Blood for Wolves

chapter 15

They already had a fire going, and Wolf was rummaging through my pack in the search for food. I pondered our situation. I wanted to shower. I was covered in dirt and dried blood and sweat and felt gross in every way. I could hop into the lake, as cold as it might be, and try to scrub some of the grime away. Yet at the same time, I wasn’t comfortable leaving Marianne for any length of time. As Wolf pulled items out of the pack, an idea hit me.

I picked up the small leather pouch he’d set on the ground and circled around everyone, sprinkling salt on the ground.

“What are you doing?” Alex asked.

“Making a barrier. That way nothing can get us when we sleep tonight, and I can go for a swim in the lake to try and clean up and not worry about you guys.”

“You think that’ll work?”

“Salt was listed everywhere in those books. It’s practically an ingredient for every potion ever made.” I’d seen it enough times in multiple books to feel safe about using it. I cinched up the pouch, satisfied. I tossed it to Alex. “Okay, I’ll be back. Thirty minutes tops.”

I walked away, but didn’t make it more than ten feet before Marianne latched onto my arm.

“You’re leaving?” Her eyes were wide and frightened.

I smiled and kneeled down, setting a hand on her head. “I’m just going to wash up. I’ll be back. Don’t worry.” I touched the new strand of morning glories I’d woven around her neck. “Keep these on and stay inside the circle. Alex will look after you until I come back. I’m your Guardian, so if any magic comes near us, I’ll know it.”

Then I realized I’d just mentioned my Guardian status aloud. I looked over at where Wolf and Alex sat. Wolf was staring in my direction, but the moment my eyes met his, he glanced down into the fire. Had he heard me? I didn’t know what it might mean if he had. The witch warned me not to tell him. I sighed inwardly and patted Marianne’s shoulder.

“Go back and get something to eat, honey. I’ll be back in just a little while.” Then as an afterthought, I added, “And I promise Wolf won’t hurt you.”

After a few more moments, she finally nodded and returned to the inside of the circle. Alex handed her some slices of jerky.

Once at the lake, I stripped down and did what I could to wash my clothes in the water. They’d dry fast enough under the sun while I washed. I spotted a clump of lavawort nearby and rubbed it into the fabric. Lake water wouldn’t get out the scent of week-old unwashed me, but lavawort could at least mask it. Then I laid them over tree branches in the sunlight to dry and without another thought, ran straight into the lake.

It dropped down quickly and I went under, but I welcomed it. The cold water shocked my skin, but at the same time I felt vibrant, alive. I scrubbed more lavawort into my hair, on my skin. The lake was incredibly blue where the water went deep, clearer near the surface. I swam, twisting and water dancing like an excited kid in a pool. My feet indulged in the relief of having hiking boots and thick socks off. I was free to kick and feel water rush between my toes. I would have to tell Alex he should go for a dip. I dove deep, laughing under the water from the sheer rush of feeling good.

Finally I got out. I had to chew up more lavawort and plastered a new gum leaf to my injured hand and arm since I’d completely forgotten about them during my bath. The wounds were still raw and sore, but a great deal better after already having a few hours worth of lavawort on them. I stood, wringing out my hair as best I could with one hand, tilting my face toward the sun with my eyes closed. Spring hadn’t yet turned to summer here, so the breeze was slightly chilly when it swept across the water. When I opened my eyes I was only half surprised to see Wolf crouched at the edge of the trees, watching me. A few lavawort leaves danced on the end of their stem as Wolf chewed lightly on the other end.

At any other time, I would have felt vulnerable, standing there naked with a man staring at me like that. But now, after being through so much, I didn’t. Instead, standing naked in a forest with a half-wolf looking at me somehow seemed natural. He wasn’t staring at me in a hungry way; meal or sexual-wise. In fact, he looked completely normal. More normal than even a regular man would have looked when faced with a naked female. I wanted to know what it was he wanted, but there was something going on in his head that I didn’t want to interrupt.

After a few more moments he stood, keeping his eyes lowered, and walked toward me. He took the lavawort stem from his mouth and tossed it to the pebbled ground. The moment he reached me I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could he dropped to his knees before me. I gazed down, surprised into silence. Then it hit me. He was being submissive. But why?

“Forgive me,” he said.

“For what?”

“For hurting you. For forgetting you. I shouldn’t have. I should have been stronger for you.”

Was he talking about the barn incident? He was still berating himself for that?

“Oh Wolf,” I said quietly. “Stand up.”

He obeyed and reluctantly looked into my eyes. I smoothed his hair, giving him a soft smile.

“I forgave you that same day.”

He stared at me a few minutes more before his arms went around me and crushed me to him. I could almost feel the relief flooding his body.

“You jumped on that pyre for me. You were going to die trying to save me,” he murmured at my ear.

“I had to try. You’ve already saved me more times than I care to count. And I didn’t do a very good job anyway,” I said, hugging him back, indulging in his warmth and strength.

He released me from the hug, settling one hand on the side of my face and pressing his cheek to mine. He breathed in deep, then sighed, contented. Then I felt his other hand grazing over my shoulder. Over the place where he’d bitten me. The wounds were still covered in now-soggy gauze and duct tape. He gently peeled it away and ran his fingers over the ugly red scabs that had formed.

“It’s okay,” I whispered, running my fingers through his hair.

He tilted his head and placed a soft kiss along my throat. Then another. And another. Then he pulled his face back enough to stare into my eyes. I loved the beautiful hazel color of his, the mix of earth and sky.

“I was wrong,” he said.

“About what?” I asked, confused.

“When I said you would spoil your scent with water.” He smiled. “You smell even better when you’re clean.”

I laughed and kissed him. It began lighthearted, but quickly grew deeper, slower. He tasted like fresh lavawort, warm and delicious. He held my face in his hands, his mouth slowly working at mine. This was a different kind of kiss. Something special. An indescribable feeling knotted in my chest. I wanted to be closer to him. Always. Forever. I wrapped my arms around his neck. Finally he pulled away, both of us breathless, Wolf resting his forehead against mine.

“I love you,” he whispered, and for the briefest of moments, it sounded like he was losing something when he said it.

I brushed my lips against his, my heart pounding. “I love you.”

We kissed again, and this time when he broke away, he shrugged off his jacket and laid it on the pebbled lakeshore behind me.

I briefly reached out, searching for magic, and found only the tiniest bit from Wolf’s ankle collar, the ring of salt, and the protective power of the morning glories. I refocused on Wolf, sliding the shirt off his body and running my hands down his powerful chest. I followed their descent with my mouth, kissing his scarred flesh and feeling his lean muscle under my lips. He groaned and pulled me back up. His bare arms encircled me and his mouth fell on mine again, exploring me with his tongue. I luxuriated in the heat of his skin against mine, the sensation of my breasts against his bare chest, the strength of his arms. Wolf planted a series of kisses down my neck. His hands caressed my back, one hand snaking up to twine into my hair to gently hold my head as he worked at my mouth.

I reached between us, his belt buckle clinking as I unfastened it. Then I traced my fingers down his back, slipping them inside the hem of his pants to touch his tail. He sucked in a breath as I ran my hands over the soft fur. I upped the ante a little more. Leaving one hand to brush his tail, I moved the other to the front and found him, hard and ready. I wrapped my fingers around the smooth shaft. He shuddered and let his head drop to my shoulder. I bit my lip and smiled.

“You are,” he breathed against my neck, unable to finish. His hands tightened around my waist as I petted.

I knew what he meant. I was different. A human unafraid of his wolfishness. We’d both been under the influence of magic before, but this was different. This time, it was just us. No magic. No seducing. Just us and our true desire for one another.

“I am your mate,” I whispered back.

He shed his pants and together we lay on his coat. The gold band on his ankle gleamed in the sun. I wanted to kiss him forever, to be this way forever. His tongue caressed mine. I moaned softly under his weight, aching for more. His hands found my breasts, his fingers stroking at their sensitive peaks. I entwined my legs with his, my body taking on a mind of its own as I arched against him, wanting to feel every inch of him. Wolf obliged, brushing his lips along my jaw, down my neck, until he wrapped them around one taut nipple, his tongue molten against my flesh. I whimpered softly, writhing under his hands, my body coaxing, pleading. He licked and nipped tenderly, sliding one of his hands down my belly, then lower.

My skin tingled in every place he teased and touched. He was taking his time. Tasting me and learning the contours of my body as he’d never had the chance before. I took up one of his hands and brushed my lips over his fingertips, kissing his palm before gently sucking on one of his fingers. He groaned against me. I smiled. He hadn’t expected that. He looked up at me, the hazel in his eyes swimming in liquid gold as they changed. Oh yeah? they seemed to say. His fingers stroked between my legs and I gasped. Wolf’s mouth claimed mine, harder, more fervent this time, drinking me in as my hips rocked hungrily against his hand. I kissed him back just as violently, gripping at his shoulders and rubbing my entire body against his.

He shifted his body. Yes, I chanted in my mind, yes, yes. He rubbed the tip of his shaft up and down my slick folds. I squirmed my hips in anticipation. He smiled, amused and pleased with my reaction. He lowered himself and slowly pushed into me. I closed my eyes, moaning. He felt so good! I’d never felt this way before. Never wanted a man as badly as I wanted Wolf.

“Caroline. My heart,” Wolf said, his voice thick with desire, “open your eyes.”

I did.

“I want you to look at me.”

With a single thrust, he buried his full length inside of me, my body instinctively wrapping around him. Wolf’s eyes burned gold into mine as I let out a breathless cry. His body shook and he groaned, as if trying to hold himself back. Then he began to rock, a slow, delicious movement that made the entire world fade away until there was nothing else. I moved with him, every second nothing but heat and desire, the coolness of the lake and breeze long forgotten. I never knew it could be this perfect. That two people could fit together like lock and key, lost souls making each other whole. I clutched at his shoulders, his back, soon crying out every time he pressed into me, filling more than just my body. He silenced me with fierce kisses. Beads of sweat glistened on his brow, his breathing heavy as he ground against me.

I begged for more. Said his name too many times to count. We were gone, swept away on absolute ecstasy, nothing but his body and mine, fused together, mates for life. He whispered my name in my ear, told me how he loved me, and then murmured the word “never” over and over as if he’d forgotten what he wanted to say, his eyes shut tight as he drove deep, fast. I could only breathe, “I know” against his neck, my arms around him, desperately holding on, so close to the edge but not wanting to reach it. Not yet. I wanted more. More of his heat. More of him. All of him. Always.

Finally I couldn’t hold on anymore, and the world became a flare of stars and bliss, my body shaking with pure pleasure as I came. A moment after, Wolf’s body went rigid and he clung to me as he pulsed deep inside. Both of us lay in a heap on his coat, breathing hard, slick with sweat. My entire body trembled and Wolf’s heart felt like it was beating a million miles a minute. For several minutes neither of us could move. After a time, I kissed the rough stubble on Wolf’s cheek.

“Am I heavy?” he mumbled, one of his hands finding mine and clasping it tightly.

“No.” I wriggled beneath him. “You feel wonderful.”

“Mm. So do you, my heart.”

After a few more moments, he raised himself on his elbows to look down at me. His eyes were still gold. His tail came around to sweep against my side.

“I’m going to have to jump into the lake again,” I said, smiling. “I’m all hot and sweaty now.”

He grinned wolfishly. “I like you like this.” He closed his eyes for a moment as he breathed deep. “Besides, now you smell like me.”

I laughed and grabbed his shoulders, hauling myself up to kiss him. For a moment I had a vision of rolling him over, kissing him senseless and riding him like there was no tomorrow. The thought made my skin flush, but I dismissed the notion.

“Come on babe,” I said. “We have to get back to Alex and Marianne.”

He nipped at my nose and then got up, helping me to my feet.

I did get into the lake again, but only for the briefest of dips. Wolf said I smelled like him. I did. And I liked it.

I yawned, snuggling deeper in Wolf’s coat. What a day. Saved Wolf’s life (all right, so Alex actually saved Wolf’s life, but damn it, I’d tried). Rescued Marianne (with help). Made love to Wolf. I tossed a leaf into the fire. The combination of my dip in the lake and the best sex I’d ever had left me in a place far beyond content. All things considered, I was surprised that Alex had fallen asleep before me. He lay stretched out near the fire like a cowboy, snoring softly beneath his black hat. Wolf sat beside me, gnawing on a piece of jerky. Marianne stared at the fire, occasionally throwing in a small twig or sprig of grass. I guessed she didn’t want to fall asleep with Wolf so near. Or maybe because she’d been asleep for so long already. Whatever the case, I was determined not to sleep until she did. If I was her Guardian, then that was my duty.

Wolf suddenly swallowed down his last bit of jerky and sat up, his nostrils flaring.

“What is it?” I asked, on instant alert. Marianne’s head snapped up. I stood and reached out around me with whatever magic sensing power I had, but felt nothing. Wolf touched my arm.

“A pack.”

A group of wolves materialized, stepping out from behind trees and thick brush to form a semicircle around us. I tensed and moved to wake Alex. Marianne whimpered.

“No,” Wolf said. “Don’t worry. I’ll talk to them.”

He bounded over to the wolves where one—the biggest—came up to him. Alpha, I thought, then went to Marianne’s side and put my arms around her. The alpha sat and stared up at Wolf, his eyes glowing in the light of the fire.

“It’s okay. They’re not here for you. They’ll go away once they’ve finished talking to Wolf.”

I really needed to quit saying stuff when I didn’t know if it was true. But Wolf had chatted with a pack before at night when I was completely helpless and nothing had ever come of it. I wondered if this was the same pack.

Something shuffled in the leaves. A wolf pup emerged in the firelight. By my guess, he couldn’t have been more than a few months old. I wondered at the pack letting him run with them. Shouldn’t he be at home under babysitter supervision? He sat on his haunches and stared at the two of us, panting happily. I felt the tension in Marianne’s body abruptly give way to confusion.

“What is that?”

Now I was the confused one. “That’s a wolf pup.”

“A wolf pup?”

Good heavens did she really not know? “A baby wolf. A young version of an adult. The way you’re a young person.”

The pup tilted his head back to let out an aggravated little yowl. He wanted to play.

“I didn’t know they were so small.” Marianne inched closer for a better look. “Do they all start like this?”

“Every one of them. We start as children, so do they.”

“He’s so cute.”

I smiled. Caroline McKenna, saving wolves, one eight-year-old at a time. I decided to push things a little further. I slowly extended my hand toward the pup, keeping my eyes on the alpha the entire time. If he or any other wolf made the slightest move of disapproval, I’d back off in a heartbeat. The alpha cut his eyes to me for a moment, and I hung there. Wolf glanced back, his eyes luminous in the firelight as always. The pup started licking my fingers. The alpha snorted and then turned back to Wolf. The two resumed whatever conversation they were having. I didn’t understand how that worked, seeing as the alpha didn’t actually speak. Though I could see Wolf’s mouth moving and him gesticulating, I couldn’t hear what he said.

I gave the pup a quick scratch behind the ears and then sat back, patting my leg. He understood the gesture and bounded over. They certainly were smart here. Marianne jumped in surprise but didn’t recoil. I ruffled the pup’s ears. He tried to bite at my fingers in play.

“Go ahead,” I said, “give him a pat. He won’t hurt you. He’s just as curious as you are.”

Slowly, Marianne reached out to touch the delighted pup. I took my hand away and his attention abruptly switched to her. He sat silently, softly panting, as if he understood her uncertainty. Then again, for all I knew he did. Marianne’s hand touched the top of his head. Her eyes widened.

“It’s so soft.”

I smiled again.

“Caroline.”

I looked up to see Wolf beckon me. I put a hand on Marianne’s shoulder.

“Stay here. Be gentle with him. I’ll be right back.”

She nodded, her gaze still fixed on the pup.

I went to Wolf’s side, wondering what it was he—or the alpha—wanted. For several long minutes nothing happened. Wolf remained silent and the alpha only stared. Finally I leaned over until I touched Wolf’s arm with mine.

“What am I doing?” I whispered.

“I’ve been telling packs about you when I’ve run into them,” Wolf said. “They told others, and this one wanted to see you for themselves.”

I stood there for a moment, stunned. “Am I really the only human that doesn’t hate wolves?”

“No.” Wolf gave me a small smile. “But none of them would jump on an execution pyre or howl in the night.”

So he had heard me the night the harpies caught me. I looked to the alpha. He stared at me, then tilted his head.

I didn’t know if it was this place, the wolf, or my extensive study of them at home, but suddenly we were having a wordless conversation.

Can you help us?

I quirked my mouth. I don’t know. I don’t think that’s why I’m here.

Could you help us?

I don’t know. I shifted. I’m sorry.

The alpha looked at Wolf, then at me again. You may touch me.

I blinked in surprise. I didn’t hesitate too long though; I didn’t want to insult him. I wasn’t sure what he expected to get out of this, but he must have some ulterior motive. I knelt and ran my hands over his head, gently rubbing his ears. Then it hit me. I was petting a wild wolf. A wild wolf in a magical place where they could communicate. I started grinning like an idiot.

You are truly not afraid of us.

I bent to put my forehead against his. No, I’m not. Then a thought hit me; alphas moved in pair. Where is your mate?

I have not yet found one. He leaned forward and sniffed me. He cut his eyes to Wolf again. She is the sort for whom I might become human. A fine choice.

Whoa. Random.

He licked my cheek and got to his feet. He let out a brief howl to gather the others. Over my shoulder Marianne was feeding the pup a small bit of jerky. He gobbled it down, licking at her fingers greedily. Marianne was smiling for the first time since I’d met her. The alpha howled again and this time the pup obeyed. With a little yip in Marianne’s direction, he bounded off with his pack. The wolves melted away into the darkness of the trees, vanishing the same way they’d come.

I sat down beside her. “So what do you think?”

“I don’t know,” she said, sounding as though she were surprised at how little she knew.

I put my arm around her, hugging her close. “I understand. Think you can sleep now?”

She nodded and nestled into me, closing her eyes.

“Is there room for one more?” Wolf asked above me.

“Only if it’s okay with Marianne.”

She opened her eyes and stared up at Wolf. After a moment, he hopped back and crouched on the ground.

“I can stay over here if she wishes,” he said, gazing longingly at me.

After a few more minutes, she nodded. Wolf immediately moved to my side, putting one arm around my shoulders and resting the other hand possessively on my leg. He pressed his face into my hair and inhaled deeply. I laughed to myself. Within a few moments more I drifted off, my head resting comfortably against Wolf’s chest.