6. Raul

6

RAUL

" L et's go to Shandaken's Annual Spring Ball."

It was Sam's bright idea to go. Right, the Annual Spring Ball. It's four hours in "Northern Thicket," the biggest bar within a one-hundred-mile radius, surrounded by humans and their annoying habits.

Their music was a bit loud for our sensitive ears, but it wasn't such a big deterrent. I even liked some of it, like their jazz and their blues. But their stupid mannerisms were a whole different story. Silly innuendos, ridiculous outfits, and their insatiable appetite for smelly fast food and tobacco appalled me. I couldn't find the appeal in stuffing their mouths with junk and filling their lungs with poison. Of course, most of them didn't know what the hell they were eating or smoking. I guessed they viewed it as some of life's pleasures.

Most of all, I didn't like Sam's suggestion because I wasn't in the mood to mingle. I had attempted to visit the one human who had been kind to me. The woman who had taken me in and looked after me when I was injured. Yet, it seemed that fate itself had had other plans for that night. Somehow, a man from her past had beaten me to it. I was close enough to hear everything. Hell, I had smelled his raging hormones from half a mile away. I wasn't going to get involved, but when he tried to hurt her, my instincts got the better of me.

I shed my human cloak and let the wolf handle him. I could have done that in human form, sure, but the beast was more efficient. It could terrorize with a single glance. Of course, I had done more than just look at him, but I couldn't care any less about the damage to his arm. A man who tries to brutalize a woman doesn't deserve to be called a man. He's a lesser being: A pest, deserving to be eradicated. Only at the last minute, I decided to spare him. Not because I pitied him in any way, but because of her. I didn't want to tear him apart in front of Monica. She had been through enough horror that night.

Despite my reluctance, I decided to accompany my brothers to the ball. Every year, it acted like a magnet to the people of the surrounding villages and towns. If nothing else, it was good business. We had plenty of customers in those places. In truth, it was a good chance to get some feedback from all those people about their motorcycles. We would find out what they liked about their machines and what they didn't like. Some would babble about how great it felt to ride a powerful, custom motorcycle, but that came with the territory. There was a simple truth about riders, they liked to gloat, especially in the presence of beautiful women. And us, as the creators, being there to listen to them gloating meant a lot to them.

As usual, the streets around Northern Thicket were lined with parked cars. Situated on the far edge of Shandaken, it sparkled like a jewel. Red and blue lights were hanging over its green neon sign. A large, vinyl banner below it informed anyone hermit enough to be unaware of the night's event.

"Welcome to Shandaken's Annual Spring Ball!"

"I'm feeling like a fish out of water," Ray declared while we approached the entrance.

"We all, do kid," I said in a calm tone. "We all do."

The interior was as well-lit as a five-star hotel lobby in New York City. For this one particular night every year, Northern Thicket didn't smell like a pool hall. Every single one of those pool tables had disappeared. It's four dance floors weren't there, either. Now, it was just one large hall, capable of accommodating about fifteen hundred customers. Bars on either side served drinks, mild jazz notes from the band laced the air. For once, I wished I were human. I wished I could leave the wolf's nostrils back home. That way, I wouldn't have to smell the women's cheap perfumes blending with the human scents of sweat, hormones, and smoke. Taking up a table in the middle of the hall, my brothers and I gazed around the room.

"It gets more popular every year," Sam remarked, looking over at the entrance across from us. There were still people pouring in. "Ten more minutes of this, and the place will be filled."

Willing to offer him my input, I glanced in the same direction. As I did, I spotted a particular figure cast in shadow by the flickering light, almost lost in the crowd. It wasn't hard. Amidst men and women in tuxedos and dark outfits, she stood out, a lady in red. With her hair gathered in a French bow, she had a confused and lost look on her face while her gaze was roaming across the hall, taking in images that must be new to her. Two men in front of her pulled away, giving me a full view of her outfit. Her delicious smell filled my nostrils, there was no doubt who it was.

Monica.

Clutching her silver purse, in a red, strapless, knee-length dress. My breath caught in my throat.

"She's here," I murmured to Sam and Ray.

"Your doctor?" Sam squinted at me. "Where?"

"The red vision," I continued, believing every word coming out of my mouth. She did look like a vision: A young, voluptuous package of curves, beauty, and sexiness, standing out in the gathering crowd.

"Holy shit," Ray clipped out, glancing back at me. "You didn't say how hot she is."

"Shut up," I groaned when my gaze met with hers.

Does she suspect the truth? Will she create a scene? Do we need to leave? This is stupid. Dangerous.

"Hi!" She chirped, waving her hand as a big smile lit up her face.

"Let's give them some privacy," Sam suggested, placing his hand on our brother's shoulder.

"Good evening," I told her, forcing myself not to look at her ample cleavage. "I didn't expect to see you here tonight." Her smile is dazzling, reaching her eyes and making them sparkle like two gems. I say more than I should before I can stop myself. "You look fantastic, by the way."

"Thank you, Mr. Crawford," she says with a polite smile, her cheeks touching with the slightest hint of soft pink and my sensitive ears hear her heart beat a little faster. Unasked, she takes the seat next to me. "You look rather good yourself. Who are those two gentlemen that just left?"

"Those would be my brothers," I said. "They wanted to chat with some of our customers."

"Too bad. I wanted to meet them," she commented with a frown and a sigh. "So, customers? Do you guys own a supermarket or something?"

"No," I responded with a smile and rueful shake of my head. "We run a motorcycle workshop. We build and tune-up motorcycles."

"That sounds nice," Monica voiced her opinion as I picked up two glasses of wine from the tray of a waiter as he walked past on my left. I set one of them down in front of her. "Thanks."

"Well, I know why I'm here," I stated, as my voice picked up in volume to be heard over the increasing noise of the crowd and band. "Why did you come? You just moved in, so it's not like you know anybody around here. Or do you?"

"I do," she said, arching an eyebrow, one corner of her delicious-looking lips curling upwards. "You." She said, before lifting her glass to her mouth. "I was hoping to run into you. Things happened so fast the other day. You saved me from a nasty fall, and I never thanked you for that."

"You don't have to," I assured her. "You saved my ass when I crashed into that light pole. I'd say that makes us even."

Dangerous. For her. Don't engage. Don't.

"Maybe, but…" She paused and leaned closer. Her wonderful scent was even stronger, filling my nose with its heady odor. "There's still something that baffles me about you, Mr. Crawford."

Get out of here. For her sake. Let it be.

"My quick recovery," I uttered the words she hesitated to say. "You don't have to know everything, doc. Some things are simply better left unsaid. Enjoy your night."

I set my empty glass down on the table and rose from my chair, towering over her. Monica was curious; much too curious for her good. I wouldn't forget the fact that she had saved me from certain death, but I had to put an end to this conversation. I couldn't go through with this, especially in a crowded bar. Too many eyes, too many ears. I headed for the side exit, ignoring the three times she called out my name, pretending to her and myself that I didn't hear. I elbowed my way through a bunch of people, keeping my eyes on the oak door.

"You nosy thing…" I whispered to myself as the backyard of Northern Thicket welcomed me. The mesh fence separating it from the forest had long ago been ruined. There was a large hole in it, wide enough to fit my entire family.

Shift.

Damn beast… It had picked one hell of a time to speak. It had selected a terrible moment to express its desire. I couldn't blame him. This was our home. He loved to roam through the bush. Now, he had another reason to want to get out of there. He had been cornered, and, to get out of that corner, he had to rip through my skin and run.

I approached that gaping hole, the buzz of music and voices from the bar fading as I left it behind. And it was then that the wolf stirred harder, pushing to be let free. Out amongst the trees, a pair of red eyes disrupted the darkness. They blinked once. Twice. Staying on me as that gaze darkened. I sniffed the air, in an attempt to discover who it belonged to. Nothing. There were no scents around, other than the typical scent of trees and moist dirt. I trotted off, wondering who or what else could be watching me in the shadows. There were a few creatures in the wild that could. Felines, in particular, had excellent eyesight. Only this was the Catskills, and mountain lions were too shy to dwell so close to a human town. They preferred hunting in the woods well beyond Shandaken.

As I strode through the undergrowth, I threw some cautious glances around. Bad mistake. As I tried to locate that red gaze, I saw nothing but more and more tree trunks.

"Believe."

A soft, feminine voice spread across the forest, puzzling me further. Its echo lingering, a dark-red flash shot out in front of me, engulfing trees and bushes alike. I watched it move past my spot, before concentrating on a cedar tree, twenty yards from me. As if that wasn't enough, it swirled around its trunk and then began to spin its way up that tree.

"Great," I whispered while the redness disappeared into the thick foliage.

"Another surprise." Unfortunately, I recognized the voice, especially since it had been only minutes since the last time I'd heard it. "Impressive. Although I must say your healing is more impressive. Much more."

"Monica," I uttered her name in a weak tone, unwilling to face her. "What are you doing out here? I thought I'd made myself clear."

"You did," she agreed, her voice lacking its earlier cheer. "I just don't like being ignored. Understand this, Mr. Crawford. I'm a scientist by nature. And as a doctor, it's my job to be inquisitive."

"I get that, but this is the one thing you should leave alone, Monica," I said, struggling to not growl. "Get back inside."

Talking was a waste of time… The sweetness of her scent was more and more intense. She moved around until she was in front of me. She looked up and strictness dominated her expression.

"Tell me, Raul…" She requested. "What creatures live in these woods? Bears? Oversized wolves? Wolves around four-and-a-half-feet tall at the shoulder?"

"You want me to answer that?" I wondered; my gaze glued to hers.

Let it go. I silently implored.

"Yes!" She exclaimed, her scent tormenting my senses. "Three days ago, I bore witness to something that kept me up all night. I haven't slept properly ever since."

"I'm not the one you should talk to, Monica," I maintained my tone as the beast twitched within. "Go find a Shandaken local. Maybe they can help you."

"A what?!" She scowled. "I don't know anybody from Shandaken. You're the only local I've met so far, and I don't start work at the medical center until Monday."

"Why the hell can't you let it go?" I growled, frustration beginning to set in. "Okay, I heal fast. So what? What's so special about that?"

"It's not just that!" She cried out, slapping one hand against her head in a spasm of frustration. "You had to have seen that wolf! He was enormous ! Can you even imagine what kind of beast I'm talking about here?"

"Yeah," I nodded, a smile of bitterness forming on my face.

"You can…?" She spoke as if she couldn't believe me. "How? Have you seen one?"

Halfway through her questions, her scent changed. The sweet caramel was joined by something else, which was just as sweet, as her pheromones. Too distracted by her persistence, I had failed to notice them. Now, however, they were all too loud and clear. And if I had any chance of keeping my secret, there was only one option.

Keeping my mouth shut, I put my hands on her waist. In a swift move, I spun her around. Four footfalls led her to the nearest tree. Pinning her up against the trunk, I raised her to my level. There was no protest. No sign of her wishing me to stop. Her mouth remained partially open, her alluring lips beckoning to be touched. I didn't fail them. I claimed her mouth in a passionate kiss, her arms snaking around my upper back. Holding on to my shoulder blades, she pressed her palms into me as I released her hips. Reaching up, I cupped her face in both of my hands, my fingertips brushing her hairline.

"Stop…" She whispered, tilting her head back.

"You don't mean that," I muttered under my breath, my lips nudging her chin.

"You're right. I don't," she admitted, dragging her nails up my back. "Kiss me again."

"No." I gasped, taking a swift step back. "I can't. We shouldn't."

"Why?"

My head was spinning. The scents of her, her desire, her pheromones, swirled with my desire and burning need for more. More of her. Reason was gone.

"Alright, Dr. Greenwell. You win," I said, my tone wobbly. "I'll show you why, but you have to promise me that it's going to stay between us. No one else can find out about this."

"You'll show me?" Her eyebrows popped up. "What…?"

"Promise me," I interrupted her, my tone stiff.

"Okay." She gave a nod of agreement. "I promise I won't tell anyone."

I peeled off my coat, knowing what I had to do. It would add to her confusion, but I needed to be straight with her. A long narrative wouldn't quench her curiosity. It would only invite laughter and mockery. I hadn't been raised near humans, but my father's and grandfather's stories had been engraved in my memory. Humans tend to ridicule anything their small minds can't grasp. Monica's mind was anything but small, but she was always going to be a human. I couldn't take any chances.

"Here," I said, setting my coat down into her embrace. "Hold this. I've got to warn you. I'm going to take everything off."

"What do you have to do that for?" Her voice rose an octave, her curiosity starting to get on my nerves.

"Trust me, it's necessary," I assured her. I couldn't go on and explain to her that, by keeping my suit on, I'd have to go back home in wolf form. My other option was returning to the ball naked, just like she had found me in my truck. Pulse rising, I kept my eyes on myself. This was hands down one of the toughest calls I'd had to make. I was about to reveal to her who I was in a vain hope that she would forget I existed. For her sake.