Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance (39 page)

that stupid? There are no boats here. We have to radio the

mainland for it."

For the past couple of days, a seamstress had come to her

room and Laura had been forced to endure fittings for a

wedding gown. Flabbergasted, she had raved at

Brody.

"You can't be serious. We do not have to go through the

farce of a wedding, do we? It's pointless."

"It's what your fiance has requested. The ceremony will

take place at the small church on the island, and the

reception here."

"Then Jessup will know the truth if that little tidbit leaks

out."

Brody shrugged his shoulders. "Jessup was called away to

Colorado on business. When he returns, he will be told that

you came back from New Mexico, and as luck would have it

331

Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance

by Lorraine Kennedy

... you and a friend of mine had a whirlwind romance and

decided to get married right away."

"Do you really think he's that gullible?"

"It makes no difference. If he returns in time for the

wedding, he will be invited and if you value his and your

grandfather's life, you will be the ideal picture of the blushing

bride."

Laura turned away furious at herself for her inability to find

a way out of the trap they had set for her. Not only would she

have to endure Dark Claw, but she would have to go through

the charade of a wedding and reception, pretending to be

happy. It was Dark Claw's way of humiliating her and showing

her that he would have the ultimate power over her.

The sheer curtains danced with a hot evening breeze, but

it did little to cool the room where Laura had been kept a

prisoner. In its special spot, hung the wedding gown she

would wear tomorrow morning. Laura gazed upon the

beautiful dress, but instead of seeing the white satin and lace,

she saw an ugly black execution robe. Would she not be going

to her death when she put that gown on the next morning?

She would be signing over her life and that of her son.

How could she speak the words that would bind her to that

monster, when her heart belonged only to one man? Her child

moved within her and her tears came once again as she

remembered the man who had held her so close and touched

her as gently as a feather, in the process, he had placed

within her the tiny baby who would one day grow up to be a

great man to his people.

332

Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance

by Lorraine Kennedy

She and Justin's love had been destined to be, but the

same fate that had brought her to him—had taken him away.

Laura's bitter tears fell relentlessly. The sadness and

heartbreak of the past few months descended on her in that

moment and tore her heart to shreds.

No matter what else happened, she knew she could never

go through with this marriage. She would kill Dark Claw

herself if need be, but as long as she lived ... she would never

allow him to control her son.

In her hand Laura held a knife that had been carelessly

brought to her during dinner, and Mattie had just as

carelessly failed to see that it was not returned with her

dinner tray. The silver blade glistened in the dim light of the

room. Turning it over and over in her hand, Laura

contemplated how she would plunge it into Dark Claw's heart

at just the right moment.

She would have to be swift and precise, for they would

surely kill her as soon as they saw the knife. Laura's heart

was heavy as she thought of the baby within her that she

would never hold and who would never have a chance at life.

They would turn her child into a monster if he were to be

born, and to live and witness that was more than Laura could

bear.

Returning the knife to its hiding place beneath her pillow,

Laura drifted into a troubled sleep, but even in slumber—she

would find no peace. She was haunted by the wail of an

abandoned baby and by Rosa's sorrowful eyes.

333

Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance

by Lorraine Kennedy

The morning dawned bright and full of birdsong, but to

Laura it was merely a painful reminder of the life she would

soon be giving up.

Surprising even herself, Laura ate a hearty breakfast and

appeared docile while Mattie prepared her for the ceremony.

Though her heart beat fiercely within, on the outside she

appeared to be as calm as if she was drugged. A small ray of

hope beamed within her, maybe ... just maybe she could

escape before they killed her. And with Dark Claw dead, they

might not have any further need of her child and would

pursue her no longer. But ... that was only if she could kill

him and escape.

Staring at herself in the mirror, she was sure she would

come off as a radiant bride in the white gown and orange

blossom headpiece. Mattie left the room to find some lip-gloss

and Laura took advantage of the few moments to slip the

knife in the garter they had given her to wear. It secured the

knife perfectly. Laura smiled as she thought of the look on

Dark Claw's face when his bride produced a knife and cut him

to ribbons.

At last the time had come and Laura was led down the

stairs and to a waiting car that would take her to the small

church on the other side of the island. It was here that her

unsuspecting bridegroom awaited her arrival. A smile played

on Laura's lips. In his arrogance, Dark Claw would never think

that his unwilling bride would be the one to rid the earth of

his evil.

Laura's spirits rose when they arrived and she saw that the

crowd was very small. That made sense. They wouldn't want

334

Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance

by Lorraine Kennedy

a scene if she were to refuse. Laura suspected that most of

the Jaguar People would be fooled into thinking that this

match was one of her own choosing. They were not all as evil

as Dark Claw. Blanca was proof of that and she seriously

doubted that if they knew the truth—that Dark Claw would

have their backing.

At the door of the church, Brody waited to lead her down

the aisle. When her eyes adjusted to the dim interior of the

church, Laura could make out Dark Claw near the altar, his

smile malicious and victorious.

Laura held his gaze, never letting her eyes leave his and

she saw a flicker of uncertainty as he became aware of the

hatred and fury that burned within her.

Giving no resistance, Laura let Dark Claw take her arm and

lead her in front of the altar. Searching for just the right

opportunity, Laura paid no mind to the words the preacher

spoke, and when it came her turn to say her "I do", she did

so automatically.

Feeling the blade beneath the satin, with stealth

movements, she slipped her hand beneath the dress.

"Should any man object to this union, speak now or

forever hold your peace." The preacher's voice echoed loudly

through the church.

They were still kneeling at the altar and Laura had

managed to get her hand on the knife without being seen, but

the next voice she heard startled her to the point that she lost

her grip on the knife, and it clanked to the floor beneath her

billowing skirts.

335

Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance

by Lorraine Kennedy

No one paid any mind to it though, only to the owner of

the intrusive voice.

"I object!" Justin's imposing figure blocked the entrance of

the church, and when he lifted his mirrored sunglasses, the

anger that burned in his eyes spoke louder than the words he

had just shouted. His long dark hair hung loosely around his

shoulders and down his back. He wore his black leather jacket

open—revealing his hard, broad chest. To gaze upon him was

to look upon the essence of wild fury.

Knowing that his life could very well depend on this

marriage, the preacher finished as quickly as possible. "By

the power given me by God and the State of Louisiana, I now

pronounce you husband and wife."

Dark Claw jumped up and painfully yanked Laura around

with him. "She belongs to me now, and so does the child

within her."

Justin took a step back as if he had just received a physical

blow. "Is this true, is it his baby?" His eyes searched Laura's

face.

Laura shook her head, and her tears came unbidden. "This

baby is yours Justin, but he wants to steal him because he

believes he will rule both cities."

Dark Claw shrugged and smiled. "It makes no difference.

She and the child are mine now, by mortal law and by the law

of our own people."

Justin threw his head back and let out a vicious growl,

sending shivers of fear—even through Laura. His eyes took on

that eerie yellow gleam and fangs seemed to sprout out

instantly.

336

Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance

by Lorraine Kennedy

Dark Claw shoved Laura out of the way and sprang to his

hands and knees, already in transformation.

Dark Claw swiped at Justine, but with his stealth animal

grace he easily avoided his claws. Horrified, Laura watched as

Justin continued his transformation, his clothes tearing away

from his body.

He lunged at Dark Claw, sinking his teeth into the cat's

flesh. The church was filled with the sound of roars and snarls

as the adversaries moved in a flurry of violent rage.

No one in the church seemed to be startled by this odd

display, so Laura could only assume they were all of the cat

people, but to her surprise no one made any move to

interfere. That is except for the slight figure that moved

within the shadows of the altar.

Blanca raised the gun with both hands and fired four

rounds straight at Dark Claw. His reverse transformation was

swift, and the half man, half cat figure fell to the ground

before he knew what hit him. Blanca continued to hold the

gun on him as tears streamed down her old and weathered

face.

"I'm so sorry baby boy," she whispered.

Laura was near to fainting from a mixture of relief and

horror. She began to gasp for air, feeling as if she couldn't

breathe. She was barely aware of Jessup leading her out of

the church and offering her words of comfort.

Justin was there, holding her close and whispering in her

ear. "I love you Laura! How could you ever have doubted

that?"

337

Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance

by Lorraine Kennedy

The people within the building made no move to stop their

departure. Laura's heart went out to Blanca, who had to take

the life of her own grandchild to save so many others. She

wondered what would become of the old woman.

[Back to Table of Contents]

338

Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance

by Lorraine Kennedy

Once again—the nearly unbearable pain ripped through her

groin, but Laura suffered through it with something akin to

ecstasy. Each wave of pain brought her baby boy that much

closer to her arms and Laura's heart ached to hold him.

"You be close now girl, jus hold in there ... and push when

I says push," Bellea told her.

Again the searing pain overtook her and Laura pushed,

rewarded this time when she felt the tiny body slip from her

womb and cry out into the night. Several lights burned within

the confines of Justin's small cabin, and it surely wasn't the

grandest place for her child to enter the world, but it was

perfect in her eyes.

She wanted little Justin to come into the world in the

simplistic surroundings where she and Justin's love had

blossomed.

Bellea placed the squirming infant in her arms and tears

rolled down Laura's cheeks. Never in her life had she felt such

joy as she felt at that moment.

Justin knelt beside her and ran his fingers through her hair

as he proudly gazed down at his son.

"I love you, Laura, and I never want to go through another

day of my life without you."

Laura stared into his eyes and felt, more than saw the

truth of his words. She was too overcome with emotion to

speak so she just took his hand in hers and squeezed it as

tightly as she could.

339

Realm of the Wolf Book I: Wolf Dance

by Lorraine Kennedy

"How's my great-grandson doing?" Laura heard her

grandpa's voice from across the room. Grandpa Busby,

Kenny, and his new wife Yvette, stood in the doorway of the

cabin. Laura motioned for them all to come over. A moment

later Jessup followed them.

Laura's whole world was inside this rundown little cabin.

Her husband and son, along with the people she loved most

in the world.

Thinking back on the events leading to this moment, Laura

could not help but think that fate would have her way ... no

matter what one did to stop her.

As it turned out, Dark Claw had never had Grandpa Busby