Wolves at the Door

  Too late. They were already there.

  I returned to our table and Zack reached for my hand, but it did little to ease my tension.

  “What did she want?” Maya asked.

  No way was I going to validate Gina’s words by saying it out loud. “The usual. To irritate me.”

  “She’s just jealous.” Maya brushed it off with a wave.

  She sounded so sure, and I wished I felt that confident. Still, for the duration of lunch and through the rest of the school day, I obsessed on how many things Gina might have done with Zack that I’d never be able to do with him.

  I had to put it out of my mind or it would drive me crazy.

  After my last class, I waited for Zack by the curb. Gina strolled toward me, then stopped, blocking my view of the wide double doors I’d been watching.

  She smirked. “Did you ask him?”

  “Zack’s with me now and that’s all I care about.” I rolled my eyes.

  Gina tapped her chin thoughtfully. “It’s probably for the best that you don’t bring it up. If he doesn’t admit it, you’ll always wonder if he told you the truth. Either way, you’ll never be sure.”

  I stuck my hands in my back pocket to curb my temptation to slap her. “One thing I am sure about is that I’ll never take your word over Zack’s.”

  Her smile didn’t waver, but her eye twitched. “Are you still saving yourself? Careful. Someone might come along and do your job for you. A man’s got needs.”

  “Giving it up for some guy who doesn’t care about you doesn’t make you better than me.” I started to turn toward my car, then paused. “It makes you a slut.”

  As I headed toward my car, I looked over my shoulder and saw Zack coming. Good. He’d keep me from pounding on Gina. A moment later, he fell into step with me.

  “What was that about?” He glanced at her retreating back.

  “She’s just trying to get under my skin.” Knowing Gina, though, annoying me wouldn’t be enough. I didn’t trust her. Not one bit.

  ~~~

  Chapter Three

  Once inside my house, I made sure all the doors and windows were locked. I’d grown paranoid after being stalked the last couple weeks by my psycho ex-boyfriend-turned-werewolf. Daniel might have been forced out of town, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t come back. And then there were Charles and Renzo.

  The threats were adding up, and I wasn’t taking any chances.

  While Zack finished his shift at the auto shop, I did all my homework, then finished his. It was strange how much easier school was since I’d begun maturing into a shape-shifter. I wondered if being healthier had somehow increased my intelligence.

  I booted up my laptop and was just about to reply to an e-mail from my mom when I heard the front door creak open and footsteps patter into the living room. My neck prickled. Who the hell was in my house?

  I jumped up and moved stealthily to the top of the stairs before peeking down. Zack came into view and I raced down the stairs and leapt on him. He laughed, one hand at my lower back and the other on my leg, which was wrapped around his hip.

  “Missed me, did you?” He grinned.

  “Always.” I planted my lips on his and gave him a long, searing kiss.

  “You okay?” he asked, coming up for air.

  “Sure. The door was locked and I thought someone broke in. Forgot you had my keys.”

  He studied my face, his brows pulling down. “If it makes you feel any better, I saw Charles nearby. Renzo or anyone else will have to get through him first.”

  Knowing Charles was watching us didn’t ease my mind one little bit. I rolled my eyes. “Awesome.”

  He chuckled, one hand sliding up my thigh. “We’d better go before we get too, uh, comfortable.”

  Didn’t he miss me too? Why hadn’t he said it back? Suddenly, I pictured him with Gina and took a deep breath. Damn Gina.

  I forced a smile. “After dinner, we’ll have the rest of the night to chill since I did all our homework.”

  “You’re amazing.” He kissed me again, but it was obvious he was holding back. “We should get to my house.”

  When I felt him begin to release his grip on me, I kept my legs wrapped around him, my fingers interlocked behind his neck. “To pick up your mom?”

  “No trip to the doctor today.” He shook his head and sighed. “She insists she’s fine.”

  “Maybe she is.” I squeezed closer against his chest to discourage him from putting me down. “Zack?” Oh, crap I shouldn’t ask. But I had to know. “Did you ever date Gina?”

  “We hung out.” He said it so casually, as if being with her in that way was no big deal. “You guys were best friends and she didn’t tell you?”

  I jumped off Zack and dodged him when he reached out for me. “Define ‘hung out,’” I asked, incapable of hiding the disgust in my voice.

  “Um…” He narrowed his eyes. “Autumn, you were still with Daniel. And you hated me then.”

  “So? That doesn’t make it right. She’s a skank.”

  He grunted. “Gina may have fooled around with your boyfriend, but Daniel tried to kill us. He’s way worse and you dated him.”

  “He only got violent after he was turned into a werewolf.” Although he had gotten kind of creepy and obsessive when I’d refused to sleep with him, then dumped him. “And anyway, at least he and I weren’t hiding that we were together.” I folded my arms over my chest and glared.

  “Gina and I weren’t hiding either and we weren’t together. And you know what else? At the time, you liked her too. She was your best friend, so don’t judge me.” Zack caught me around my waist and dragged me against him. His mouth swooped down on mine, probably either trying to make me forget about Gina or to get me to stop talking. It wasn’t going to work.

  That said, Zack was a really great kisser.

  Just as I melted into him, he withdrew. “That’s why I was so pissed off at you for not telling me everything she’d done. If I’d known she was such a bitch, I wouldn’t have hung out with her at all.”

  Yeah, but I still didn’t know how far had they’d gone when they’d ‘hung out’ and I couldn’t bring myself to ask.

  † † †

  After dinner at Zack’s, I helped him with kitchen duty, then spent time with his mom while he talked to Trevor. I planted myself on the bed at her side. Her face was just as pale as the night before and her breathing just as labored.

  “Isn’t prom this weekend?” Favianne asked between breaths.

  I smiled to try to lighten the mood. She looked in need of a distraction. “Yes. I didn’t get to go to prom last year, because we moved a week before and I was too late for prom at my next school.”

  “They started you in a new school so close to the end of the year?” She frowned and sucked in another shallow breath. “I did it to Zack this year, but didn’t think other parents were that cruel.”

  “You had to, because it wasn’t practical to live on your own anymore. My dad, on the other hand, often relocates for work. He thinks it’s easier to move us all together than leave us behind and commute. They were about to move me again, but I put up a fight.”

  “I’m not sure it’s a good idea for you to live by yourself, but I’m glad you’re still around.” She patted my hand and yawned.

  “I should let you rest.” I moved to leave, then on impulse leaned over to drop a kiss on her forehead.

  She smiled sleepily and raised a hand to rest against my cheek. “You’re a nice girl. I’m so happy Zack found you.”

  She had to be the sweetest, most generous woman I’d ever met. I loved her more every day. “Me too. Good night.”

  I crept out and closed the door, running into Zack’s muscular chest in the hallway.

  “She looks better, doesn’t she?” he asked, looking hopeful.

  “I guess so.” That wasn’t the truth, but I didn’t want him stressing. His brows furrowed as he entwined his fingers with mine. I rubbed his arm with my free hand. “So
what’s the plan for tonight?”

  “We hang with my family until it’s time for you to go, then I walk you home.” A smile hinted on his lips. Then we go for a run in the woods and later you’ll sneak into my bedroom, he finished silently.

  “Excellent plan.” I grinned. “It’s cooling off outside. Let’s go sit on the front porch.”

  Zack led the way. At the top of the steps, I brought my legs up and rested my chin on my knees. He sprawled out on the other end with his back against the railing, and faced me.

  “I guess Gina got under your skin earlier, huh?” he asked.

  I shrugged. “Maybe a little.”

  “You want me to talk to her?” Zack nudged my thigh with his sneaker. “Tell her to back off?”

  And give Gina the opportunity to be alone with him? “No, I can handle her. But thanks.”

  I heard footsteps and my head snapped around to look beyond the front yard. My whole body stiffened when I saw Zack’s supervisor, but I took care not to let the tension show. In my peripheral vision, Zack straightened his spine and faced Charles.

  “Good evening.” He halted midstride and tipped his cowboy hat. “Nice night.”

  I forced a smile. “Yes, it is.”

  “How are you feeling? Any more fainting spells?”

  As far as Charles knew, I was human. He had no clue that the chloroform Daniel had dosed me with the other day hadn’t affected me or that I’d witnessed Daniel and Zack battling it out. Or that I’d seen Daniel’s maker arrive, only to be run out of town by Charles. When the dust had settled, Charles had ordered Zack to convince me that I’d fainted so I wouldn’t go to the police. Werewolves didn’t like officials involved, because they didn’t want to make their existence known to the mortals.

  “Yeah, that was weird, huh? I’ve been one hundred percent fine since, but thanks for asking.” I reminded myself that he had saved our lives the other day. I just wished he didn’t have ulterior motives — like planning to take Zack to the werewolf king after graduation in only a month and a half or so.

  Not that Zack intended to go with Charles. But whether Zack joined the king or escaped, I’d probably never see him again. Anyone who wanted to shorten my already limited time with him was most definitely my enemy.

  “Glad to see all’s well. Enjoy your evening.” Charles tipped his hat again and resumed his walk.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I watched him cross the street and stroll to the end of the next block. He was far enough away now that he couldn’t hear us, but I kept my voice low anyway.

  “Having him around makes me nervous,” I said.

  “You may as well get used to it.” His thumb made soothing strokes against the back of my hand. “Just because you don’t see him doesn’t mean he’s not there. Charles is never far away. He’s only obvious when he wants to remind me he’s watching. But we’re not in danger as long as I’m cooperating.”

  “I hope you’re right.” I’d have to tune in my supernatural radar to Charles.

  “It’s in his best interest to keep me alive. If he doesn’t bring me to the king in good health, how can he justify the time he’s spent here? Try not to let his appearances bother you.”

  “I’ll try. But next time you’re getting regular visits from a werewolf, you should clue me in instead of letting me find out days later.” I raised one brow and eyed him. “Your habit of withholding information is getting a little annoying.”

  He held my hand tighter when I tried to jerk it away. “I didn’t want you to worry.”

  “If I kept things from you, you wouldn’t like it.” Squeezing my eyes shut, I told myself to be patient. “I want full disclosure from now on.”

  “I promise.” He raised a palm in surrender. “On another note, prom’s on Saturday. Anything in particular you wanted to do before then?”

  I scooted along the top step until we were hip to hip and he slung an arm around my waist. “Did you have something in mind?”

  “Yeah.” Zack cupped my face with his other hand and gazed into my eyes. “I thought we might go out. I want you all to myself. A real date. Plus, the last date didn’t go well and I kind of want a do-over.”

  “Sure.” My insides warmed and I beamed. “How about we go to my house now, just for a little while?”

  Zack nodded. “Great idea. We need to arm wrestle and see how much stronger you’ve gotten.”

  Not exactly the kind of wrestling I had in mind, but I’d humor him.

  Back at my house, he slapped his elbow on the dining room table and held out his hand. Sitting across from him, I gripped his palm.

  “On three,” he said. “One, two, three.”

  I gave it everything I had, but the back of my hand slowly drew closer to the table. I strained even harder, putting my weight into it. Except for the trembling that went all the way to my toes, our arms didn’t move either direction, as if suspended in time.

  As I struggled to overpower him, everything but Zack vanished from my vision. I strove against his force to raise my hand, but his arm wouldn’t budge. After a long moment, my strength faded. I let go and my knuckles slammed into the table.

  “Ow!” I stood, shaking out my hand. “That freakin’ hurt.”

  He dumped his chair, stood and grabbed my hand to examine it. “Broke the skin. I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to hurt you,” he whispered, kissing my sore knuckles.

  Butterflies in my stomach did twists and turns, sending tiny shivers through my limbs. “It’s okay. The pain is already gone.”

  Zack leaned in to drop a kiss on the end of my nose. He closed his eyes, then inhaled and exhaled deeply, like he was trying to regain control. “We should go.”

  He was right; we couldn’t get ourselves into trouble. Resigned to keeping my hands off him for the moment, I headed up the stairs. His voice stopped me halfway up.

  “Hey, Autumn?”

  “Yeah?”

  “You’re really strong.”

  I blinked. “You beat me, just like last time.”

  “No, this wasn’t nearly as easy.” He leaned an arm on top of the railing and looked up at me. “You’ll be able to beat me soon.”

  I tilted my head. “I’ll get stronger with time, but so will you.”

  He shook his head. “I’ve already finished with my initial power surge and won’t change much. You have a few more weeks before you level out. Do the math.”

  “Maybe I’ve already leveled out.”

  “Our abilities increase along with our scent and your scent is still weak, which means all your powers have a ways to go.”

  “But you don’t have any real life experience with shape-shifters, other than me. Just the box of books your dad left for you. Maybe they’re inaccurate.” I shrugged, not knowing what else to say, then darted up to my room to get into my sweats.

  † † †

  Zack parked my Mustang in a deserted area under the cover of thick-trunked trees. We’d picked a different part of the forest to avoid Renzo and Charles, but switching playgrounds was no guarantee we’d be alone.

  I rolled down my window to listen and breathed in the scent of pine and sage. There were no humans or werewolves close by that I could hear or smell.

  “I think we’re safe.” Zack jerked his head toward the trees. “Before you morph, I’ll patrol the area just to make sure.”

  “There’s a more efficient way to find out.” I couldn’t wait to get out of the car and feel the night air rushing past me. But with Charles and the new werewolf in town, making sure we were alone had to come above all else.

  I climbed out of the car, making a beeline for the cover of the woods. Once surrounded by brush and leaves, I scanned the area again, then stopped. I pictured myself as a hawk and felt the familiar vibration begin in my toes, then shimmy up my legs, stomach and arms. I glanced down. My hands had all but disappeared.

  For the tiniest measurement of time, I was nothing and weightless. An instant later, I exploded into a physical presence again, long feather
s lifting me off the ground and my wings cutting through the air until I soared above the treetops. Wind ruffled my feathers and tickled my skin.

  Freedom.

  From high above, I scanned the woods for movement. For Charles or Renzo in their human or wolf forms. Other than a couple deer, a coyote and a family of raccoons, there wasn’t a soul in sight. All clear. I’m going to change into a wolf while we’re still alone.

  Don’t forget to go human first, he reminded me, then he morphed.

  Yeah, like I need reminding. Last time I’d tried to turn into something else without first going human, I got violently ill. I could become any animal I wanted, but my primary form was human so I needed my foundation between morphs. It grounded me.

  As I drifted down toward the treetops, my eagle eyes spied a rat scurrying along a tree branch. The urge to swoop and snag my prey rose up and I stifled it. I could give in to the desires of whatever shape I held, but once I turned human, I knew my belly would regret eating a rat, especially a raw one.

  I glided down toward the soft dirt near Zack. As soon as I touched ground, I mentally shed myself of my bird skin. The trembling began, and then the floating sensation. And, finally, nothing. For a split second, I was myself again before I shifted right into a wolf.

  I took off after Zack, following his scent toward the heartbeat of the forest.

  A rabbit scampered in my path. Instinct drove me to hunt it down and I almost veered off to follow. I made a mental note to have a snack before going out next time and morphing into a carnivore.

  The forest echoed with paws pounding against the dirt floor. In the distance, leaves crunched and I wondered how far ahead Zack was. A moment later, I practically collided into him as he whooshed across my path. I skidded and turned to follow. As I trailed behind him, the scent of the rabbit invaded my nose.

  You’re not going to eat that thing, are you? I asked.

  I’m hungry, he told me. In the near pitch-black night, all I could see was his bushy tail.