Make Me Howl (18 page)

It was all I could do to force my head to shake side to side. I didn’t want to leave the shelter of his embrace. I wanted to stay there with my heart next to his, where it belonged.

But someone out there was infected and would, without a doubt, attack. Tonight. And I had to be there to stop him.

I gave him a fast kiss then tearing myself out of his arms, got into the car. I started the engine and, with a wave, drove out of the lot. As I left, I glanced into the rearview mirror. He stood there, his hands on his hips.

Watching me drive away.

Chapter Eight

I didn’t drive far. A picnic area near the compound stood empty, so I pulled in. After parking at the back behind a small outcropping of trees, I stepped out and quietly closed the door.

The moon had edged higher in the sky, gilding the world with a silvery highlight. It was nothing for me to morph that night. All I had to do was release.

And I did.

In no time I ran on all fours, free in the world of the untamed. I ran hard, heating my muscles as I ducked under low growing bushes and dodged clumps of tall grasses. I dipped into a small trench then back out again, delighted with my freedom. A giraffe rolled her eyes and maneuvered her calf behind her when she saw me running in their direction, but I veered away. Slowing to a trot, I topped a small rise.

Sitting on my haunches, I lifted my nose in the air and howled. I wasn’t sure exactly where I was, but the wild in me didn’t care.

As I drew a breath for another howl, I caught something on the wind. Another wolf, but something was wrong with the scent.

His underlying scent was man.

With a jolt, I realized I’d temporarily lost all memory of who I was and why I was on the hunt. I didn’t remember shifting or the beginning of my run.

I moved from the hillock to the low ground then deeper into the tall grasses where I burrowed down, keeping my body on the ground.

He was coming. For a moment, I was in concert with him. I could hear his heart, beating too fast. Feel his breaths searing his lungs. Experience the tumult of his mind—swirling, angry, confused.

His fur practically brushed mine as he passed without realizing I was there. Heat wafted from him, as if he’d run for miles, searching for something. The musk of his scent was heavy with blood. Without actually seeing him, I knew his muzzle was covered with it. He’d already killed. And, if he wasn’t stopped, he’d do it again.

Not wanting him to notice my movement, I slowly raised and, keeping low, crept through the underbrush after him.

When he was far enough ahead not to notice me, I increased my speed so I could keep his stench in my nostrils. We made a huge arc, looping past the area where the baby buffalo had died then turning toward the compound.

Navigating a drainage ditch, I lost his scent—which had to be a miracle in itself—but as I came out, I picked it up again. Instead of it coming from in front of me, it was beside me. I dropped prone then edged along the ground toward heavier brush. Now his scent came from behind

Fear stiffened my muscles as animal instinct hit. The hunted was now hunting me.

Finding a rabbit run through the extremely heavy lower brush, I shoved my way into it, my heart pounding in my chest. If this inexperienced animal, now on my trail, was a male the size and weight Doc had spoken of the night before, he’d never fit into the run. I could barely force my way inside.

The space tunneled through underbrush so dense, I couldn’t see out. And nothing could see in. But I didn’t stop.

I pushed and wiggled until I was safely inside. Even the tip of my tail couldn’t show. I clamped down on my fright until I was able to quiet my breathing so I wouldn’t be heard, and only hoped the rabbit hair, which lined the run, wouldn’t tickle my nose enough to make me sneeze.

Before long, I heard the snuffling sound of his tracking. After what seemed like hours, he must have found the entrance, because I heard frantic scratching, digging, then at last, whining born of frustration.

Good. If I had any luck at all, he’d give up soon.

But I’d have to leave the rabbit hole and follow him once more.

Time slowed. I imagined him lying at the entrance, waiting for me like a cat for a mouse to come out of a hole. I couldn’t turn around in order to look outside before emerging, which meant I’d have to leave tail first.

If he were still there, by the time I could see anything at all, I’d be in big trouble.

Instead of backing out, I decided to force my way farther into the tunnel. Sticks poked at my eyes while tiny branches scratched my hide, but I didn’t care.

Anything was better than being exposed to were-baby, while blinded by the brush. After working for some time, I came to a break in the tunnel that, presumably, another wolf had made at some time trying to get a rabbit. Or maybe the werewolf had made it, trying to get to me tonight. Luckily he hadn’t been able to force his way inside. At least I could see out.

Hanging low in the sky, drifting toward the horizon, was the moon.

I had to move. Now.

Shoving out of the hideaway, I opened my senses. The man’s cleverness and ability to navigate in his new waters amazed me. I couldn’t let the animal take me by surprise again.

When I could get no sense of him, I glanced again at the moon. It had dropped to balance on the horizon. In moments, it would be completely gone, and the neophyte would shift back to human.

On full alert, I started back toward my car. The last moments before he lost the moon could be the most powerful, and hardest, on a
phyter
. The last thing I wanted was to come upon him unaware.

As I reached the picnic grounds and my car, I heard a pain filled howl.

Then nothing.

The moon was gone.

I shifted, dressed then got into the car. After glancing at the clock, I saw hours had passed. I took my cell phone from the ashtray where I’d left it and saw I’d missed a couple of calls, so I listened to my messages.

As I thought, there was one from Bella. “Where are you, Jazzy? Probably hung up in that meeting. I’m going to catch a ride home, so don’t bother coming back to the park for me. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

By the tone of her voice and what she didn’t say, I knew someone stood nearby, probably listening.

She couldn’t have contacted me mentally while I was hairy and scary, but I might be able to reach her now, even with all those miles separating us. Especially if she was thinking about me.

Bella, can you hear me?
I paused a moment.
Bella? You aren’t asleep, are you?

Bella’s gasp crossed the miles to me, but her words were as soft as dried leaves whispering in the wind.
Jazzy! I was so worried about you. Are you all right?

Her thoughts, so muted, made me wonder if she’d fallen asleep.
I’m fine. I can tell you all about it in the morning.

All right
, she answered.
If you’re sure you’re okay.

She quickly spiraled away from me, making me think there was something tugging at her. Maybe she’d taken something for a migraine or a sleeping pill. Either would do it, but I couldn’t imagine her letting herself be out of it when I was in such a dangerous situation and not home yet. She was usually such a worrier.

I started my car and put it in gear. Because of the late hour and the light traffic, I didn’t look as closely as I should have for oncoming traffic. I pulled onto the highway right in front of a DPS trooper.

Naturally, he flipped on his lights, so I pulled to the shoulder.

The man talked on his radio for a moment, got out of his car with a flashlight and walked toward mine. I watched as his lights drenched him with color. First red, then blue.

I rolled down my window as he neared the car. “Good evening, ma’am.”

Weariness made it difficult, but I forced a smile. “Good evening, officer.”

“May I see your license and proof of insurance?”

I reached under the seat, where I’d stowed my purse, and pulled it out. Then I fished inside for my wallet. After finding it, I pulled out the requested cards.

He took them, lighting them with his flashlight. After reading each, he said, “Mind if I ask what you’re doing out here, this time of night?”

“Going home. I was at a meeting that ran longer than expected.”

He lifted both eyebrows. “Meeting?”

I gave him my haughtiest smile. “I’m a fashion consultant. As such, I must be available whenever my clients have time.” I let my smile soften. “And sometimes that’s not very…convenient for me.”

“But it is for them, right?” He glanced around at the dark landscape as if imagining faraway houses. “Probably one of those country western people who’re starting to buy up the place, huh?”

I gave him a light shrug. “I can’t discuss the name of my clients. They like people to believe they’re naturally fashion gifted.”

He barked laughter then grew serious. “Well, be careful driving home. There’ve been some ritual type deaths in the area tonight. Mutilation of animals at the drive through zoo, that sort of thing. You wouldn’t want to run into that.”

I firmly shook my head. “No, sir. I would
not
.”

“And check for oncoming traffic before you turn onto the road next time.”

With a wave, he walked back to his car.

I checked the mirrors then pulled back onto the road.

The drive home was longer than the one out had been. I turned on music to keep myself awake, but it didn’t help much. Finally, after what seemed like hours, I was on our street. But even the block before our garage was longer than usual. As I drove the final hundred yards, I almost dozed off three times, but at long last, was ready to turn in.

First, though, I had to wait for a car, pulling out. Who in their right mind went places at that time of night?

Besides me, that is.

Finally, I parked in my space then dragged myself to our apartment. Exhaustion fogged my brain. It took me quite a while to get the correct key for the door then fit it into the hole.

When I was at long last inside, I was disappointed that Bella wasn’t waiting for me. It was hard to believe anything could have kept her away. Whatever she’d taken to help her sleep must have been powerful.

I went into the kitchen for a glass of water. Opening the dishwasher to load the glass, I found two wine glasses, side by side.

I hadn’t had a glass of wine in several days.

If Bella had taken a sleep aid, she had no business drinking alcohol. But she knew that better than anyone. So it hadn’t been a pill dragging her away from our mental conversation.

It must have been a man. Walking to her door, I eased it open, careful not to wake her. I took a long breath. It was redolent with the scent of a man…and sex.

Surprised there was someone she cared enough about to sleep with but hadn’t even mentioned to me, I quietly closed the door.

Who could it be? The only one who’d caught her attention in the last year was Spencer, and that relationship had crashed and burned almost as soon as it started.

So who?

My heart dropped as an answer came to mind. Could it be Doc?

After all, she worked with him every day, and a man who had so many good qualities would be difficult to resist. Besides, they had so much in common. It only made sense.

But it broke my heart.

Going into my room, I crashed on the bed, facedown, hoping for oblivion. But after several moments, I could still smell myself. Crawling back out, I tossed my clothes where I’d been lying and padded to the bathroom.

After the fastest shower in the record books, I staggered back to bed, scooped my clothes onto the floor, fell back in and slept like the dead.

After a few hours, the dreams started. Nonsensical dreams, as if I were caught in the mind of the new werewolf. We hurtled down a brush-filled tunnel, not unlike Alice’s rabbit hole, when a distant noise disturbed me. The noise sounded again and again, lifting me through layers of sleep until I came to awareness.

The phone. Barely able to open my eyes, I fumbled for it, pushed the on button and rested it against my ear. The first time I tried to speak, I could only whisper, so I tried again. “Hello?”

“Jazzy? It’s Bella. Are you awake?”

While she talked, I rolled to my side and drifted again toward sleep. I knew I had to answer, but since I’d buried my mouth against my pillow, I just hummed.

“Jazzy! Wake up! Talk to me.”

Her tone grated, yanking me to wakefulness. Not where I wanted to be, but Bella would have her way. Dammit. I lifted my head far enough to speak into the mouthpiece. “All right. I’m awake. What’s so urgent?” Shoving myself upward, I stacked my pillows then relaxed against them while I straightened out my tangled bedclothes.

She dropped her voice to a whisper. “Did you see the wolf last night?”

I closed my eyes for a moment as the memory of what I’d experienced in the rabbit run returned. The night’s fear sent my heart pounding. “Let’s just say I made his acquaintance.”

“And?”

“He’s gotten a handle on his condition rather quickly, Bella. I tracked him over half of the zoo property, then he pulled a switch. And started hunting me.”

“Oh, Jazzy. What if he’d hurt you? Why didn’t you wake me when you came in?”

I started to tell her why, but decided against it. “It was a long night, and I needed a shower and sleep time. Sorry if you were worried.”