Chapter 4

Caught Out

Wolf trotted quietly through the trees, Virginia's little hand held safe in his own. The hunt, the chase and the capture of his precious mate had left him slightly dazed and wonderfully sated. Surely he was a blessed half wolf, for sure, he thought happily, to have such a willing and exiteable woman as his mate for life. He glanced sideways at her as she scurried along. She was flushed and sweaty still, moving unafraid through the moonlit night. He loved that she no longer had any fear of him, that she relied totally on him to deliver her safely from the dangers of the forest. She was tired though, he could see easily that she needed rest and sleep. She had after all worked most of the day and hadn't even been home yet. They would have to find more inventive ways of spending the moon time as the cub grew within her, taxing her energy as he did now.

Wolf was lost in his thoughts when the warning came hammering through his human awareness. It was his wolf blood, wolf instincts, watching his back, so to speak.

"You are followed"

Wolf stopped stock still, abruptly, his hand coming down swiftly to cover Virginia's mouth softly, lest she inadvertantly give away their position. Using all his predatory senses, he scanned the night around them. Snuffing quietly, various scents made their way to his nose; squirrel, rabbit, stray dog, owl, mouse, all typical woodland smells, his mind sorting and dismissing them one by one. Plenty of man and woman scent, but that was everywhere in this well populated city. He caught quite strongly the scent of a male on Virginia's clothes, someone had touched her upper arms recently. He stood there wondering whether to bring this up when his sharp ears caught a telltale sound, someone creeping away, trying not to make any noise. It was an unnatural rythmn, as Wolf knew that people who were conciously trying to be quiet usually inadvertently brought more attention to themselves by thinking more closely about where their feet were going.

Virginia looked up at Wolf as he stood there as if frozen. She could tell something had his attention but he did not look particularly alarmed so she relaxed against him, keeping silent as he had obviously bid her be. She marveled quietly at his wild skills, no scent nor sound made it's way to her. She studied his face, seeing that his long canine teeth were still extended and his eyes glittered a pale red. She felt a momentary concern that somebody would be foolish enough to confront them. She didn't really know if she could divert Wolf from killing or maiming if he truly thought his mate were threatened. Suddenly she felt his muscles tense and he turned swiftly back they way they had come, leaping away from her towards a small stand of trees. Wolf's quarry, a man, she thought, broke cover, but he was no match in speed. Quickly Virginia bolted after Wolf and the man and within seconds found them together. Wolf had the man by the throat with his hands grasping the collar of his shirt, lifting him clear off the ground and against the bole of a tree.

As she drew near she could hear Wolf growling low in his throat, a menacing sound even for her. She glanced at Wolf's capture, realising suddenly that it was the same young red haired man (a priest! she noticed) who had tried to intercept her earlier in the evening. Despite having obvious trouble breathing, he was glaring at Wolf with a certain air of rightousness. It was precisely the wrong response, she realised. He was foolish indeed if he thought to present himself as a real challenge. Wolf shook the man.

"Think to hunt the hunter?" he hissed.

The priest may have been defiant in attitude but he was beyond words, Virginia could see. Quickly she closed the distance between them, placing a calm hand on Wolf's back and shoulder. She had his attention immediately.

"It's okay, love, he's no threat. He tried to help me earlier, he means no harm..." she trailed off, hoping desperately that her words were getting through to him.

"He touched you"

"Yes, he thought I needed help, earlier, when I was running. We almost collided in the dark"

Wolf's attention went back and forth between her and his captive, deciding. Suddenly he released the man, who fell to the ground, where he wisely stayed, cowering. Wolf huffed.

"If you say so, princess" he smiled at her and she was relieved to see his human rationality winning through. She led him away quietly, glancing back at the young man, giving him a commanding look which said one thing, Run! He did so, stumbling away through the undergrowth. Wolf watched him go, a satisfied smirk on his face.

Virginia yawned hugely then, all the excitement and tension suddenly taking over her. Wolf looked at her, concerned, scooping her up in his arms as they made their way to the street side opposite their apartment. He let her down gently and watched as she carefully made her way across the road and entered the building. He waited until a light had gone on in the unit and she peeped out the window, waving to signal she was home safe. He turned his face to the moon again and disappeared into the dark, the episode with the strange man already forgotten.

Virginia meanwhile took a long hot shower and prepared for bed at last. She looked over her shoulder in the bathroom mirror, seeing the two small bite marks Wolf's teeth had left on the back of her neck. They weren't really deep and no blood seeped out, yet she couldn't help imagining how close those punctures were to her spine. Just the slightest pressure from Wolf and he could have broken her neck like swatting a fly. She wasn't afraid, but she was amazed at his self control. It was a small measure of her influence over him and it made her realise that in her own way she was just as powerful as her mate, and he knew it well. He would run until dawn, she knew, so she crawled into their bed, sleepily worrying a little about their encounter with the priest. Surely the man would find some rational explanation for being accosted by a large growling man with long fangs and glowing eyes...she slept.