Back in June, I was running in my shifted form up in the nature preserve in Rutchester.It was near where I lived back then, and there is a lovely little waterfall where the creek plunges down the mountainside--mountain is used generously here.It's more like a rock side, about twenty feet tall.So nothing like what you see in some exotic countries, but for being here, it's pretty impressive.And on the rock wall next to the fall, there is almost like a cave with rock carvings from long ago, with long-legged people and funny-looking ships.
Sometimes, tourists find their way there.
I was trotting along, enjoying being in fur, when I scented him.Heat washed over me, and I howled.
Maybe not the smartest thing to do since there aren't supposed to be any wolves in Rutchester.It happens that a lone wolf passes through now and then, but the humans most often don't notice it, and we don't care.It's pretty easy to tell by scent if it's a shifter or a natural wolf.
We leave the natural wolves be.If the poor things are spotted by humans, the farmers nearby always start shouting about killing them, and then there is a debate about whether hunting wolves should be allowed or not, and we're all put at risk.
There are always some crazy fuckers wanting to kill wolves, but I hope they never drop the regulations.If every hunter were allowed to hunt wolves, we'd be doomed.It's hard enough to keep our existence a secret as it is.If the forest fills with crazed hunters, someone is bound to be found out sooner or later.
Anyway, back to me scaring my mate half to death.
I was elated, as I'm sure you understand.My mate was nearby.
I took off at full speed and tumbled out on the small trail near the waterfall, only to come face to face with a child.A dark-haired, scrawny kid with dark, bottomless eyes.
First, I was horrified.You have no say in who your mate is, but a child?A human child.I didn't want to wait decades before I could complete the mating, and to think my mate never would be able to run with me on a moonlit night filled me with a kind of sadness I've never experienced before.It was grief.For him.I ached for the loss of sensation he'd never experience.
Then something hard hit my snout.
I snarled in pain as stones, one after another, came flying through the air.
Simon grabbed the kid and shoved him behind him before shouting at me to get the fuck out of there while he kept hurling stones at me.
He has good aim; I'll give him that.
I ran off.What else could I do?I didn't think he'd like to hear me declare my undying love right then.See, I can be perceptive.
Sigh.
I kept my distance, despite my heart almost being yanked out of my chest as soon as there was distance between me and Simon.I stalked them back to their car and memorized the license plate.It was all I could do.I'm fast, but I can't keep pace with a car for hours, and it would cause panic if I ran after the car through towns and villages.
I won't lie.I was terrified I wouldn't be able to find him again, but I did, and lucky for me, he lives in Hillden, only about an hour's drive from Rutchester.It meant I could move without having to live without my pack, which is a relief.I'd walk through fire for Simon, but I think I'd go mad if I couldn't meet my pack mates now and then.
And I need Zahrah nearby.
I huff to myself.I didn't hesitate for a second about moving, but my plan has ground to a halt since then.I've tried speaking to Simon a couple of times, but he only gives me short, impersonal replies, and his smile is forced.
I don't know what to do, and since Zahrah snarls at me every time I mention going over there to tell him he's my mate, I don't think it's a good idea.She's normally right about those kinds of things.
To comfort myself, I head to the garage where I'll tinker with my Harley until Simon comes home.I make sure to always leave the garage door open, so he'll see me.Most often, I play classic rock a little too loud to make sure he hears me when he steps out of the car.
I've heard humans are a bit deaf, so I take precautions with the volume.
* * * *
Chapter 2
Simon
My head is pounding, and I want nothing more than to drag myself to bed and sleep for a couple of weeks.Ira silently watches me from the passenger seat, and I force myself to smile at him.
"Hungry?"
He nods.
He's a quiet kid.He has no memory of Irene, his mother, but sometimes I think the loss is etched into his soul.I want to give him the best possible life, the best childhood anyone can have, but I'm failing miserably.With Christmas around the corner, I fret more than normal, especially since I'm not sure I'll have a job for much longer.
