Again with the super-long hiatus from this story! I'm sorry!
Anyway, as much as I wish I owned these lovely characters, Blake and Alyssa are the only ones who are mine.
Chapter 5 – What Now?
By the time I'd Changed and dressed (again), my body was informing me in no uncertain terms that I would NOT be Changing back to wolf in the next week, or it would rebel. I, of course, ignored this information. Blake whined from his place among the hemlock roots where he'd been hiding when the redwolf first showed up.
Charles, the redwolf, had joined us in human form. Blackie Two, the female, stood beside him. I surveyed them silently for a moment, then sat down on the forest floor. The wolf in me didn't like having my head lower than the redwolf's, but I squashed the wolf for once.
Dominating redfwolf makes the black female uncomfortable, I reminded my inner wolf. And she must be protected, too.
"Where's your silver friend?" Charles asked softly. Blake bounded out of the shelter of the hemlock and skidded to a stop beside me, panting happily. He nudged my shoulder in puppyish glee, and I let him bowl me over – though I wrapped and arm around his silver-gray shoulders and pulled him with me. He yelped, and I laughed before righting both of us.
"Here he is," I said unnecessarily. Charles showed no sign of amusement, but I grinned unrepentantly at his stern expression. "So who's your black-furred friend?"
"This is Anna, my mate," he rumbled. I studied the slender black she-wolf for a moment, then ducked my head to her.
"Hello, Anna. My name is Alyssa." I had to keep the wolf from adding, it is our honor to protect you.
You sound like a medieval knight, I complained to my wolf. The wildness inside of me snorted and retreated.
"So, redwolf, what happens now?" I asked, focusing on him again. "The wolves who Changed Blake and I are dead." He tilted his head.
"You know, Trainer Fox, I wonder is you would like to see Montana? The Marrok will be eager to meet you," he told me.
"Big, mysterious boss wolfy. Right. Why would he want to see me?" I muttered. Charles raised an eyebrow.
"Maybe because of who and what you are?" he replied pointedly. I grimaced.
"Point to you. So the Marrok lives in Montana?" I added slyly.
"Aspen Creek," he answered without thinking. Then he scowled at me, and his mate snarled. I flapped a hand at her.
"Sorry, Miss Anna – or would that be Mrs. Redwolf?" I added. Blake nudged me again, this time not to play, but to get my attention.
"What is it?" I murmured, turning to him. He whined softly and butted me with his furry head. I tangled my fingers in his ruff. "All right. I understand." I looked up at Charles again. "I'll go to Montana to meet the Marrok. But I'm going back to my dogs. I won't give up my entire life just because Blackie One stuck his filthy teeth into me. And Blake stays with me unless he wants to go somewhere else," I added, knowing that was what Blake had been trying to tell me – that he didn't want to go anywhere else. Charles seemed to think this over for a minute.
"Very well," he sighed finally. He glanced down at the black she-wolf. "I don't supposed you have a way to get four werewolves off this mountain and to Aspen Creek before she decides she'd rather check on her precious dogs first?" he asked playfully. Anna gave him A Look. Capital A, capitol L. I laughed.
"I think you have just mildly insulted your lady, redwolf," I told him with mock seriousness. "You must repent." The black she-wolf eyed me suspiciously. I grinned. "Oh, don't mind me, Anna. I'm just a dog trainer and now a part-time wolf."
Okay, so, that's all I've got for now, but if people review, and if I manage to get my hands on an A & O or Mercy Thompson book sometime this week, I might update again.
Flames will be used to keep cold wolfies warm this winter.