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Authors: Lily Graison

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BOOK: The Calling
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A few of the others were still on two feet. They looked more like wolf-human hybrids. They were tall, all reaching over six-foot with a thick coat of hair covering their bodies. She could see genitals on the men that still somewhat resembled a human penis only the large quantities of hair on their bodies hid the majority of them from view. The sight caused her cheeks to heat before she looked away. Wolves or not, they were still very much human. The few women in this form still had their breasts but just like the men, were covered by hair.

Her breath was panted out unevenly and when the last person in the circle shook their human form, a multitude of amber eyes turned toward them. "Why do I feel like I'm someone's dinner all of a sudden?"

Jacob moved then, placing himself in front of her, and even though he wasn't much larger than she was, she felt better having him there. "Thanks," she whispered.

"They don't mean you any harm. They just want you to see them. It's why you're here."

"Yeah. I see them," she said. "I'm just having a real hard time believing it."

"Ms. Ford," Malcolm said. He was at the rock again. He hadn't shifted. He still looked as he had earlier.

"Can Malcolm shift?" she asked.

"Yes. We all can."

The boy turned after answering her. He was so young. A child, really. Why was he even here? "Can you?" she asked.

He grinned. "Yes."

She stared at him for long moments. His cheeks reddened before he looked away and she turned her attention back to Malcolm when he spoke again.

"If you and Mr. Pierson would come forward, we'll get to the second reason I've asked you here."

The wolves in the middle of the circle parted, slinking back along the tree line and creating a wide path to the rock face. Mitch was the first to move and no matter how brave she wanted to be, Rayna found it hard to take that first step.

"It'll be all right," Judith said, laying a hand on her arm. "Go on."

Rayna looked at her and saw the smile on her face but something in her eyes made her pause. Judith averted her gaze before she could figure out what it was. When Malcolm said her name again, she swallowed the lump in her throat and hesitantly followed Mitch. When they stopped in front of Malcolm, she turned in a circle, looking at the multitude of amber wolf eyes staring back at her from the trees.

When Malcolm spoke, she turned to face him.

"Most of us have lived here, secluded from the outside world, for the better part of thirty years," he said. "We'd like to change that, Ms. Ford. You can help us do that."

"How so?" she asked, watching one of the female wolves jumped up onto the rock shelf. She was on two legs, the hair covering her body black. She towered over Malcolm, her lips pulled back slightly, showing her teeth. For whatever reason, it was her she was snarling at. She looked back at Malcolm. He was still smiling. He looked younger suddenly, his eyes lighting up.

"We don't venture into the real world," he said. "Your world, that is. It isn't designed for us. As you just felt yourself, people will fear us. We don't want that."

"They will," Rayna said, trying to keep her voice from trembling. "You can't do what just happened here outside of this town. You'd be shot."

"We know. It's how we, the majority of the people you see around you today, came to be here to begin with." Malcolm stepped off the rock ledge and walked closer to them. "I, along with many of the people you've met here, were in the wrong place at the wrong time. We were attacked by a wolf exactly like the ones you see now. The year was nineteen seventy-seven. I was fifty two years old."

Rayna raised an eyebrow at him. "You don't look much older than that now."

He smiled. "We don't age the same as humans," he said. "It's one of the many pleasant side effects of a Lycanthrope. I'm eighty three, or will be in four months."

Rayna gaped at him and shut her mouth when she realized it was open. She glanced at Mitch and saw he'd had the same reaction.

"We want the world to know we exist, Ms. Ford. Will you help us?"

"Help you? How?" she asked.

"By showing them what they thought to be only legend, or stories of monsters, are true."

Rayna laughed. "People will think I'm as crazy as I thought you were if I print a story claiming werewolves really exist."

"You'll prove it to them."

She smiled and raised her camera. "Malcolm, no one is going to believe these pictures. Have you seen any werewolf movies lately? What just happened here looked damned close to most movies I've seen."

"Then there are shifters in Hollywood," he said, grinning. "We're many in number, Ms. Ford. Our small pack is only one of thousands throughout the world. We've been in hiding since the dawn of time. We grow weary of doing it any longer. We just need a spokesperson to bring us into the light. They'll believe you, Ms. Ford. Please, tell our story."

"What makes you think that?" she said. "I'm no one, Malcolm. Just a reporter."

"People know you. They recognize your face and your name. Once they see, they'll have no reason not to believe you."

He looked over her shoulder and Rayna turned her head. The circle of wolves around them was getting smaller. They were slowly moving closer. Her fear escalated then. She had a really bad feeling. Turning back to Malcolm she said, "What exactly do you want me to do?"

He smiled and inhaled deeply, letting it out in a slow, hushed breath. "It's simple, Ms. Ford. Once you return to the city, tell our story."

"They won't believe me."

"But they will," he said. "When you shift for them, they'll believe you."

"Shift?" she said, her eyes widening. "But I can't shift..." The minute the words were out of her mouth she knew what his plan was. Why he'd tried so hard and so long to get her to visit him. The multitude of amber wolf eyes watching her, and the funny looks she'd been getting all day, now made perfect sense. Her heart slammed against her ribcage and she felt her lunch start crawling back up. Tears burned the back of her eyes as she stared at him.
Oh god, please let me be wrong.

The group of wolves behind Malcolm was slowly making their way toward them. Her fear spiraled out of control and caused her vision to blur as her blood raced through her veins. She heard it gushing past her ears as she raised her eyes, meeting Malcolm's gaze and took a step back. "Malcolm?"

His smile dimmed but the sparkle in his eyes remained. "It will only hurt for a moment, Ms. Ford. I promise."

When the first tear fell she shook her head and said, "No..." She took a step back and remembered the wolves at her back. A glance over her shoulder confirmed they were still there and were advancing.

"It's just a small bite."

"No!" she said, taking four quick steps to the side, back toward the tree and her path to freedom. "Mitch!" She searched for him, seeing him to Malcolm's left. He looked frozen. His complexion was ashy, his eyes impossibly wide. He was being surrounded.

When Malcolm turned his head to look at Mitch and nodded, the wolves attacked him. Mitch's frightened scream sliced through her skin like hot pokers. The fear crawling up her throat choked her but when she saw Mitch fall, the wolf leaning over him with blood dripping from its teeth, she screamed, dropped her camera, and ran for the trees.

 

 

* * * *

 

 

Garrett raced toward the circle and stepped from behind the trees. Rayna screamed again and slid to a stop, her eyes wide when she saw him. He caught her in his arms, spinning her around and placing her against a tree. "Don't move! You run and they'll kill you faster, got it!" He didn't wait for her reply, instead, he turned back to face the pack and took a step backwards, placing her completely behind him. She was wedged between him and the tree. They'd have to move him to get to her and that wasn't going to happen.

Lowering his arm, he grabbed her hand to keep her from running. Her nails bit into his flesh and he felt her trembling against his back, her harsh sobs and the scent of her fear forcing his beast to the surface. It was a struggle to keep it restrained. He felt it beating against his skin, struggling to be free. He let out a low warning growl, watching as those in pursuit slowed before coming to a stop.

"Look who decided to come home." Caleb walked closer, lifting his head to sniff the air. "You still smell like a coward to me, Garrett. Let her go and I'll let you live."

Garrett crouched low ready for an attack. "Not likely, Caleb. You can't do this."

"We can and we will."

Caleb's voice was distorted in wolf form and Garrett wondered if Rayna could understand what was being said. She moved behind him, his shirt clutched in her fist. He could smell her tears, taste her fear on the back of his tongue, thick and sweet. His beast roared at her distress and he followed with a growl that vibrated in his chest. The bones in his face started to shift and he clenched his teeth to hold the wolf back. When he spoke, his voice was harsh and rough. "You can't have her. She's mine!"

Caleb laughed, the sound grating and coarse. He stood, rising to his full height and stared down at him. "I don't smell a claim on her, Garrett. Crawl back to that pathetic life you've made for yourself and leave pack business to the real wolves. You're not wanted here." He lowered his voice and said, "You're only alive because some of us wish it."

It was then Carmen took a step forward. He would recognize her wolf anywhere. He locked gazes with her, watched as she lowered her head and growled. She snapped her teeth at him before taking a few steps to the side, her gaze locked on Rayna at his back.

Garrett glanced over at Malcolm. He was standing over Mitch, looking down at him. The man was still on the ground, blood pooling around his neck. The sight made him sick. Two seconds longer and that would have been Rayna.

Jacob was standing near them, a look of horror on his face. When he lifted his head and turned to look at him, Garrett tilted his head, gesturing for him to come and hoped the boy was still loyal to him. He knew the answer to that as he watched him edge his way to the tree line and disappear into the forest. He turned his attention back to Caleb and Carmen. "You'll have to come through me to get her, Caleb, and I can promise you, it'll be the last mistake you ever make."

The tone of his voice left no room for arguments. The soft whimpering of the others drew his gaze to them. They were watching him while backing away with ears and tails tucked in, their bodies low to the ground. The submissive behavior pleased his wolf. They were beta wolves and whether they knew it or not, they'd just submitted to him, telling him in actions he was stronger. They feared him.
Good. They should be.

He looked back at Caleb. He wasn't backing down. His hair was bristled, standing on end with his ears erect. He met his gaze without fear.

A loud howl split the night air. It was Malcolm. The others turned and looked at him. Their leader was still standing in the middle of the circle. His plan was falling apart in front of him and he knew it. It showed on his face. When the others turned back to him, some started advancing, still trying to keep their distance, and circled around to the side.

Garrett lifted his head, looking at Malcolm. "I'll destroy them all, old man. Call them off!" Malcolm didn't answer. He just stood there staring at him but Garrett could see the uncertainty of the situation cross his face.

Sensing movement to his left, he glanced to the forest and saw Jacob. He stepped into the light and stopped beside him. "You know them better than I do, Jacob. Will they attack on Malcolm's order?"

"Caleb will regardless," he said, quietly. "He's always spoiling for a fight but the others I'm not so sure about. They fear you but they don't want to displease Malcolm either. Depends on who they fear more. You or Malcolm."

Garrett locked gazes with Caleb. He could see excitement flare in his eyes. Jacob was right. He was spoiling for a fight. "Can you outrun the others?"

"If I have to."

"You do," he said, pulling Rayna from behind him and placing her hand in Jacob's. "Take her to the hill where I found you. I'll come when I can."

"What are you going to do?"

Garrett straightened to his full height and inhaled deeply. He smiled and called his beast. "I'm going to show these puppies what a pissed off Alpha male looks like." He lunged for Caleb mid-shift. He didn't wait to see if Jacob had taken Rayna.

The impact with Caleb rolled them both. He was the first to his feet. As the last bone shifted, he straightened and looked at the others. They were circling him.

Without looking behind him he said, "Malcolm, if you want your pack to live, call them off. It doesn't have to end like this."

"I need her, Garrett. We'll do what we must."

"Then so will I." With teeth bared and claws extended, he howled, the sound echoing through the tress before he lowered his gaze on the wolves looking back at him and attacked.

 

 

* * * *

 

 

"Slow down," Rayna said, panting for breath. Jacob had her by one hand and was dragging her through the forest. She couldn't see anything but the blur of trees as they ran.

The fear she'd felt back at the clearing was nothing compared to her fear for Garrett. What the hell was he even doing here! The fact they'd left him there, that Jacob had grabbed her and ran, leaving him to face those... creatures, alone, caused her already nervous stomach to heave.

"We can't slow down," Jacob yelled over his shoulder. "They're coming."

The minute the words were out of his mouth, Rayna heard them. The loud yelps and howls, the rustle and snapping of branches and the heavy footfalls of running. Her eyes widened and she quickened her steps, running at full speed.

She jerked her hand free from Jacob's grasp, pumping her fists at her sides and barreled through the trees. Jacob slowed until she passed him and put himself at her back.

"Take a straight path," he yelled. "The river isn't far ahead. We can lose them there."

Panting, she ran. Ran like her life depended on it and judging the noise coming from behind her, it did. When the trees opened and revealed a grassy field, she slowed.

BOOK: The Calling
8.89Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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