ChangingPaths (15 page)

Rain leaned against a tree, breathing hard. She really hoped
she was a shifter, otherwise this ability to run so fast might be wasted. No
way would she want to lose this. She lifted her head as she heard something off
to her right. Alicia, again. Seemed as though the other female was just following
Rain’s scent, not seeking out one of the males. Whatever. If she wanted to
follow along that was fine with Rain. It just meant she was on the right track.

With a smile she headed off again. She knew she was close
and it was about time. They’d have to get back to the lake soon. A branch
snapped off to her left, causing Rain to jerk around just as a gray shape
lunged out of the woods. She laughed as he circled her then turned around so
that she kept him in sight. Keme’s wolf wasn’t nearly as big as Gareth’s, he
was more along the size of a big German shepherd, but she could see the muscles
in his shoulders and hips. He started to shimmer, so Rain watched the Change
come over him.

Keme grinned at her as he stood there in the nude. Rain
clenched her fist in order to remind herself to keep her eyes on his face. It
was so tempting to look down, to sneak a glance, but she didn’t.

“You found me.”

“I did.” She returned his grin. They just stood there for a
few minutes smiling at each other. “I guess we should…”

Rain gestured toward the lake then turned to lead the way
back.

“Rain?” She turned back to face Keme. “I want to be there.
When you have your first shift, I mean. Is that okay?”

She took a deep breath. “Keme, I’m not even sure I’ll be
able to do it. My mom can’t.”

“You will, I know it.” He took her hand and held it tight. “I
just know it.”

“I sure hope so.” Hand in hand they started back toward the
lake. They’d find out tomorrow when the—what had Gareth called it? The Moonlust
rose. Then she’d know whether or not she could do this. She’d know if she was
special like Keme. She ignored the faint sour stench that tickled her nose.
Whatever it was, she didn’t want it to spoil the feeling of her fingers
entwined with his.

Gareth grinned at the pups. “Good job, everyone. Next time
though?” He let his eyes meet those of every youngster in the mass looking at
him. “Next time it’s for the Gathering. Don’t embarrass your folks or me. You
know the protocols. Don’t shift before the Alpha gives you his first blessing.
If you can’t shift, don’t panic. Performance anxiety is a bitch. Remember to
breathe into the shift. Don’t forget the Pack blessing after. You’ve got this.”

He jerked his chin. Their voices faded into the distance as
they walked, or in some cases ran, home. As he headed for the lodge to talk to
Micah he mentally inventoried the pups. He didn’t think they had any Denieds
this time. They’d had one the last. The sorrow on the kid’s face had been hard
to take. But after six months he seemed to have settled in.

The drummers for the Full Moon Gatherings were all Denieds.
That had been one of Micah’s decisions. The Pack had not fully accepted it at
first but now they welcomed their Denied kin. Having a part in the Gatherings
seemed to help on both sides.

The door opened as he approached.

“Smelled you coming. Did you bring me my puppy?” Talia’s
face was set in what he recognized as her mutinous pout. Sighing, he scooped
her up.

“No, T. I told you they aren’t ready yet. Two more weeks at
least. They have to spend time with their own kind so they can be strong when
they leave that Pack. You don’t want a scared dog, do you?”

She nuzzled into him. “No. But I just can’t wait! And I can’t
go to the Gathering either. It’s not fair.”

“Aww, it will be your turn before you know it.” He swung her
in the air until she giggled then released her. “Go tell Micah I’d like some of
his time.”

The deep rumble from the doorway told him he’d completely
missed his Alpha’s entrance. “Sorry. Didn’t see you there.”

Micah grinned. “Come on back. Tell me what it is you need to
see me about. Is it Harmony?”

He nodded. “Yes, but not what you think.”

He shut the door to the office, making Micah quirk an
eyebrow at him. “I think she’s not one of the Denied.”

Swinging into the issue, he laid out what he knew, what his
nose told him and what she had said. He left out the wolf claws and growling-during-sex
incident.

As he finished, Micah nodded. “I agree, but Olivia thinks
she may be like her. A shifter who doesn’t know how to shift.”

“What? Is it in the water or something? How can we get two?”
Gareth frowned.

Micah acknowledged the seeming coincidence with another nod.
“My grandfather tells me that my Gift may draw them here. He is a wise man, but
I have difficulty believing that. Still, here we are. Another shifter who does
not know how. What do you want me to do? How do you think I should handle this?”

A feather could have knocked him over. He’d never expected
Micah to ask him his opinion. Still, he did think he knew Harmony well. “I
think we should have Olivia talk to her.”

He and Micah strategized for another half hour then pulled
Olivia into the discussion. Her input was invaluable. At her insistence they
also snagged Kaj. With his Denied experience the four of them had all the
information they needed. By the time another hour was over the four wolves had
a plan on how to help Harmony.

Harmony glared at her aunt. “I’m taking you to the doctor.
This is the fourth time you’ve had an excuse for still being in your nightgown at
lunchtime and I know something is wrong.”

“Don’t fuss, Niece.”

“Fuss? I’ll show you fuss.” Knowing exactly what cards to
play next and how to ensure her aunt would cooperate in going to the clinic in
town for a complete physical, she sat down to take Willow’s hands.

“Aunt Willow, I need you. Rain needs you. I have to know
that you’re all right and that you’ll be there for my daughter. She’s going to
need another female to talk to after her first shift. And since it can’t be me
it has to be you. Please? Please do this for us, even if you don’t want to do
it for yourself. Besides, with Tom in the area, I have to know you’ll be there
for Rain no matter what.”

Since Willow had been more of a mother to her than an aunt,
she knew playing that family card was kind of a low blow. Still, if it got
Willow to the doctor she really didn’t care. With a heavy sigh Willow nodded.
She slipped her hands out of Harmony’s.

“I will get dressed and go with you but you will not mention
any of this to your uncle.”

She watched her walk down the hall. Willow’s steps were
slow. She hunched over slightly, looking twice her age. Harmony had known
something was off. She felt bad it had taken her this long to get around to
convincing her aunt to take care of whatever it was. Willow just hadn’t smelled
right. Harmony needed to know what was wrong.

She needed to get this out of the way before the Gathering
tomorrow night because Rain would need all her attention then. First they
needed to know what was up with Willow’s health. Then deal with Rain’s first
Gathering. Only then would Harmony feel good about concentrated on getting Tom
out of their lives. She had no doubt Gareth and Micah would do whatever
necessary with Pete’s help to keep Tom away from them.

Willow came back down the hall. After checking to make sure
there wasn’t anyone lurking outside the front door, Harmony led the way out to
her car. They’d go into town, find out what the heck was up with Willow’s
health then maybe just spend some quiet time together. She needed to hit the
library too, to fill Rain’s request list for books. She could see if they had
any new books she might want to read herself.

The drive into town was almost silent since both women had a
million things on their minds. Still, Harmony couldn’t help but look around as
they pulled into the parking lot. She didn’t think Tom would be stupid enough
to attack her in the middle of town but she wasn’t sure, given his frame of
mind the last time she’s seen him. She held her aunt’s hand as they entered the
clinic but she waited, at Willow’s request, until after the doctor had seen
her. When Willow returned to the waiting room, she wore a big smile, the first
one she had seen on her face since first arriving home.

“Well? What did the doctor say?”

“There is something going on with my stomach but the doctor
says it can be treated. He thinks it might be an ulcer, so he drew some blood.
I’ll know for sure in a few days. For now I have to fill this prescription.”

“Oh, Aunt Willow.” She hugged her aunt hard. The fear for
her aunt’s health had been weighing on her. Since the doctor hadn’t been
alarmed enough to send Willow to the hospital, Harmony felt a huge relief. Now
if she could only make sure Tom didn’t come back again, she would be able to
spend more time thinking about her relationship with Gareth. Things like where
it might be going. Should she make room in her closet? The thought made her a
bit giddy.

“We need to celebrate. Ice cream? Can we get ice cream?” She
practically dragged her aunt out of the clinic, holding tight to her so that
she wouldn’t make a fool of herself by dancing down the street.

“No ice cream for me, my darling. Very little dairy, as a
matter of fact. The doctor has given me a list of foods to avoid. He’s really
sure it’s an ulcer, so he wants me to start making changes now. If it’s
anything else he’ll let me know. And does this make you understand how
important it is to trust your nose? Hmmm?” Willow waved a piece of paper.
Harmon just shook her head.

“Okay, so no ice cream.” Searching for childhood memories
while ignoring the pointed remark, she grinned. “Waffles?”

Willow laughed, shaking her head then pulling her into a
hard hug. “Waffles, but let’s go home for them.”

They headed for the car. When it came into view they both
came to a dead stop. Harmony held in a scream of frustration even as she
searched the street and surrounding area with eyes and nose. Two tires on her
car were completely flat, slashed beyond any repair. The word
whore
had
been scratched into the passenger-side doors. The sour scent that hung in the
air made her want to vomit. That bastard!

Willow’s hand on her arm brought her attention back. Harmony
pulled out her cell phone. She kept her tone even, though it cost her a great
deal. Inside she shook with anger and frustration. If she was honest, a little
dose of fear as well. “I guess we’ll be calling Uncle Pete to make a report and
ask for a ride first.”

An hour later they sat in the backseat of Pete’s patrol car
on the way home. He’d arranged for a wrecker to come get her car. He’d growled
low in his throat as he’d taken the report. His fury boiled out in a rare curse
word. There was no doubt that Tom had been the one to do the damage. With that
stench, there really wasn’t anything to say. She wondered if she would ever
really be free of Tom, of his insane behavior.

Pete pulled up in front of the house. Harmony breathed a
sigh of relief to see Rain, Keme, Rion and Gareth all sitting on the porch. At
least she knew Rain was safe. No way would Tom get to her with three shifter
males around her. He didn’t have the guts to take on two fully grown men plus a
shifter teen who was probably sweet on Rain.

Before they could get out of the car Gareth was at her side,
reaching for her. She leaned into his warmth, taking the comfort he offered as
they explained what had happened. She saw Rain’s face drain of color but she
also saw that Keme took her hand.

Gareth growled, low and long, before he cleared his throat. “Could
you track him?”

“No. Bastard’s masking his scent somehow. I’ll increase
patrols in the area. He has to be staying close. Niece, we will find him.”

Again she felt Pete’s support when he walked by, touching
her shoulder. He still cared for her, even if he tried to mask it. Stubborn old
wolf. When Willow reached out to her Harmony smiled as she took her aunt’s
hand.

“Thank you. Thank you all. I know Rain and I are in good
hands.” She took a deep breath. “Now we want waffles. Everyone inside and I’ll
fire up the waffle iron.”

They all made it inside the house. For the next three hours
she concentrated on family and happiness rather than the insanity trying to
encroach on her life again.

Gareth and Rion even got in on the sharing, telling everyone
about their lives in Oregon, before they’d become estranged. She studied their
features. Without the patch and if Rion’s hair was longer, it really would be
difficult to tell them apart. They even smelled alike but she could tell the
difference. Gareth’s scent was more like a pine tree in the summer sun, clean
and strong. Rion’s pine scent had a slight overtone of earth as if his pine
came from a winter wood. But they told of how their own birth Pack found it
hard to tell them apart by scent alone.

When Pete, Keme and Willow had left, Rain said goodnight
before going to her room. Gareth kissed Harmony’s cheek, telling her he’d be in
soon. It had become a habit for him to spend two or three nights a week at her
place. Sometimes they made love. Sometimes they talked into the wee hours. And
sometimes they just fell asleep holding on to each other. Tonight she wanted
his comfort but she watched with a smile as he followed his brother out onto
the porch. When he returned thirty minutes later he was holding Rion’s clothes.
At her raised eyebrow, he grinned.

“Kaj and Micah came by. They’ll be watching the cabin
tonight. Rion offered to help. I told him I’d hang on to his stuff until
tomorrow.”

“Okay.” She shook out her dishtowel and put it on the rack
to dry. “Do you mind if we go to bed? I’m exhausted.”

“Not at all.” He tossed Rion’s clothes onto the couch and
crossed the room to her side faster than she’d seen him move in a while. He’d
wrapped his arms around her and picked her up before she could blink.

“Gareth!” She laughed. “I can walk.”

“I know, but I enjoy carrying you.”

“You’re going to hurt your back.”

“Now that’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard you say.” He
shook his head at her and she smiled at him.

“I’m not thin like Olivia.”

Gareth sniffed her hair, making her giggle. “I’m not interested
in carrying Olivia. Aside from the fact that Micah would tear me limb from limb
and scatter the pieces to the ends of the Earth, Olivia doesn’t set my blood
boiling. You do.”

“So you don’t mind that I’m…” She tried to continue the
argument but when he let her go then easily caught her, she gasped.

“Watch what you say about my woman. I might take offense.
You could land on your sexy ass.” He nipped at her nose.

She laughed as he carried her into the bedroom then booted
the door closed. He set her on her feet just inside the bedroom then kissed her
softly.

“Get one of those huge t-shirts you like to sleep in. I’m
going to check the house and I’ll be right back.” He kissed her again, closing
the door quietly behind him.

She stood for a moment, just basking in the fact that he
liked her body. That he liked her…well, probably more than liked, if she was
honest. She’d felt his emotions, just as she knew he must have felt hers.
Though neither of them had said anything, she wondered if it wouldn’t be a good
idea for her to say something before he left for Oregon.

That depressed her. It shouldn’t. He shouldn’t mean so much
after such a short time but the fact of the matter was she loved him. Even if
they couldn’t run together through the woods there were many other things they
could do.

With that in mind she let go of her earlier idea of just
holding each other until they both fell asleep. A slow smile spread as she
stripped. Harmony slid into bed, conveniently forgetting to put on one of her
big t-shirts.

When he came back into the room he stopped to stare for just
a moment. The look in his eye told her everything. He smiled then stripped as
he walked across the room. By the time he reached the bed she had opened her arms
and her legs. Harmony wanted to welcome him into her heart just as she had
welcomed him into her home.

He paused for just a moment to look at her again. She felt
beautiful. He made her feel sexy as if she moved something in him. Her hips
lifted up from the bed as she offered herself to him. This was the relationship
she’d always wanted—loving, sharing and generous. Then his face changed.

“Gareth? Is everything okay?” She let her ass slide back to
the bed. Something flashed in her eyes. Even though she turned her head away,
he saw it. Recognized it instantly. She thought he was going to reject her.
Him. Reject the amazing gift she was. He chuckled.

“Yeah, babe. It’s all good I just had to take a moment to
make sure you weren’t some fantasy about to go poof.”

He loved the easy way she gave herself to him. His heart
felt full—somehow complete with her in his life. Her exasperated-yet-relieved
choke of laughter made him grin. He’d gotten the reaction he wanted. How she
couldn’t know she held all the power in their…he stopped. Their relationship?
Yeah, relationship. How she didn’t know he was putty in her paws—it staggered
him. The anger he’d kept in check surged. That bastard ex of hers had seriously
done a number on her.

He forced the fury down for another time. Now was for loving
his woman. Leaning down, he stroked a hand from her cheek to her breast to her
belly. He drew lazy circles on her sensitive skin until she grabbed his hand.

“Do something,” she demanded. Her breath was shallow. He
could smell her arousal—sweet honey in the air. Do something? He planned to. He
parted her legs then knelt between them. She moaned deep in her throat as he
hovered his mouth over her curls. Letting his hot breath flow over her, he
flicked her clit with his tongue. Once. Twice. Again.

“Gareth, I swear I will knock you over then fuck you silly
if you don’t stop teasing me.”

He glanced up. “Okay. I’m trying to figure out how that’s a
bad thing?”

A pillow whipped past his head just as he moved back to
eating out her pussy. Her arousal coated her outer lips. He let himself take
long, slow licks that ended on her clit. Her cunt jumped up to him as her hips
flexed. Her hands dove into his hair then she flung her arms wide as if she
needed to anchor herself.

The heat of her inner flesh maddened him. He growled softly
then nipped gently at her throbbing core. Her near-shriek was muffled. Looking
up, he saw she’d covered her face with a pillow. He rubbed his mouth into her
cunt then got serious.

He eased two fingers inside, relishing the warm, soft walls
of her pussy. His cock throbbed in unison as he pushed in then pulled out. He
fucked her with his tongue as his fingers slid out of her. When his fingers
were in her he sucked at her clit. Her legs wrapped around his head as her body
shook in orgasm. He blew on her after the tremors had subsided. Her ass flew up
as she planted her heels on the bed.

“No more.”

“Yes more.” He deliberately misquoted her. Levering himself
up, he guided his cock to her entrance. She looked at him with eyes heavy with
sexual satisfaction. He touched his cock to her wet pussy. And waited.