Chapter Thirteen

Finding Strength

Changing Tides

"Hope, you must wake up." The voice drifted into her mind. It was soft, but insistently pulled her from sleep.

"Why?" she mumbled, without opening her eyes. She felt as if she had just fallen to sleep.

"Because there is a man at your door. He is knocking and making a great deal of noise."She heard his laughter in her mind. "I believe it is the same man who drove the wagon."

"Why are you not talking?" She was beginning to wake up, and she wasn't happy about what he was telling her. Athair knelt beside the loveseat, stroking her hair back from her face, his own face full of uncertainty.

"I was not sure how much you want to tell the man."

She was completely awake now. She sat up. "Good point. And thank you for allowing me to make that choice." She could now hear Steve at the front door.

"Wake up, Hope! Did you sleep in again? Come on, open the door."

She definitely appreciated Athair's methods. It took a good bit of effort for her to remember that Steve was a good friend and not the complete nuisance he sounded like.

She stood up and stretched, yelling to Steve, "I'm coming!"

Very nice. Athair's mind voice was laced with desire as his gaze scorched over her body. She saw appreciation in his eyes at the sight of her nightshirt bunched over her hips, baring her long legs.

Absolutely no one had ever looked at her, especially her scarred legs, with that kind of look. She pulled the blanket around her protectively and began moving toward the door. She pretended not to hear Athair's disgruntled sigh and, "Now, that was just cruel of you. Should he see me?"

"I don't suppose, at least not without clothes. Wait here," she said quietly.

She left him there, while she tried to think of some excuse to use to stall Steve. She opened the door to him without coming up with any good ideas. "Sorry. I slept in."

"You look like hell," he said bluntly. Athair's methods were definitely better, even if they did make her a tad bit uncomfortable.

"Thanks. Now, if you're through being an ass, you can make me some coffee." She did no more than motion toward the kitchen before she headed for her bedroom to get some clothes for Athair.

After finding sweats and a T-shirt that should fit him, she slipped back into the den. He sat on the loveseat, waiting. She handed him the clothes. "You don't mind wearing these, do you?"

"Maybe I do mind. He gave her a grin and a wink. But for you, I'll do anything."

"Oh… good grief." The man had too much charm. He was in a playful mood, and she was doomed. She refused to answer him before rushing back to the bedroom to get dressed.

Athair couldn't imagine why he felt the urge to tease her. He simply did. He got the impression that very few people ever teased her. If his gaze alone could make her blush, how would she react to his hands, or his lips?

He put on the pants she had given him and was pulling on the shirt when Steve stepped through the door. He seemed to struggle for words.

Athair wasn't sure how Hope wanted him to act around this man. It was possible she and Steve had a relationship. The thought of them together hit his gut like a blow. He finished pulling on the shirt and turned to face the other man. "Hello."

Steve finally seemed to recover from his surprise at seeing Athair and held out his hand. "Hello. I'm Steve. I'm also sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt you. I didn't know Hope was seeing anyone."

That answered Athair's question. Steve didn't sound jealous, just curious and maybe a bit concerned. He shook hands with the young man. "We haven't been seeing each other for very long. I'm Athair. It's a pleasure to meet you. Hope has mentioned you a few times." He smiled, thinking Steve reminded him of one of the children. "Do I smell coffee?" He recognized the scent as one of his brother's favorite drinks.

"Yes, I just put on a pot." He turned and headed toward the kitchen, where the coffee was almost done. Athair followed. Steve rummaged through the cabinets for mugs while Athair sat down and relaxed at the table.

Why did it bother him that Steve knew where Hope kept her mugs and sugar? He had no reason to be jealous. There was nothing between them, at least not yet. After he sorted out his problems with the Bear Clan, he intended to explore the possibility of a relationship with her.

Steve stared at him strangely. "You look familiar. Have we met?"

"I don't think so. I am not from around here."

"Do you know how Hope's wolf is?" Steve changed topics. "Last night, she told me he was recovering quickly." He paused. "I've been trying to find out where he came from. I don't think there should be any wolves in this area. He must have escaped from a sanctuary somewhere, but no one seems to be missing a wolf."

He reached out to Hope, not sure if she could hear him in the other room. "Hope, please hurry. I am not sure what you want me to say to Steve. He is asking about your wolf."

"I don't know what you should tell him. Maybe you should just go hang out in the kennel and look wolfy."She sounded exasperated and her words were accompanied by the image of her stepping naked under the spray of water. That visual left him hard, as well as making it difficult for him to pay attention to Steve.

He was pleased that she not only heard him, but that she had responded in the silent language. "Did I mention I like the idea of being your wolf?" He shared his sensual, possessive emotions with her along with his not so casual comment.

"Just tell Steve the wolf got away, if you have to say anything."Hope's mental voice was firm and as smooth as the slick soap he could almost feel sliding over her body.

"I could always just bite him."

"No! Don't you dare,"she hissed at him. Minutes later, she came rushing through the door, her blond hair dark and damp. Steve still talked nonstop, even as he shoved a mug of coffee her way.

"Does Steve ever stop talking?"

"Sorry, Steve. We can go as soon as I wake Granny." She glared at Athair, who was trying to look innocent. "He only does this when he gets nervous. So quit making him nervous." She sipped her coffee, and then blew across it as if trying to cool it enough to drink.

"I guess I should be happy he can hold his bladder. That is how some animals show submission." Athair enjoyed their byplay immensely, and the erotic look of Hope's pursed lips inspired a variety of other desires.

"Don't hurry too much," Steve said. "We still have a little time. I was just worried when the door was locked, and you didn't answer." He poured two more mugs of coffee, adding a large amount of sugar to his. "I'll just drink a cup or two while you wake Granny and take care of the animals." He pushed the other cup closer to Athair.

"I'll be ready sooner if Athair helps me." She took a last drink of her coffee before standing up. "You should come with me so I can keep an eye on you."

"I'll be glad to help." Athair tried the coffee and the bitter taste had him pushing it aside. He stood to follow Hope. "I should be sorry I teased you. I would not hurt your friend."

He nodded at Steve. "Thank you for the coffee."

Then he turned to Hope. "Do I get to meet Granny too?"

"Well…" Thoughts flashed through Hope's mind about Little Red and the big bad wolf. "I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but I guess you should meet her."

She left him to tidy the den while she put out food for Granny's dog and cats. Taylor would still be with Granny and Hope had no idea where the cats were. Usually, they were all under foot while she fed them in the mornings. When she finished, she met Athair and took him to meet Granny.

They walked down the hall toward the back of the house. "I suppose I can't avoid introducing you. It would simplify the situation." She grinned over her shoulder at him. "And you did resist biting Steve."

"For that I deserve a better reward. That took a lot of restraint." His head dipped down and he brushed his lips over hers in the lightest of kisses. "There we go. That was a fair trade which I would be willing to repeat."

His touch was brief, and her fingers rose to her lips to help her memorize the delicious contact. Her gaze locked on his grinning face, and she laughed at his humor. Why had she been worrying? He wouldn't be a threat to her friends and family. It was a sobering thought for her, to believe that he was a werewolf and yet still trust him to be a good person, after having just met him. What would it all mean after he was gone?

His fingers gently brushed her nape and somehow the connection froze her in place. "What is it that made you become so serious?"

"The ones hunting you." It wasn't just the threat, but the more likely possibility that it would lead to them being separated. "I don't want to leave you here when I go to work."

His grey eyes crinkled. "I am hardly a defenseless pup."

"I certainly hope not." She stepped back, putting a little air between them. "I expect you to watch over Granny while you recover. I should be home around five tonight." She stopped in front of a set of double doors. "Granny has her own apartment through here. She is very independent, but I'm sure she would like to at least meet you." She knocked on the door and pushed it open.

"Granny?" She called out. "Are you up yet?" She motioned for Athair to wait outside the apartment while she entered. She had only gone a few steps when Granny came from the hallway carrying one of the cats.

"Good morning, Hope. Are you running late today?"

Her little terrier trotted in behind her and gave a yip toward the door before moving in that direction.

"Morning, Granny. I am running late but wanted to introduce you to someone before I leave." Hope stepped back and opened the door wide, frowning when the cat hissed and jumped from Granny's arms. It dashed off to another room. Taylor had the opposite reaction, running up and sniffing at Athair's bare feet.

He crouched down to the dog, holding out a hand and then stroking it gently. After only a moment, he straightened and moved to her side.

"Athair, this is my grandmother, Ella. Granny, this is a friend of mine, Athair. He will be staying with us for a few days."

He held out his hand. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Ella." When she placed her hand in his, he surprised both women by bending to gently kiss it in a most gallant, old-world way.

"Oh my. Sir, you may call me Granny if you like. Hope, you must marry him immediately."

He sure knew how to charm a woman. His antics had Granny fluffing her curling gray hair with a devilish twinkle in her eye. Athair smiled at Hope, then Granny. "But how could I marry both of you? You have stolen my heart, young Miss Ella."

"Young indeed." Young Miss Ella chuckled. "I just celebrated my eighty-seventh birthday."

Hope held back her own laughter at Athair's outlandish comments. "You are one of the few who would see her as young!" Then out loud she said, "Since you two are getting on so famously, I should get to work."

"I'll walk back with you." Athair said.

"Once you've seen her off, come back for a visit." Granny gave Athair's arm a pat while she smiled up at him.

"I'll do just that."

They had just turned the corner into the kitchen when Steve shot into the room from the other direction. "Hope, your wolf is gone!"

Hope looked at Athair. What should we tell him?

Athair arched a brow. Hope didn't seem to want to tell Steve the truth, which relieved him. Now they would just have to explain the absence of the wolf.

"Relax Steve," Athair said. "We took him to a sanctuary last night."

"Last night?"

"Yeah." Hope took over the lie, "Athair came by last night, and we drove the wolf to a vet clinic over to the east with more experience and access to a refuge. The drive took us most of the night, which is why we slept in."

"Oh." Steve seemed to believe their story, but he wouldn't let it rest. "So, where's his car or truck?" He pointed a thumb at Athair. "And shoes?"

Hope had no answer, so she grabbed Steve by the arm and dragged him toward the door.

"See you tonight, Athair!" she called over her shoulder, giving Steve no time to continue his interrogation. She gathered her jacket and purse and pushed Steve outside.

Athair's soft chuckle was a balm to her nerves. "You are very good at managing him."

"Thanks, but it will be a long, long day."

"Hurry back, or I may run off with Ella."

"I will hurry. Have Granny call me if you need anything. She has my number. I need to concentrate on Steve and find some way to distract him. He's ranting at me. Now that I think about it, he has some very valid points about you."

"Just remember. If you want, I can still bite him."

"I'll keep that in mind."She felt him stroke her cheek and then slip from her mind. It took a great deal of will power for her to turn her attention to Steve, who was still lecturing her on allowing strangers into her home, working with wild animals, and dating in general. It made her smile. Steve was a very good friend. Like a brother, he was trying to watch out for her in a sweet, but nosy sort of way.

* * *

"Come on Steve, Let's get out of here," Hope called Steve, who was doing a last check on the animals in the clinic. Her last appointment had left, and the evening team had arrived.

The day had been just as long as she'd expected, and even more nerve racking. She was haunted by the need to return to Athair. She felt as though he was calling her to him but was too far away to be heard. The feeling was so strong, she even called the house twice to be sure nothing had gone wrong.

Granny had answered her first call with a complaint that she had interrupted a serious game of blackjack. For the second call, Granny had passed the phone to Athair. His voice soothed her when he told her all was quiet, and nothing was wrong. Granny was going to next teach him how to play some other card games. Hope offered to pick up some clothes for him on the way home. Now she wondered how she would explain that to Steve.

Steve met her at the back door with his coat. "You're in a hurry tonight. Anything to do with that tall, dark stranger being at your house, all alone with your defenseless old Granny?"

"No, but I want to make a stop before we leave town," she said as they reached the car.

"Sure. Where to?"

Trying to come up with a good reason to pick up clothes for Athair, she thought the best route would be to distract Steve. This time of day food would be the most reliable means of distraction. "I thought we could pick up dinner. You can join us if you want. You know, for my own safety. What do you think about subs?" What she really thought was that there was a department store next to the sub shop.

They reached the sandwich shop in no time. She slipped into acting mode. "Oh, I forgot. Granny asked me to pick up a sweater for her. Will you get the subs while I look for the one she mentioned?" Her lines weren't exactly Emmy award winning, but they were good enough. Steve agreed and she handed him some money for the food.

Hope raced through the store, having no real idea what she should buy. She settled on blue jeans, boxers, and T-shirts. She was in the checkout line when she remembered socks and shoes. How odd. It seemed more natural for him to be barefoot.

She made it back to the car a moment after Steve.

"Looks like more than a sweater. How many bags do you have there?" He pestered her during the twenty minute drive back home. Her only response was to say she had gotten carried away when she spotted a sale.

As they neared her driveway, Hope suddenly had an overwhelming impression of dread. Something was terribly wrong. She looked around but could see nothing out of place. Yet something was definitely not right. The feeling of being watched raised goose bumps on her flesh. But watched by whom? Or what? Had the ones hunting Athair found him already?

"Athair?"She called out, hoping he could hear her.

"What's wrong?"

She sighed with the reassuring contact. He would know instantly that she felt fear. "I don't know. I feel like someone is watching me. Have you seen anyone? I am almost to the house."

Her nerves on edge, she gave Steve an unexpected request, "Drive all the way up to the steps, please." Her driveway went around the side of the house, which was where Steve usually parked. The grassy area to the left of the walk was level and would allow him to park directly beside the steps.

As he made the turn, she caught a movement in the bushes from the corner of her eye. Whatever it was, it was much too big to be one of the cats. She pretended to look the other way as she studied the bushes along the side of the house.

There it was again. A flash of dark fur. Then a pair of golden eyes. Especially scary, glowing eyes.

Yup. This was going to be a run-for-the-house kind of moment. A lucky-if-I-don't-wet-myself kind of dash.

"Steve, listen to me. We need to run to the house. Don't look, but there is something in the bushes over to the left. I think it's another wolf." She said this in a quiet, reasonably calm voice while screaming for Athair in her mind. "Please open the door. We are just outside."

"Are you ready?" Steve asked. From his lack of chatter and his grim look, she knew he had seen something, too.

She gathered the bags at her feet and looked at Steve. "Yes. Go."

They sprang from the car and raced for the opening door. Although they only had to go a few steps, she suddenly knew she wouldn't reach the door in time. Even with the healing Athair had done to her leg, she wasn't much of a sprinter. She felt hot breath and a crushing weight throw her to the ground even as she heard Athair's bellowed, "No!"