Wolf Marked by Alexis Calder

9

Someone was talking and my head was pounding. My mouth felt like sandpaper. What the fuck was going on?

The memories of the cave and Tyler came flooding back like a tidal wave. I should be dead. But I didn’t feel dead. I felt like shit. I was pretty sure if I were dead, I’d be feeling nothing, right?

I could feel the ground under me and the breeze moving the air. The smell of campfire and pine filled my nostrils. It was clear I was outside and it seemed dark enough through my eyelids to be nighttime. There was something covering me, a blanket maybe?

I kept my eyes closed and listened for the voices. Had Tyler and his friends come back for me? Were they going to finish me themselves or had they brought me back to save me? Was this all sort of some fucked up head-trip?

A chill went through me when I realized I didn’t know these voices. I would recognize Tyler’s voice anywhere. I hated that I could, but it was true. And this was not Tyler.

“She’s awake,” someone said.

Silence fell around me and I slowed my breathing, hoping to fool them. I needed more information.

“We know you’re awake, you might as well sit up and open your eyes,” a deep, sexy voice said.

With a sigh, I let my eyelids flutter open. It was dark, and it took me a moment to adjust. I glanced around and confirmed I was outside and the only light was coming from a sizzling fire and the moon overhead.

I pushed myself to sitting and quickly realized I was naked. What I thought was a blanket was a men’s button up flannel shirt. I quickly pulled it over me to cover myself as best as I could.

“We’ve already seen you naked,” sexy voice said. “You might as well put the shirt on properly.”

I looked over at the man sitting by the fire. I only got a quick glance at his handsome face before he turned away from me. He was shirtless and the firelight made all the rippling muscles of his back and shoulders look even more intense than they probably were in real life.

Clearly, he was the one who originally owned the shirt I could use as a dress. Which meant he was huge. He looked big sitting there next to the fire, but the man next to him was equally large, giving the impression that he was a more normal size. Instead, I knew both men were well over six feet. And based on the muscles on him, he was not someone I wanted to piss off.

Next to the two huge men, sat a tiny woman who looked to be about my age. I wasn’t sure if she was average sized or she looked smaller next to the two giants.

“Are you decent?” Sexy voice asked, not looking over at me.

I tugged the shirt on and quickly buttoned it. When I stood, the huge shirt fell to cover my hips and ass. It was big enough to act like a dress and I was grateful for the coverage. While nudity wasn’t a big deal in the pack, I had no idea who these people were.

The fire crackled and popped, a welcoming warm sound breaking the awkward silence.

I had no idea why I was naked.

Or why I was alive.

“Do you speak?” the woman asked.

Her jet-black hair shimmered in the firelight and her eyes looked kind, her expression resembling pity or concern.

I didn’t trust it.

“Yes,” I said, testing my voice. “Where am I and why am I naked?”

“You were pretty injured when we found you,” she replied.

“But why am I naked?” I pressed.

“You weren’t human when we found you,” sexy voice said.

“What do you mean?” My brow furrowed and I examined him a little. He was probably in his early twenties. But his expression wasn’t nearly as kind or concerned as the woman’s.

“Oh shit, did you not know you’re a wolf shifter?” The woman looked horrified. “They didn’t tell you?”

“No, you’re mistaken,” I said. “I can’t change into a wolf.”

“You were a wolf when we found you limping through the woods,” Sexy Voice said.

“That’s impossible.” I felt numb. Like I was having an out of body experience. I couldn’t shift. The last thing I remembered was barely clinging to life and then falling to my death.

“It’s okay, we’re shifters. You don’t have to hide that from us,” the woman said.

“It’s not that.” I should have been worried about that, but my mind was too preoccupied with the fact that I was alive when I shouldn’t be. Add in that they claimed I had shifted, a literal impossibility, and it was far too much to comprehend.

“You were a wolf when we found you.” The woman’s voice was gentle.

“I was cursed; I can’t shift.” Saying the words out loud always hurt. I told myself I’d accepted my path in life, but I’d always wonder what it might have been like if I hadn’t inherited the family curse.

“That’s terrible, I can’t imagine not shifting. You must be in great pain,” she said.

“Well, it’s a nice story, anyway,” Sexy said.

“It’s true, but I don’t need you to believe me.” They’d saved me, which was more than could be said of any of the members of my pack, but they were still strangers.

“What happened to you? Do you remember how you got here?” the woman asked.

“I was in the caves. I fell. It was a long fall.” I looked at each of them in turn. There was no way I was going to explain everything. It was embarrassing and made me look weak. “Then I woke up here.”

“Your wolf must have saved you. I’ve heard of that happening, but I’ve never met anyone who went through it.” The woman stood and walked over to me. “I’m Sheila.”

“Lola,” I said.

Sheila offered her hand and I took it without thinking. None of this made sense. I wasn’t supposed to shift. I really should be dead.

As soon as I released Sheila’s hand, I rose to my feet and started patting myself down, feeling for injuries. I felt my shoulder, my wrist, my head. My hair was matted with dried blood. My arms and legs were covered in dirt. Some of it stuck there by blood from phantom wounds. There were no signs of the bite marks or broken limbs.

I knew shifters were fast healers, but even my injuries would have taken time. “How long have I been here?”

“We found you last night. You’ve been sleeping for almost twenty-four hours,” Sheila confirmed.

That didn’t seem long enough. “How long ago was the full moon?”

“Four days,” Sheila said. “Is that when you fell?”

I nodded.

“You were wandering in your wolf form for a while,” she said.

“Why are you here?” Sexy Voice asked.

“Can you give her a few minutes before you interrogate her? She’s been through a lot.” Sheila turned to me. “Ignore Alec, he’s an asshole.”

“What about me?” The other man asked. I’d almost forgotten he was there.

“That’s Malcom, he’s also an asshole,” Sheila said.

Malcom smiled as if he was pleased to be included.

“Enough,” Alec said. “I’m not the one who stumbled into another wolf’s territory.”

I looked over at the broody male. “It wasn’t on purpose, I promise you that. I’m just passing through.”

“Let me guess, running from your pack?” Alec asked.

My startled expression gave it all away so I didn’t bother trying to hide it. Then I realized we must be close. If I’d shifted and run from there, I couldn’t have gotten far. Even with being gone for a few days, it was possible I was still within scenting distance. I wasn’t going back. Not for anything. If they knew I was alive, they’d want to take me out.

I stood. “I have to go. Thank you for the shirt and for helping me.”

Alec stood and my breath caught. I knew he was huge, but seeing him standing was alarming. He was probably pushing seven feet. The shifters in my pack were all large, most of the males towered over my five-foot-six inches, but Alec was the tallest male I’d seen. “You’re not going anywhere.”

“Um, yes I am.” I turned and started walking.

A strong hand grabbed my wrist. I stopped, knowing that once again, I was outmatched. There were three of them and one of me. And while they were certain I’d shifted, I had no idea if they were telling the truth. If I had, I wasn’t sure I could do it again. If I’d shifted to save my life, did that mean the curse was broken or was it a random thing? And had I been granted the extra perks of being a wolf or were they still hidden from me?

I’d been the victim of bullies long enough to know that fighting back wasn’t always the best way to survive. I needed a strategy. I turned and looked at the huge male. “Let me go.”

“We have some questions for you before you go anywhere,” he said.

My heart raced as my eyes traveled from his six pack, up to his rock-solid pecs, to his firm jaw covered in stubble, finally resting on his eyes. My eyes widened for a moment when I realized that each of his irises was a different color. One was a deep brown and the other was bright blue. They were beautiful and unlike anything I’d ever seen.

“Where did you come from?” Alec asked.

“Your eyes are stunning,” I blurted out.

Sheila giggled. “I told you they’re pretty.”

Alec growled. “Tell me where you came from.”

“Wolf Creek,” I said. “There, happy?”

“Take her back,” Alec said as he turned away from me.

“Oh, fuck no. I’m never going back there.” I vaguely recalled threatening Tyler and his friends before I was locked in the cave. Someday, I’d like to make good on my threat, but right now wasn’t the time.

I pulled my wrist out of his grip easily. I hesitated for a moment when I realized he didn’t hold me against my will.

“Unless you give us a very good reason, we have to return you,” he said with a growl. “I will not harbor a fugitive. Especially not from Wolf Creek. There are rules in the packs.”

“I’m not a fugitive. And I am never going back. If you want to deliver me to them, you’ll have to kill me and drop off my corpse.” I glared at him and balled my hands into fists. I knew he could take me, but I wasn’t going down without a fight.

“Look at her, Alec. Someone beat the shit out of her,” Malcom said.

“She said she fell,” Alec said.

“You know that’s bullshit,” Sheila said. “Someone hurt you, didn’t they?”

I looked over at her. “I ran because my mate tried to kill me to break the bond.”

“She’s lying,” Alec said. “Don’t let her get in your head.”

“You don’t even know me,” I said.

“I know they reserve those caves for criminals in Wolf Creek. You have to fuck up bad to end up in there,” I said.

“Unless you’re a cursed shifter who can’t shift who happens to form a mating bond with the alpha’s son.” My eyes widened and I covered my hand with my mouth. I hadn’t wanted to share all that with a bunch of strangers. They didn’t need to know my past and I didn’t want to remember it.

“Let her stay,” Sheila said.

“Her mate rejected her, she’s got no place to go,” Malcom said. “She’s definitely an outcast.”

His words stung more than I wanted them to and there was a tiny part of me that seemed to be in mourning for the loss of Tyler. I shook the feeling away. I was not going to miss the male who caused me a lifetime of pain.

Alec growled but I ignored him. He was either going to believe me or not.

“Look, I don’t need your pity, and I sure as hell am not planning to join another pack, but I’m not going back to Wolf Creek, either,” I said.

“You can’t go out there alone,” Sheila said. “You have no supplies, no clothes, no shoes. How far do you think you’ll get?”

I ran a hand through my hair in frustration. Of course my carefully packed bag and all my cash was gone. Tyler had made sure he’d left me with nothing. Not that he thought I’d survive the cave. “I’ll figure it out.”

“No, you won’t,” Alec said. “It’s a three day walk to the nearest town. And that’s for someone who’s healthy and has proper supplies.”

“I’ll be fine but I appreciate your concern,” I said.

“If you say so,” he said with a shrug.

I shook my head as I turned away. Of course I managed to step on something sharp immediately. “Fuck me.”

I grabbed my foot and pulled the stick out of my skin. Could I possibly go more than twenty-four hours without bleeding?

“Like I said, you’re not going to make it on your own,” Alec said.

“Thank you for the astute observation.” Limping, I carefully stepped forward, not turning back to the group.

“Alec, do the right thing,” Sheila pleaded.

“She’s practically the poster child for our community,” Malcom said.

“Get back here.” Alec sighed.

Accepting help from strangers was the last thing I wanted, but I wasn’t prepared to go out in the woods alone. I turned and looked at the trio. “You’re not going to discuss sending me back again.”

“I don’t think you’re in the position to be making demands,” Alec said.

“Then I’ll take my chances in the woods,” I said. “If you aren’t in a position to offer hospitably, I’ll be on my way.”

“Alec, cut her some slack,” Malcom said.

I was surprised to hear the other male advocating for me. “I guess there’s only one asshole in the group.” I glared at Alec. “Look, if you aren’t willing to help me, I get it. None of you know me. That’s fine. But either stop judging and let me go, or actually help me.”

“I like her,” Sheila said.

“If you stay, you’re Sheila’s problem,” Alec said reluctantly.

“Don’t worry, sis, I got you,” Sheila said.

“I won’t stay long. I just want to get cleaned up and see if there’s a way I can work to earn some supplies.” I wasn’t expecting to evoke shifter hospitality, but here we were. It was one of the first safety things we learned when we were young. If you were ever separated from your pack, you could expect to be taken in and kept safe from harm in any of the official packs.

“You aren’t going to try to take me back, are you?” I asked. It was the only thing I had to be concerned about.

“You look to be of age,” Alec said.

“I am,” I agreed.

“Then it’s not our job to enforce another pack’s punishment. But if they come into our territory, I won’t stop them from claiming you,” he warned.

“That’s fair.” If they did come for me, hopefully it would be long after I’d left this pack behind.

“We’ll sleep here tonight and take you to camp in the morning,” he said.

I’d learned about other packs growing up. Some were more primal than us, choosing to live in the woods away from humans. I supposed this pack had to be one of them. “This isn’t your pack camp?”

“We were scouting when we found you,” Sheila explained. “Our camp is about a mile west. Near a lake. Nice place.”

The thought of walking a mile on my newly injured bare foot wasn’t thrilling, but it beat a three day walk to a town I had no map to get to. Knowing my luck, I’d wander for a week then die of starvation. These wolves were my only shot at survival.

I looked at Alec and realized he was staring at me. My eyes met his and he didn’t break his gaze. “Thank you,” I said.

His eyes narrowed slightly, as if he was trying to assess if I was being serious. When I didn’t follow with anything, he finally nodded, then turned away. “I’ll take first watch.”

“Great, she can use your sleeping bag,” Sheila said.

Alec growled again.

“You sure do that a lot,” I commented. “Words might be better. Try this: No, I don’t want the strange girl to use my sleeping bag.”

Sheila laughed. “She’s got your number, Alec.”

“She can share my bag,” Malcom offered.

“She can use mine,” Alec said.

“I’m fine on the ground,” I said, sitting back down in the spot I’d woken in.

“You keep talking about how you’re fine but so far, all I see is a weak little wolf who is lucky to be alive,” Alec said.

“Never call me that again,” I hissed.

“Lucky?” he asked.

“Little wolf.”

“You don’t like little wolf?” He looked amused.

“What am I supposed to call you, then?” he asked.

“Her name is Lola,” Sheila reminded him.

“Lola.” The sound of my name on his lips sent a shiver down my spine.

“Over here, Lola,” Sheila said, pointing to a sleeping bag.

I walked away from Alec and settled into the offered bag. It smelled like campfire and rain with a hint of musk. It was Alec’s scent and fuck it was sexy as hell. It was too bad he was such a dick.

Sheila moved her sleeping bag near me. “Don’t worry about Alec. His bark is worse than his bite.”

“I heard that, and it’s a lie,” Alec replied.

Sheila chuckled. “You’re safe with us. You should get some sleep.”

I turned away from her, not in the mood for more conversation, but I wasn’t sleepy. I’d just woken from a very long nap and I was surrounded by strange shifters I didn’t know.

Soon, I heard the soft, deep breathing coming from Sheila and the snores from Malcom. I turned on my back and stared up at the sky. Stars were visible in the breaks from the trees and the moon was nearly full. If I had shifted, would I be able to do it again?

Crickets chirped and the wind rustled the trees. The sounds of the forest were calming and peaceful, and I almost felt like I could let my guard down. I closed my eyes and tried to feel for my inner wolf. I felt the same as I always had. There was nothing else there. Just the pathetic girl with the smart mouth who always said the wrong thing.

Disappointed, I opened my eyes and looked around. Alec was sitting on a log, staring into the dark woods. There was no way I was going to sleep while he was awake.

I walked over to him and sat down on the log, careful to leave a space between us. “I know you don’t believe me but I want to let you know I’ll be out of your way as soon as possible.”

“You won’t be ready for a while. You’re stuck with us,” he said, without looking at me.

“What is that supposed to mean?” I demanded.

“You’re a shifter who doesn’t know how to shift and you have one of the most powerful packs out looking for you,” he said.

“They’re not looking for me. They think I’m dead,” I clarified.

He looked over at me. “Did you break the mating bond before they threw you in the cave?”

I blinked a few times, thinking back to those last moments. I didn’t know all the steps necessary to break a bond, but I was pretty certain we hadn’t done them. “No.”

“Then he’ll feel you. He knows you’re alive. If he’s not looking for you yet, he will.”

“Why would he care? He didn’t want me,” I said.

“Once you connect to your wolf, you’ll understand it better.”

“Explain it to me,” I challenged.

He looked annoyed. “Your wolf and you are two halves of the same whole.”

“I know that,” I said.

“Despite that, there are still things one half controls more than the other. Your survival instincts, for one, come primarily from your wolf. That’s why you’re alive.”

“So?”

“The bond you share with your mate is also driven by your wolf. The part of us that’s more instinct than brain. He’ll feel compelled to find you. It might even drive him to start wanting you. Breaking a bond isn’t easy, but if it’s not done quickly, the bond can get more intense, making the mate hunger for the other.” He lifted his chin. “You might find yourself wanting him.”

“That is never going to happen,” I assured him.

“Your mate will be looking for you soon enough,” he said.

“He’s not my mate,” I said through gritted teeth.

“You might not want to be paired with him, but that doesn’t change the fact that the fates put you together. Sometimes, the fates are cruel.”

“You sound like you have experience in this matter,” I mused.

“I had a mate once,” he said.

“And?” I pressed.

“She was killed. Taken from me. It was the worst pain I’ve ever felt.” He looked down at his hands.

Guilt swirled through me. “I’m sorry.”

He stood. “If you’re not going to sleep, I will. Wake me in four hours.”

I watched him as he walked to the sleeping bag. He climbed in and turned on his side. How could he possibly go to sleep while a stranger was taking watch? Either he trusted me or he was so determined to end the conversation that he’d feign sleep. I wasn’t sure which it was, but I wasn’t about to go poke him and see if he was really sleeping.

I turned my attention back to the woods, breathing in the fresh air and enjoying the peace of the night. I might not have my supplies and I might be stuck in the middle of who-knew-where with strange shifters, but I was alive, and for this moment, I was free.