Page 36 of The Werewolf Cowboy
Grayson shifted and lifted his muzzle to the full moon in the ink dark sky and began pacing through the nearby woods. He turned his massive head, picking out the strange smells. Silver moonlight slanted through the thick firs and oaks, their leaves pale in the night. Decaying leaves mixed with soft moss covered the forest floor. The air was cool, but an oppressive heaviness lingered. No sounds of life echoed around him. No owls hooting softly from overhead branches or even a small animal rustling in the undergrowth.
Not like it had been earlier, when he’d sat on the porch with Katy.
Bad news. It meant something nasty had recently visited. Something that had taken the dark magick and embraced evil. Wolf Haven hadn’t seen a truly evil Lupine in many decades.
The powerful scent of blood wafted on the wind. Picking up the trail again, Grayson growled low in his throat. He headed east, eager to kill whatever threatened his Katy.
He entered a clearing and saw the blood source. A deer, its sightless eyes staring at the moon, its throat torn out. Grayson loped closer, and sniffed the carcass.
Fur rose along his sleek body. Grayson scanned the area, his extraordinary senses screaming danger. He scented nothing but deer blood and the faint, sweet smell of flowers. No other animals’ forms, nothing around him on the ground.
But he felt something, or someone, watching him.
Uneasy at leaving Katy alone, Grayson loped over to the nearest tree and lifted his leg, marking his territory. He growled at the air.Stay away from her.
Grayson sniffed the air again, picking up a new scent. Iron and cold snow, mixed with freshly mown grass. The Belcher pack alpha.
Perhaps the alpha was widowed, searching for a new mate. He didn’t know, for he’d been gone far too long.
If the Belcher pack alpha had heard of Katy’s origins, he could have coaxed Charles from the Mitchell pack to kidnap Katy, bring her to him to be his new mate. Katy was young, very fertile, and would give the male many sons.
Grayson had no choice now. He had to find his pack, get information. He could not protect Katy alone if a rival pack was after her. He sent a telepathic message to his best friend, Chase.
What do you know about the Belcher pack alpha?
Chase immediately answered back.Dude, you’re back. Been too long. What’s wrong?
I need to know about the Belcher pack alpha. Is he widowed? Looking for a new, powerful mate?
Yeah, heard something about that. Why?
Come quickly as you can, and gather the others.
Chase and the pack were hunting on the pastoral grounds where they made their home, about a half day’s travel from the cottage in the woods.
You okay?Chase asked.
Yeah. But hurry. I have a young, vulnerable female with me.
The line of communication cut off, but Grayson knew Chase would heed his request, and get their alpha, Cedric, to the cottage.
Angered at the idea of having to involve his pack, Grayson shifted back to Skin. He snarled at the air, and in his fury, released his magick.
Two bluish-white balls of pure energy sailed into the ground, creating a large crater.
Trembling, he stared at his hands, knowing his magick had amplified ten times since his last visit to this world. He had become much more powerful.
Katy did not know what he was, or who he was.
What would she choose when she found out he was not a normal Lupine? Or, for that matter, when she discovered exactly what she was?
