The Wolf Tamer

THE WOLF TAMER

Nicole Ash

THE WOLF TAMER By

Nicole Ash

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© copyright by Nicole Ash, March 2005 Cover Art by Eliza Black, © copyright March 2005 New Concepts Publishing Lake Park, GA 31636 www.newconceptspublishing.com

This is a work of fiction. All characters, events, and places are of the author’s imagination and not to be confused with fact. Any resemblance to living persons or events is merely coincidence.

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Prologue

Nu spread its crimson glow over the new fallen snow, casting shadows in the trees and under their boughs instead of illuminating the choking darkness. A wolf moon. The name itself was a hold over from another time and place, part of the ‘Old Ways’ every child of Cairous learned. A name given some moon, in a distant galaxy, during January. While few truly identified with the names given Erth seasons, it seemed the perfect thing to call this moon, and the season on Erth supposedly mirrored this one. It was a baleful eye, glaring down a curse. The eye of a wolf. Teon set ancient mythology from his mind. It was, in fact, his father’s passion and not his own. Snow crunched under his feet, grating his teeth, as he walked and when he paused, he could hear the steady progress of his father. His father, Carn, had lagged behind far enough that Teon could no longer make out his shape when he glanced back for him. He sighed, pulling his cloak close around himself, not daring to stomp his feet for warmth. They were close now. “Teon.” A whisper, carried by the wind. He realized all at once that the sound of his father’s movements had stopped.

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“I am here,” he responded, waiting for Carn to catch up to him, not surprised when the man’s hulking shape coalesced from the shadows like a wraith. “How many times, boy? How many times ‘ave I got to tell ya not to get so blasted far ahead?” Teon rolled his eyes, mouthing word for word his father’s speech, having long ago learnt it by heart. “It’s dangerous to become separated. You never know when the hunter may become the hunted, especially with a full moon out.” Teon turned around, fighting to control a grin, “Yes father. I heard you.” Not my fault you’re getting slow in your old age! “Can we go?” Here he did allow a grin to slip out. Carn’s glare lasted all of one minute under the shine of that smile. Sighing, he gestured his son ahead. “Go get yourself a wolf, boy. I’ll just wait here. Don’t guess you really need your old man’s help anymore.” “I won’t be long.” Teon had earned his right to manhood a year and a half ago. By all right’s he could now hunt alone, but his father was an old man with old ways and an only son. He worried. “Here,” Carn threw something to his feet as he settled himself down on a fallen log. Teon lifted it gently. “Your knife.” He pulled it from it’s leather sheath, transfixed by the play of light over it’s silvery blade. “Your own now.”

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“Father. I--” “I’ll take no arguments! I should have given it to ya when you reached manhood, as my father before me. Go on now. Pray you don’t need it.” Teon slipped the blade into its sheath and nodded to Carn, hefting his crossbow. “Thank you father. I’ll make you proud.” He turned, trotting as silently as he could given the snow, knowing the wolf’s winter den was close. Missing his father’s whispered words, “You already have.” Teon approached the den with caution, arrow cocked and ready. If he moved too quickly, the sound might alert the wolf before he was within shooting distance. He stood silently, carefully downwind, and surveyed the small, black hole in the side of the hill. In the wane light, he could make out one set of tracks leading into the cave, nothing leading out. The snow crunched as he knelt, preparing himself for the wait, knowing the wolf would come out soon to hunt. His arm already stung from holding his crossbow at the ready, but he knew he’d have only one chance to kill the wolf this night. With any hesitation, it would be gone, and he wanted this wolf. The same wolf. My gods, the tracks are huge. He’d never before heard of a wolf that ignored all signs of human habitation, that would come into a village past smoky fires and kill livestock so indiscriminately. More like tearing them to shreds. It had never eaten any of them that he could see.

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Only torn them up. And Kialee…. Kialee, beautiful Kialee was torn apart like a doll ten paces from her house. Out back of her house. What was she even doing back there at night! How could there be so much blood— From the night behind him came an agonized scream, a scream rife with a fear he’d never before heard in that voice, the scream of his father. His arrow arced through the air and thunked into the ground in front of the wolf’s den, forgotten as Teon turned and ran back the way he’d come, ran toward that terrible sound. Teon heard the scream again and again, realized without surprise that his own screams had mingled with it, his dignity lost in that sound of despair. The branches of the trees lashed his face and arms, but his mad dash brought him upon the scene an eternity of moments later. He pulled up short, instinctively drawing an arrow and cocking his bow. His father was on his back in the snow. The largest, blackest wolf Teon ever lain eyes on had the man’s arm in its mouth. He screamed at it, trying to get a bead on it but hoping he could simply scare it away, scare it off his father. It turned its head toward him, jaws still clamped around the arm, its eyes two burning coals. “Go damn you!” It ignored him as well as the awkward punch of his father’s good arm, jerking its head to the side. Teon heard the sickening crunch of his father’s bone, his gut wrenching at his father’s piteous scream. He threw the bow away from himself, snatching his knife from its sheath and running at the unconcerned monster. Leaping at it, he stabbed the great beast in the side.

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The wolf howled more in outrage than in pain. It leapt back from him, then launched itself at him. Teon had no more than a split second to raise his blade before the wolf fell upon him, jaws snapping. His blade caught the beast under the eye and the animal screamed again, backing quickly away. It fixed him with a sinister glare before running into the night. Teon fell to his knees at his father’s side. “Father!” Tearing the bottom of his cloak he tried unsuccessfully to pry his father’s hand from the wound. “Stop thrashing and let me help you!” Carn finally lay still. He did not let go of his arm. “You can’t help me, son.” The calm, matter-of-fact tone of his voice unnerved Teon. His attempt to laugh the note of defeat in his father’s voice off came out a sob and his vision blurred. Wiping at his eyes, he realized for the first time he’d been crying. “What are you talking about old man? It’s just your arm.” He could see even in the dark that there was no hope for the arm. Bone was jutting out along the forearm and it couldn’t have been hanging on by more than a thin shred of flesh. “You’ll live.” “Teon,” Carn murmured, his sad, pain filled eyes meeting his son’s gaze, “kill me.” “What? Have you gone mad? It’s just an arm--” “It was a demon wolf, son. A werewolf. I was dead the moment it bit me. I’m so sorry… you have to be the one to finish me.”

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Teon felt a hysterical laugh fighting it’s way from his chest. Werewolf? There was no such thing! You’ve gone mad. “I’m taking you back to the village.” “No!” Cern visibly calmed himself. “Teon, listen. I know you’ve never been a believer. I know--” He broke off, moaned in agony, clutching at his face. When he spoke again, his voice came out a hiss. “I know you think I’m an old fool.” “I never--” “Quiet!” His back arched and he turned away, onto his side, clutching his face, curling in a fetal position. “Kill me! For the love of Cairous, kill me!” he screamed. When Teon failed to respond, Carn turned his misshapen face toward him. Horror washed over Teon. Black hair bristled along his father’s body where the flesh was exposed, claws pushed their way through the flesh of his hands. His face had elongated almost to the point of being a snout. “Kill me Teon. Please. Don’t…let me…. I’ll kill you if you don’t! Everyone--” Teon closed his eyes and plunged his knife, his father’s knife, into Carn’s heart. The man’s hand closed over his own, Teon looked down into his eyes, tears streaming from his own. “Thank you…I…love….” He shuddered and was still. Teon could not bear to look at his father’s twisted, pain wracked body, but he knew he must carry it the many miles to his village. He would not, could not leave him for the wolves. Father.

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His sense of his manhood dissolved in the face of his grief, leaving him feeling like the child he believed he had left behind in his rite of passage and he wept for his loss. Finally, he wiped his face and lifted his gaze to the sky where the wolf moon still hung and vowed revenge.

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Chapter One

The sound of rain thundered overhead against the tin of the roof. Teon set another log to burn on the fire before settling slowly into the groaning chair, still uncertain of its ability to hold his weight. He was not a big man as his father had been, but it had been years since anyone had sat in the chair and it had been threatening to fall apart even then. Ten years. He let his gaze travel about the room. He and his father had lived happily, if somewhat simply here. There were only three rooms, the large main room, where he sat now had been used for cooking, eating, and talking. It was where he’d sat at his father’s feet as the old man wove fantastic tales of monsters, knights and dragons, at times even of his own adventures from his youth. Not that Teon had believed any of it, but he’d always been entranced by the man. Carn had been a great story teller. Teon’s own adventures had lacked the glory, the romance his father had always described and he could not help but wonder if the horrors had been left out of the stories, or if they’d all been made up. He liked the think they weren’t.

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His father had been working on a chair for Teon before he’d died. Before I killed him. He squeezed his eyes shut, rubbing his palms in them before looking over into the corner. The pieces of the chair lay where Carn had left them in the corner of the room. ‘About time you had a chair of your own,’ he’d said. Teon smiled at the memory. He was full grown and still sitting on the floor, not minding it in the least, when his father had made that declaration. Carn had just wearied of having him lean against his already unstable chair. ‘Gona knock me down one of these days.’ “Always thought you had a talent for woodworking.” In a way Carn had. His own chair was undeniably a chair, even if it had always wobbled a little and creaked when one sat. He had even tried his hand at carving the back, although he’d never gotten very far. The chair was priceless to Teon. His father had built the whole house with his own two hands. What had started as a one room cabin had grown to a two when Teon’s mother had come along. She’d died giving him to Carn, a fact that he had never been able to discuss with Teon without tears in his eyes. They hadn’t even had the chance to settle into the house together. Later, when Teon was old enough to ask, he’d helped him build his own room, doing everything but the heavy lifting himself. He was already becoming old and worn out and thought his fifteen year old son should do the hard work. “You can build your character while you build your room.” He had wanted so much for his son to become a carpenter as his own father had been, but it was a talent neither of them had inherited.

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Teon had made the mantel over the fireplace himself one year, which explained why, when one focused on the mantel alone, the room itself seemed slanted. Strangely, it didn’t seem at all tilted when one got used to it. Carn had been proud. His childhood had been spent in this cabin, mostly in this one room, but it was virtually empty. “It’s the people that make the home.” It had been his father’s favorite saying. Without him here, it was just a lonely cabin, even if the feel of him was still strong in it. “I gotta get a woman. That’d make a home of it again.” He cringed at the thought of a dozen little Teons running around the house, though. Running his fingers through his long white, blond hair, he stood and sauntered into his bedroom, leaving the door open to let in the heat. A cloud of dust rose from the floor as he moved across it, leaving visible boot prints. “I’ll sweep tomorrow.” It was the same lie he’d told himself the last three days, since he’d returned. Ten years of dust had accumulated over everything in the house, giving it an oddly preserved feel. Dust puffed out of the bed as he sat, though not as heavily as before, and he wrinkled his nose at the itch it caused, holding back a sneeze. Better beat out the bed too. Kicking off his shoes, he lay back, his hands clasped behind his head, closed his eyes and dosed off. Sometime later, he woke, unsure what had startled him, listening quietly with his eyes closed. The rain still pelted the roof, drowning out the

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usual cacophony of night sounds. He opened his eyes slowly, tensing his body to react, but saw no movement. A dream? A heavy knock sounded against the door and he almost fell out of bed. “Hello?” Who would be out on a night like this? Pulling his knife from its place on his belt, he went to the door and listened. Nothing. Unbolting it, he threw it open, expecting an attack but unable to leap out of the way in time. A figure swathed in a thick black cape fell against him, knocking him over. The hood dropped from her head on the way down, exposing the unconscious face of an angel. Sheathing his knife, Teon felt for a pulse, then, having found one, rolled the woman off of him, pulled her body inside, and secured the door. He looked down at her several minutes, his hands on his hips. “What is a woman doing outside on a night like this? And why here?” She didn’t look familiar, but he hadn’t been home in so long there was no telling if she lived in the village. Since she didn’t seem to pose a threat, he leaned over, picked her up, and carried her over to the hearth for closer inspection. Her clothes were soaked through and the few moments during which she was clasped against his chest was enough to soak his shirt. Lying her down on the floor, he removed her cape, piling the rest of her clothes atop it as he striped them off. “Cairous!” He had to admire her body. Curvaceous hips, long shapely legs, a mass of black curls…. Her waist was smaller than he was used to, breasts larger, but he appreciated the overall effect. A medallion rested

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against her breast, a blue stone sparkling in its center. He reached to remove it, then though better of it. It seemed fitting somehow. Finally, his gaze came to rest on her face, framed by thick raven locks. Her lips were a perfect red bud and her skin looked like fine porcelain. He could just barely detect a faint smell of perfume. “What is such a beautiful woman doing outside alone on a night like this?” He knew his answer wouldn’t come this night. She had obviously been exhausted, so there was no telling how long she might sleep. Pulling off his shirt, he tossed it on top of the pile of her wet clothes. Lifting her naked body in his arms, he took her into his room and settled her on his bed, pulling the covers up to her chin. Returning to the main room, he spread their clothes out to dry before crawling into bed himself. Chivalry demanded that he lie atop the covers since there was no choice but to share the narrow bed, but he found himself simply staring at her unblinkingly, sleep the furthest thing from his mind. Shifting around, he put his back to her and determinedly closed his eyes. It wasn’t enough. The knowledge that a beautiful woman slept nude against his back made finding sleep once more next to impossible. The feel of her body against his backside made his cock lift its head in excitement. “Not tonight friend,” he muttered irritably. He shared in its disappointment. Though he tried hard to force her from his mind, she followed him into his dreams.

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Chapter Two

In Kali’s dream, her legs were tied together, arms bound by her sides and her captor prodded her in the back repeatedly with a long, thick stick. The sensation woke her. She opened her eyes, startled not to recognize the small room in which she found herself. A man’s heavy arm was draped across her side, pinning her in place, and one of his legs was flung atop both of hers. How did I get here? She didn’t remember going to bed. Noticing for the first time her exposed shoulder and lack of constriction under the covers, she knew something had to be wrong. I did not go to bed with someone. By the Gods…have I been…raped? No, she didn’t feel as though her body had been mishandled in that way, even if it was still sore from her travels. Still, she didn’t recognize what she could currently see of the man. Her loose hand rose in a moment of panic to her throat, but her medallion was still there. Kali sighed in relief. At least I know I didn’t kill anyone.

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Wary of waking him, she tried to gingerly turn over to face the man behind her. Teon? It would have to be, wouldn’t it? I’m sure I had the right house. She remembered finding it in the dark last night, on the verge of collapse from exhaustion. Every thing after that was a blank. He brought me inside and striped me. Did we…? No, from what she’d heard, he wasn’t the type who’d take advantage of a woman even if she wanted him to. On her back now, she realized he was on top of the blanket. His arm grazed her nipples at her movement sending a shock through her body and she gasped, biting her lip. She held her breath and continued her slow roll, coming face to face with a very handsome, very awake man. She met his light blue eyes and blushed, fishing around in her mind for something to say to dispel the awkward feeling she had. She settled on what first came to mind, cringing inwardly even as it came out. “Is this how you greet all of your visitors?” His lips quirked upward on one side. “Only the pretty ones. What’s your name?” She could tell he enjoyed her discomfort immensely, but she couldn’t think of a worthy come back. So that’s a yes? She had problems, looking into his ruggedly handsome face, imagining he didn’t have to beat the girls off. “Kali.” “Well Kali, I’m Teon.” I know.

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“Enough pillow talk.” He withdrew his limbs from her body, leaving cold where they’d been. Kali realized then how much she’d enjoyed their weight. He threw his legs over the side of the bed and sat up, stretching, treating her to a lovely view of fine muscles and tan flesh. She felt desire bloom as heat between her legs. So close. He’d kept his pants on, but that was easy to remedy. He stood and studied her a few moments. “Breakfast first,” he said more to himself than her. He started toward the door. “Get dressed,” he called over his shoulder. Kali looked around the room. “In what? Where are my clothes?” “In front of the fireplace. I won’t be long.” When she heard the door to the cabin close, she stood and pulled the covers around herself in case he came back in unexpectedly. Retrieving her clothes, she sat in the only chair while she dressed. Her clothes were dry but stiff from lying out by the fire. The drenching she’d received had done nothing to clean them and the dress had dirt stuck to the hem. “I need to get new clothes,” she muttered irritably. When she’d finished, she stood and inspected the small room, tilting her head at the crooked mantel and its small collection of knickknacks. She frowned. She’d heard he had been gone a very long time—which explained the thick carpet of choking dust that lay over everything—but it

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seemed he would have made an attempt to clean a bit when he’d come back. They were covered in the same dust blanketing everything else in the room. Mentally shrugging, she decided she might as well make herself useful. It couldn’t hurt her cause and might make him more receptive. Looking around for something to work with, she spied a broom in the corner beside an odd assortment of shaped wood. “What was he making out of that?” she wondered aloud. Squatting beside the pile, she examined the pieces, but was none the wiser for having done so. In any case, it was dried, as if it had been lying there for quite some time—which meant it probably wasn’t anything he’d been working on after all. Dismissing it, she grabbed the broom and set about cleaning dust and cobwebs from the walls and ceilings before she swept the floor. When she’d finished that task, she dragged the mattresses from the beds and took them outside to beat the dust from them, wondering why he had climbed into bed with her instead of sleeping in the other bed. She could have understood it better if he had tried to take advantage of her. The fact that he hadn’t made his decision to sleep in the same bed completely incomprehensible. She was tired by the time she’d lugged the mattresses back inside and settled them on the bed frames again, but satisfied with her progress. Dust had resettled, of course, and nothing short of washing the walls down was going to rid the place of it, but at least it was only a light dusting now and

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the house was less stuffy and far more pleasant—except for the ripening food in the tub of dirty dishes. Gathering them up, she carried the tub down to the stream below the cabin and scoured them. When she returned, Teon was sitting outside cleaning a small bird. All this time and that’s all he caught? It didn’t bode well for his hunting skills. “I’d about decided you’d robbed me and took off.” She looked at him a moment, at a loss. “I just thought I’d wash these.” She set the tub full of dishes beside him. “Cleaned the whole house while I was at it.” Don’t know why I’m so proud. There isn’t much to it. “I’d planned to get around to that myself today.” He stood, carefully set the dishes inside, and headed down to the stream. “Thanks.” He made a hardy stew from the bird, not really what had come to her mind at the mention of breakfast, but it was good and she found herself hungrier than she’d thought. He watched her eat the last bits left in her bowl and she found herself trying to eat slower. Delaying tactics had no effect on a patient man. As soon as she’d stuck the last scraped bite of her food into her mouth, he spoke. “So why were you looking for me?” Direct and to the point. How exactly does he know I was looking for him? Kali swallowed hard. “I got lost in the woods.”

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“Right.” He raised a brow and his gaze leisurely passed over her body. She was embarrassed when her nipples perked, glad her dress hid it. “All right, so I was looking for you.” “Why?” Kali thought a moment, deciding honesty was her best route. She had a feeling he’d know if she were dishonest. “I was told you were a great hunter. I’m in need of one.” “For?” A man of few words. “To hunt a werewolf, of course.” The one who killed my parents. And me. He leaned against the mantel and Kali thought for a moment that it might fall off the wall. It clearly wasn’t nailed on well. “I’m giving up hunting. In the market for a wife.” He gave her an appraising gaze and grinned. “Interested?” A thrill of goose-bumps rose over Kali’s body and she felt a blush climb up her neck. She might have actually considered him once upon a time. In her youth she’d been the town belle, but since Nash…. “I need a hunter. A werewolf killed my parents. I know where he is, but I can’t kill him myself.” Can’t. Such finality in that single word. The truth was, she’d tried and failed. It was part of her problem, not being able to hurt him. She saw she’d hit a nerve, but he shook his head. “Sorry to disappoint you.” “But--”

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“No.” He pushed himself away from the mantel and folded his arms across his chest. “I’ve had enough hunting to last me a life time. I’ve seen enough death, enough bloodshed.” He shook his head again, “I just want to settle down. Have a wife and kids. Grow roots. I’m sorry, but I can’t help you.” Kali felt tears threaten. She’d come so far. All for nothing. He’s the only one that can help me and he doesn’t even care. Nash is scared of him. Scared! And he doesn’t even care. “Fine.” She stood up, whipping around and stomping toward the door. I’ll just have to kill him myself. She knew in her heart that wasn’t remotely possible given the circumstances, circumstances she didn’t dare let Teon in on. She’d just opened the door and started through when he called out to her again. “Does this werewolf have a name?” She turned at looked at him a moment. “Nash.” Kali slammed the door on his shocked expression.

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Chapter Three

Teon slammed the door in his wake. “Stop, damn it.” He grabbed her arm and turned her around forcefully. “Nash? His name is Nash?” “Yes.” Finally got your attention, huh? “Yes, his name is Nash.” “Describe him,” he said, shaking her hard enough to rattle her teeth and cringing at the pained look she knew she gave him. Describe him? As a wolf, or as a man? I’ve known him as both, but has he? She decided to describe the wolf. “He’s black as coal with a long white streak under his left eye and along his right side.” Wounds caused by silver healed as slowly for a werewolf as a normal cut did for a man. Nash had suffered long from those wounds. Teon paled. “Nash. I’ve been hunting that damned beast for ten years. For ten years he’s eluded me.” He released her arm. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can help you. No matter how much I might like to, and I really would.”

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“But you’re the only one who can! My parents--” And me. If you don’t help me…. He searched her face a moment. “They’re gone Kali. Sometimes you just have to accept the way things are.” He sighed and ran a hand over his face. “I’ve had enough. I’m tired. It’s time to let it go.” He turned to go inside. “And what about the others?” He paused at that. “Others?” How could he be so self centered? “The other children who are going to loose their parents tonight. The women he plans to rape and kill tomorrow. What about all the lycanthropes he’s made? They’ll never be free as long as he’s alive.” “What are you talking about? He’s a lycanthrope himself. There’s no telling where the chain ends.” He turned and looked at her, his expression haunted. His father. If he hadn’t killed him, then when Nash died…. Teon wouldn’t be able to live and stand that once he knew, would he? I’ll help him cross that bridge when we get there. If we get there. “There are still his future victims to think about. Are you really willing to let him get away? Let him wreck other people’s lives when you have the chance to stop him once and for all?” “What makes you so sure I could stop him?” “Well, for one, you have me now.”

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“Just someone else to worry about. You can’t go with me. I work alone.” “I can help you!” “How?” Kali drew herself up and looked at him haughtily. “I’m a tracker.” Teon laughed, deflating her. “I’m a damned good tracker. I tracked you down, didn’t I?” Even Nash hadn’t been able to do that. It hadn’t been easy finding Teon. It wouldn’t take any skill at all for her to locate Nash. She knew exactly where he was, felt the pull to return to the pack even at this distance. He knew where she was by the same token. She could feel his approach, slow but steady. He was coming to retrieve her. I’ll kill myself first. “Which brings me to my next point. Why me?” She gave him a carefully blank stare but she could tell he saw straight through it. “They say you’re the best--” “They who? I don’t know what kind of a fool you take me for but I’ve got news for you, sweetheart, no one knows about me. I don’t tell the people I meet my business. I’ve never even told the people in town about it. No one--in all these years. So just how is it you came to find out about it?” Kali stood in shocked silence. Why didn’t it ever occur to me that he hadn’t told anyone? He wouldn’t want anyone to know, wouldn’t take the chance of news getting back to Nash. She tried to think of a reasonable

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excuse, something even remotely plausible, but her mind kept coming up blank. Suddenly, she inspiration filled her. “I came here looking for your father.” She could see he was floored. Had she guessed right then? There had been an old man in her village that had told her often of a man named Carn, a hunter, who had come to their village. She was glad now that she’d listened to his stories, even if it was a little annoying at the time, the way he so often repeated himself. It was obvious from Teon’s expression that she’d struck a nerve. She, frowned, trying to recall what the old man had told her. “Years ago my village was plagued by a pack of werewolves. A traveling hunter came, a brave man who rid the village of the wolves. His name was Carn. I came here looking for him.” She paused to see if he would buy her story. Teon studied her skeptically. “You said you came here looking for me.” “I asked about Carn in your village.” Actually, she’d asked about Teon. “I was told he’d died, but that his son, you, were out here. I…I just assumed you would be a hunter as he was.” In point of fact, Nash hadn’t been anywhere near her village at the time. If he had been, Carn wouldn’t have stood a chance, however good a hunter he had been. Nash hadn’t claimed the territory around her village until she was full grown.

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It was Teon who had almost killed him. The cut in Nash’s side had barely missed his lung and his face would be scarred for life. The wounds had hurt for a long time, healing slowly, which was reason enough for Nash to consider Teon an enemy, but Nash had always been vain about his looks and the scars he bore from the encounter were a constant reminder of the hunter who’d disfigured him and nearly killed him. She knew Nash both hated and feared Teon. She had asked him once when the pack was on the move why he had run from Teon. The question had so enraged him that he’d attacked her. Teon nodded to himself. “You say you know where he is?” “Yes.” “And you’re sure you can track him?” “Positive.” His brow rose slightly, thoughtfully. “All right. Let’s go then.”

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Chapter Four

Kali was pleasantly surprised at how flattering the change of clothes Teon had bought her were. He has good taste. A good eye for sizes too. “I thought you could use these,” he’d said, looking vaguely uncomfortable as he’d thrust the package into her arms before turning around to pack his horse. She’d found his awkwardness almost as endearing as the gift itself. He had, despite claims to the contrary, gone out of his way on her behalf and she was thankful to him. She could tell by the fineness of the fabric that he’d paid a lot for them. It seemed to suggest that he wasn’t nearly as immune to her as he pretended—as his restraint the night before seemed to have suggested. She slid a glance at him beneath her lashes, examining him with interest, but her horse chose that moment to distract her by dealing her yet another stinging slap on her bare leg with its tail, something the pest had done since she’d mounted it hours ago. I’ll cut that damned hair off tonight,

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she thought irritably, then grinned to herself, garnering some small comfort in the thought. There was little other of comfort. Her rump was numb from the saddle and the constant jogging of the horse’s gait. “When do we make camp? We’ve been traveling non-stop all day. Surely we have to stop soon!” He pretended not to hear her. “Teon! When are we going to stop?” “I thought you wanted to get Nash.” “I do, but if we don’t stop soon my legs are going to drop off!” He laughed at her. “What’s so funny?” she demanded. “You. Don’t ride often, do you?” I used to, years ago. I usually run now. It’s faster. Since all of the pain came with the change, fading along with her sense of self, she could run all night without stopping and wouldn’t feel a thing. She shivered. The change itself…. Her legs hurt, her back was killing her, and her butt had gone to sleep. “No. I don’t ride.” He pulled his horse up short and her horse stopped with a heavy huff and a slap to her leg. She hated horses. “We make camp here.” He dismounted. “I’ll set things up, you cook.” Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, Kali complied. The truth was, she was starving and quite willing if it meant eating sooner, which it did. Besides, she didn’t particularly want the job of setting up camp.

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They ate in companionable silence. When they’d finished, she cleaned up and packed everything. “Best to get some sleep. We get up before sun rise tomorrow.” Kali sighed, but she was too tired to argue. By the time she entered the tent, Teon was already curled up on the pallet. There was only one. “Where am I supposed to sleep?” He looked up at her and patted the spot in front of him. “But--” She eyed him suspiciously. He’d done it on purpose. She knew good and well he had enough money to buy bedding for two. He wouldn’t have used all of his money on clothes for me. Would he? She felt inexplicably guilty at the thought. “But?” “Umm. Nothing.” It wasn’t as if she could accuse him of anything when he hadn’t so much as leered at her once since he’d undressed her unconscious form the night before. He lifted the blanket in invitation and after hesitating only a moment, she crawled in, lying stiffly on her side, looking at the side of the tent. Minutes ticked slowly past. He shifted, dropped an arm across her waist. She lay tensely for several moments, but she was cold and he was warm and the truth was she wasn’t the least reluctant if he had what she thought he had on his mind. Relaxing, she snuggled back into his embrace. I know I shouldn’t. I really shouldn’t. But she really wanted it. She’d been wanting him ever since she’d caught his scent.

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As she settled her rump against him, she felt his throbbing cock jerk against her through his clothes. A matching heat bloomed in her sex. She felt herself grow wet. He held perfectly still, not even breathing for many moments. Finally, his hand inched slowly up over her stomach and paused beneath her breasts. Impatient, Kali lifted his hand, placing it on her breast. He made a sound midway between a growl and groan and arched his hips, pressing his cock harder against her buttocks, rubbing her breast through the fabric of her dress, tweaking her nipple. Burying his face in her hair, he breathed deeply. His heated breath rippled along her skin arousing sensation as surely as a touch. His scent filled her nostrils, set her pulse to racing. She rolled over to face him and met his pale blue eyes. “Are you sure?” His voice was raw with desire. Kali swallowed, closing her eyes, trying to tamp the wild excitement rising swiftly inside of her. Lifting her hands, she skated her palms up his chest and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, running her fingers through his long blond hair, rubbing her body against his. Her breasts pressed tantalizingly against his chest with each movement, sending currents of warmth through her. It was all the encouragement he needed. He cupped the cheeks of her ass, nibbling and suckling on her neck. She felt his manhood pulsating

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against her belly and ran a hand between them, rubbing his cock through his pants. He moaned against her neck and she felt her sex tingle in response. Releasing her ass, he tore her dress open and pulled back, passing a lingering look over her exposed breasts before dipping down to kiss her, running his tongue over her lips before slipping it inside and exploring her mouth. His touch burned and Kali wished desperately to have him inside of her. He broke from her mouth, breathing heavily as he cupped her breast and flicked a thumb across her nipple. It rigidified beneath his touch, and piercing ecstasy speared her breast, forcing a gasp from her lips. He pressed his mouth against her neck, trailing searing kisses down her jaw to her collarbone, sucking at each new discovery until he finally reached her breasts. A strangled moan tore from her throat. She shuddered with her rising desire and reached down, grasping his shoulders in a beckoning to come to her, needing to feel the weight of his body on top of her. He pulled himself up, climbing to his knees. Putting her ankles on his shoulders, he jerked her hips free of the ground and aligned his body with hers before ramming his cock into her, hard. The inner walls of her sex tightened with pleasure as he pulled a little way out and thrust again, in a short, hard, pounding motion. He pulled out and stopped a moment, panting. “Please….” Her hands cupped her breasts, rubbing her hard, nipples. “Please Teon….” Wanton, but she wasn’t ashamed to beg.

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She lifted her hips and gasped as the large head of his cock entered her. He shuddered above her, and she cried out as he withdrew it. He thrust his engorged flesh against the sensitive folds of her sex. She rubbed her hands up and down his muscular back, finally stroking his firm buttocks. Shuddering, he pulled her legs from his shoulders and leaned close, lowering his head to run his tongue over each hard nipple in turn. He thrust himself into her slick channel, sending a shock of pleasure through her to her toes. Over and over again, he plunged inside of her, his rock hard cock filling her like she’d never dreamed possible. Gasping, she thrust her own hips hard against his, grinding her clit against him, quickly climbing to an all consuming orgasm. With a shudder, she released it, moaning loudly against his ear. He shuddered with his own orgasm, filling her with his seed. She felt his cock jerk inside of her, squeezed her sex hard in response. He groaned and lay his head on her chest a few moments to catch his breath. Finally, he pulled his spent cock from her and lay beside her, pulling her into his arms. “Teon.” “Shh.” He breathed into her hair. “Sleep now. You’ll need your rest.” She snuggled against him, contented.

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Chapter Five

Teon rose to the aroma of cooking coney. The spot beside him had grown cold. His cock was already up and ready to go, but Kali was long gone. Sorry to disappoint you. “Maybe tonight.” “Tonight what?” Kali’s head popped through the flap of the tent. She frowned slightly at him, her black brows lowering over deep blue eyes. He grinned at her. “Nothing. Just thinking aloud.” A blush darkened her cheeks and she retreated to his disappointment. She catches on quick. I could get used to waking beside her. Strange that he’d never had such thoughts before. The woman must have bewitched me with her wiles. He liked the idea. He pulled his clothes on and got out, stretching sore muscles. Kali buzzed around the camp, flitting from one thing to the next and back again. Sure is spry this morning. He stood and admired the way her hips swayed with natural grace and felt himself harden again. I can see right now this is going to be a long, painful day. He forcefully turned his mind to the tasks at hand, but it was difficult when she kept walking around.

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“Where’d you get the coney?” he asked as he sat before the fire. She averted her face and carved some meat off for him before settling down with her own plate. “I caught it.” He frowned, feeling a warning sizzle along his nerve endings. “How?” “An arrow. I used your crossbow.” He nodded at her explanation, but remained skeptical. Why lie about something like that? He didn’t believe for a second that she could draw the bow. It was a crossbow. He himself had a hard time of it when he was young and he’d certainly been larger and stronger than her at the time. Why lie about something like that? He filed the incident under ‘only women know’ and decided to dismiss it. However she’d caught rabbit, it tasted fantastic. When they’d finished breaking their fast, they gathered their belongings together and rode out side by side. Teon glanced at her horse a couple of times and finally burst out laughing. “I didn’t think it bothered you that much.” “What?” He nodded at the horse’s bobbed tail. “It kept hitting me.” “I’d ‘ave hit it back.”

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“Yeah and ended upon your back when it took offense and threw you.” He shrugged. “It would have made me feel better, anyway.” Kali was warmed by his smile. It seemed to come easier to him as the day wore on, almost as if knowing that an end was coming had lifted a weight from his shoulders. She’d enjoyed last night. Thinking of it sent a thrill through to her toes. Will he be interested again tonight? She hadn’t been with very many men, but they all seemed more than willing to oblige and she thought he wouldn’t be against the idea. She needed him. It went deeper than a need for physical release, though. She needed to be held, to feel protected. It seemed to her that he needed her too. He needs someone to protect. I need someone to protect me. Perhaps it was fated that they would be together? She had noticed the way he had watched her as she moved about camp. She’d liked it, almost as much as she’d liked the speed with which his cock hardened and strained against the constraints of his pants whenever she brushed against him. I shouldn’t be thinking about mating with him again. I should be thinking about Nash. About—Can Teon kill him? The thought made her feel ill, however. The alternative was just…too horrible to contemplate. When she had decided to seek him out, she hadn’t

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expected to feel anything for him, certainly not what she’d felt from the moment she’d opened her eyes and looked at him for the first time. She wished suddenly that he’d been nothing like he was, that he were a moron, a monster, anything other than the man he was. That would have made leading him to what might be his doom so much easier. Why did he have to move her soul? She looked at him under her lashes. He rode tall in the saddle, broad shoulders held back easily, his golden hair streaming behind him in the wind. His features were harsh, manly in a way that made her body warm just looking at him. Handsome. “Tell me about your parents.” At his question, Kali felt the warmth of moments ago drain away, replaced by a chill. She fingered the small silver medallion that hung about her neck, looking into the sparkling depths of the sapphire in its center. She could see them even now, her mother wrapping her arms around her, begging her not to watch, trying her best to shield her from the death they knew was coming. Her father, brave to the end, stood in front of them and fought the wolf with his bare hands. He had no chance against it. Nash feigned retreat, only to turn around in mid flight and dash their hopes. Father died a swift, if painful death. Nothing at all compared to mother. She tried without success to block the image of her mother lying helpless and torn as that bastard, still a wolf, raped and mauled her before her eyes.

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“Nash killed them,” Kali said, wiping at her eyes. He had bitten her on a whim, she supposed. She remembered the pain of her first transformation. What had happened after that, when she was a wolf, was a merciful blank. Knowledge of what she might have done might undo her if she could recall it. The horror of not being able to control what one did…. She looked down with blurred vision at her white knuckled grasp. The charm protected her on most nights. It was the approaching full moon she feared. Nothing can stop the change on the night of the full moon. You must lift the curse before then or be once again under its power. “I’m sorry.” “What?” she jerked out of her reverie and let the medal fall against her chest. We’ve both suffered at the hands of Nash. Perhaps, now that we have each other…. She dared not hope it, tried hard not to think about what might not be. “Your medallion. It’s very unusual. Where’d you get it?” She followed his gaze to where it rested between her breasts. Is that what you’re really looking at? “An old gypsy gave it to me. She said it would bring good luck.” He gave her a curious look she was careful to ignore, but let the subject drop.

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Chapter Six

Her head cradled in her arms, Kali stretched sore muscles, muscles she’d never even known she had before recently, and gazed at the stars. A thousand and more lights winked down at her. Nu shone red brilliance in the sky. “We should reach Lyston by tomorrow night.” Teon eased himself down on the grass beside her. This could be the last night we’re both alive. The thought scared her. She hadn’t had so much to loose for such a long time. Before, she had thought even death would be preferable to the life she lived, would be a blessing. She just hadn’t been capable of killing herself. Now…now she looked forward to a life she might never get to live with a man who might not survive the following night. “Do you believe in fairy tales Teon? I mean…do you suppose there really is an Erth somewhere out there with people. Like us?” “My father believed in it.” He laughed. “He was convinced his great, great grand father came from Erth to Cairous in a boat made of metal.”

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“Really?” Kali giggled. “I bet he said it used magic to fly.” “Worse. Lightning.” They both laughed at that several moments before Kali sobered. “Seriously, though. What would such a world be like? Do you think they’d have werewolves there too? Or worse monsters?” “If it really does exist…I don’t know. I’d like to say probably, but father was convinced the werewolves where here when we came. Thing is,” he continued, “he also claimed we could fly without wings.” They laughed again. “It really is silly, I guess. It’s just that, well, the stories seem to give old people hope. I really envy them that. I wish I could believe.” She glanced to her right to find him staring at her and smiled. His look only intensified. “What will you do? When this is all over?” “I’m not sure. I’ve been trying so long to make it happen, that--” “You haven’t thought about what happens afterward,” he finished for her. “Why not come and stay with me? I know it’s not much, but you’re welcome to stay as long as you like. I’ll even let you sleep in your own bed if you insist.” She rolled onto her side and propped herself up on her elbow. “I wouldn’t. Insist, I mean.” “Are you sure?” “Of course.”

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He’s holding his breath! Does he…is he serious? “I can stay with you?” “As long as you want.” Kali smiled. “I’d like that.” More than you can imagine. He reached for her, captured the back of her head with an easy grip, pulling her into a slow, deep kiss. Arousal cramped her sex with a jerking spasm of pleasure. She gasped into his mouth at the piercing, sweet agony. Heat rippled through her. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered into her lips. “So sweet,” he kissed her jaw. “So sexy.” He captured her lips again. Teon cradled her body against his, stroking her between the legs with one hand, melting her core until she felt her wet arousal throbbing between her thighs. His groin nestled in the juncture of her thighs, so incredibly close to where she needed it, so unbearably hard and erotic. Her heart hammered in her chest. She wanted to cry out when he ran his rough hands up her dress, but his mouth muffled her cries. All of her blood rushed to that hot, tingling place that wanted him, wanted the feel of his hard cock deep inside. “Teon….” She clung to him, her fingers slipping under his shirt, stroking his skin, his muscled back. He broke away from her mouth suddenly, leaving her gasping for breath and her knees weak, her body trembling from want. He discarded his clothes quickly, slipping her dress over her head before

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lowering himself on top of her. His cock rubbed against her inner thigh and she spread her legs, lifting her hips in welcome. He plunged his cock into her, paused, shuddering. Regaining control, he thrust into her over and over. His mouth descended over hers, his tongue slipping inside to explore the sensitive inner flesh of her mouth even as his cock surged inside her sex. He kissed her neck, her breasts, licking and suckling on her perked nipples. She ran her nails down his back, pulling him into her, rocking her hips in time with his own, building up to a crescendo of pleasure. She cried out as her orgasm flowed through her. It exploded into sharp shards of pleasure that seemed to move through her like a crashing wave, sending tingles of ecstasy all through her body. He shuddered over her. She felt his cock throb inside of her, against the muscles of her sex as he, too, found release. She felt his hot seed fill her, overflowing. He lay atop her, panting, holding her against himself. After a time, he rolled off, pulling her into his arms, running his fingers through her long black hair.

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Chapter Seven

Kali sat atop her horse looking down at Lyston from the knoll on which they stood. Nu did little to illuminate the scene, but she’d seen it often enough to know it’s layout. Lyston was small, more of a village than anything else. The inhabitants said it was once a growing city, that at one time everyone on Cairous had lived here, but you’d have never thought that to look at it. As if everyone on the planet could have fit in this one town! There were charred remains on the north side that might once have been larger structures, but nothing of the grand city they spoke so often of remained standing. The village huddled in a small circle, the inhabitants living under each other in this uncomfortable manner, fooled by the false sense of security it evoked. Teon’s horse whinnied at her own as it approached. “What took you so long?” she glanced over at him and managed a half hearted smile. Teon gave her a look. “I thought I told you not to leave my side. Under any circumstances,” he ground out.

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Oops. Fool, fool, fool. “I’m sorry.” She hung her head, carefully studying her hands, sighing to herself. He’s been grumpy all day. She gave herself a mental kick. He’s risking his life. He’s entitled. When he didn’t say anything else, she glanced up at him, meeting his eyes in the dark. His face was thoughtful. “Are you ready?” She nodded. “Then let’s go.” They carefully picked their way down the knoll and into the cramped streets of town, heading toward the only inn. Most of the houses had lights on in them, not willing to confine themselves inside in the dark. The streets were cobbled, lending some small credence to the native’s claims of past greatness, since most roads were not. At last, they arrived. The sign above the door read ‘Hillton Star Inn’. Kali dismounted, handing her reigns over to Teon. “I’ll get us a room.” She thought he nodded, so she went inside. The people sitting around the bar fell silent when she entered. Making a point of ignoring them, she strode up to the barkeeper. “Hi. I’d like a room for the night.” “Cost ya a dozen coppers.” She set her coins out on the counter. “We’ll need supper too.” He nodded toward a table in the middle of the room.

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The proprietor turned toward the open door behind him. “Maddi, come see about this little lady would ya?” Kali was already seated and Teon threading his way to the table when Maddi finally came out of the kitchen. She sauntered over when she spotted Teon, leaning over him to wipe off the table once he’d seated himself. “What can I get ya,” she asked when she’d finally straitened. “Your special should do it.” He looked to Kali questioningly. “..for both of us?” Kali nodded. Maddi gave her a sullen look, brushing her breasts against an unmoved Teon again for good measure before trotting off on her two hind legs for their food. Hateful cow. The special didn’t live up to its name, being a rather tasteless stew. They ate heartily nevertheless, listening quietly to the conversation at the bar when it finally resumed. “I’m tellin’ ya, it’s still out there! Why would it leave after only two?” “Did you see her? The way it…it ain’t natural, that’s all I’m saying.” “Of course not! It’s a devil wolf! I told you, it’s a demon!” “…more like werewolf to me….” “What can we do?” “They sound like a mob working up its courage,” Teon hissed, leaning toward her.

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“…do something, anything….” “I have an idea.” The conversation fell to whispers. “We need to go … before they get themselves killed.” Kali glanced over at the dozen or so men hunched over the bar. Or worse. She shuddered at the thought of that many new werewolves. Women rarely lived through Nash’s method of transforming them, but men rarely died. “Do you know where to start?” “I’m a tracker, remember? It’s what you brought me for!” Teon gave her a full body appraisal that left her in no doubt about his reasons and Kali felt a blush creep up her neck. “Let’s go.” They deposited their supplies in their room before proceeding to walk through town on foot. Neither of them was willing to trust life and limb to a skittish horse when werewolves would be involved. The village ended abruptly. A clearing surrounded the village on all sides. Less than thirty feet away, the forest loomed dark and monstrous. It seemed to Kali that it crept closer as they walked, coming to meet them. She knelt as they entered, pretending to study the ground. “He went this way. Recently.” She could feel Nash’s closeness and the sensation made her skin crawl. He’s watching. She threw a hand out and grasped Teon, freezing. “He’s here.” She felt his eyes on her. His hatred for her was palpable, froze the blood in her veins.

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They saw the werewolf’s eyes flash in the light of Nu. Teon ran toward him, knife drawn. Kali could almost hear Nash’s laugh, felt him turn and run into the forest. The hunt had begun.

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Chapter Eight

Kali got to her feet and ran after Teon. Fool! He needs me now more than ever! Why’d he run off without me? She ran into the spot through which he’d disappeared, sensing Nash to her left, hearing Teon to her right. She was startled by the sudden flare of a torch. “Which way?” She pointed and the both ran. Teon’s mind was filled with tumultuous thoughts. How like all the other hunts this was, running through the woods all night, just to come out alive, but empty handed. There was a time he’d have gladly traded his life for the pleasure of killing this werewolf. Tonight is different. Tonight, I have Kali, someone else to worry about. He stopped, whirled around. Panic constricted his throat when he saw nothing but forest. She’s gone! He ran back the way he’d come, ducking low-hanging branches, heedless of the tremendous cacophony of his passage. I told her not to leave my side! I told her—A woman’s scream curdled his blood and weakened his knees.

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“Kali!” He ran toward the sound, his knife at the ready, praying with all his soul. Visions of his father ran through his mind, replaced by images of Kali, covered in blood and dying. His lungs were in agony, yet still he pushed on. He burst upon the scene, hardly sparing a second to take it all in. Kali lay on her back on the forest floor, bathed in the light of the moon. The wolf had hold of her leg, was dragging her in the direction of his den. The torch dropped from Teon’s grasp, sputtered and went out. A primal howl was torn from Teon’s lips as he leapt at Nash, slashing with his knife. Nash released Kali with a growl of his own and vaulted at him, throwing him bodily to the ground. They rolled, first Nash on top, then Teon, then Nash again. Teon cried out in pain as the werewolf sank his teeth into his shoulder, forcing him to drop the knife, but held on tight as Nash tried to jump clear. “You bastard. You can’t get away that easily.” He knew if the wolf did manage to get away, that it would be over. Lycanthopy would end Teon’s fight forever. He cried out again when Nash bit his upper arm, shaking his head in an attempt to tear it off completely. “Not over yet,” he ground out. He felt around with his free hand, found a rock and hit Nash in the head with all his might, feeling satisfaction fill him when he heard the sickening crunch of the wolf’s skull. Rolling clear of the beast, he lunged for the glint of his knife in Nu’s glow. Grasping it, he turned, bracing himself for the next attack. Nash staggered to

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his feet, bound for Teon’s neck, teeth bared, tongue lolling. The impact threw Teon to the ground, but he managed to hold the knife steady and let Nash impale himself. Nash’s filled with shock and hate at the mortal blow. The growl that sounded deep in his chest came out with a bloody foam. Winded, Teon gathered himself and finally rolled the beast’s body off of himself. Falling upon the beast, he plunged his knife into its chest over and over until at last the bubbles of blood stopped forming on his muzzle and Nash was stilled forever. “Teon! By the god’s you’ve done it!” Relief, sharp and painful went through him at the sound of her voice. With an effort, Teon stood, came to where Kali sat upon the ground. He managed a snort of self contempt as he dropped painfully to the ground beside her, his back against a tree for support. “I couldn’t have done it without you.” He looked pointedly at her leg where a puddle of blood had formed. “How are you?” “I think I’ll be all right. It looks worse than it is.” It was a lot worse before. She’d never been as glad of her rapid healing before. Not that the wound had had the chance to heal completely, but at least the bones were mended and the blood no longer flowed freely. “What about you?” She tore the hem from her dress, wiggled over to him and wrapped the cloth tightly around his arm and shoulder. “We need to get this looked at.”

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Teon said nothing, didn’t flinch when she touched him. Just sat staring at her. Finally, she could take the silence no longer. “What?” She met his eyes hesitantly. “What is it Teon?” “Is it over?” “Of course it’s over.” She gestured to the werewolf’s torn and twisted body. “Teon. You killed him. It’s finally over.” He reached behind her neck and unclasped her medallion. “I guess that means you won’t need this anymore.” Kali tensed, unreasonable fear gripping her. When the pain of the change didn’t start despite the continued presence of Nu, she closed her eyes and sighed. Wait a second-“How long have you known?” She opened her eyes and searched his face, knowing the answer wouldn’t be etched in the fine lines there or in his pale blue eyes. “How did you know?” She knew she couldn’t have given it away, hadn’t said anything that hinted. “I knew the moment I met you, when I undressed you and put you to bed.” “Why didn’t you--” “Kill you?” He turned away, looking at Nash, then up at Nu. “I’ve been hunting werewolves for ten years.” He met her gaze. “You’re the first I’ve met with the strength of will to resist the change.” “I didn’t. I mean, I didn’t have the strength--”

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“You underestimate yourself. Did you really think this steal medal could help you?” “It’s silver….” “And yet in all this time it’s never tarnished?” Shock knocked the air from her lungs. “So I wasn’t…I mean I could have…. Teon! I could have killed you! Two nights in a row and--” “But you didn’t, and I must say,” he stroked her raven locks from her forehead, “it was well worth the risk.”

The end.

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