Page 8 of Taming of a Wolf

What is this feeling?

Those strange metal horses emit loud, blaring noises that make my ears ache. A man wearing rags shakes coins around in a cup. Someone slams into my shoulder. “Watch it!” the mansnarls as he bares his yellow teeth, but I barely hear him over the strange music blasting from some sort of wheeled instrument he’s dragging along behind him.

My gods, but this place is noisy!

It’s too much.

Kill them all.The wolf inside grows into a berserker beast as my fear turns to red-hot rage.

I can’t. There are too many of them. I am outnumbered. I am a lone wolf without a pack, and lone wolves never last long.

I grip at my chest as my lungs constrict.

I must follow him, get the necklace, and go home.

A huge metal horse lets out a booming blast that echoes through the street and drags me from my thoughts. Some guy yells at the metal horse to “Shut the fuck up!” How odd. As if a horse can understand them. A familiar splash of color grabs my attention. It’s Jamie’s blue horse, and I can just make him out through the window. As Jamie races off, I pursue him like the moon chases the sun.

He makes several twists and turns, and the crowd ebbs and flows until the streets are at last quiet and relatively deserted. Jamie hitches his horse along the curb and steps out, but he’s unaware of my presence. I slow my steps, knowing I must plan my next move carefully. I don’t want to frighten him again. I can’t use force. Not against my mate. I must try another tactic. But what? I know nothing of gentleness. Where I’m from, kindness and consideration will get you killed.

There’s never been a time in my life I’ve needed to rely upon anyone. Relying on others means trusting them, and in my world, trusting the wrong person can end with a blade in your back. But Jamie is my only anchor in the sea of uncertainty I’ve found myself in. My only chance of returning home. I must not lose him. I must swallow my pride, be calm, and do whatever it takes for him to give me that necklace.

Jamie walks around the side of the horse and opens one of the doors. “Come on out, bud. We’re home.”

Yawning, Jace drags himself from the horse’s insides.

“Feel okay?” Jamie puts his hand on the boy’s shoulder and guides him toward a tall house I assume is his home.

“A little. Tired.” He rubs his face as they stop before the front door. Their backs are turned, so neither sees when a man in a mask steps out of the shadows, blade in hand, and lurches toward Jamie.

The man presses the blade against Jamie’s back and says in a low, commanding voice, “I want everything you’re carrying. Phone. Wallet. I don’t fucking care. Hand it over or else.”

“Jamie!” The boy clutches Jamie’s arm with a frightened whimper.

Jamie’s entire body stiffens, and the scent of his fear bowls over me. “I-it’s okay, Jace. Listen, man, I’ll give you whatever you want. Just leave my brother alone.”

A red haze descends over my eyes, and my blood begins to boil. My fingernails lengthen into claws, and my fangs gnash in my mouth. The wolf within bays for blood.

I can’t fight the fury a second longer. I throw my fur hood up over my head, and the shift takes hold. I drop down onto four huge paws as my body transforms. The wind roars in my ears as I charge. Jumping upon the craven thief’s back, I sink my fangs into his coat and hurl him off the stoop. The boy screams, and Jamie puts himself between the boy and me to shield him, his eyes huge and full of fright.

The boy has nothing to fear from me. I direct my fury at the thief, who is scrambling backward, smelling of fear and urine as he says, “Oh shit!” All I want is to rend flesh from bone and lay the threat broken and bloody at my mate’s feet so he knows without a doubt that he is safe. That he will always be safe.

Pulling back my shift, I grab the dropped knife in my hand and hold it to the thief’s throat. “Lay a single finger on them, and I will kill you. Understand me, fool?”

“Oh my god,” the thief babbles. “I’m sorry! I’m so sorry. Please, let me go.”

“Silence!” I snarl, digging the blade in until beads of blood form on his skin.

“W-wait!” Jamie says. “Don’t kill him. Let him go.”

I turn a glare on Jamie. “Why should I?”

“He’s just some idiot kid. Let him go. I don’t want his death on my conscience.”

“He tried to hurt you.” I can’t fathom my mate’s intentions. How can he be so forgiving?

“But he didn’t. You were here. You stopped him. Just let him go. I’ll file a report with the cops. He can be their problem.”

I don’t know who these “cops” are, but I suppose Jamie knows the ways of this world better than I do. If he thinks killing him will bring more trouble down on his head, then I don’t want that.

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