Scent of the Heart (27 page)

It took great effort not to call for Casey and Sev, even though instinct told him to do so. Still when the man sat up, Mikhail wasn't afraid. He could sense the man didn’t mean him harm. He allowed his gaze to linger, taking in the man’s features. Short-cropped black hair, a body larger than most people Mikhail knew, even approaching the Protector’s size, covered by many scars, some fairly recent, and a face that held a hard edge, softened with a curious expression. Then Mikhail noticed the man’s eyes. He had never before seen a person with gold eyes. Bright and vibrant, they shone with an inner fire. Pupils ringed by dark kohl drew him in with their warmth.

"Who are you?" he asked, though the sick feeling in his stomach informed him he already knew the impossible answer.

Growling sounds rolled from deep in the man's throat, and he bared his teeth. Mikhail took a step back, and the man whimpered, leaning forward to touch his head against Mikhail's thigh.

"Who are you?" Mikhail demanded again, squatting next to the man so as to not seem intimidating, even if he doubted much intimidated the giant.

The man sat back on his haunches and leveled a steely gaze at Mikhail. With a voice that sounded like rusted metal, the man struggled to utter a single word. One that had Mikhail stumbling back and crying out for his brother.

Sev and Casey burst into the room, both wrapped in blankets, and the man scampered in front of Mikhail, and struck a defensive pose, seeming to think himself a barrier. Mikhail stood and rested a hand on the broad shoulder.

"Who are you? Why are you in our house?" Casey demanded, appearing as though he were ready to strike.

When no answer appeared forthcoming, Mikhail knelt behind the man and whispered softly, "Tell them."

The man sat up proudly, slammed a hand to his broad chest, and croaked out, "Rand."

He pushed his naked form closer to Mikhail, who ignored Sev’s demand to step away. When Sev took a step toward them, Rand’s body sagged to the floor. In a flash his nose elongated, his arms thinned out, developing paws at the end, and his canine teeth dropped, razor sharp. It was only a matter of moments before a full wolf stood where the man had been, baring his teeth at Sev.

“You told me he was a full wolf,” Casey sputtered.

“He is. He was. He—I don’t know. It’s not possible. Is it?”

“I think we just saw that it is,” Casey exclaimed, amazement and a touch of fear in his voice.

“What do we do?”

“Get Zak. Tell him there’s a big problem here and we need our Alpha. And let him know it wouldn’t hurt to bring Jake.”

Sev raced from the room as Mikhail knelt down and wrapped his arms around Rand’s neck. The wolf appeared confused, but grateful as he leaned into the warmth of the touch.

What does this mean?
Mikhail wondered. He realized he was shivering, not from the cold, but because the answer might not be something any of them were prepared to hear.

The End

Parker Williams believes that true love exists, but it always comes with a price. No happily ever after can ever be had without work, sweat, and tears that come with melding lives together.

Living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Parker held his job for nearly 28 years before he decided to retire and try new things. He enjoys his new life as a stay-at-home author and also working on
Pride-Promotions
, an LGBT author promotion service.

Connect with Parker on: Twitter:
@ParkerWAuthor

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/parker.williams.75641

Or you can visit his website: ParkerWilliamsAuthor.com

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