Wolf's Howl

Chapter 1

One

My life flashed in front of my eyes. The iron scent of blood, the rusted metal of the blade, the burning sting across my neck.

“Y-You’re dead.” JP put some distance between us and waved his dagger at me. “A-Again.”

I touched my neck, the blood warm on my fingers. “Do you have to cut me every time though?”

His eyes darkened and he grabbed me by the collar. His hand curled tight, the tension straining my throat. “Do y-you want to l-learn how to f-fight?”

“JP. Tight.” I clutched at his arms. “Tight.”

“If y-you do not f-fear me, you w-won’t l-learn.” He threw me to the ground. “Again.”

I rubbed my throat, the skin bruised and scarred. JP was a harsh teacher, surprisingly so. When I asked him to help me, I didn’t expect to fear for my life on every turn. He was fast, dangerously accurate, and the darkness in his eyes wasn’t reassuring.

“This isn’t a g-game.” JP nudged his blade at me. “Up.”

I pushed him away. “I’m tired, can’t we take a break?”

“N-No.” The tip of his dagger pierced through my skin. “W-When you’re tired, y-you’ll rely on your r-reflexes. This is w-where it counts.”

“Fine.” I threw a handful of grass at him. “Have it your way.” If he wanted me to fight, I’d fight.

“How’s it going?” Ashleigh’s voice momentarily paused JP’s learning session.

“S-She’s learning.”

I gestured at the man. “What he said.”

Ashleigh chuckled as she pressed me a quick kiss. “That’s how we all learned.”

“Great.” I rolled my eyes.

“You’ll do great.” She stole another peck and sat down on a log near the fire. “I’m rooting for you.”

“Thanks.” I curled my fingers around the dagger, determined not to look like an absolute t**t in front of my girl. My fingers scraped through the grass, the earth curling under my nails. A vein pulsated in my neck, the sweat pearling down my forehead.

Ready.

Another quick sweep and a new s***h along my skin later, I looked up at JP and Ashleigh with my ass firmly planted in the ground.

“Y-You did well t-today.” JP pulled me up and dusted me off. “You’ll g-get there.”

I wiped my brow and nudged at the East. The mountains towered far in the back, the crows circling the peaks. “Before we arrive in Coyote Country?”

He patted my back. “M-Maybe.”

Reassuring.

I joined Ashleigh on her log and nuzzled into her. Ever since my power struggle with the amulet, my wolf had been on her best behaviour. She ignored Aspen and even seemed a little scared of him. When Ashleigh’s wolf nudged, she fawned over her like a little love struck puppy. Finally, my feelings matched with what I wanted. Who I wanted. Ashleigh.

Our cuddling was interrupted by Darren. He pointed his spoon at us, a little splat of potato flying against my jacket.

“Food’s ready.”

I flicked the starchy bit away. “I can tell.”

“Danny and Regan should be back from their scout any moment now.”

JP sat down next to me, cleaning my blood off his dagger. The moment he sheathed the weapon, his whole demeanor changed and the gentle man returned. The darkness fell from his eyes, the stress from his shoulders. He ran a hand through his hair, the exhaustion etched into his features. “I-I’m starving.”

“You okay?”

“N-Never better.” He wiped the sweat from his forehead, his hand trembling as he did.

“Thank you for teaching me.” I needed him to know I appreciated everything he taught me, even if it was taking a toll on him and me. Every shadow, every movement from the corner of my eyes, every unidentified sound made me jump and fear for the worst. Despite me strengthening my body and mind, the amulet was still sapping my energy, my sanity.

Slowly, I was learning to control the immense power within the magic. Yet, there was no release, no escape, nothing to look forward to. The amulet was and would always be a treasured relic that belonged to the noble houses of Wolves. I couldn’t just toss it aside in a ditch. I just needed to find a safe place for it, somewhere where its power couldn’t be abused, where nobody could find it.

Until then, this was my burden.

“We’re back!” A female voice chirped from behind me. I turned to find Danny’s red hair shimmering in the last rays of winter sun. With Regan protectively one beat behind her, she joined us at the fire. Lured in by the smells from the cooking pot, she lifted the lid and took a whiff. “Smells good.”

“Sure does,” Regan agreed.

The redhead did a quick count and frowned. “Where’s Aspen?”

I gestured to the forest behind us. “He said he was going for firewood and to think.”

“I’ll find him,” Ashleigh chipped in.

I gripped her hand to stop her. “No, I can go get him.”

The group shot me a look, but I brushed it off. I had no problems with Aspen, despite what they seemed to think. We struggled with the amulet and its inherent power. That was all.

“Are you sure?” Ashleigh shot me a doubtful look, the concern flitting through her piercing blue eyes.

“I’m sure.” I pressed a chaste kiss on her cheek, the electricity sparking between us. My wolf hummed a soft beat in contentment and I brushed my hand along hers. I didn’t need passionate nights or grand gestures for my heart to skip a beat. With every second spent with her, my connection to her grew stronger. I was confident that even if Aspen would take hold of the amulet again, my wolf wouldn’t fall back under his spell.

I glanced at my raven-haired beauty. The red hue of the fire danced shadows along her sharp features, her porcelain skin in stark contrast with the matted earth around us.

No, my wolf wouldn’t want anyone else. Not anymore.