The Maiden and the Werewolf Read online

  Amma smiled. "So, mad am I? Once I could have convinced you beyond any denial."

  Kira stared. "What are you saying?"

  "I, too, carry the blood of the wolf in my veins."

  "Then show me. Convince me."

  "I cannot, child. I am far too weak to use the gift."

  Kira laughed, sounding mad to her own ears. "Gift? What sort of gift is it to become a beast?"

  "Do not blaspheme!" Amma’s voice rose as she glared at Kira. "It is a gift our people have cherished for thousands of years. We are the chosen, the Army of the Light."

  "If it is such a gift to be prized, why did you hide it from me?"

  "Because I was weak and afraid. I feared for you, too. I feared to lose you to the battle with the Darkness. I see now that I was wrong."

  Kira shook her head. "No. I do not believe this fantastic tale. It is simply another of your stories."

  Amma’s eyes held sadness. "Truly, I have not served you well in keeping these things from you." She studied the flames for a long moment before turning back to Kira. "All right, child. You know everything now. You are free to accept it or reject it, but know this, Kira. Accepting what you are and embracing it for the Light is much more joyous a life than trying to deny it. I know you fear, my child, but once you know perfect love, your fear will be cast out and you will want to embrace the gift."

  Kira shook her head. "No. I will never embrace what is so unnatural."

  "Have you heard nothing I’ve said?" Amma sighed and her eyes fluttered shut. "I am tired, Kira. Help me to my bed."

  Kira hesitated, for the first time in her life, to do as her grandmother asked. Suddenly the woman she thought she’d known so well was not what she appeared. Was she really her Amma? Or was she an unnatural beast in human form?

  "Do you fear me now, child? Have I changed from who I was only moments ago?" Amma held out her hand in a pleading gesture.

  Kira fell at her grandmother’s feet. "I am sorry, Amma. I don’t fear you."

  "But you are confused. That, too, is natural. Come, let me rest and you think over what I’ve told you. It will become clear to you as you begin your journey to the next step in your life." Amma tried to rise, but had to wait on Kira to help her.

  Kira put her arms around Amma’s waist. Amma leaned heavily on her as they made their way back to the cot. When she was comfortable, Amma took Kira’s hand.

  "Think on these things, Kira. It is not to be feared, but, like your courses, is a natural part of the world’s order. You are strong, like your dam. You will make the right choice."

  Amma’s eyes closed and her breathing became easy as she slept.

  Kira sat by the bed for a long time, thinking as Amma had bid her, staring at the frail body, but she couldn’t accept it. She wouldn’t.

  Chapter Six

  Amma’s prediction came true that very day. A crimson stain on her trousers marked the beginning of Kira’s courses. At the same time, a strange gnawing began in her womanly place. A yearning for something her mind did not understand, but her body seemed to know only too well. Her spirit troubled by all the strange new sensations, she used the washboard to work out the stain and her own musings on all Amma had told her.

  It was too strange to be believed, and she rejected the tale. More than that, she feared the possibility that her grandmother had told the truth. But how was it possible?

  She scrubbed and thought, her mind becoming more and more confused.

  While Amma slept that afternoon, Kira wandered the paths near the cottage, her head in a whirl. Howls echoed from the snow-covered mountainside, reminding her she dare not stray too far and reminding her of Amma’s words. Her head spun. It made no sense. She should be laughing about the nonsensical idea that a person could turn into a wolf.

  But Amma took it so seriously.

  As she approached the cottage, wanting nothing more than a cup of willow bark tea, she stopped dead in her tracks. The door of the cottage stood open.

  How could I have been so foolish? Amma was alone in there and anyone ... anything ... could have entered. Fear jolted her feet to run.

  "Amma!" she screamed, panic choking her. "Amma! I’m coming."

  She grabbed the doorframe to stop herself as she crossed the threshold and heard--laughter.

  Amma’s frail cackle, familiar and reassuring. But there was another, deeper, rumbling. The same sound that had touched her inside before, stirring a cauldron of unknown feeling near her woman’s place.

  The man Valgard sat by Amma’s cot, holding a bowl and a spoon near Amma’s mouth.

  "What are you doing here?" She strode to the cot and grabbed his arm, spilling broth on the bed. "Get out!"

  "No, child, no. Be still." Amma waved away Kira’s struggling hands. "Valgard is a friend."

  "Friend? You chased him out this very morning."

  "I know. But we have had time to get acquainted now."

  Kira’s head throbbed even harder. She didn’t want this troubling man here.

  "Then I’ll chase him out this time." Again she pulled on his sleeves.

  Valgard rose and turned to face her. "I came to help, Kira."

  She stepped back, her instinct to escape his disturbing presence. "How can you help us?"

  "You are in danger. Greater danger than you can imagine."

  He moved closer. She spun to get away, but he was too quick. His hands, broad and strong, were on her shoulders, holding her, shooting tingles down her arms. She was unbearably conscious of every inch of him.

  "Let me go," she whispered.

  "Not until you hear me out. There are things you need to know about yourself and your people."

  "I know everything I need to know. Just leave." Her voice had risen to a higher pitch, almost a wail. She forced herself to be calm despite the potent emotions coursing through her. He was only a man, just a man. There was no resemblance to the silver wolf in the glade.

  As she thought that, Valgard tipped his head and his silver mane swung to the side. A smile put appealing creases in his cheeks. Strangely, he removed his hands from her and backed away.

  "Very well, my lady. If that is your wish, I will leave." His smile broadened and a twisty knot formed in her stomach. The intensity of it shocked her.

  She’d never felt such a sensation before. What is it?

  He turned back to Amma, kneeling by the bed and taking her hand in both of his. "I shall keep watch for you, Grandmother. You and Kira will be safe as long as I live." He pressed his lips to Amma’s parchment skin. "Farewell for now."

  Amma grinned. "Thank you, Valgard. I can rest easy now."

  At Amma’s words, Kira’s heart stopped.

  Valgard only nodded. "Give my regards to our people on the other side, Amma."

  "I will, my dear."

  He gently lay her hand back on the cot and rose, then headed for the door. As he swept his cloak around his wide shoulders, he said, "I shall be near if you need me, Kira. Just think of me and I will come."

  Then he left.

  She jerked around to Amma. "Why did you let him in here?"

  Amma cackled. "How was I to stop him?"

  She felt horror freeze on her face. Amma turned serious and waved her to come near. "No, child, no. Don’t fear. It was providential that he came here last night and then returned today."

  Kira sat in the chair where so recently Valgard had sat. It was warm from his body. She felt strangely comforted, but pushed the feeling out of her mind.

  Amma studied her. "You fear him?"

  "Yes."

  "Why?"

  "I don’t know."

  Amma smiled. "I do."

  Kira stared. "He’s a stranger. I know nothing about him."

  "You will." With those cryptic words, Amma closed her eyes. "Soon, I will sleep and see my Justin again. And my sweet Elena and her brave Zander. And my dam and sire..."

  A gentle snore told her Amma had fallen into a restful sleep.

  She would dream of her beloved
. That’s what she meant. She didn’t mean she would die. Her attempts to convince herself were less than consoling, for she could not ignore the truth. Amma’s life was now measured in only days, perhaps hours.

  The tears welled in her eyes as she looked at her grandmother’s withered body. She swiped them away, for if Amma woke suddenly as she often did, she didn’t want to add her own despair to Amma’s burden.

  But the grief was too strong and would not be banished this time. She jumped from the chair and dashed out the door, but carefully slipped the latch before running to the glade where she could give her grief freedom to flow.

  She sat on a smooth rock. Even though the sun was high, winking at her playfully in sparkling shards off the fresh snow, she could find no joy in the day. Resting her head on her knees, she let her tears and the racking sobs come. She buried her face in her hands as the sorrow engulfed her.

  Something wet nudged her hand.

  She jerked her head up.

  And met the eyes of the silver wolf.

  Chapter Seven

  A scream formed in her throat, but her fear held it prisoner. She froze in place, knowing she was done for.

  The wolf nudged her hand again.

  The scream broke free, echoing through places covered with snow as a muted sound of fear and panic.

  The wolf tipped his head to the side, watching her. As the scream’s echo faded, he nudged her again then loped away, only to turn and crouch on his front paws, his rear end in the air. After a moment he bounded back.

  This time he came closer and licked her face, again bounced a pace away, and crouched again, his tail wagging high in the air.

  "Play with me."

  The words formed so perfectly in her head she could almost hear a voice speaking them.

  "Play. Please?"

  The wolf bounded around her in happy expectation and then, amazingly, took her hand in his mouth.

  Fear returned, but the wolf only shook her gently. Then he pulled her, never squeezing so hard that his teeth would hurt. She had to get up or rip her hand from his mouth. Once she was on her feet, he leapt in circles around her in what could only be described as joy.

  "Come, Kira. Run with me."

  The voice in her head no longer seemed so strange.

  The wolf bounded ahead and stopped, turning and fixing her with an expectant look.

  "Well?"

  A smile bloomed on her face and she ran after him. He ran into the woods and she lost sight of him.

  "Wolf? Where are you?"

  A weight came upon her back and pushed her to the ground, burying her face in the snow, shocking and, at the same time, comforting, as the cold soothed her tear-burned eyes. The wolf licked her neck, nuzzling her hair away and gently nipping at the tender skin at the nape. It tickled. She giggled.

  "Stop that!" she commanded with a laugh and rolled over and smacked at his snout. The wolf ignored the order and examined her ears, sniffing and licking. Her laughter rang over the glade and through the snow-covered trees.

  Kira grabbed the fur at the sides of his head and pulled him away. "That tickles!"

  The fur was so soft and thick, so inviting, she caressed him, stroking him, scratching the patch behind each handsome ear. The wolf’s eyes closed as though this were the most exquisite thing.

  "Oh, you like that, do you?" She scratched him some more and then, when she sensed he was off-guard, she wrapped her arms around him and rolled him to the ground.

  He growled, but she knew, somehow, he was still playing. She growled back and buried her face in his warm coat.

  "Now we’ll see if wolves are ticklish." She leaned over him as he lay submissively on his back and ran her fingers along his ribs.

  Mercilessly she tickled him. He growled, but this time it sounded to her ears like laughter--deep, rumbling laughter. She laughed with him.

  They played all afternoon, until the sun had dipped behind the horizon. Shadows started lengthening in warning that night was coming. The wolf suddenly stopped his romping and looked around. Kira wondered if that was a bad sign. Was she in danger now that playtime was over?

  He approached her and took her cloak in his mouth, pulling her back toward the glade.

  "Night comes, Kira. Time to go home."

  She followed his urging and let him lead her home.

  It didn’t surprise her when he led her directly to her door. Nor when he followed her inside.

  "Well, you’ve returned, I see."

  She glanced at Amma. What a strange thing for her to say. "Of course, I returned, Amma."

  "Not you, child."

  The wolf loped over and jumped up on the cot and licked Amma’s face. Kira made to get him off, but Amma didn’t seem afraid. In fact, she petted the wolf and made cooing sounds to him as she fondled his ears.

  "On with you, now."

  The wolf jumped down and went over to the fire, where he circled three times, then settled himself as though he belonged there.

  "I see you made a new friend, child," Amma said around a cough.

  Kira dipped a warm posset for Amma and brought it to her before answering.

  "He came to me in the glade."

  "And you were not afraid?"

  "At first I was. But he only wanted to play."

  Amma fixed her with a glance. "You do not fear him now?"

  "No." The answer had come so suddenly it surprised her. But it was the truth. This animal presented no danger. Of that she was certain.

  In the center of a moonlit glade, a lean black wolf sniffed the air. The faint scent of rabbit reached his nostrils from far to the west, but the hunger driving him was not that of the belly.

  She had begun to bleed. The time had come to claim her.

  He sat on his haunches, lifted his muzzle to the stars and howled. His song carried through the snow-crusted trees and across the ridge, to the cottage where the silver wolf lay sleeping by the fire.

  The silver wolf heard the call of his rival. He raised his head, ears erect. A low growl rumbled in his throat as he turned to stare at the ladder leading to the loft where the woman slept.

  "She is mine."

  * * * *

  Hands stroked the inside of her thighs, edging closer and closer to the place where yearning coiled, waiting to be unleashed.

  "You are beautiful, desirable. Be my mate."

  "Yes," she whispered into the night. The hands moved closer, first with feather-light fingertips, then with rhythmic kneading. Splayed fingers slid to the soft creases between her thighs.

  "Please," she begged, not knowing what she asked for, yet knowing there must be more.

  Rumbling chuckles vibrated through her body, sending shards of pleasure radiating from her core. Warm lips nuzzled her neck, grazed her earlobes, nipped and toyed with the tender skin on the underside of her chin. They settled on her lips and the velvet stroke of tongue beckoned her to open.

  She tasted him, drawing him into her mouth, exploring, discovering. Such intimacy. Such wonder.

  His lips left hers to tug on her lower lip and then moved lower, to her breasts. She arched under his mouth and heard his deep-throated moan, almost a growl.

  "Open yourself to me, Kira."

  As he spoke his fingers slid into her woman’s plane and she knew instinctively what he meant. A breathlessly intense wave swept through her as her legs parted. The cool air caressed her damp heat for only a moment before she felt a weight, strange and delicious, settle upon her. Large, strong fingers gripped her hips, angling her upward.

  Silken, hot, hard, he filled her and she gasped. Deeper and deeper he thrust until she was sure he could go no further, yet he did. She trembled with the fullness of him inside her.

  And then it was gone.

  "No. Don’t..."

  The chuckle, deeper and ragged, came only a moment before he thrust again, plunging in one long, hard stroke. She rocked her hips to meet him and a rhythmic throbbing filled her, and only one thing mattered in the whole world
.

  The yearning, the need, coiled tighter and tighter, a sensation so filled with pleasure she lost herself to its force. He stroked. In and out. In and out. And with each thrust her need built higher. She writhed--

  "Kira!"

  Kira woke, shaking, gasping for breath. Sweat dampened her face. Her heart beat as though she’d run a league through the forest.

  She sat up, disoriented by the dream. Was it a dream? The sensations had seemed so real. She could still feel the fullness--

  "Kira!"

  "Amma." Kira threw off the covers and leapt for the ladder. She scurried down to the main floor. The wolf lay by the fire, head on his paws, his silver gaze on the alcove where Amma’s cot was. Kira dashed to her grandmother’s side and knelt by the cot.

  "I’m here, Amma."

  "It is my time, child."

  The words turned Kira’s heart to ice. "No."

  "Hush." Amma barely had breath to speak the word. Her fingers clawed at Kira. Kira clutched Amma’s hand and held it to her breast. "Let the wolf guide you, child." The weak old eyes gazed at Kira, full of love. "I shall miss you, Kira. I love you."

  Amma’s eyes fluttered closed and her sunken chest heaved for breath. Once, twice.

  Then Amma was still.

  A desolate shriek escaped Kira’s mouth. Her eyes pooled with tears, overflowing and falling down her cheeks.

  "No, Amma, no." Kira’s anguish poured out over the lifeless shell.

  A wet nose grazed her cheek, a warm tongue lapped at her tears. Kira raised her eyes to the wolf, standing by her, comforting her. She wrapped her arms him and buried her face against his furry shoulder, weeping until she could weep no more.

  When she’d emptied herself, she sat against the cot. The wolf stepped closer and nuzzled Amma’s face, then lay his head against Amma’s for a moment.

  He stepped away and turned to Kira, his head cocked. He padded to the door and scratched at it.

  "You’d leave me now?" she asked him, the only other living soul in the cottage. She didn’t want him to go. Nonetheless she went to the door and raised the bar. When she opened the door, the wolf loped out toward the forest without a glance back. She watched until he disappeared.