Wolf Creek Sheriff (Texas Pack 4) (Prequel) (Wolf Creek Shapeshifters) (4 page)

S
tephanie was getting
a hand on the transport thingy. She felt only a slight bit of vertigo and no nausea, thank goodness.

Taking in the valley, stood in awe staring at the mountains with cliffs on either side. The hollow was filled with purple flowers sprouting amongst the grass.

Looking up, she stared in wonder at the beautiful dragons in the sky. She counted five before they flew past the crag and she could no longer see them.

Robert watched also and sighed deeply. “They’re beautiful in flight, fierce in battle, but stubborn as mules. I hope their Lord is in a giving mood today.”

They followed Robert through the valley, enjoying the sights and smells surrounding them.

“Why didn’t you just flash us to the Dragon Lord?” Stephanie asked.

Robert stopped and turned back to her. “Same as why I didna ‘flash’ us to the witch. Both have magic protecting their homes. The forest where Keela lives and this valley are open to me because I’m Fae. They canna kill me, but I can be hurt. Our presence is now known to them and their Lord will nae be surprised.”

Stephanie knew she had a lot to learn and couldn’t base her perceptions on the imaginary worlds she played in on her computer.

Colin’s blood donation popped into her head. “Why did she want your blood?”

Colin raked a hand through his hair. “Werewolf blood adds a little something more to her spells. It can make a person stronger, smarter, whatever the witch needs. It’s no big deal. You help a witch, the witch helps you. Quid pro quo. But that only applies to the good ones, not the evil ones. I wouldn’t deal with a dark Fae, wizard, or any of the evil beings in all the realms.”

Stephanie muttered under her breath. “I don’t consider Keela to be a ‘good’ witch.”

They ignored her mutterings, marching on across the valley floor.

“Is she human?” Stephanie turned around to Colin.

“Keela? Yes, she’s human.” Colin sighed. “You can’t go after her Stephanie.”

She brushed him off. “That wasn’t why I asked. If you dated her when you were young, how come she hasn’t aged?”

Robert answered. “Living in Faery slows the aging process down to a crawl.”

She gnawed on her nail, thinking. “I bet a lot of people want to live here.”

Robert laughed. “Aye lass, they do. But most humans doona ken Faery.”

Stephanie thought that was a pretty good incentive to live here. Or, she could mate a werewolf, be changed by a magical pond, and then keep her twenty-three year old body for a very long time. Kind of shallow of her though.

Walking gave her a lot of time to think, and all her thoughts led back to Colin. She felt a tingle every time she looked at him. They were already connected, she knew it. Her heart was expanding, making room for him and snuggling close like a warm blanket in the winter. As if a lightening bolt spread through her body, she felt his soul slowly mingling with hers. Turning, she stopped and opened her arms.

Colin’s look of confusion was adorable as he stepped into her arms. “Umm, need a hug?”

She laughed, feeling as if a key had just opened a locked door and set her free.

“You’re mine. Mine, mine, mine.”

He was still confused, but happy as he stood with his arms wrapped around his mate, squeezing her tightly against him.

“I’m not questioning this connection we have anymore.” She placed his hand over her heart. “I feel you in here, I’m yours and you’re mine.” She laid her head on his chest.

Robert cleared his throat. “Not to interrupt your moment, but we need to go up now.” He pointed at the rock face.

Stephanie stepped away from Colin, feeling like she could take on the world. And then she looked at the rock and her balloon burst. She had never scaled a mountain or climbed a rock wall. She was not a free climber. She lived in Texas, not in the Rockies. Oh sure, there were mountains down near Big Bend, but she’d never visited that part of the state. She didn’t even know their names or elevation.

“I’m no mountaineer,” she said quietly, her voice shaking.

Holding her hand up to block the sun from her eyes, she watched as Robert’s hands gripped the small depressions in the rock. His booted feet dug into small crevices before moving on to the next one. Seeing the muscles bulge in his arms, she was afraid she did not have the strength to pull her body up the way he did.

Stephanie debated with herself. Fear of heights wasn’t the problem. The problem was that she was somewhat lax in the athletic department. Sure, she used a treadmill to keep in shape, but that in no way prepared her for this feat. But she would not back down! Giving herself a pep talk, she knew being mentally strong was just as important as physical strength.

Colin stood behind her with his hands on her shoulders watching Robert climb. “You could stay here and wait for us. It shouldn’t take too long and you’ll be safe. You’re in the valley of the Dragon Province and though you may not see them, they’re here and will watch over you.”

At that moment a dragon drifted down from somewhere above and shifted before leaning against the rock with his arms crossed over his chest. His casual pose was nonthreatening and didn’t set off any alarm bells.

He was another one of those really good-looking people that made a girl want to smile and flirt even if that wasn’t her usual style. Didn’t any of these shifters come in ugly? Or short? She must have stared a little too long since Colin growled a little and said her name in an exasperated tone.

Chagrinned, she reached out to shake the man’s hand, which she had apparently ignored in her fascination with his looks.

“Nice to meet you Stephanie,” he said.

Oh crap, she’d missed his name while daydreaming. “Umm, it’s a pleasure.”

The man, she really needed to figure out his name, slapped Colin on the back.

“Good to see you again man.” The man looked up and watched Robert’s climbing ability. “All he had to do was ask and I’d have flown him up there. Fae warriors, they’re so bloody stubborn. Have to do everything themselves.”

Colin grinned at him. “Yeah, they are. Unlike dragons, I’m sure. Glad you’re here, man. We need a lift.”

Stephanie almost growled in frustration. Man this. Man that. Didn’t anyone use names anymore? Wait…a lift? Oh, hell no. He couldn’t mean what she thought he meant.

She watched the guy shift back into a dragon and unfurl his huge wings. He did. He really did ask for a ride on a dragon.

“Come on Steph.” Colin climbed on the creatures back and held out his hand, beckoning her forward.

Her bangs fluttered when she let out a breath as she repeated to herself, “Quest, quest, quest.”

Scrabbling up the tough skin of her new best friend who would keep her from climbing a rock and falling to her death, she prayed her new best friend would also catch her if she fell off his back.

“Um, new best friend?” Sitting in front of Colin and leaning over the dragon’s neck, she spoke softly, “No air acrobatics, right?”

He turned his head to peer back at her and a small puff of smoke left both nostrils when he snuffled. Sort of between a chuckle and a snort, she decided.

She was thankful the dragon was wide enough so that she could lean forward and practically lay down on his back. The more surface she could glue her body to, the better, in her opinion. She ignored Colin’s chuckle behind her as she felt them lift off and the wind pick up as they rose in the sky. They were flying! She only knew this by feel as she refused to actually open her eyes.

She felt Colin settle his hands on her waist and squeeze. “Sit up Stephanie, you’re missing some great views.”

“I’m good, thanks.” Her voice was muffled as her forehead was pressed tightly against the dragons skin.

Colin tickled her sides, not knowing she was supremely sensitive in those spots and he caused her to wriggle to try and escape those magical fingers. She could not see the devilish grin he sported at this new knowledge.

“Come on Steph, Quinn won’t let us fall.”

Quinn huh. At least now she new the name of the person, err, shifter who could possibly be the death of her. She could see the headlines, assuming Faery had newspapers. “Woman killed in flying accident, Dragon Lord mourns stupid, clumsy human female that managed to fall off a perfectly good mount.” Maybe that was a tad too long for a headline, she needed to shorten it.

Her promising new headline was broken up when Colin moved his hands to her shoulders and pulled her body up. She tried to dig her fingers into the tough hide but couldn’t make much of a dent. In that moment she hated both Quinn and Colin, just on general principal. But that didn’t stop her from grabbing on to Colin’s thighs with a hold that was sure to leave bruises behind.

“Open your eyes,” he whispered next to her ear.

No, no, no, no. She didn’t actually say it, but it sure did sound loud in her head.

“Come on, look around. You’re living an epic quest, you don’t want to miss anything.”

He wasn’t mocking her, she could tell by the sincerity in his voice. He honestly wanted her to live in the moment.

She opened her eyes and gasped. They were hundreds of feet in the air, slowly gliding around the valley. Quinn’s wings made a slow glide up and down, which she appreciated. She was sure he could fly really fast if he wanted. Thank goodness he wasn’t a jerk in leather that got a kick out of scaring women.

Still holding tight to Colin’s thighs, she watched as other dragons flew over where there was a large opening in the rocks with a landing big enough for several dragons. She finally noticed Robert standing with his hands on his hips, watching them fly. Seeing him slowly shake his head, she read his lips. “Show-off.”

She wanted to laugh but she was still a little bit scared and was certain she would squeak like a mouse.

Thankfully, Quinn drifted over and landed near Robert. Colin slid off and helped her down, which was nice since her legs were shaking from using muscles she hadn’t known she had.

Shaking her hands out and stretching her fingers, she worked on getting the blood flow going again. She hoped her nails didn’t leave any marks on Quinn’s back. That could lead to a whole lot of trouble if he had a mate. Or wife. Did dragons have a fated mate or did they just hook up? So many questions to hit Colin with if they ever got some alone time.

Assuring Colin she could now stand on her own, she noticed Robert had moved to talk to Quinn, who once again looked human.

“Hey,” she spoke softly hoping the other men wouldn’t hear. “How come he shifts and still has clothes on?”

“Dragons are magic. They’re not of the earth plane, they’re Fae creatures,” Colin said.

That bit of information made her more curious about the inhabitants of Faery, but now was not the time as she saw Robert motion them over.

“Quinn will get us a meeting with the Dragon Lord. He’s kindly invited us to stay in his wing,” Robert told them.

Quinn crooked his arm out for Stephanie to put her arm through his. “Madam?”

Colin pinched the bridge of his nose before nodding to her. She could tell he wasn’t upset, more like resigned.

She consented and allowed Quinn to escort her through the huge archway leading from the landing area. She was so busy looking around she almost missed Quinn’s question.

“How did you like your first flight?”

“Awesome,” she fibbed. “Nothing to it.”

His slight chuckle let her know he wasn’t buying her blasé attitude.

Walking through the corridors, she couldn’t help but notice people nodding in deference to Quinn. “Are you famous or something?” she asked bluntly.

If she didn’t know better, she would have sworn he blushed. But no way, he was too suave for that.

“My father is the Dragon Lord, which makes me next in line,” he said.

Colin moved to Quinn’s other side and slapped him on the back. “He’s a prince, but you won’t hear him bragging about it. Thank God he’s not a pampered, whiny little monarch.”

Quinn ignored him, changing the subject as they entered his rooms. “Colin, you know how some dragons feel about earth weapons, so keep that gun tucked away.”

Stephanie swung around in surprise, leaving her perusal of the room until later. “You have a gun on you?”

“Hon, I’m a Texan and a sheriff. I always have a gun on me. And a knife.” He paused as if trying to remember if he carried any more weaponry on his person.

“Oh. Well I was thinking that since you turn into, you know, a huge freaking wolf with big teeth and gigantor claws, you wouldn’t need anything more,” she said.

They all laughed, which kind of pissed her off. Every werewolf book she ever read disdained using mere human weapons to take down their enemy. Obviously she had to rethink the whole werewolf world now.

He got serious real fast. “Stephanie, I’m a cop. I handle human situations most of the time. Ian is our pack enforcer. He’s handles any threats to the pack and protects us while also guarding the magical pond.”

Okay, she got it, different law enforcement for different creatures. Kind of made sense in a surreal, I’m learning about a whole new ‘thang’ kind of way.

“
T
hank you for seeing us
, my lord.” Robert bowed gracefully to the dragon lord.

They were meeting in his solar, a private room away from nosy ears and prying eyes.

Stephanie stood slightly behind and to the side of Colin, trying to stay hidden like a school kid sitting in the back of the classroom. Which inevitably made the teacher call on them.

“Welcome Stephanie, to my province. We don’t get a lot of human visitors, which is a shame as humans are so tasty.” He winked.

Stephanie gawked. She couldn’t believe the King, Lord High, whatever, was teasing her. Not knowing how to address him, she curtsied and mumbled a quiet thank you.
Oh my god, I just curtsied to a dragon lord.
Surreal didn’t cover it.

She sort of drifted along, completely oblivious when Colin guided her to sit on the sofa next to him as Robert explained their need. She was happy to see the dragon lord nod in agreement at their request, though somewhat disappointed their quest would soon be over. Oh, this was going to be so easy. No dragons to slay or mind numbing challenges along the way. She watched as the dragon lord took the container holding the dragon wine and blew into the opening and wondered why he’d agreed so easily. She’d been under the impression this task would be difficult.