A Dangerous Moon [Tales of the Werewolf Clan] (8 page)

She turned on the water tap and placed a clean washcloth under the stream. From the main room of the cabin, she heard the squeak of mattress springs and knew he'd be waiting for her…in bed.

Allison quickly tidied up, and then headed back into the room, when Rick's cell phone buzzed. He frowned and jerked up his pants, picking up the phone off the nightstand beside the bed.

"It's Bruce." He answered her questioning look, and then flipped it open. "Yo!" Rick got up from the bed and began to pace around the cabin with the phone pressed to his ear.

Allison sat down on the edge of the bed, only catching bits and pieces of the one-sided conversation. Yet hope fluttered in her heart.
Please, oh, please let them catch the rogue.
Not only would a measure of justice be served, but she could get back to her life. She just wanted things to settle down and return to normal.
Well, however one would define normal, under these circumstances.
Allison let out a soft sigh.

After ending his call with Bruce, Rick returned to where she was still seated on the side of the bed.

And he didn't look happy.

"Well, we now have an I.D. on the rogue wolf." Rick said. "Ernie has been searching on his laptop all day online. His sources finally came up with some information on a wolf shifter from a German clan who matches Jeni's description."

"Oh, really? That's fast."

"You gotta admit, when Ernie uses a computer, he's hooked into a network of info which boggles the mind." Rick nodded in agreement. "Anyway, his name is Hans Schmidt. And according to Ernie's sources, this Schmidt could be a very dangerous shifter and we are warned to proceed with caution."

A shiver rippled down her spine, and then something dawned on her. "You know, this might be connected to the hacking of the clan's computer files at City Hall a while back." Allison raised an eyebrow.

Rick gave a heavy sigh, rubbing a hand over the back of his neck. "Yeah, I heard about that. Ernie seemed to think it was a fellow geek just testing their computer hacking skills, but you never know." He shrugged. "But, better safe than sorry, doc. You're going to stay here until Schmidt is found and detained. Okay?"

"All right." Allison nodded, and then rose from the bed. "I guess I'll go ahead and fix us a bite to eat. I don't know about you, but I'm starving." She crossed over to the small kitchenette area and got busy. Yet her mind was still buzzing with all that had happened in the past twenty-four or so hours.

* * *

Between grabbing bites of the delicious Philly steak and cheese sandwiches Allison had fixed them, Rick spent the late afternoon getting updates on his cell phone from Bruce, Ray and Ernie on what was going on in town.

All of Heather Grove had been notified – both about a dangerous man at large and about a wild animal on the loose. Clan members knew what this meant, but most of the 'normal' townsfolk were just informed to stay alert and to be extra cautious.

They did have one lead, though. Someone matching Schmidt's description was spotted in the urgent care center's parking lot just before sunset. By the time security had been notified, however, he'd disappeared. Vanished. Gone.

"Son of a bitch!" he grumbled, pounding a fist on the kitchen table. "He's one slick dick, that's for sure."

"Well, it's obvious he's still around." Allison glanced up from a book she was reading. "Perhaps the guys will have better luck locating him tomorrow."

"Yeah, you may be right. Maybe so." Rick rolled his tense shoulders, then let out a weary sigh. He gazed over the table at Allison and smiled. She'd recently taken a shower and changed into a clean t-shirt and pair of bedtime shorts. Her chestnut hair was twisted up into a haphazard ponytail and her skin seemed to glow beneath the cabin lighting.

Rick cleared his throat. "By the way, you look lovely tonight." He reached across the table and took her hand. Allison curled her fingers around his and gave a gentle squeeze.

"Uh, thanks." She returned his smile. "I'm glad you volunteered to stay with me until this rogue is caught. Have you heard any more from your contact in Southern Cali about the job offer?"

"No, I haven't. Not yet." He paused, clearing his throat. "Say, Allie, what would you think if I decided to stay in town instead?"

"Stay in town?" A perplexed expression crossed her face. "Do you mean until Megan has her baby…or something more uh, permanent?"

Rick released his hold on her hand and sat back in his chair. "Well, I'm sure sis wouldn't mind me sticking around for my little niece or nephew, and she keeps telling me how Ray could use my help with the construction biz and with handling the pack too. Even though Ray and I butt heads sometimes, I'm sure it'll be a win-win situation for my family if I decide to stick around. What do you think?"

"Yes, family's very important, especially to us with
sithech
blood. I think they'll be thrilled to have you back on a permanent basis, Rick. Plus, you've got a load of friends who care for you around here too. Slim, Ernie and Rhonda —"

"What about
you
?"

Her eyes widened like a deer caught in the headlights. His question had caught her off-guard.

"Sure, I care, Rick. I've always cared about you," she replied, and then paused in deep thought for a moment. "You know, this may seem crazy, but my Aunt Jean recently told me that she thought you are my –"

A thundering crash resounded outside the cabin.

"What the Hell?" Rick jumped up from his seat, raced toward the window and looked out.

Chapter Eight

Allison was already on her feet with her cell phone in hand. "I'm calling Bruce!" she exclaimed. Rick cursed the moon whose light was now no more than a sliver in the night sky. Without shifting he couldn't see quite as clearly, and then he saw a huge, dark shape racing away from the cabin.

"Get the tranquilizer gun and stay here!" he called over his shoulder, then pulled open the door and raced out onto the porch. He quickly disposed of his clothing and shifted within seconds into his wolf form. That's when his
sithech
senses fully kicked in and sharpened.

The noise had come from an overturned metal trash bin near the cabin. The huge bin had been tossed over on its side.
Damn, that guy's strong!
Rick marveled, and then turned his attention to the woods surrounding the property. The scent of wolf hung in the humid night air.

With his keen wolf vision, Rick spotted a darkened shape among the trees. A low growl rumbled deep in his throat as he took a defensive stance and locked eyes with the intruder. Big, amber, wolf eyes – just like Jeni had described. Yet, he stood on two legs. Impossible…or was it?

"Rick, they're on the way!" Allison called out from behind him. "Don't worry. I've got the gun too."

Without turning his eyes away from the rogue, he mentally projected,
Go inside. Stay there until they arrive – now!

"No, let me help." She'd always been a stubborn she-wolf.

Rick sensed her move in behind him and heard her depress the safety switch on the gun. She was still in her human form.
I said go inside!
he projected again, but he knew she wasn't listening to him.

"I'm Doctor Allison Browne," she called out to the darkened figure still lurking just beyond the cabin property. "Are you Hans Schmidt? The one who was looking for me the other night?"

Hans slowly nodded.

"Why were you looking for me? What do you want?"

The darkened shape took a few steps forward, and then stopped. He was being very cautious. The light from inside the cabin more clearly illuminated him. Hans wore nothing more than a pair of ragged jeans. He was tall, bare-chested and, yet, the expression on his face was wildly primitive, while his gaze kept darting between Rick, in his wolf form, and Allison, holding the tranquilizer gun.

Rick's muscles tensed beneath his fur and
sithech
blood pumped through his veins. He was prepared to attack, if he had to. Yet he did his best to remain claim.

"I have found you. You must come with me!" Hans replied in a deep, rumbling voice which matched his intimidating presence. The amber-eyed wild man took another step forward, but Rick let out a vicious snarl of warning.
Back! Stay back!

Hans stopped, yet returned his focus on Allison.

"Why?"

"Our clan has been cursed for many years. Only a
hexe
can release us." Hans scowled. "Now, I've found
you
to break the curse."

Rick kept his focus on Hans, but his empathic senses picked up on the sucker punch of shock which rippled through Allison.

* * *

"No, you're mistaken." She tightened her grip on the gun and shook her head. "I'm not a witch. I'm a
sithech
healer and a medical doctor. Besides, I don't even believe in curses."

Don't let him distract you, doc!
Rick telepathically conveyed to her.
Don't lower your gun. We need to keep him here until the guys show up.

Allie mentally agreed as a chill rippled down her spine.

"Are you not aware of your family's history?" Hans broke into a cackle of laughter. "You're from a long line of
hexen
, doctor, and you really should believe in curses."

"My father was German, but he wasn't a—!"

"
He
was the one who cursed us!" Hans fumed, spreading out his hands. "And you're coming back with me to remove our curse, doctor." The wild man smirked as light glinted off the claws which suddenly sprouted from the tips of his fingers – long, sharp and lethal.

Allison gasped and took a step back. "No! You're wrong! I can't possibly —"

Before she could finish, Hans' entire body gave a violent shake. In the blink of an eye, a thick coat of black fur sprouted over his body while his face contorted and morphed into an animalistic shape.

If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, she wouldn't have believed it.

Hans Schmidt was a
werewolf
– just like the one in her visions.

To her horror, the creature tossed back his head and let out a bone-chilling howl. Rick let out a growl of warning as the creature rapidly advanced.

My
mate
is not going anywhere with you!

Rick had called her his 'mate'. Her heart fluttered. Deep down, the bond between them was something more special than either one of them had ever admitted to each other…until now.

But her joy was short lived.

Hans attacked and Rick sprang forward. The two males clashed together in a wild frenzy of fangs and fur. Allison leveled the tranquilizer gun in her shaking hands, attempting to focus her attention on the ferocious werewolf. But Hans and Rick were moving too quick for her to hit her mark, as the males lashed out at each other.

Rick, be careful!
she conveyed, just as the werewolf's claws grazed his side. He let out a high-pitched whine. The scent of blood wavered through the night air. "Rick!" she called out in alarm, but he lunged forward, attempting to subdue the wild, two-legged creature again.

Allison took aim at the werewolf's chest and squeezed the trigger.
Ka-pow!
The tranquilizer gun in her hand recoiled hard. Hans let out an angry growl as a dart bounced off his bicep like rubber.

"Shit!" She cursed and tried to aim again, but, to her surprise, the werewolf turned and ran.

Stay here!
Rick conveyed, and then bounded off after Hans.

"Rick! No!" she called out after him, but it was too late as she watched them race into the thick green growth which surrounded the cabin and disappear from her sight.

* * *

Han was a good ways ahead of him, but Rick ran as fast as his
sithech
shape could carry him. Blood ran down his side, but the adrenaline pumping through him was keeping the pain away…for the time being.

As they came to another opening in the wooded area, Han stopped and turned to face him. Even in the dim light of the waning moon, Rick could clearly see the other shifter's shape.

Werewolf. Part man, part wolf. Dangerous.

He empathically sensed no fear from Hans as the werewolf took a defensive stance and let out a growl of anger and frustration.

Allison is our clan member. She's my mate. You are
not
taking her anywhere!
Rick telepathically conveyed, but Hans didn't reply. The werewolf narrowed his amber eyes on him and lunged forward, claws extended.

The two males clashed together once more. Rick's side screamed with pain as the werewolf effortlessly scooped him up and held him high overhead.

Rick's heart pounded in his chest. He squirmed in the wolfman's grasp, trying to break free, but his strength was draining fast.
Damn it!
He was losing consciousness.

The world around him faded in and out.

Then, in the distance, he felt energies stirring around him. He sensed them. His wolf clan. The forest was suddenly filled with the wild, familiar sounds of his pack. Help was on its way.

But Hans spun around and tossed him downward. He came crashing down onto something wooden. The wood cracked and gave way under his weight.

He was falling into cold darkness.

The old well.
The thought flickered through his mind just as he hit the icy water at the bottom with a loud splash.

"Nooo!" He heard Allison's pained cry echo from somewhere above him, followed by a loud commotion, then the reverberation of a gun shot.

Then everything went dark and silent around him.

* * *

Rick's eyes fluttered open. Sunlight streamed into his private room at the urgent care center. The sound of gentle snoring at his side drew his attention to the woman slumped back in the chair beside his bed. Allison. A smile curled at the corners of his mouth at the sight of her.

Two weeks had passed since his encounter with the werewolf, and she'd stayed by his side the entire time while he was recuperating. As the haze in his brain cleared, he recalled the warmth of Allie's hands on his body and the healing energies that surrounded him – comforting and warm like a giant cocoon of bright, rainbow colors.

She had been doing what she did best…healing his body, mind and soul. He also sensed her love for him.

True love. Unconditional love. The love of his one and only true mate.

Rick reached over and took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"No, I'm not leaving," she mumbled with her eyes still shut. "Now, leave me alone."

"Allie? Doc? It's me, honey."

Her eyes popped open. "Rick?" She blinked.

"Yes, it's me." He grinned, amused by her reaction. "Are you still giving the staff a hard time?"

"Oh! I'm glad you're awake." Her eyes glistened in the warm light. "How do you feel?"

"Still a little woozy, but that's normal, right?"

Allison nodded. "You missed Doctor Cary's visit. Good news! You're going to be released the day after tomorrow. Well, as long as you keep progressing."

"Good. This place is too stifling." He wrinkled his nose. "I'd rather recover on the sofa, watching DVDs of
Firefly
and
Dollhouse
with you curled up beside me."

"That's do-able," Allison agreed with a chuckle.

It was so good to hear her laugh again. The seriousness of the past couple of weeks had been intense. Thankfully, Ray had dealt with the Schmidt clan about Hans. Fortunately, they were going to be able to work out the situation and make amends with the
sithech
clan.

"How's Jeni doing?" Rick asked.

"She's doing fine and already back at work. I talked her into seeing my Aunt Jean for some um, alternative healing. You know, with crystals and herbs. And, quite surprisingly, she's been pretty open to it."

"I think maybe Ernie might have something to do with it too. More than likely, he gave her a helpful nudge too." Rick winked.

"Well, she's still a bit traumatized, but I'm sure between Ernie's attention and Aunt Jean's natural remedies, she'll be doing much better." Allison rose to her feet and stood close to his bed. "I'm just glad you're on the mend too." She leaned in, brushing a tender kiss on his lips. "Welcome back!"

"When they pulled me out of that old well, I was so happy to see a friendly, familiar face…yours, doc." He reached up and brushed the back of his fingers against her cheek, then captured her mouth in a fuller, deeper kiss.

When he pulled away, he sensed the connection between them. A strong, joyful soul connection. "Doc, I swear, I'll never leave you again." He vowed, placing her hand over his heart. "No matter what."

"So, are you saying what I think you're saying?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, you're my mate. You always have been and always will be."

"Oh, Rick, I love you." A smile spread over the lovely features of her face.

"And I love you too, doc."