Authors: J. A. Saare
A slight twinge of anxiousness sent my heart racing.
After this moment, I knew there was no turning back. This shared experience between us would remove any remaining barriers, cementing everything we were together irrevocably.
My eyes rooted to the spot he vanished, watching and waiting. My heart pounded in anticipation, shallow breaths uneven and excited.
Several long minutes passed before a dark shape appeared in the flowers—black pressing yellow back, down, and out—immense shoulders shifting with each step. Thick dark fur covered him, swirling and shifting with the wind. His muzzle was down, ears pointed and straight. Directly beneath were the eyes I could stare into endlessly—Caleb's.
The breeze ruffled his fur, dark waves distorting. I stood motionless, dropping to my knee when he stood mere inches away.
"I'm fine,” I said, reaching out my right hand.
His paws were larger than my hands with fingers outstretched. His nose came forward, pushing delicately against my fingers. I ran them along the cashmere soft fur, past his ears and to his neck as he continued closer. My other hand touched his head tentatively, gently skimming over his eyes. He sighed, closing them, rumbling thickly in his chest.
"It's not fair,” I smiled, speaking softly to him, bringing my face to his muzzle, “That you should be so beautiful."
He emitted a dry huff from his nose and I laughed. Derek and Sarah's playful snarls echoed nearby and I leaned closer, wrapping my arms around his chest, hands unable to touch entirely. He smelled amazing, even like this.
I combed my fingers down his shoulders, along the coarse hair on his back, before I dropped my arms, settling my weight on my heels. He observed me from behind those intelligent eyes, waiting.
"Go join them."
His head tilted, ears perking as he leapt past, running in the direction of the growls. I hurried after him. Struggling past the grass until I found them all, chasing one another like children.
If I didn't know the truth about what they were, I'd swear they were large feral dogs of some kind, unlike anything I'd ever seen before. But behind all that mass and muscle, strength and power, was the purest devotion and tenderness, loyalty and love. You could sense the connection the three of them shared. It was amazing to witness.
Derek raced for Sarah and Caleb bounded on top of him, sending him rolling into the ground. They snarled at each other, sharp teeth snapping, nimble legs circling. Dancing together, weighing one another's moves, anticipating that perfect moment to strike. Sarah leapt up and over Caleb, knocking Derek back as they whipped around and raced away, disappearing beyond the flowers.
The wind shifted, blowing the grass and flowers against my forearms, sharp blades and stems stinging sharply. My hair blew around my shoulders, covering my face. I pulled the elastic band off my wrist, gathering the hair at the nape and twisting it around to keep it out of my eyes. The wind increased in intensity, pieces of hair escaping free, surrounding my face.
A strange snarl echoed through the meadow, unlike the happy growls before. Derek and Sarah barreled forward, their bodies huge as they raced for me. I stood still, uncertain and afraid.
They slowed just inches away, creeping past my legs, standing on each side. Deep growls radiated from them, their eyes focused on something behind me. I spun around as the wind shifted, blowing softly once more.
I recognized the man walking toward us, but I couldn't place him. He didn't look directly at Derek or Sarah, his attention solely on me. He stopped several feet away, standing at a safe distance. I looked toward the trees for Caleb, eyes going up and down the shaded line.
"Why are you out here, girl?” The man spat each word hatefully. The long scar that ran from his chin to his right eyebrow made him all the more menacing. His dark obsidian eyes were hollow pools that were empty and merciless.
Derek started forward, showing teeth and snarling viciously. Sarah backed up, closer to me, growling deeply. They wouldn't let him pass, protecting me from any potential harm. It made me confident, and I returned his stare.
"I could probably ask you the same question."
"I'm hunting, with Haven's permission."
He flared his nostrils, still looking at my face, inhaling my scent. His eyes tightened and I thought he was about to make the biggest mistake of his life—by moving forward.
Derek snarled, shifting his weight to his back legs, and Sarah brushed her hindquarters against my thigh.
"And she's here with us, with mine.” Caleb's voice carried over the growls, full of authority.
He walked confidently across the field, strolling out of the trees at a leisurely pace. He came to me, placing his hand against my back. He must have sent Derek and Sarah while he went back to change. His shirt was loose and his shoes weren't tied.
He had hurried.
"Caleb.” The stranger kept his gaze on me, dark eyes brimming with so much anger it felt painful. “Haven didn't mention you when he said he had guests."
"Parker,” Caleb addressed him flatly, wrapping his arm around my waist and back, closing any distance between our bodies. “How long are you here?"
Then, I remembered him—
the cowboy at the bar.
He didn't look the same without his hat and jacket, but it was him. His hair was dark, cut short and brushed down in a Caesar style. Tribal tattoo's spread around his biceps, the thick intricate lines detailed in matching bands.
"I'm just leaving now. I was making my way down from camp.” He nodded toward the mountain, eyes dark and unfriendly.
"Then we won't keep you."
Caleb wrapped his fingers around my hand and turned toward the north end of the meadow—in the direction Derek and Sarah had initially come from. He didn't rush and he didn't turn back. I started to glance behind us but he squeezed my hand and cleared his throat, shaking his head. We entered the shaded canopy, walking underneath the trees. Derek and Sarah stayed close on our heels.
"Go ahead, you two.” Caleb waved his hand and they vanished into the woods.
Confused, I asked, “What was that all about? I remember him from the bar.” The memory left me shaken. His eyes were totally devoid of anything but anger and hate, completely chilling.
"Someone who shouldn't be here, I don't know what Haven was thinking."
Caleb walked to the packs placed on the ground and rummaged through the front pockets. He searched one, then the other, becoming increasingly frustrated.
"What the fuck is he doing here?” Derek appeared, tucking in his shirt as he walked, clearly pissed. He bent down, tying his shoes.
"That's what I want to know,” Caleb growled, digging in the packs, zipping and unzipping the compartments. “Where is the damned phone?!"
"It's in the front, man.” Derek walked over, helping search the pockets.
They found the phone and Caleb pressed a few buttons and placed it to his ear. He was tense, his shirt uneven, shoes still untied.
Derek and I waited, listening as Caleb spoke.
"Haven, do I need to ask what the fuck Parker is doing out here? No, he's leaving now...No, he didn't do anything...I'm pissed because it's Parker...No, you're right—no harm done. I just wanted to be sure he had your okay...Yeah, Billy had to go but Sarah made it out...No, I haven't spoken to Sam yet...Thanks, man."
"What is he doing here?” Derek's eyes narrowed as Caleb ended the call.
"He should have been gone by now. He asked to come up here to hunt some deer and Haven said yes. He said the invitation is revoked, though. So if we see him again, it's our call.” He snapped the phone shut and placed it back in the front zipper, kneeling to tie his laces.
"And what's the deal with Parker?” I was out of the loop again. I didn't believe they did it intentionally anymore—they just didn't think about it at all.
"Remember when I told you I was the first person in the Pit that ever won the first night?” Caleb asked tersely.
"Yes.” I nodded. The first newly changed werewolf that had ever entered the Pit and won—I remembered his words clearly.
"He was the other person in the ring at the time, and let's just say, he's held a grudge ever since.” He stood, tucking in his shirt and pushing back his hair.
"What a horrible way to ruin such a beautiful run.” Sarah joined us, a vision of perfection. She smiled apologetically. “And he ruined what was supposed to be your moment, too. I'm so sorry, Emma."
"No, it was amazing. All of you are.” I tried not to blush as I complimented them, but it was the truth.
"You've got to hand it to Parker, the asshole knows how to kill good mojo,” Derek snarled through his teeth.
"Don't let him get under your skin. That is exactly what he wants.” Sarah brushed his shoulder with her fingers before letting her arm fall away. It was the first time I'd seen her touch him since she arrived.
Derek's face softened. He ran his hand across his head, rubbing the top, his shoulders slowly relaxing as he calmed. He attempted to smile but it didn't reach his amber eyes.
"I guess we should start up then,” Derek grumbled. He walked over to a pack, shrugging it on. He adjusted the straps, pulling them tight across his chest.
"Definitely, then we can enjoy our day and forget all about this nastiness.” Sarah was the consummate voice of reason. She walked over to her pack and picked it up just as easily, adjusting the straps just as Derek had.
"I thought he went to Florida after last time. The bastard needs to get some common sense.” Derek squatted and then stood, testing the weight, making sure everything was secure.
"His pride is going to kill him,” Caleb said angrily.
"What happened last time?” I was outside the loop again, but at least I was starting to read their conversations.
"The fucker came back around a few times, trying to come over Caleb. Losing in the pit means you lose respect, and he wanted it back. The last time Caleb almost killed him. Hell, he should have killed his stupid ass and did the world a favor."
"Why don't you tell me how you really feel?” I joked half-heartedly.
"Listen to me, Em.” Derek's tawny eyes stared me down. “Parker is trouble. He's got a wicked sadistic streak and it makes him one twisted fuck. You see him coming, you walk the other way."
"Don't worry. He's not someone I'd willingly engage in conversation anyway,” I said it lightly, trying to forget those blank eyes.
"He won't have the chance to get close to her,” Caleb snarled, frightening me. Ice blue glowed in the center of his irises, the color around the outside fluctuating and morphing.
"Let's just calm down.” I lifted my hand to console him and found myself tucked into strong arms, unable to move.
I resisted the instinct to struggle, fighting back increasing panic. Energy surged through the air as the scent of pine trickled down my throat. I gasped, the waves rolling off of him stung, causing my skin to burn painfully.
"Calm down, Caleb,” Sarah demanded, her voice never rising, absolutely placid. “You're hurting her."
Caleb's breathing slowed, his heartbeat against my ear returning to normal. The energy shifted, rolling off and dissipating from my skin. Each surge felt like a burst of adrenaline, once gone, leaving my body exhausted and spent. I drooped in relief, grabbing hold of him to keep from falling.
"I'm sorry,” he apologized against my hair, his voice laden with remorse.
"It's okay. I'm okay."
I tested my feet, able to stand on wobbly legs. He loosened his grip, holding onto me for another moment before lowering his arms to his sides.
"Now, let's head up, shall we? No more Parker talk. He's gotten enough of our time today.” Sarah lifted her head and started walking, ending any further discussion.
The climb was much worse than I anticipated. The path wasn't clear and the steep incline meant I had to lean over most of the way to keep my balance. Dense trees blocked out the rays of the sun, only a few strands of light managed to break through in patches along the way. The humidity had come on about an hour after we left the meadow, and I chose to leave my hair pulled at the nape. The air was stifling, even under the shade.
Derek and Sarah hung back this time. I watched enviously as they maneuvered around, never out of breath, in constant motion. I couldn't keep up as easily, but I tried.
Caleb was silent the entire way, staying close but allowing me the space to hike up myself. His guilt had returned. He was angry at himself for losing control. Even my little jibes hadn't worked to bring him out of his funk.
As we neared the top, the ground shifted from dirt to rock. I struggled to keep my footing on the jagged edges in my scuffed Nike's, using my hands for balance when I thought I might fall. Some of the rocks slid loose, rolling past and down, making me slip along the way. I willed myself to keep going, sides heaving and legs aching when I finally reached the top.
The cabin was visible, as was the large pond in front. Trees below created tiny little thistles of green and brown; in the middle was our meadow of gold. Looking down made me dizzy so I moved away from the edge, walking around to the fire pit. Large stones were situated all around the blackened surface. The bluff had been used recently. The top of the cavern was covered in fresh smut and smoke.
"You look like you could use this.” Sarah handed me a bottle of water and I graciously accepted, drinking it in large gulps. The liquid was warm, settling easily in my stomach, and I finished it quickly.
She slipped the pack off of her shoulders, crouching and pulling out several plastic bags. She handed them over and I peeked inside, discovering sandwiches and drinks with ice packs slipped into the crevices along the side.
"That's a lot of food.” I widened my eyes and smiled.
"After a run we need the calories,” Sarah explained. “And I'm sure the boys have already shown you the extent in which they love to eat."
"I'll never ask if anyone wants ‘just a sandwich’ again.” I laughed, remembering all too well the last dozen or more I found myself slaving over.