Howl (10 page)

I frowned. “Thomas went to college and then
to vet school because that's just who he is – higher education
minded and always striving. The rest of us just....” My words got
lost in the process of thinking of how to explain why my family
didn't see the importance of going to college.

“Look,” I started again. “I grew up with a
certain set of expectations, rules that I have to live by. It's not
my choice. The truth is, I'm a female and therefore I don't get
much say. And I don't know how to explain it anymore than that. My
family is...complicated. Their rules are complicated.”

“You act like your family is some kind of
cult.”

“Now you've insulted me and you're pissing me
off.”

Jaime’s shoulders hunched a bit at my equally
stinging words. “Sorry.” He said with an exaggerated sad face.

We sat in contemplative quiet for some time.
I martyred my annoyance for the sake of peace between us and spoke
up.

“For a while I thought about going to college
to study meteorology.”

“Meteorology?” He seemed impressed. “What
changed your mind?”

“Besides the already stated rules and
regulations, to major in meteorology I’d have to end up at some
huge university where I’d be just another number in the stands.
I’ve told you before, I don’t do well in cities and a university
would be just as bad. Besides, I doubt there’s much they could
teach me about predicting the weather. It would be the experience
I’d value more than knowledge I’d gain.” Whoa, did I just sound
smug or what? “I mean, I enjoy the process of learning.”

“Okay smart-ass, what’s the forecast for
tonight?” Jaime wrinkled his nose playfully. He was clearly trying
to brighten the mood. It was working.

“Rain.” I said simply. “Tons of it.” My
senses were never wrong when it came to weather. I could feel the
atmospheric pressure changes and literally smell a storm brewing.
Tonight would be a soggy mess for sure.

Jaime gazed at the sky. “The weather channel
is only calling for light drizzle.” He put a hand out. “Are you
willing to take a bet on that?”

I took his hand in mine and barely squeezed.
No sense in breaking his hand over a silly bet. Haughtily I laughed
and said, “No weatherman is more accurate than me” then stopped
myself short and backtracked a little as one of Jaime’s eyebrows
shot sky high in disbelief. “I mean, I’m just really good at
deciphering cloud patterns.”

“You do realize there are hardly any clouds
in the sky.” Jaime’s eyes seemed to dance as he spoke. How does he
do that?

“Whatever!” I rolled my eyes and played it
off so he wouldn’t think anything amiss. Deviously, the competitive
side of me wanted Jaime to know I was right. In less than three
hours, Jaime and every resident in Kane would be taking shelter
from a major downpour. Then he’d know just how right I am.

Nothing out of the ordinary, remember? My
conscience returned.

“You are definitely more math and science
minded then?”

“You could say that. I’ve always been good at
reading and writing but science is more my thing.” Honesty with no
hint of the unusual? Check. This werewolf-human relationship was
turning out to be trickier than I ever thought possible. It was
like giving over only half of me. The other half had to be safely
locked away and buried under an entire ocean.

“Me, too. That’s why my job is so great. My
medical research degree allows me to use my brain while the job
allows for plenty of time outdoors. I can’t be cooped up in an
office all day.”

“Sounds like you have it all.” I helped
myself to more pasta salad.

“Sort of. There are one or two items left to
check off my list.” His tone resonated with allusion. “But first I
must have you all to myself.”

Jaime set aside his food. He placed one hand
on the back of my neck and pulled me toward him. His lips found
mine. Ever so gently he leaned me back on the blanket, indeed
taking me all for himself. I wanted nothing less.

Skin exposed to the forest around us we
interlaced our limbs in heated passion. It was enthralling to make
love under the forest canopy. The wind rustling through the
branches above made for an enticing chorus in harmony with our
sighs and movements below. Sparkling streaks of golden light danced
through the leaves as I took in the velvet paleness of Jaime’s
skin. Even the slight chill than danced across my bare skin
couldn’t compete with the fire that raged from the depths of my
belly as Jaime poured himself into me.

Breathless from our woodland love-making, I
leaned over and kissed Jaime’s cheek. “We really should go. I’ve
been gone all afternoon and Mom will start to wonder.” I couldn’t
deny that I was slipping – coming home later and leaving more
often. It was just too easy to lie these days and to ignore the
risks.

“I don’t want you to leave.” Jaime pulled me
back down onto the blanket and nestled my chest into his. Our legs
entwined. Jaime’s woodsy scent tinted with a hint of desire, warmed
by body heat, lingered heavy in the air around us. I studied the
curve of his shoulders with my fingertips.

I hated breaking free of his arms but I had
already been gone most of the day. “I really do have to get back.”
I skimmed on my jeans and shoved my phone in the pocket.

“Have you tried talking to your family? About
us, I mean?”

“No, I told you.” I muttered. “You are
off-limits.”

“I just don’t get it Sophie.”

“There’s nothing to get.” I cut him off. “You
and me equals forbidden. That’s it, end of story.” My temper
flashed so quick and harsh that my canines grew and heat rippled
across my skin. My hands flew to my mouth and I turned away,
terrified he had caught a glimpse of the shift trying to take me.
Calm down damn it! A few deep breaths and my teeth retracted, the
burning heat rolling off my skin in little waves. I slowly turned
back to Jaime.

He sighed and threw his shirt back on. In
tense silence we packed up our picnic items. He drove me to the
research center, now our permanent rendezvous point whenever I
needed to escape without arousing suspicion. The stubble on Jaime’s
chin tickled as he laid a longing kiss on my lips. “I’m sorry about
earlier. I wanted us to have a good time and I think I ruined it.
Twice.”

“You aren’t making this any easier, you
know.” I snapped, still more than a little pissed and not
especially at Jaime.

“I just….” His mouth snapped shut as I shot
him a barbed look and slammed the door behind me.

*

“Sophie!” Tristan grabbed my arm hard,
fingering digging into my flesh. I had just walked in the house
when he accosted me.

“Ow! Tristan you’re hurting me.” I tried to
pull myself away. Tristan dug his fingers in deeper.

“Sit down now.” He forced me to the dining
room table and released me as I sat down. “Who were you just
with?”

I rubbed my arm before answering. Who does he
think he is treating me this way? “I was out. What does it
matter?”

“IT MATTERS!” I jumped back, almost falling
out of the chair. Tristan just yelled at me. His twisted mouth and
scorching eyes frightened me. “I can smell him on you, Sophie. You
reek of human!”

My heart racing now, I rapidly looked around
the dining room into the open living room and then to the kitchen.
Who else was home? Did anyone else know where I’d been? I should
have showered before coming home. I was tripping over my own stupid
decisions.

“No one is home but us. Everybody is out
running or having dinner with Thomas.” Tristan’s eyes were piercing
in their stare. “So you need to be honest with me, right here,
right now. Who is he?”

“He’s my…boyfriend.” I wanted to sound
stronger than I felt.

“A human?” A growl erupted from Tristan’s
throat. “How long has this been going on?”

I lowered my gaze. I couldn’t bear to tell
Tristan I had been sneaking around for almost four months.

“Sophie! How long?” He demanded. “Oh I get
it. He’s ‘Emily’, isn’t he?” Tristan's eyes were filled with
disgust.

“Tristan, listen to me! You can’t tell
anyone! If Gavin finds out…I don’t know what he’ll do to me. Please
Tristan, I’ll do anything just don’t tell!” My words poured out,
inundating Tristan, apparently only serving to anger him
further.

“This isn’t just about you! You are putting
us all at risk!” He slapped his hands to his face and growled again
before speaking. “What if you got pregnant? Have you even thought
of that? You would have wolfkind babies. There would be no hiding
it, no denying or covering up! What would you do then?”

“I’m using protection, Tristan! I’m not
stupid!” I cried out.

Suddenly the sound of a car engine
approaching interrupted his thought. A chill shot through me making
the hairs on the back of my neck bristle. Tristan stiffened, hands
gripping a dining chair until his knuckles turned white.

As the car door slammed shut I turned to
Tristan, imploring him silently let me go shower. For a split
second he seemed to deliberate what to do. Please, oh
please....

Lorelei stepped into the house, all
pleasantry and contentment. Until she saw me and Tristan in our
locked poses barely breathing. The tension in the air was
palpable.

“What am I interrupting?” Concern washed over
Lorelei’s beautiful face.

Tristan glared at me almost daring me to be
the first to speak. My vocal cords refused to budge.

“Wait.” Lorelei put a hand up and sniffed the
air. The concern that was so prominent a moment ago morphed into
something I’d never really seen – was it terror or revulsion? Maybe
both? She knows. I instantly felt about three sizes smaller. Was
this how it would be when Gavin found out?

“WHAT are you doing?” It came out in a
staccato shriek.

“I’m…s-s-sorry.” I cowered in my seat,
shaking, defenseless. Say something – anything! “I love him!” My
hand shot to my mouth. Of all the possible things to say, I said
that?!

Lorelei looked like I had just punched her in
the stomach. The color drained from her face and she exhaled so
sharply I was sure my words had that physical effect.

“What’s his name?” Tristan broke the noxious
silence.

“Does that even matter?” I whispered,
trampled by my guilt.

“I think it’s pretty important.” He paused,
probably for effect. “And so will Gavin.”

“Jaime Robertson.”

“Why do I know that name?” Lorelei’s eyes
swept from me to Tristan.

“He works with Thomas at the center. They’re
sort of partners.” After a pause, I blurted out again. “Thomas
married a human.” It was the weakest defense I had but I clung to
it like a lifeline. It seemed to diffuse some of the strain for my
point was taken, however insignificant it may have been.

“You are too young to remember what it cost
when they were married. The first time Thomas told us about Kate,
he had already made the decision to marry her. Gavin didn’t talk to
him for almost two months. Mom took Thomas’ side despite the Code
being in place and Granddad took Gavin’s. It was ugly. Thomas
insisted that Kate would never be told the truth about us. He swore
that he would do whatever it took to keep us safe. But it nearly
tore this family in two. And this?” She gestured directly to me “I
can't even begin to think of what it would do to us as a
family.”

Lorelei walked over to the table and sat down
next to me. She reclaimed her motherly composure, an attitude that
presented itself whenever she felt I was lacking the maturity or
experience to handle a situation, which was rather frequent
considering that she was twelve years older than me. “How much did
Mom tell you about the Code and why it was put in place?”

The question took me aback. “I guess not
much. Just that humans and wolf-kind are forbidden from
interbreeding or having any kind of sexual relationship. What more
is there?”

“The Code of Procreation was put in place
after the Blood Wars ended. The fighting began because wolfkind and
humans had been interbreeding. Well, our men don't produce wolfkind
babies so it wasn't much of an issue for a very long time. And the
few mothers who had human lovers simply vanished upon pregnancy,
with their packs keeping them secret and protected. But then one
mother produced children to a human father who tracked her down
after she fled. It took him several years to find them but by the
time he did, the younglings were able to start shifting at will.
The mother's secret was discovered and the father had her and the
children hunted and killed.” Tears spilled down as Lorelei cupped
my face in her hands. “All it took was one man with proof of our
existence.”

“I have a question.” Tristan spoke up.

“What is it?” I inquired though I was sure I
didn’t want to hear it.

“Have you told Jaime?” His eyes were set in
hardened fear. What if I had? Would it change everything -or
nothing?

“No, I haven’t.”

“Do you think you can trust him?” Tristan
asked. My head shot up at his question. He couldn’t really be
thinking….could he?

“Are you kidding me?! You can't even go
there!” Lorelei nearly choked.

“I just….”

“No Tristan!” Teeth bared, Lorelei cut him
off. “You know what would happen! Wolf packs have been hunted to
near extinction in the past. Do you want them to come after us,
too?!”

“I wasn’t going to tell Jaime anything, I
swear!” I cut in.

“You better not.” She glared at me, sharp as
a razor. “It is too dangerous for all of us.”

“Alright, Sophie hasn’t told him anything so
maybe nobody needs to tell Gavin. At least not right now.” Tristan
took a deep breath.

“Agreed.” Lorelei nodded, slowly. “I don’t
want to see our family split apart because of her….relationship.”
She pointed a finger at me. “But this can’t go on. You have to
break it off. Now.” Though she stood up to leave, she seemed still
shaken and aggravated. “I only came back to gather some extra
clothes for the babies. We’ll be staying at Thomas’ for dinner.
Looks like you two are on your own for the evening.” With that she
disappeared into her apartment. A minute later Lorelei left the
house completely.