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Sleep never came. But that made it all the easier when sun began to peek over the mountains for Giselle to creep down the stairs and out the front door. A bit earlier than she’d intended to leave, but she wanted to ensure she didn’t run into anyone in the house. No one was due up for at least two more hours. If she was lucky. She might even be back before Martina woke up to make breakfast.
Still chilly, Giselle couldn’t wait to shift so her fur could keep her warm. The thin hoodie wasn’t doing a very good job. She slipped out the back gate into the alleyway towards the open desert. There she could shift and run as far and fast as she would like.
She might have been early, but Asher’s truck sitting along the road made her feel like she’d shown up fashionably late. She walked alongside it, feeling the cool metal body. He’d been there for longer than a few minutes; the truck was as cold as ice.
A quick look around didn’t reveal any signs of Asher around, either. How long had he been out there? And then her stomach sank like a stone. He hadn’t tried to see the lone wolf himself, had he?
That wolf had nearly ripped her to shreds, and she guessed the only reason he hadn’t had nothing to do with the fact that she was a pup, but more likely that she was female. You’d have to be a pretty big jerk to kill a young girl wolf. Not that she saw herself as young or vulnerable, but the world had its own opinions, which had been forced on her every day of her foster kid life. Why fight them now? It was far better to let people think their own wrong ideas of you than to force them to see the truth anyway.
But Asher was a damn fool if he’d gone out without her.
She caught his scent before he came into view. There in the brush, eyes twinkling, was the tall, dark-haired wolf Asher staring back at her. Both relieved and ready to give him a good smack for being a jerk, she stripped down, shifted, and ran after him. Knowing she’d need her clothes later, she carried them in her mouth and headed off in a sprint.
She took the lead, heading straight toward the mountain to find the creek.
They ran swiftly through the desert, as the early morning sun lit up their path, and the creek came into view. Giselle turned to make sure Asher was still following. They were close to where she’d found the old loner, and just the thought of seeing him made her neck itch, right where he’d bitten her.
Asher was there, thankfully. That gave her some relief; but still, remembering the teeth and the size of that wolf gave her a chill. He’d said to never come back, and the smart thing would have been to listen. But they were here now, no point in letting fear take over. Giselle took off again, down along the water and toward the cave.
The small entrance appeared ahead, and still Giselle had not seen or smelled the other wolf. He was good. She hadn’t smelled him before either, but he’d been there, the whole time, watching.
At the mouth of the cave, she dropped her clothes and shifted on the spot. “So, the wolf statue inside the cave,” she asked, “Do you know anything about it?”
Asher shifted too, but he hadn’t brought any clothes. Why, oh why, did he have to be so hot?
He shrugged and the ripples of his muscles made her weak in the knees. Damn! What was she asking him about? It took all the willpower she had to keep her eyes above the waist and remember why they were out there.
“Probably some casino discard, and stupid kids brought it out to the desert for...who knows what.”
A likely story... not. He knew more than he was letting on, she was certain of it. But Asher was as closed off as they come, and for no good reason, either. Why come out all this way if not to help clear the air?
“Try again, wolfboy. You saw the wolf statue. It’s in perfect condition. Or better yet, go inside and have another look for yourself. ”
He didn’t make a move for the cave. Just stood there, defiantly still. Yep, he knew more than he was letting on, and she’d have to put all her cunning to good use to make him talk.
“Maybe they haven’t had time to vandalize it yet?”
She gave him her best “What am I, stupid?” look.
“What do you want me to say? I don’t know what it is or why it’s here.”
Liar, liar, pants on fire! She could sense it, but he excelled at stonewalling the direct approach. So, Giselle would have to go the long way. “Fine. What’s the story with old man Thrace?”
The innocent way his head tilted sideways almost made her trust the way he mumbled the word, “Dad?”
“No. I want to know about Grandpa.”
Asher’s tightening jaw was the dead giveaway she needed.
“Busted... spill! I want details. What’s your Grandpa’s issue?”
Despite being caught knowing more than he was letting on, Asher still maintained his stoic look of defiance. “He’s a hot head... or was.”
“Dead?”
“Yep.”
“How’d he go?”
“Surprisingly, old age. Though it wasn’t for lack of trying.”
“Many enemies?”
“Yep. He had quite the turnout at his funeral last year.”
Her eyebrow quirked. “Recently deceased. Okay. So what was his role in the family feud?”
Asher shrugged, and she followed that casual ripple of movement down his chest and... Damn it, Giselle, stay focused!
Asher wasn’t playing fair, and he knew it. He cracked the slightest of smiles catching her eyes drift south. But just as soon as it appeared, the amusement left his face again. “Grandfather set up the arranged marriage, from what I was told. It failed; feelings got hurt.”
“But your dad got blamed for the fallout.”
“Dad’s no pushover, but what he was accused of is child’s play compared to what Grandpa was capable of.”
“So, what did grandpa do? Don’t lie, I can smell it on you. You reek of anxiety right now.”
He didn’t like being called out. If Giselle wasn’t mistaken, there was a slight growl rumbling though his very handsome chest. And those eyes of his had turned to ice. He locked onto her with an Alpha’s domineering gaze, but she wasn’t playing that game.
“There’s no use in games, Ash. Just be truthful.”
“Yes. Dad got accused of using a witch to help get revenge, but... I think – and I am not sure about this – but Grandpa was the one to have the curse cast.”
“The one to make sure none of Martina’s family ever had kids...”
Before Ash could answer, another voice shouted from behind them, “Lies!”
Asher and Giselle jumped to their feet ready for a fight.
“Didn’t I tell you to stay away from here?” An older man, maybe in his fifties, dirty blond hair with wisps of gray and a face full of beard, came strolling up from the other side of the creek. “Go on, get! This is my last warning, pups. Don’t make me send you to your Alpha in a burlap sack.”
“You wouldn’t do it,” Giselle surprised herself with her own boldness. It was a gamble, but one she felt she could win. This man had everything to do with this statue, and she wanted to get to the bottom of it.
“Little werewolf, don’t tempt me.” He looked like a vagabond straight off the panhandler’s favorite overpass, and probably used this creek for bathing – which would explain why he smelled no different from the murky water. The smell of him should have alerted her or Asher long before he surprised her with his words, but that was not what worried her. The way he’d called Asher a liar... there was something more there.
“No one talks to me like that. I’ll leave when I am good and ready, you hear me?” Giselle was shaken and worried, but she’d not let fear sound in her voice. Not with two male wolves around. She had to stand her ground and sound like she meant it, no matter what.
“I’ll give you to the count of ten...” the old man said.
“You want me gone? You want me to never come bother you again?” Giselle asked.
“Yes... One!”
“Then give me a better reason than a death threat.”
“Two.”
“How about answers?”
“Three.”
“About this statue.”
“Four.”
“And the families here.”
“Five.”
“And the fact that you’re connected to them.” She was beginning to worry he’d make good on his threat, but she couldn’t stop now.
“Six.”
“Because you had a hand in it somehow.”
“Seven.”
“Because...” Shit... she didn’t know what else to say. Her train of thought had derailed two numbers ago, and stalling wasn’t helping matters.
“Eight.”
“Ummm...” she looked at Asher, who seemed just as clueless as she was, but there was no hint of fear there. Alpha in the making, that one. Still, no help. Why wasn’t he saying or doing anything?
“Nine.”
And then, the lights flicked on behind Asher’s eyes. “You’re Jeffery Martins.”
“How do you know that name, boy?” Jeffrey looked none too pleased to have been revealed.
“You’re Christina’s lover.”
That got the old wolf’s attention. “I am her only love. The one she was meant to marry, not that pompous, arrogant...”
That had Asher ready to strike. “Hey... that’s my dad.” His whole body tensed, hands fisting, ready to pummel the old wolf. Giselle was a little more than annoyed that when they had been threatened, Asher had done nothing, but one mention of daddy, and he was up in arms. Hot boy or not, he was quickly losing points with her.
“I’m not sorry for stating the obvious,” the old wolf said.
“You should be,” Asher growled. Fur was beginning to darken on his skin. Giselle sensed he was struggling to keep his wolf at bay.
“Well, I’m not. Your father and the whole Thrace family can burn in hell, for all I care.”
“Another fan, I see.” Giselle gave a warning look at Asher to remind him why they were there. They needed this old wolf and for the truth to be told. Nothing would come from an unnecessary brawl, no matter who hated whom at this point. Whether Asher understood the cold narrowness of her eyes or not, she’d never know. But for his part, Asher remained where he was and held his tongue.
“Get off my property...” Jeffrey started to say, but Giselle cut him off.
“Not until I get answers. And besides, this is Martina’s territory, not yours.”
“Lippy pups like yourself find themselves at the wrong end of my teeth.” He snapped his jaw at her. Probably more effective in his wolf form, but a threat just the same.
Giselle held her ground. “You like to threaten, don’t you?” She met his eyes hard with the coldest stare she could muster. “What’s your real issue here? You’re not just a loner. You have no business out here in the middle of nowhere. Why are you protecting this place? Is it because of the wolf statue?”
The old wolf glanced just briefly over at Asher and then back to meet Giselle’s dominant stare. “If you’re planning on making this one your mate, you’re in for trouble.”
Giselle was taken aback, breaking eye contact to look ever so briefly at Asher. He too looked just as uncertain. “I’m taking no mate,” she said.
“I was talking to the boy, who’s clearly infatuated with you. He’s not half the dominant you are, though.” Jeffrey chuckled, and that eased the tension just slightly.
Not sure how to respond, Giselle locked eyes with the old wolf again, and tried to regain her anger. Dominance worked best when you had the power of rage behind it. “Are you going to tell me what I want to know?”
He sighed and turned toward the cave where the statue remained hidden. “Christina was Martina’s sister... and my wife.” He paused and let the weight of that revelation sink in.
“Christina was not married!” Asher blurted out.
“And you were alive when the marriage happened? Funny, I don’t remember you on the guest list.”
“My father—”
“Your father and her father were bullies. They forced my poor Christina into that arranged marriage. She never wanted to be part of the damn pack merger. Martina did, but your father wouldn’t have her because she was barren. So my Christina was the only one suitable.”
“Martina was already barren? But how did they know?” Giselle asked, remembering how talks of curses had started some of the infighting.
“Not my place to say, but Christina told me about the cancer and her operation.” Jeffrey, despite the animosity, spoke respectfully about Martina’s condition. “She’d never have kids.”
“So she was no good for breeding?” Giselle was disgusted. If this was pack politics, it didn’t matter who offered, she was never joining a pack.
“Correct. So Christina was only eligible Hernandez girl. It didn’t matter that Christina and I were in love. We were ready to make our vows as mates, and she was forced into that stupid contract.”
“So, what happened? She obviously didn’t marry him.”
“We married in secret, and when it came to light, she was the one who was punished.”
“How?”
He pointed back to the cave. “You saw her. In the cave.”
And that confirmed it. The statue looked so real because it was... a perfectly preserved wolf. A living breathing thing trapped in a tomb of stone.
“She’s alive in there, isn’t she?” Giselle asked.
“She is the stone.”
“But how?”
“Magic. Old man Thrace paid a pretty penny to have this done to my Christina.”
“My grandpa didn’t do this,” Asher said.
“He most certainly did. He wanted her life forfeit for the dishonor. And it was all her father could do to keep her from actually dying. They both agreed to this as punishment...”
“How could anyone agree to this?” Giselle wondered aloud.
“She’s not dead.” The old man said, “Though I bet if you could ask her, she’d like to be.”
“So death or permanent prison in stone is punishment for marrying your true love... and you wonder why I don’t rush to sign on as part of a pack?”
Asher laughed. “You were ready to before my warning.”
“Neither of those packs is innocent. They both did this to Christina.”
“Fair enough, but why did the war continue after the fact? They made their peace with this... punishment, right?”
“Nah. Old man Thrace was never happy. Martina was offered as a second choice, a peace offering, but by then she’d too turned down the marriage and when retribution was threatened, war broke out again between the packs. Thrace had a witch in his pocket, and Martina had men to fight for her. No one fought cleanly, and many lives were lost.”
“And what did you do? By marrying Christina, you should have been part of the pack,” Asher pointed out. “Why did you not fight for your lady’s honor?”
“Honor?” Jeffrey spat the word. “What does a pup like you know of honor? That war was not of my making, and I would no sooner fight for either side as both were guilty. Don’t speak to me of honor. I did what I could for my love.”
The pain mixed with rage in Jeffrey’s voice threatened to bring tears to Giselle’s eyes. She couldn’t fathom the life he had led after the pain of losing Christina. And to have spent all those years here in the dry dusty desert with nothing... It was no wonder he was such an angry man. “So you just watched and waited?” she asked, trying to be sensitive to his pain, while still learning anything more that she could.
“I protected Christina. What else could I do?” He turned away and wiped his eyes, or maybe just his brow, Giselle couldn’t quite tell. “Now, I’ve told you all you need to know. This is the last time I warn you. Come back here, and I will kill you both. I have no love for either of your packs.”
“I belong to no pack.” Giselle said.
“Yes, you do; you just haven’t signed on the dotted line yet.”
She sneered at the assumption. “I am my own wolf.”
“For now. And only as long as you leave me alone. Understood?”
She’d hoped to learn more, but all the pain and sensitivity she’d heard in Jeffrey’s voice had faded. Even his eyes had regained their icy sharpness. Learning all she could, Giselle conceded and shifted back into her wolf. She and Asher left in a slow jog back towards his truck.