glance implored him to change his mind.
His left hand clenched, unclenched. Not. Gonna. Happen.
“I’ll see you tomorrow before you leave.” R.J. turned his back on the man he’d come to love and admire and stalked away, hammering the wedge between them home with finality.
“Don’t bother.” Corey’s chest ached. Anguish seared his throat, swelling it to an uncomfortable tightness. How could R.J. say their time together meant nothing?
R.J. expected him to walk away without a scene. His eyesight blurred. Angrily, he swiped the tears off his cheeks and started walking. No weakness.
He was a Wilson, dammit. Wilsons never gave up. His parents expected him home and next week he’d start working for his father. They wanted a return for the education investment.
Too bad. He intended to continue with his art.
Corey wished he could discuss his future with R.J. Something else that wouldn’t happen because R.J. didn’t want him.
“Corey!” Teague ho
llered from the other side of the camp. “We’re driving down to the village with Hal. You coming?”
“Sure.” Corey veered toward Teague and his other roommates. It was probably best if he kept busy instead of stewing about R.J. He’d hoped they’d snatch at least an hour or two together today. He had to fill his time somehow.
“Are you two still sticking to your story about giving your kills to the wolf?” John asked.
“Yep,” Teague said.
More teasing. Corey lifted one shoulder in an irritable shrug. “Hal believed us.”
“You’re full of shit,” John said. “Did Scott and I tell you about the mule deer we downed?”
“In excruciating detail,” Teague said dryly.
Beth winked slyly. “Come on. We’ve all passed the course. You can tell us the truth now. You rolled in wolf poop to make yourselves smell like a wild wolf.”
“No matter what we say you don’t believe us,” Teague said. “We can’t win.”
A dead spot filled Corey and he couldn’t dredge up the required laugh. He felt lifeless inside. Numb. R.J.’s rejection was like a lethal kick in the head.
A good fuck. The words pelted his mind like hailstones struck the ground during a storm. Hell. He sniffed sharply and bit his tongue, hoping the jolt of pain would help him control the seesaw emotions pummeling him. He needed a few minutes to pull himself together before he started blubbering like a fool.
“Do I have time to grab my camera? I’d like to take some group photos of everyone.”
“Good idea,” Beth said. “I wish I’d brought my camera. Can you email us photos when you get home?”
“Sure.” Corey turned away before the others picked up on his distress. It was gonna be a long day.
Early the next morning, Corey dragged his butt from his cabin, pulling two bags behind him. Earlier he’d dyed his hair black, applied black eyeliner, mascara and lipstick. His fingernails bore a fresh coat of ebony polish. Armor in place, he silently handed his bags to R.J.
The other students were chatting together happily, exchanging email addresses and phone numbers, eager to return to their homes. Corey felt like an inmate returning to the padded cells beneath the pack headquarters.
The only bright spot was the paintings he’d managed to place on consignment with one of the Old Faithful lodges plus some of the shops. Tourists liked taking a piece of Yellowstone home with them, in this case a Corey Wilson painting.
Corey returned for his last bags. He placed them at the rear of the bus with the others and climbed aboard. Only pride kept him to a dignified silence. He didn’t intend to grovel to a man who didn’t want him.
Teague dropped into the seat beside him and offered him some gum. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” Corey took a piece and handed back the packet. Shit, was he that transparent? He had to work on his inscrutable face.
“Not looking forward to going home?”
Corey shook his head. “My father expects me to work for him.”
“And you want to do your art. Sorry, man. That’s tough.” Something in Teague’s tone made Corey forget about his own worries. He concentrated on his friend.
“What about you? What are you going to do?”
“I have to find a job. Help out my mom.”
“What sort do you want?”
Teague worked his piece of gum. “I’m not fussy. There aren’t many openings where I come from. I might have to move into the city.”
“Come and stay with me,” Corey said. “You can pay me board once you find a job.”
“You serious?”
“Yes.” It would be good to have one friend who understood the joy of running in wolf form. “Maybe someone in my pack will have a job opening. Or maybe my friend who runs the art gallery. He knows lots of people.” Corey hesitated and checked to see if any of the others were eavesdropping on their conversation. “He’s gay. If that bothers you, you shouldn’t come and stay with me.”
Teague shook his head, meeting his gaze directly. “Doesn’t bother me.”
Corey’s breath caught as a wave of shock swamped him, rendering him momentarily speechless. Did Teague know? Corey caught his bottom lip between his teeth, the cosmetic taste of the lipstick filling his mouth. He grimaced. Nah, he didn’t know anything. He would have said. “Then we’ll get along fine.”
“Thanks, man. I appreciate it. I’ll call you once I know where I’m at.”
Three Days Later…
“I’m not going to work at your firm.” Corey met his father’s gaze, determined to stand his ground.
“What?” His father turned away from the floor-to-ceiling windows of his office. His brown eyes glittered. Shock? Anger? Maybe a little of both. “Of course you’re joining the firm.”
“I don’t want to be an architect.”
“You have your degree.” His father gathered himself, standing tall, his dark hair bristling outward like a halo. “Of course, you can’t wear makeup when you join the firm.”
As usual, his father only heard what he wanted to hear. Throwing his weight around worked for him—he didn’t know any other way.
Corey’s eyes narrowed, the only sign he allowed to escape. Tight control. Calm. He could speak with his father like an adult. This time he wouldn’t cave to parental pressure. He intended to focus on his art. “No.”
“What do you intend to do? Not your art?” His father sneered. “I won’t have it. You’ll make a laughing stock of me, your family. The pack will think I’m weak.”
“Is that the only thing you care about? How you look in front of the rest of the pack?”
His father didn’t deign to answer. Instead, he turned away, the matter settled in his mind. Fine. He’d make his own arrangements for the future. Corey left his father’s office, entered the elevator and rode down to the ground floor.
Outside on the street, he dodged in and out of the people—locals going about their daily business of shopping and work. Tourists experiencing everything Los Angeles offered in the way of entertainment. Three months earlier the city had felt like home, a haven, but now the buildings closed in on him, the scents of traffic and over-perfumed people plus the ever-present noise an assault on his senses. He collided with a man in a suit, busy texting on his cell phone. The combined scent of sweat, grease and aftershave made his stomach heave.
“Hey, watch it, man,” the guy said.
Corey didn’t bother arguing. He arrived at the bus stop, timing his appearance perfectly. The bus pulled up and he climbed aboard, longing for the fresh air of Yellowstone. The passing scenery blurred as he stared out the window. Instantly he thought of R.J., the man leaping into his mind like a wolf pouncing on its prey. The ache in his chest deepened. One thing was certain. He couldn’t continue like this.
He missed R.J.
And he hated taking the suppression drugs again. He felt as if he were walking around with a plastic bag over his head, his senses dulled by the extra layer.
The one bright spot was Teague’s move to the city. He’d arrive this evening. From their conversation on the phone, Teague didn’t like the return to suppression drugs either, their affect on him even worse than the dampening down of awareness in Corey. Teague’s wolf had faded to the point where he couldn’t feel him.
God, he never wanted to get to that stage again. Hal gave them a bottle of drugs when they left Yellowstone. Weaker than the ones Corey normally swallowed each morning, the special prescription obtained by his father. Once these finished, he didn’t know what he’d do. Maybe take half a pill. If WereCompliance—the group who randomly checked werewolves across the country to make sure they took the suppression drugs—tested him, the screens would show he was legal.
Treason…did he dare and could he control his wolf enough to fool everyone?
He alighted near the gallery. The more he dwelled on his departure from Yellowstone, the more he regretted walking away without arguing his point with R.J.
An adult would battle to achieve
his goals. Fight for his future. Wring everything he wanted out of life.
He wanted R.J.
His wolf writhed inside him, pressing insistently against his skin. The reminder of his dual nature gave him a jolt. Take care!
Corey pictured the forest in his mind, painting a jungle of green over the concrete skyscrapers blocking most of the sun. He released a deep breath, imagining the warmth of the morning light, the breath of wind and R.J. prowling at his side. Instantly, he felt calmer, his wolf more settled. Straightening, he strode up the steps leading into the gallery.
Corey came to an abrupt halt two steps inside. The small wall at the far end held not a single painting. Earlier in the year, Gerald had allocated this wall to him. He’d hung several of his Yellowstone paintings the day before.
“Where are my paintings?”
Gerald lifted his head from his pile of invoices. “Oh, those. I took them down.”
“Why? They were good. Some of my best work.”
“The couple who came into the gallery thought the same.” Gerald’s smile turned into fully fledged enjoyment. “Which is why they purchased five.”
Corey gaped at his boss, not certain he’d heard correctly. “They what?”
“The couple loved your paintings. I hope you have more because a man came in before and couldn’t make up his mind. He returned and wanted to kick himself when he found they’d gone.”
Corey sank onto a nearby stool. “I don’t believe it.”
Gerald rose and grabbed him in an effusive hug. “Believe it. Those paintings were great, Corey. So lifelike. I don’t know what happened to you at Yellowstone, but you seem more mature. Attractive,” he purred next to Corey’s ear. “Can I interest you in a night out?”
“Stop fooling around.” Corey couldn’t contain his grin of pleasure. He’d sold five paintings. “How much did I get for them?”
“The asking price.”
“Really?”
“Congratulations, kid. You’re on your way. If you can produce more paintings like that I predict a brilliant future.”
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