Lady and the Wolf (2 page)

Wolf had stayed away from the forest during the day, and had brought Arnon to stay at the castle as well as a precaution. They only ventured out at night in wolf form, and when he knew the earl’s hunters had retired for the day. It was the only way to stay safe and to keep from being shot.

He sat down atop a bed of moss, and closed his eyes, willing himself to shift. He was afraid it wouldn’t happen at first, and tho he’d started his change, he kept returning to his wolf form every time he lost his concentration.

Then he felt the sickening stretching of his bones, and the air became even colder as his fur disappeared. Before he knew it, he was covered in sweat. His body shook like a leaf. It usually took a few minutes to gather himself and for his vision to clear after his shift, but he didn’t have the time required for this process right now.

Naked, he pushed to his feet, and stood on wobbly legs – two legs – as his body had returned fully to that of a man.

“Lady Winifred,” he whispered her name on the breeze, forging forward to collect his clothes from his travel bag. He donned them quickly and mounted himself in the saddle, turning his horse and heading to where his senses led him – right to the girl.

He kept pace with her, hidden behind brush and trees, never letting on that he was there. All the while he tried to reach Arnon with his mind to warn him, but his body and senses were dulled right after his shift. He was the most vulnerable at times like this, and felt more helpless then he’d ever felt in his life.

It was late and dark, and she continued forward on horseback, riding through the woods faster than she should without a torch to light her way. She was so naïve not to be escorted by at least one or two of her grandfather’s guards, and so stupid to wear a cloak drenched in the man’s undeniable scent around wolves who wanted the man dead.

He raced forward on his horse, feeling the wind in his long, black hair, and at the same time the wind against Arnon’s face as well. He had little restraint right now, but his brother – being an animal and nothing more - had none. He knew Arnon would kill the girl if he didn’t stop him. He rushed forward, only hoping he wasn’t too late.

Chapter 2

Winifred approached the knoll where she’d seen her father’s guard disappear on more than one occasion. She was about to dismount and take a look around when the growling sound of an angry animal scared her horse once again. She had thought she’d scared off whatever lurked in the woods, but it seemed to be following her. The horse reared up and threw her to ground along with her crossbow and the basket of food. She jumped to her feet, but got tangled in her grandfather’s long cloak, and lost her balance. Before she could grab the reins, the horse darted away and disappeared into the night.

Two yellow eyes glowed from the bushes, and out came a brown wolf with its head low and the fur at the scruff of its neck furrowed. She hurried to her feet, her fingers quickly securing a bolt from her pouch. She grabbed her crossbow and pulled back the windlass, loading the bolt. The wolf lunged for her! She raised her weapon and released the bolt, but at the same time a hand shot out from nowhere, pushing her to the side.

The bolt missed its mark, and a man stepped in front of her quickly as the wolf barreled into his chest. “Down. Don’t,” he commanded in a low voice, then made eye contact with the animal for a mere second before the wolf turned and ran back into the thicket.

Winifred was so surprised and shaken that she couldn’t find the words to speak. The man turned and looked at her, and in the moonlight she recognized his face as the man she’d helped set free from her grandfather’s dungeon a year ago. Her heart beat faster. This was no other than Lord Hugh de Bar - the Wolf!

His dark, silver-grey eyes interlocked with hers, and his hand reached out and grabbed her crossbow. By the power of his grip there was nothing she could do to stop him.

His tall, solid body hovered over her, and his black hair glowed with a vibrant blue sheen in the light of the moon. The last time she’d seen him in the dungeon he was broken, bruised, and bleeding and didn’t look half as threatening as he did right now.

Now he looked dangerous, but at the same time extremely handsome. His dark eyes interlocked with hers. With the intensity of his gaze, she felt as if he were looking into her very soul.

“What are you doing here?” he growled, sounding similar to the growl of the wolf he’d just scared off.

“I’m Lady Winifred of –”

“I know who you are, that’s not what I asked.”

“You – know me?” She lowered her head wondering if he also knew she was the one to help him escape from the dungeon. If so, he didn’t sound very grateful. She didn’t want others or her grandfather to find out what she’d done, or she’d be punished severely. She’d worn a hooded cloak that night, hiding her identity when she set him and the wolf free from the dungeon.

“How do you know me?” She daringly raised her chin waiting for his response.

“You are the one killing off the wolves,” he said, holding her crossbow high in the air in order to make his point.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I only hunt for food, or use my crossbow when I’m in danger.”

“You’re working for your grandfather, aren’t you? He told you to kill off any wolf you see, didn’t he? Don’t lie, because I know it’s the truth.”

He was right, but she wouldn’t admit it. Her grandfather had been the one to insist she come hunting with his men, telling her the woods needed to be cleansed of pesky wolves. She had killed a few wolves in the past year, but only so her grandfather would keep allowing her to leave the castle and go with the hunting party. She felt as if she’d burst if she didn’t get away, plus she wanted to come to the woods more than ever now to learn her grandfather’s secrets.

“Give me my crossbow,” she said, grabbing for it, but he held it high over his head and far out of her reach.

“You are an addlepated young girl without a bit of sense in your head to come into the woods alone at night.”

“I’m not afraid of you.” She reached for her crossbow again, but this time his other hand shot out and grabbed her wrist to stop her. His eyes interlocked with hers in a dangerous stare. In the moonlight, she couldn’t help but notice the hunger within them. He looked as if he wanted to eat her. This time, she
was
scared.

He bent toward her, and at the same time dropped her bow to the ground, using both hands to pull her up against his chest. His face came closer and once again a warning sprang from his lips.

“You foolish, foolish girl. You don’t know what you’re doing.”

Then before she could respond, his lips were upon hers, and his kiss was foreboding. It was nothing like the kiss she’d shared with the castle guard to keep her secret. This man’s kiss was powerful and strong. It was dangerous and filled with lust. His hands gripped her shoulders tightly, and she couldn’t move if she tried. She was afraid if she fought him, he’d snap her thin bones in his large hands like breaking kindling for a fire.

She was frightened, cautious, and at the same time, oddly excited. Winifred was an adventurous soul and anything off-limits always seemed to intrigue and excite her. Kissing a dangerous man in the dark forest without an escort present was certainly something she shouldn’t be doing. This man who was referred to as the Wolf was touching her, and they were all alone. His kiss sent a tingle spiraling through her body. She didn’t understand her reaction, nor had she felt this way ever before in her life. She was wondering just what to do when he suddenly pulled away.

“Damn,” he spat. “Don’t you see how easy it would be for me to take you right now?”

“Stay away from me,” she said with a tremble in her voice. Stepping backwards, she now realized just how foolish she’d really been to come her all alone and at night. With no horse, and her weapon on the ground, she had no way of fleeing nor fighting back if he should decide to do just what he suggested. Or worse yet, he could snap her neck and leave her for the wolves to eat, and no one would ever know what happened.

Her eyes shot over to her crossbow on the ground, and she tried to dive for it with her arms outstretched, but his hand came down on her arm again like the grip of death.

“Why would I stay away from you?” he asked. “You are the earl’s granddaughter. You share the blood of the man I hate more than any of my enemies.”

“I didn’t do anything to you,” she protested.

“What your grandfather did – you did as well.”

“Nay, it’s not true.” She shook her head. “I’m the one who saved you from the dungeon, now let me go.”

He loosened his grip and pulled his hand away as if he were burned. The shock of her words shown on his face.

“What do you mean?” he asked. “Are you saying you are the one who set me free that night?”

“Not only you, but the wolf that was in the dungeon at the time as well.”

“Why would you risk your life coming to the dungeon to do that?”

“What does it matter? What’s done is done.” She took the opportunity to dive for her crossbow, and grabbed a bolt from her pouch in the process. She quickly slid the bolt into place, pulling back the windlass, aiming the tip right toward him.

“You are liar,” he spat. “No one who risked their neck to save my life in the first place would be aiming their crossbow at me right now.”

“What do you want? Just leave me alone.”

He looked down and kicked at the basket, spilling the food and wine onto the ground.

“You are meeting someone. You’re bringing them food in secret.” Though her weapon was aimed right toward him, his eyes left her and scanned the grounds. “Tell me - who are you coming to meet?”

“It’s none of your concern.” She couldn’t tell him even if she wanted to, because she truly had no idea. “If I were you, I’d leave because any moment now you will be surrounded by soldiers.”

“I highly doubt that.” His eyes scanned the area anyway, and then he stared off into the distance, raised his nose and sniffed the air the way an animal would. “Your horse is behind that large oak tree. Now get on it and get the hell out of here before it’s too late.”

“Too late? For what?”

“If you have to ask, then you are even more naïve than I thought. Arnon,” he called out, and once again, the wolf appeared from the thicket. She raised her bow, but his words stopped her. “You even think of trying it, and I’ll order the wolf to attack. And if he somehow doesn’t manage to kill you, then I will run my blade through your heart myself.”

She heard the scraping of his sword as he unsheathed it from the scabbard on his weapon belt, and she knew it was time to leave. She turned and ran and didn’t stop until she found her horse just where he said it was. She hoisted herself up into the saddle, and as she turned to leave, something caught her eye. A door, half hidden in the knoll. She swore she saw it in the moonbeams, but then almost as if by magic, it disappeared.

“Go!” she heard the man bellow, rattling her nerves. With her crossbow tucked under her arm, she headed back to the castle. She rode like the devil in the dark, being more reckless than she’d ever been in her life.

Wolf hunkered down and ran a hand over Arnon’s head and spoke in a low voice.

“You did the right thing by letting her go,” he said. “She wasn’t to blame for what happened. She said she was the one to save us, tho I’m not sure I believe her.”

Arnon whimpered, and looked at the basket of food spilled on the ground. His mouth opened and his tongue hung out.

“No sense letting it go to waste.” Wolf picked up a leg of mutton and threw it to his brother. He then stuck a sweetmeat between his lips as he scooped up the remainder of the contents and shoved it back into the basket. The flagon of wine was on a strap and he slung it over his shoulder as he stood up and mounted his horse.

“Let’s go back to the castle and think things thru, Arnon.” He turned and headed away with the wolf following with the mutton leg between his teeth. If their senses hadn’t been so overwhelmed, they might have realized they were being watched.

Chapter 3

Wolf stood atop the battlements of Babeny Castle watching the sunrise. Streams of light streaked down into his courtyard, and the sky lit up in shades of orange. It was so beautiful he momentarily forgot his troubles – until he laid eyes on the royal forests of Tavistock in the distance. He couldn’t stop thinking of the kiss he’d shared with Lady Winifred last night. He’d wanted to take her right there in the woods, but something inside made him stop.

Then he’d let her ride away with her crossbow in hand. What the hell was he thinking?

“Lord Wolf?” His steward, and older brother, Stefan, climbed the battlements to join him. “You usually don’t pace the battlements unless you’re looking for the enemy or to reprimand a watchguard for sleeping on the job. So which is it?” Stefan looked over the wall, cocking his head as he spoke.

“Neither, Stefan. I just couldn’t sleep, that’s all.”

“Your squire tells me you returned from the woods late last night and your horse was covered with mud.”

“I saw someone in the woods last night and decided to follow.” Wolf turned and looked toward the rising sun as he spoke. “Something happened that I can’t explain.”

“Does this have something to do with the curse? Or did something happen to Arnon?”

“No. Neither. Not really.” He started across the battlements with the wind blowing his cape behind him, and Stefan followed. It was always windy up this high, and he only hoped it would blow his worries from his head as well. “You know if something had happened to Arnon, it would have happened to me too.”

“Then you need to keep our brother inside the castle walls at all times.”

“I can’t do that.” He started down the steps, nodding to his men along the way. “Arnon needs to be free. I at least owe him that, since he’s trapped inside the body of an animal and doesn’t even have the chance of shapeshifting into a man the way I do. I can’t cage him the way that bastard earl did to us.”

“Then mayhap it is time for us to conquer the earl and collect the bounties of war. Our troops are strong, and we could easily take Castle Chaserton as our own.”

“No.” Wolf stopped and grabbed an apple off a vendor’s cart, taking a bite before he spoke. “His castle’s defenses are stronger than you think. Too strong for us to penetrate. We need to fight him on our terms.” He entered the great hall and made his way to the dais. The morning meal was being prepared in the kitchens and the servants were setting up the trestle tables.

“Good mornin’ my lord,” said a serving wench handing him a tankard of ale as he walked by.

“So what are you saying?” asked Stefan, settling himself at the trestle table next to Wolf, grabbing a tankard of ale for himself from a passing wench. “You want us to fight him in a field or perhaps near the sea?”

“He’ll come to us.” Wolf leaned back on his chair and crossed his arms in thought.

“You’re jesting.” Stefan took a long draw of ale and put down the tankard with a clank on the wooden dais table. “The earl of Tavistock doesn’t even go out of his castle unless he has to, and even then he’s protected by at least a hundred of his men. What makes you think he’ll leave?”

“He’ll come right to us, because I’ll have something he wants.”

“That old man is rich and has everything he needs. What could you possible use as bait to lure him here?”

“Lady Winifred,” he answered, raising his cup and looking over the rim of the tankard, watching Stefan’s perplexed expression on his face.

“Lady Winifred? The old man’s granddaughter?”

“That’s right.”

“I’m sure she’s guarded heavier than the old man day and night. How would it even be possible?”

“I met her in the woods last night and she was all alone.”

Stefan about choked on his ale, spitting it across the table. “You did?” He used his sleeve to wipe the ale dripping down his chin.

“I’ll go to the woods again tonight, and every night if I have to until she returns. Then I’ll abduct her and bring her here. The plan will work beautifully.”

“If you scared her off last night, what makes you think she’ll be stupid enough to return?”

“She’ll return,” he said, licking his lips, the essence of her sweet kiss engraved upon his memory. He wanted more than anything to taste her once again. He’d seen it in her eyes that she wanted him almost as much as he wanted her. “She’ll be back because a woman like her will never be satisfied with just a taste.”

* * *

“Winifred Alana Chaserton, get out here anon.”

Winifred looked up as her handmaid finished brushing her long, red hair. She could hear the bellowing of her grandfather’s voice from out in the hall.

“That’ll be all, Penelope,” she said, nodding to her handmaid.

“Aye, my lady.” The handmaid put down the brush and headed to the other side of the room. Winifred feared for the girl, since Penelope discovered she’d been out of the castle last night, and had helped her to change out of and hide her grandfather’s cloak once she’d returned. She didn’t want any harm coming to her handmaid.

The door burst open and banged against the wall. There, looking angrier than hell was her grandfather with his hands on his hips. His tall, bulky form was slightly bent over, and his long red beard hung from his chin halfway down his chest. His bushy eyebrows were furrowed and he reminded her of a cross between a red squirrel and an old goat. Two of his guards were standing right behind him.

“Rumor has it you left the castle all alone last night,” he spat. “Is this true?”

“Grandfather, a good morning to you, too.” She stood up, brushed off her forest-green taffeta gown and walked over and took him by the arm and guided him toward the door. “Shall we go break the fast in the great hall together?”

“Stop it, young lady and tell me the truth. Did you leave the castle last night or not?”

“Now, grandfather, why would I do such a foolish thing?”

His eyes settled on Penelope next and she knew he was about to ask her. Penelope wouldn’t lie, because she was afraid of the earl as was everyone who lived under his domineering hand.

“Oh, all right, I did leave, but don’t glare at Penelope like that because she had naught to do with it.”

“Leave us. All of you,” commanded the earl, sending the servants as well as the guards away. He reached out and closed the door to her chamber and turned around slowly, crossing his arms over his chest. “Where did you go?”

“I just went out for a ride,” she answered with a smile. “I couldn’t sleep and needed some air.”

“You went to the woods after I forbade you to do so. You know you aren’t supposed to go there alone.”

“I might have ridden through part of the woods, I don’t really remember.” She studied her hand, picking at a hangnail as she spoke.

“You have no idea what’s out there.” His eyes narrowed and she almost thought he looked frightened. The earl was a heartless warrior, so to see him looking vulnerable made her wonder just what was really out there after all.

“Then why don’t you tell me and we’ll both know.” She crossed the floor and stared out the open window. The day looked to be beautiful and the tapestries were pulled aside to let the fresh air flow through the dank, stale chamber.

His hand grabbed her arm tightly, reminding her of Wolf’s hands on her body last night. She turned her head and looked into his concerned eyes.

“Winifred, when your parents were killed last year by the de Bars, I swore to protect you, and that’s just what I’ll do.”

“Grandfather, you are being ridiculous.” She shook free of his hand and walked across the room and stopped in front of her dressing table. She chose a bright blue ribbon and proceeded to tie back her unbound hair. “You need to stop keeping me locked up, and let me court a man. I’m already one and twenty years of age and most woman my age have already been married for years – and even have children.”

“You’ll marry when I say and not before. And you will marry whom I say as well. So wipe the foolish thought from your head right now about having children. No granddaughter of mine will bed a man until she is married.”

“You are jumping to conclusions. I never said I wanted to bed any man.” She tied the ribbon and checked herself in the standing mirror across the room, stretching her neck to see her reflection. “By the way you speak, I’d think you already had someone in mind for me to marry. Do you?”

“Actually, I do. Sir Stanley of Sussex has requested your hand in marriage and I am considering the betrothal.”

“Sir Stanley? Your knight?” She almost laughed aloud. “He’s the fourth son of a mere lord and hasn’t any lands at all if I’m not mistaken. I am the granddaughter of an earl, surely I deserve better than that.”

“He’ll have lands and wealth with your dowry. Since your father was my only son and you are my only grandchild, you shall inherit it all.”

“I don’t want to marry Sir Stanley. He’s nearly twice my age and always smells like garlic. I want someone young who is dangerous and dashing and can protect me and lavish me with his wealth.”

He looked at her oddly and she knew now she should have chosen her words more carefully.

“Dangerous? Lavish? What are you saying? I don’t like the way you’re talking.”

“I meant nothing by it.” She looked down to her dressing table and toyed with her hairbrush. “I just meant that – I thought you’d want me to marry someone outside the castle. To secure alliances with your . . . enemies.” She closed her eyes, cursing herself already, but she couldn’t help saying it. She just kept thinking about Lord Hugh de Bar and how dangerous yet dashing he’d seemed last night. His kiss was something she wanted to experience again. She couldn’t deny it.

“If you don’t like my suggestion, then tell me – who did you have in mind to marry?”

She thought long and hard before she answered. She knew her grandfather hated Lord Hugh de Bar. The de Bars were their enemies. Mayhap he was right. The man and his army had been the ones to battle her father’s men at the bridge the night both her parents died. She should hate him just as much as her grandfather did. A man like Wolf couldn’t keep her safe, because he was their enemy.

“Oh, I don’t know,” she answered and tried to change the subject. “So what time is the hunting party leaving today?”

“They are leaving momentarily, but you won’t be going with them.”

“What?” Her head jerked upward. This isn’t what she wanted to hear. She had to go to the woods to find out where the guard brought food every day. She was sure she saw a door in the knoll last night and if she didn’t go with the hunting party, she’d never be able to explore it. “Why not?”

“You will be staying at the castle under the watchful eye of not one, but two of my guards. You, young lady, are up to something, and I will not stand for it.” He turned and quit the room, and Winifred was angry with him but didn’t want to show it. It was going to be hard enough trying to escape the watchful eyes of two guards, let alone try to sneak back into the woods undetected tonight.