Healing of the Wolf Page 17

  He rubbed the back of his neck, his expression rueful. “I was wrong to believe what they said without checking for myself. I’m sorry, lass.”

  The sincerity in his tone dispelled much of her anger. Although she’d like to slap the shifters—no, Pete—because he would have been the one to come up with the idea.

  She stood still, letting her fury recede.

  Watching her quietly, Donal patted the chair beside him.

  With a sigh, she resumed her seat. “I guess there’s nothing I can do. Protesting isn’t highly effective against something like slander.”

  “If you don’t mind, I’d like to deal with this myself.” His eyes, more gray than silver, held the cold wrath of an approaching blizzard. “Since I was the one lied to and heard exactly what they said.”

  “That doesn’t seem fair to—”

  “I’m a werecat.” The curve of his lips was almost cruel. “And I do so enjoy playing with my prey.”

  “Ah, uh-huh. Sure.” Lesson one in survival: annoying this healer would be bad for a person’s health. “Um, thank you?”

  “That’s the right answer,” he almost purred.

  Okay, okay, she would simply try to put that stuff out of her mind. She’d moved on. Donal had learned the truth about her and wanted to work with her. No need to wallow in the past. “So, what’s next?”

  “Advice.” He smiled. “Earlier, I saw how you reacted to Lottie’s rudeness.”

  If she hadn’t been pinned down by the cub, she’d have retreated to her own house. She sighed…and waited.

  This was a male who didn’t need any encouragement to tell her what he thought.

  “Having seen you work, I know you’re very skilled. Unfortunately, you’ve had years of being undermined, first as a captive and later by Pete. It makes you insecure, even when you know you’re skilled.”

  She nodded at the truth.

  “Lass, don’t let your patients or their families be rude to you. Either they treat you with respect or you walk away.”

  Her eyes widened. “I can’t do that.”

  “No, not if the lack of care would truly hurt someone. But, for example, last month, I told an overly aggressive cat not to come to me unless he’s dying. For one year, he’ll have to get broken bones and gashes treated by human medicine—or his friends if he has any.”

  She’d seen the healer kick a shifter out of his clinic and thought he was awfully harsh. But maybe he was right. Grandmama had been much like him. Actually, she’d have walked out of Rainier Territory the first week.

  Don’t I deserve to be treated with equal respect?

  She did.

  Donal waited quietly, his expression caring. Once he’d changed his mind about her, his true personality came forward. And he was…kind.

  Shay had assigned Tynan to be her pack mentor, but it appeared Donal had appointed himself to be her medical mentor.

  “Okay. Now that you’ve pointed out this vulnerability, I’ll patch it up.” She had a feeling her smile was a bit crooked. “Thank you.”

  “Exactly what I hoped you’d say.” He rubbed his hands together as if starting a new task. “So, banfasa, we have older shifters in the area who need better monitoring. In addition, I can’t keep up with visiting everyone after healing broken bones or extensive healing, and some need extra care. Let’s talk about therapy and how we can work together to handle…”

  His words disappeared under a sparkling wave of happiness.

  This was what she’d hoped for all her life.

  Chapter Twelve

  Cold Creek. North Cascades Territory - one day before full moon

  * * *

  The night before the monthly Gathering, only the barest sliver was missing from the golden ball in the sky. The air held a hint of cold, and moonglow lit the paths on the mountain.

  Tynan had never seen such a beautiful night for a pack run.

  He could taste the hint of rain though. Tonight, the wolves would run the moonlit trails. Tomorrow, during the storm, the Daonain would gather in the Wild Hunt Tavern to mate all night.

  Perfectly timed. All too often, contrary weather left the pack running and singing in the rain. Although his fur’s outer layer shed water, a prolonged rain would eventually penetrate even his thick undercoat.

  There was nothing more disgusting than a cold, heavy coat of fur and mud-caked paws.

  As the trail opened into a high mountain meadow, Tynan’s pace quickened. He loped over the soft spring grass and through the clear water in the glacier-fed stream. He heard a rustle, pounced, and snapped his jaws closed on a field mouse.

  After a quick look, he tossed the treat to an aged female who could obviously use some extra nutrition.

  Ears forward, she investigated the fresh meat in the grass, then gave him a tail wag of thanks as she devoured it in a bite.

  Hmm. Tomorrow, he’d ask Shay and Bree who she was and where she lived. During patrol, he’d stop by to ensure she was doing all right and getting enough to eat.

  Now, if he hadn’t seen the elderly female, he’d have offered the mouse to Meggie…although that was courting behavior when not at a Gathering.

  Fine with him.

  It’d been four days since the feral’s attack in the park, and he’d managed to spend time with Margery each day, although his thrice-cursed littermate had optioned much of her time, sending her off to the clan’s ill and elderly. Tynan couldn’t begrudge her time, not when she was this happy. She loved being a banfasa.

  Her life before Cold Creek had been a rough one, so perhaps it was good their relationship was moving at a snail’s pace.

  Although it was difficult to pull in his instincts. She was soft and curvy and her laugh so infectious he ended up laughing, too. Then she’d turn around and do something so caring that his chest ached. And he’d kiss her and end up with aching balls the remainder of the night because she made him so hard that even a cat’s claws wouldn’t scratch his dick.

  He watched her crossing the meadow, her fur almost golden in the moonlight. Her ankle slowed her pace, so she’d run with Angie among the less competitive mid-aged wolves.

  He’d seen that the pack was beginning to accept the newcomer. Wolf instincts said to drive away a physically challenged stranger, but shifters were more than their animals.

  This pack had a good heart.

  Which was good because his own heart was speaking to him.

  Tongue lolling, he trotted across the meadow toward the little wolf. Her stillness made him slow.

  Her attention was focused on two wolves facing off near the tree line.

  The male wolf deliberately knocked into the female hard enough to throw her sideways.

  The female—was that Lacey?—scrambled for her footing.

  Tynan growled, expecting the alpha or beta to intervene. Ah, no, Shay and Zeb were on the other side of the meadow, dealing with a couple of males who wanted to fight. Young males turned stupid as the moon neared full.

  Up to him, then. He loped that direction.

  As the aggressive male bit Lacey’s shoulder and drove her into a tree, Meggie reached the two.

  She shifted to human, set her hands on her hips, and yelled, “What in the Mother’s name are you doing? Do males here think it’s fun to hurt their female packmates?”

  Tynan opened his jaws in a wolfy smile. The last time he’d heard such a set down, a human elder had scolded two young shoplifting males so thoroughly they’d slunk out of the corner market with heads hanging.

  But this shameless male snarled at Meggie, fangs bared.

  Tynan growled. Pack enforcement wasn’t his job, but too bad. He sprang, hit the male hard enough to knock him off his paws, and closed his jaws over the insolent boggart’s throat.

  The male froze, then went limp in submission.

  Now what? In his mind, if an adult saw scat like this happening, he should act, authority or not. But, would the alpha see it that way?

  “Thank you, Tynan.” From behind, S
hay answered the question.

  Zeb, still in wolf form, stalked over.

  Releasing the male, Tynan stationed himself beside Meggie who’d knelt to put her arms around the shaking young female wolf.

  Meggie whispered, “Thanks, Tynan.”

  It seemed he wasn’t in trouble with the alpha or Meggie. Life was good. Crouching beside her, he placed himself between whatever happened and the two females.

  The aggressive wolf shifted to human form. He was probably in his twenties. “I didn’t do anything, Shay. That asshole from Seattle attacked me without any reason. He’s probably been around humans too long and—”

  “You’re lying, Chad. You hurt Lacey, got scolded, and snarled at Margery. Showed your fangs, no less.” With the moon behind him, Shay cast a long shadow.

  “But…”

  “Just because the pack’s former beta was crazy and gave you young males a fucked-up example to follow is no longer an excuse. We’ve given you numerous warnings—and over a year to change your ways.” Shay’s infuriated growl, even coming from a human chest, made every wolf in the pack lower slightly.

  Chad took a step back.

  “Daonain females are protected—not hurt—by males. This is our Law. And your time is up, Chad.”

  The young male turned a pasty white.

  “By the Law of the Pack, I cast you out. You have until tomorrow at midnight to leave. After that, if we find you anywhere in our lands, you will be driven away with fangs and pain and blood.”

  “You can’t…” the male gasped.

  Shay crossed his arms over his chest. “Leave.”

  When the male took a step forward, Zeb’s subterranean-sounding growl changed his mind.

  Shifting to wolf, Chad fled.

  When the whispers started up, Tynan tilted his ears to hear.

  “Good thing.”

  “…been damned patient. Stupid Chad.”

  “Had to make an example…”

  “Couple of others better learn from this.”

  Not one voice spoke in dissent.

  Meggie had one arm around Lacey and gripped Tynan’s ruff with her other hand. Her fingers tightened in his fur as Shay approached.

  The alpha stopped. “Are you all right, Lacey?”

  The young female wolf nodded and edged closer to Meggie.

  Amusement tickled Tynan’s throat. The pretty banfasa was a comfort to all ages, wasn’t she?

  “Margery, Darcy told us you were always trying to protect the Scythe captives. I’m sorry you had to intervene here.” Shay smiled at her. “But I’m glad you’re in my pack.”

  Tears gleamed in her eyes, and Tynan felt her fingers tremble. He gave her cheek a comforting lick. She leaned harder against him.

  “Tynan.” Zeb had shifted to human. His voice sounded like coarse gravel. “Our pack needs another beta.”

  Unsure whether to run for the hills or volunteer, Tynan pricked up his ears.

  Shay grinned. “We need another strong protector. A teacher. A good example for our cubs. Someone stable, since as cahirs, Zeb and I often get sent away on the Cosantir’s tasks.”

  Ah. They wanted a beta who wasn’t a cahir, one who could stay with the pack.

  But…there were wolves who’d been with the pack for years. Decades. Ones who really belonged. Tynan shook his head hard enough to make his ears flap.

  Zeb almost grinned. “You really think you can refuse?”

  Meggie gave his fur a tug in an unspoken order. Say yes.

  Shay’s gaze met his. “We really do need you, Tynan.”

  By the Gods, what was he thinking? A wolf didn’t refuse his alpha’s request…let alone a pretty female’s. Shifting to human, Tynan rose to his feet. “Aye. I’ll serve.”

  Shay grinned and spoke to the wolves who’d congregated around them. “And that answer is why we wanted him. A real beta doesn’t terrorize the pack—he serves. Protects.”

  Nods and smiles showed the pack agreed.

  Expecting disapproval and rejection, instead, Tynan found only acceptance. As the bonds connecting him to the pack strengthened with their welcome, he swallowed against the tightness in his throat.

  Shay slapped Tynan’s shoulder. “Come to the lodge tomorrow. We’ll treat you to Bree’s chocolate cake and talk.”

  “You caved too soon.” A corner of Zeb’s mouth tilted up. “I looked forward to walloping you until you gave in.”

  Tynan snorted…and felt the hum of the moon rising in his blood. Zeb was a worthy, canny fighter. “We can still indulge. For fun.”

  Zeb grinned. “Wear comfortable clothes when you show up tomorrow.”

  “You’re on.” Reaching down, Tynan helped Meggie gain her feet and, without thinking, put an arm around her waist.

  Shay grinned. “Good.”

  Although Meggie looked confused, Tynan knew exactly what the alpha meant.

  Even better, she didn’t step away. They were both naked, and her warm, smooth skin against his incited all sorts of interesting sensations.

  Rather than carry her off into the forest—his first choice—Tynan smiled at the young wolf who stayed beside Meggie. “Lacey, I’ve heard Jody likes teaching wolf fighting. Shall we see if that’s true?”

  Lacey shifted to human. “Oh, wow, for real? She didn’t say anything about that. Yes.”

  In the circle of his arm, Meggie gave a bounce. “Tynan, would she teach me, too?

  Fuck, what have I started?

  Shay nodded. “Jody enjoys teaching fang and claw.”

  “Then let’s make it so,” Tynan said. It would be good for both females to have the skills and confidence that the ability to fight would give them.

  Smiling, he brushed his chin over the top of Meggie’s head. She’d learn that this pack would support her, help her grow stronger.

  As would he.

  * * *

  The moon was high in the night sky. It must be around midnight, and the wolf pack was still in the meadow. Margery realized she wasn’t the only shifter shaken by Chad’s expulsion.

  Rather than continuing the run, Shay had told everyone to shift to skin for a while. The clever alpha was letting them all vent.

  Margery had heard tales about the previous alpha and how his insane beta hurt females. Discovering Klaus had assaulted Bree at a Gathering, the Cosantir delivered the God’s judgment. Margery shivered. Everyone said Calum had merely touched him, and the beta dropped dead.

  Unfortunately for the pack, Klaus’s influence still lingered with the younger males. Bullying of cubs and females still occurred. Chad had been the worst offender.

  After roaming the meadow for a while, she joined the group that held Bonnie, Bree, and Angie.

  “I agree with driving Chad out,” Bonnie said. “But my heart hurts at the loss of what he could have been. He was a good pup at one time.”

  “I’ve seen that happen before with young males,” Margery murmured.

  “What do you mean?” Bree asked.

  Now the center of attention, Margery tensed. In Ailill Ridge, attracting attention never ended well for her.

  But this was a different pack—and she wasn’t going to flee from the past.

  Bree gave her an encouraging smile.

  All right then. “In the Scythe compound, the older guards caned us for the slightest mistake. Although the newer guards hated the brutality, they didn’t protest.” Her hands fisted. Would the bitter lessons give her more compassion, more strength going forward? Surely something good should come of such pain. “Maybe if the decent guards had spoken out in the beginning, cruelty wouldn’t have become a habit for them all.”

  “By the Hunter’s horns, that’s exactly what happened here,” Albert Baty said. “We didn’t speak up, so our younglings absorbed Klaus’s beliefs. We bear much of the responsibility for what Chad has become.”

  “Aye, we neglected our responsibility to pack and clan.” Angie crossed her arms over her chest. “Shay shouldn’t have to do everything. Pack pressur
e is a force to be reckoned with. We mustn’t be silent in the face of cruelty or bullying or lack of respect.”

  The group around them had grown, and growls showed Angie’s words had hit home.

  Even as people started to move away, they nodded at Margery, patted her shoulder in gratitude. Their approval warmed her more than if she’d stood in a pool of sunlight.

  She’d helped.

  This pack was so different than the one in Rainier where she’d decided that her dreams of belonging were only that—dreams. Here, she was accepted and welcomed. Needed, even.

  She drew the feelings of belonging around her, as close as her own fur. Deep inside, the pack bonds were forming, tying her to them all.

  A yip drew her attention.

  On the other side of the meadow, Shay trawsfurred to wolf, and the moonlight gleamed on his fluffy silver-gray fur. With a sharp bark, he ordered his pack to shift.

  Responding with yips and barks, his wolves complied.

  Surrounded by the others, Margery trawsfurred, soaking in the wave of the Mother’s love even as fur enfolded her. Tail waving slightly, she gave a little shake to settle her fur. Her nose sharpened, bringing her the scents of the other wolves, the fragrance of a stream.

  Would she ever get past the wonder of becoming a wolf?

  A heavy-boned wolf with a coat the color of mountain granite stalked over to her. Tynan.

  Her paws danced in happiness when he joined her.

  He rubbed his side against her in a possessive blending of their scents. Tail waving, she licked his muzzle and got a teasing nip on her nape in return.

  Wolf-flirting was…fun.

  Margery took a slow breath. Overhead, the round moon hung so low it seemed a leap would lift her to its heart.

  Facing the pack, Shay lifted his muzzle and howled—a song of love to the Goddess. Bree joined him a second later.

  Zeb joined the alpha pair’s song with his lower rougher howl.

  When Tynan came in, his smooth, deep tone sank deep into Margery’s soul.

  For a long lovely minute, the four leaders’ voices twined together, and then the rest of the wolves joined in.