Shift (Southern Werewolves Book 1) Page 9

  Chapter 11

  I was running.

  My feet pounded against the soft forest floor as I raced between trees, and over fallen logs. Heart thumping, and lungs screaming, I pushed myself faster, and faster.

  Something was after me.

  I could feel it. Just out of reach, but always keeping pace. And I knew, if I were to slow down for even a second, it would be on me. I couldn’t let that happen. Couldn’t let it catch up.

  With a quick look over my shoulder, I finally identified my pursuer. It was a large, light gray wolf with brown eyes. This wasn’t the one that attacked me in the woods last time. I knew with every fiber of my being I’d never seen this wolf before.

  Then who was it?

  That split second I’d turned my head was enough for me to lose my balance and catch my foot on something. My ankle twisted, and I hit the leafy floor with a thud, knocking the breath from my lungs.

  “Not again, not again,” I chanted the words over and over, desperately wishing they were true.

  I couldn’t be here again. Couldn’t be in the woods, at the mercy of an unknown wolf again. My heart couldn’t handle it. My mind couldn’t absorb it.

  I lay on the forest floor, my face pressed against prickly pine needles, and dirt. Although I wasn’t running any longer, my heart raced faster, breaths becoming more shallow. I knew I needed to roll over, and face this new threat, but couldn’t bring myself to do it. Because I knew, when I saw the unknown wolf, it would all be over. My luck would finally run out.

  For a moment, I was five years old again, hiding under the blankets because I thought if I couldn’t see the monster, the monster couldn’t see me.

  Over the sound of my harsh breathing, I tried to pick up any other noises, but the woods were quiet. Too quiet, in fact. Where were all the little forest creatures? The cicadas, and owls, and bats? Was it just me, and this wolf, all alone out here?

  That thought scared me worse than anything else.

  I lay there for what seemed like hours, listening, and waiting for the attack I knew was coming. My leg throbbed where I’d received my last wolf bite, as if the brutalized flesh was preparing for another onslaught.

  When I couldn’t take the silence any longer, I rolled over, and sat up. The brown-eyed wolf was sitting a few feet away, staring. Dark eyes raked me up, and down as if taking my measure. Its unimpressed expression made it clear it found me lacking in some way.

  “What do you want?” I yelled.

  The gray wolf sat there and continued to stare.

  “Are you going to attack me?”

  Still no answer. Not that I was really expecting a wolf to talk, but still. Some reaction to my words would be nice.

  “Who are you?” I demanded.

  The wolf let out an odd barking cough and stood up. With slow, precise movements, the animal stalked forward. One paw after another, closer and closer.

  I scrambled away until I hit something solid. With a quick glance, I

  saw I’d backed myself up against a large boulder. I looked back at the wolf to see it still approaching. My stomach dropped with the realization I’d trapped myself.

  “Please don’t do this.”

  The wolf didn’t listen. Or didn’t care. It didn’t matter either way because the beast was still moving closer.

  “Please, just let me go.”

  My poor heart raced out of control, and I thought I might pass out from fear. “Please, please, please,” I begged, over and over. I pushed back as far as I could and tucked my limbs close to my body. While keeping the wolf in sight, I searched frantically for any sort of weapon, but came up empty-handed.

  I was trapped, hurt, defenseless, and alone. The first wolf in the woods hadn’t finished the job, but here and now, this wolf would.

  When it was only a foot away from me, it suddenly stopped. I stared at it, taking in its thick coat, and intelligent eyes.

  “Please,” I whispered one last time.

  My plea seemed to enrage the wolf, and it snarled viciously before leaping toward me.

  In my fear and hysteria, I screamed out the first thing that came to mind. The only thing I thought could save me. “Abraham!”

  I opened my mouth to scream his name again when the wolf’s paws landed on my shoulders and tackled me to the ground. The wolf shook me violently, rattling my teeth, and blurring my vision.

  “Elizabeth!”

  My name being said in that deep, gruff voice was like a sweet symphony. He’d come for me.

  “Abraham?”

  I searched frantically, but couldn’t find him anywhere; the forest was too dark, and the wolf’s body was completely covering me now.

  “Please, please! Abraham!”

  “Elizabeth, wake up!”

  The forest dissolved, and in its place, was the guest bedroom in Abraham’s lodge. I gasped for air as my mind raced to understand the change of scenery.

  “Elizabeth? You with me?”

  The room was lit with the late afternoon light, illuminating Abraham’s concerned eyes.

  “Abraham?” My voice trembled.

  His large, rough hand smoothed the hair off my sticky face. “Shh, I’m here. You’re okay.”

  I let out a tired breath, and without thinking, wrapped my arms around his neck pulling him close. My body trembled beneath his large frame, and I squeezed tighter. He was still for only a moment before sliding one hand into the hair on the back of my head, and the other around my waist. Abraham lay there, holding and shushing me until the tremors subsided, and my exhausted body finally went limp.

  He pulled back and propped his weight up on his elbows. His eyes traced the lines of my face, searching for something. I lay there completely open, too tired to hide behind the wall I’d built to keep myself safe.

  “What happened?” His voice was quiet, warm breath caressing my face.

  “It was a wolf.” I gulped and closed my eyes. “I was being chased by a wolf.”

  “Was it the same wolf from the other night?”

  I shook my head. “No, this one was smaller.”

  “Did you recognize it?”

  I shook my head again. “What do you think it means?”

  He cupped my face, using his thumb to trace small circles on my cheek. “Probably nothing. It was just a dream.”

  Just a dream.

  Of course it was just a dream. What was I thinking? I exhaled and sank further into the mattress. “You’re right. It was just a dream. I don’t know why I reacted like that. It’s kind of embarrassing.” I tried to turn away from his all-seeing gaze, but he held me in place.

  “There’s no reason to be embarrassed. You had a nightmare. After the past couple of days you’ve had, I think you’re entitled to a bad dream or two.”

  I shook my head. “I never dream. Or at least I never remember them once I wake up. And this felt so real. I could smell the pine trees. I tasted the dirt when I tripped and fell. The wolf was so realistic, I swear I could draw it for you right now.”

  He pulled back another couple of inches. “Do you think that would help?”

  I sighed, and covered my eyes with my hand. “I don’t know. I’m probably just making a big deal out of nothing.”

  Abraham gently pried my hand off my face. “You aren’t. I was here, I saw how frightened you were. It took me a few minutes to even wake you up.”

  “Really?”

  He nodded slowly.

  Realization dawned on me then.

  Holy hell, I’d yelled his name.

  And just like that, flames erupted under the skin on my face, and I gulped. “You’ve been in here a while?”

  “Yeah, I heard you screaming from across the hall, and rushed over to see if you were all right.”

  I nodded and squeezed my eyes closed. “Did I–um.” Deep breath. “Did I say anything?” I asked.

  When Abraham didn’t respond, I took a peek in his direction. A huge smile had spread across his handsome face, and I groaned in mortificati
on. “I did, didn’t I? Aw, crap.”

  His chuckles vibrated through his chest, and into mine. I felt his heat come closer as he leaned his head toward mine. “As a matter of fact, you did.”

  “Oh, my god.”

  “That’s not what you were screaming a minute ago.”

  “Abraham!”

  “That’s it! Only it was a little louder.”

  I slapped his rock hard chest, hurting my hand in the process, but I was too irritated to care. “You’re the worst. Couldn’t you have just pretended to not have heard that?”

  “Elizabeth,” he admonished. “Where’s the fun in that?”

  “I’m glad you’re having fun.”

  He laughed again, pulling me into his arms, and rolling over so we were on our sides facing each other. “Oh, it’s not that big a deal.”

  “That’s easy for you to say,” I grumbled.

  He chuckled again, eliciting an unladylike growl from me which made him laugh harder. I moved to get up, but he wrapped an arm around my waist, and pulled me closer to him.

  Our intimate position suddenly registered in my brain, and my body froze. I couldn't believe I was lying in bed with a strange man’s arms wrapped around me. Where the hell had my decorum gone? My morals? My standards?

  “Why were you yelling my name anyway?” Abraham interrupted my inner dialogue.

  I tipped my face up to meet his and regretted it. His soft-looking lips were only inches from mine, and suddenly the most fascinating thing I’d ever seen. The stubble that dotted his jaw earlier was now a full-blown five o’clock shadow, making him even sexier in a rugged way. His strong jaw, and prominent chin begged to be kissed, and nibbled, and I was having trouble denying the impulse.

  “Elizabeth?”

  I snapped my eyes up to his. “Huh?”

  He smiled knowingly. “Why did you yell my name in your dream? Was I in it?”

  I shook my head. “No, you weren’t in it. I yelled your name when the wolf lunged at me.”

  His brows furrowed. “Why’s that?”

  I studied his eyes, first the right, then the left, back and forth, over and over. I didn’t want to tell him the truth. I didn’t want him to know what I knew. That I’d come to see this man as a protector. My protector.

  “I… um…” I stalled, hoping for a distraction that would get me out of answering this question.

  He inched closer until his warm breath blew against my cheek. One of his thick fingers traced the edge of my jaw from ear to chin and back again. “Will you please tell me?”

  “I…”

  His cheek met mine, the rough hair scratching my skin deliciously, and sending a shiver down my spine. “Please?” he asked again.

  I sighed in irritation. He wasn’t going to let it go, and I needed to gain some distance from this man before I lost all my sensibility. I leaned back, breaking the contact with his face. “Fine. I’ll tell you.” Deep breath. “The answer is: I don’t know.”

  “That’s not an answer–”

  “I’m not done.” He shut his mouth with a snap, and I continued with my confession. “I was alone, and scared in the woods again, and your name was the first thing that popped into my head.”

  His smile almost split his face in two.

  “It’s probably because you found me last time, and my frightened, adrenaline-filled brain was hoping you’d save me again,” I rushed to explain.

  He kept smiling.

  “I don’t even know why I did it. It was just a fluke. I don’t need or expect you to save me again. That was a one time deal.”

  He shook his head, his smile just as bright. “You’re wrong.” His face lowered to mine until his lips were against my ear. “I’ll always be there to save you,” he whispered.

  “I don’t need saving.” My voice was breathy, and almost unrecognizable.

  He shook his head again, his nose brushing against the shell of my ear. “Everyone needs saving sometimes.”

  I opened my mouth to object again, but was interrupted by a knock at the door.

  “It’s Evey!”

  “Come in,” Abraham yelled before I could respond.

  I squeaked in horror and scrambled to get out of the compromising position I was in. Unfortunately, Abraham was not as concerned, and I had to remove his hand from my hip before I could sit up.

  “Well, well. What do we have here?” Evey’s smug voice came from somewhere near the door.

  “Nothing!”

  “Elizabeth had a nightmare.”

  We answered in unison.

  The pint-sized woman was standing in the doorway with arms folded across her chest, and lips spread into a huge smile. “Uh-huh,” she drawled.

  “He’s right. I had a nightmare. He woke me up from it. That’s all.”

  “He needed to get in the bed with you to wake you up?” she asked with an arched brow.

  “No. Yes. No. He–”

  “She was upset. I was comforting her,” Abraham piped up.

  “Oh, comforting her, were you? Is that what the kids are callin’ it these days?”

  Abraham’s deep laugh echoed around the room while my cheeks burned painfully. I covered my face with both hands, praying for invisibility. Or maybe a sinkhole. A tornado? Anything to get me out of this.

  “I was just comin’ to see if Elizabeth needed help getting ready for the cookout, but I see you got things handled here, Abey.”

  I heard the bed sheets rustling, and moments later, his warm hand was resting between my shoulder blades.

  “Are you feeling better now?” he asked.

  “Define better.” I grumbled.

  He chuckled. “There’s the Elizabeth I’ve come to know and love!”

  Love?!

  He gently mussed my hair before walking away.

  “I’ll see you later at the cookout,” he called over his shoulder.

  “Abraham McCoy! Have you lost your damn mind?!” I hollered after him, but he only chuckled, and shut the door behind him. “Ooh that man! He drives me crazy,” I grumbled while trying to put my long hair back into some sort of order.

  “Mmm hmm. I’m sure that’s not all he drives you.”

  I leveled her with a glare. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  Her hands raised in surrender. “Nothin’, nothin’. Jeez. Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed or somethin’?”

  “No.”

  “Oh, that’s right! You woke up underneath Abey!”

  With a growl of frustration, I picked up one of the many pillows on the bed, and hurled it at her head.

  Evey laughed and deflected the projectile with ease. “Girl, that temper’s gonna’ get you in trouble come the full moon.”

  “I don’t have a temper,” I spat.

  She raised both brows, and looked from me to the pillow laying on the floor, and back again. “Right,” she said slowly.

  I rolled my eyes, but couldn’t help the way my lips twitched, begging to turn up in a smile. “You had it comin’,” I insisted.

  Evey shrugged her shoulders. “You’re probably right. I’ll have to watch it once you shift, and your aim gets better.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh at that. You really couldn’t stay mad at Evey for long. “Moving on! What does one wear to a werewolf barbecue, anyway?”

  Chapter 12

  Although my leg was feeling much better, it still took me a long time to make it down the two flights of stairs on my own. Evey’s moaning and groaning did little to help the situation.

  “I don’t understand why you won’t just let me carry you.”

  “Evey, you’re half my size, that’s ridiculous.”

  “I’m a werewolf! My size has nothin’ to do with my strength. We could already be outside eatin’ deviled eggs and fried pickles. I swear, if they’re all gone by the time we get there, you’ll have me to answer to. And trust me, you don’t want to deal with a hungry werewolf.”

  “Deviled eggs?” My mouth watered.

&
nbsp; “Yup. Miss Elsie makes the best I’ve ever tasted. And at this rate, we’ll be eatin’ next week’s deviled eggs instead.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Stop being so dramatic, we’re almost there.”

  A minute or two later, we finally made it to the ground floor. Evey led me behind the grand staircase, and down a long hall to sliding glass doors. Out past the back deck were a bunch of wooden picnic tables with at least two dozen people sitting, standing, and loitering amongst them.

  “I knew we’d have a big turnout today,” Evey muttered beside me.

  We stepped onto the back deck to find a long stretch of tablecloth-covered tables, holding what looked like enough food to feed half of North Carolina.

  One table held plates piled high with hamburgers, hotdogs, ribs, brisket, fried chicken, and pulled pork. Next to that sat potato salad, coleslaw, hush puppies, cornbread, corn on the cob, fried pickles, mac and cheese, and the most delectable looking deviled eggs. Last was the dessert table. A half dozen pecan pies joined about as many apple, and sweet potato pies. Beside that was a large bowl of fruit salad, a couple tiered cakes, and a large plate full of a variety of cookies.

  To my astonishment, most of the dishes were already half gone.

  “You are so lucky there’s eggs left!” Evey huffed before sprinting away from my side, and over to the food laden tables. She popped a deviled egg into her mouth before grabbing a paper plate and piling food onto it.

  I limped over to join her when Abraham appeared next to me. “I got you a plate already.” Without waiting for a response, he grasped my elbow, and led me down the deck stairs, and onto the lush grass.

  He directed me toward a mostly full table up front and motioned for me to take one of the remaining spots. When I sat down, he slid a mountainous plate of food in front of me.

  My eyes widened. “I can’t eat all that!”

  “You don’t have to,” he assured me, “I didn’t know what you liked, so I got you some of everything.”

  “We clearly need to have a talk about my food preferences,” I mumbled.

  He chuckled and leaned closer to my ear. His warm breath tickled the sensitive skin there. “I look forward to learning anything I can about you.”

  I fought off a shiver and kept my gaze fixed on my monstrous plate. When I spotted a paprika-speckled stuffed egg, I scooped it up, and stuffed it in my mouth. Evey was right, they were delicious.