Howl Read online

  Howl

  By Silk Juppelatz

  LYRICAL PRESS

  An imprint of Kensington Publishing Corp.

  KENSINGTON PUBLISHING CORP.

  http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/

  For Paul. For being right there, whenever I need you, and for giving me space to exercise my crazy mind.

  For my fellow “Critters”, who’ve encouraged me, helped me, laughed with me, shed tears with me. I don’t know what I’d do without you, ladies.

  For my poor set upon editor, Nerine, who put up with my semi-colons, fragments and changes when she’d just bent everything into shape.

  Author Foreword

  Howl will always occupy a special place in my heart. It was the first book I sold, although not the first published. Ironically, the second book I sold was published just before Howl went into edits.

  Howl was inspired by a song, and I wasn’t going to send it out. Then one of those mad five minutes hit, I wrote the query and hit send.

  Well here we are, you are about to read Howl, meet Zalin and Lucia, who have their own mad five minutes on occasion.

  I hope you enjoy their tale.

  Chapter 1

  “Dad! No!” Lucia stepped in front of her father’s gun, waving her arms up and down to make herself a bigger target. “He didn’t do anything.”

  The wolf growled, his body tense and ready to jump. Ears flat to his head, amber eyes wild and focused on Lucia, he drew his lip up in a vicious snarl. He’d backed up against the cave wall and had nowhere else to go. It didn’t stop the huge animal from threatening the humans at the entrance.

  Graham Masterton pushed his daughter out of the way. “Move aside, Lucy. If he’s not been at the cattle, it won’t be long before he is tempted to get an easy meal.”

  “I’m not letting you kill him.” Lucia watched the wolf trot along the wall. Back and forth, looking for a way out. If he charged them, he’d give her father even more of a reason to shoot him. “If we leave, I’m sure he will too.”

  Her father shook his head and aimed the shotgun at the animal. “Can’t take the risk.”

  “No!” Lucia pushed to throw his aim off. The buckshot went into a wall instead of hitting the wolf, but a pained yelp told her he’d been hit by something anyway. “Dad! How could you!”

  The wolf whimpered and snarled at the same time. He was desperate now, darting from one side of the wall to the other, trying to find a way past them. He rushed her, and Lucia jumped back, but the wolf had already retreated. His amber eyes were restless, but he kept staring at her, his breath frosting in the air, still growling, still threatening.

  “Damned critter.” Her father reloaded and muttered under his breath. “Don’t ever do something like this again. I could have shot you!”

  “Dad, please let him go. Please.” Lucia clutched his arm. “Look at him. He’s scared. I’m sure he’ll run away and never come back.”

  “No. This ends, right now. I won’t have him kill my cattle.”

  Tears stung Lucia’s eyes. The animal looked so proud. She’d never seen a wolf at such close quarters, not even when her mother had rescued them. This one was magnificent, huge, and nothing like the scraggly beasts she remembered. His coat was a mix of dark brown and tan, with lighter colors surrounding his muzzle. He had a beautifully expressive face, his eyes hinting at intelligence she hadn’t expected to see in a wild animal.

  And her father wanted to kill him.

  Once more the gun was raised and the wolf desperately flattened himself against the cave wall at the far end. He had nowhere to hide. Lucia couldn’t watch. The more she interfered, the worse it would get for the poor animal. Her father would shoot him, and she didn’t want the wolf to suffer because of her.

  A snarl and a shot became one. An agonized yelp indicated her father hadn’t missed. Lucia looked up, just in time to see the huge wolf leap toward her. She squeaked in shock and took a step back. The wolf landed and staggered, blood running down his front leg, and her father cursed loudly.

  The wolf dropped heavily onto her feet, almost taking her down with him. He whimpered, those amber eyes riveted on her, and curled up against her legs. Almost as if he asked for her protection.

  Lucia stared at him, holding her breath. “Dad.”

  “Well I’ll be damned.” Graham scratched his head, lifting his hat slightly. “Never seen one do anything like this before.”

  Lucia bent down, not daring to touch the trembling animal. Her gaze sought the wound and, to her relief, it appeared to be mostly a surface injury. He’d live. Well, he’d live if her father didn’t shoot him point blank in the head. “Don’t kill him. Please, Daddy. He’s trying so hard to stay alive.”

  “So are we. We need our cattle, and I can’t afford to go soft on a wolf.” Graham stared down at the cowering animal. “Besides, he’s too hurt to survive. Best put him out of his misery.”

  “No.” She leaned across the wolf, protecting him with her body. “I’ll look after him until he can walk again. We’ve done enough harm.”

  “Are you crazy?” Graham tried to pull her away but Lucia wouldn’t budge. “Get away, Lucy. This is nonsense. You know better than this.”

  She shook her head, hoping the wolf wouldn’t feel threatened and bite her. If he did, her father wouldn’t listen and it would be over. “Let me do this. Once he’s healed up, I’ll take him far away. We’ll never need to worry about him and our cattle again. I’m sure he won’t come back.”

  “Just like your mother,” Graham snapped, eying the wolf with disgust. “I raised you better than that, and now you go soft on me?”

  She knew her father’s dislike of wolves stemmed in part from her mother’s work with them, many years ago. Angela had loved them, looked after injured animals and studied their behavior. Her mother’s death had something to do with the wolves, but her father had never spoken about it. “Mom would have wanted to save him.”

  “Yeah.” Disgust tainted his voice.

  “The pens are still there.” Lucia hoped he could be persuaded. “He won’t be any trouble. You won’t even know he’s there.”

  Graham stared down at the wolf for a long time. Minutes passed, and Lucia had no idea what went through his mind. At last, he nodded. “I’ll regret this, I just know I will.”

  Lucia beamed up at him, relief flooding her. “You won’t. I promise.”

  “No idea how we’ll get him home. I doubt he’ll let us carry him.”

  He had a point. Lucia carefully placed a hand on the dark fur, startled to discover it was soft, rather than rough as she’d expected. “All right, wolf. Let’s see if you can walk.”

  To her surprise, the wolf struggled to his feet.

  A low growl from outside the cave made Lucia stiffen. Another wolf? Her father’s hand clamped into her parka and drew her to her feet.

  “Don’t make a move, Lucy.” His voice trembled. “I knew this was a mistake.”

  She slowly turned her head.

  Six wolves stood at the cave entrance, blocking their way out. “Oh God. They must be his pack.”

  “Don’t care what they are. If they attack us, we’re done for.” Graham drew her away from the injured wolf and kept her close to his side. “I’ll distract them. You get out and run.”

  “No! I’m not leaving you behind.” Lucia shook her head. “Maybe they just want him? Maybe if we–”

  “Do as I tell you.”

  “Daddy–”

  “I won’t hear another word.” He waved his arms at the wolves. “Hey, over here!”

  All eyes focused on him. Lucia didn’t move. He was right. If the wolves decided to attack, there would be nothing left of them, gun or not. Movement at her feet made her look down.

  Her wolf limped toward the others, his progress
agonizingly slow, each step accompanied by a quiet whimper.

  “Dad, put your arms down,” Lucia whispered. “Look.”

  He did, watching the brown wolf with confused eyes. “What the hell?”

  The wolf reached the others, who greeted him by rubbing their muzzles on his body. He stood, trembling, and looked at Lucia, before slowly limping away. The others followed by his side, except one large male. He was even bigger than the one in the cave.

  The gray wolf stood his ground, staring at her father with cold blue-gray eyes. A growl, low and menacing, warned them away. Her father lifted his gun, but Lucia caught his arm and shook her head.

  The gray wolf stared at them a moment longer then turned and loped away. He caught up with the others, who seemed to nurse the injured wolf along every step of the way.

  Lucia couldn’t believe they’d just go. She’d never heard about anything like this and, if she wasn’t mistaken, her wolf had just saved them. Even her father stood silently and watched the wolves leave.

  “We should go before they turn around.” Graham tugged on her arm. “Best stay out of the woods a while. I’ll let the sheriff know there’s a pack of wolves up here, just in case.”

  “Don’t tell him. You’d have some idiots come up here to hunt them.” She knew it wouldn’t sway her father unless she gave him a good reason. “I’d rather not have some gun-toting hunter shoot at me again while I’m out riding. Not like it hasn’t happened before.”

  “We’ll see.”

  Chapter 2

  “How’s the shoulder?”

  “Better.” Zalin watched the Alpha park his butt on the bench opposite his. He knew Gothrim wasn’t here just to join him for lunch. “What’s up?”

  “Angela wants me to move the pack.” Gothrim rested his forearms on the table, toying with a napkin. “I’m not sure I can talk her out of it this time.”

  Zalin looked around the diner. They shouldn’t have this discussion in public. Sure, there were only four customers, but it only took one of them to overhear their conversation. “We shouldn’t be talking about this here.”

  “I need you back with us, talk some sense into her. Staying off the compound isn’t helping.”

  His reply brought Zalin up short. Had they found Tiffy? Surely Angela wouldn’t suggest moving before they’d found her runaway daughter? “You found her, then?”

  “No. There’s no indication she’s still in the area.”

  “Her scent was in that cave two weeks ago. I’m not so sure she’s gone.” He hadn’t been back there, nor had any others. The memory of his near-fatal search was too fresh in everyone’s memory. Zalin shifted his shoulder slightly, still stiff even two weeks later. Yeah, the memory was fresh. Especially his. “We can’t move yet. What if she’s coming back and everyone is gone?”

  “I know.” Gothrim’s shoulders slumped. His blue-gray eyes filled with pain, and a crease between his brows betrayed his exhaustion. “If you talk to Angie, she might change her mind.”

  Why him? He’d only joined the pack two years ago. There were far more valued members, far more trusted members, than him. He didn’t say it, but he knew Gothrim was well aware of his status within the pack. “Are you ordering me to talk to her?”

  “No. It’s your decision.” Gothrim got up. “I’ll say this. She feels guilty about what happened to you.”

  “She doesn’t even like me,” Zalin scoffed. “You heard her when you sent me after Tiffy.”

  “Yeah. Sorry about what she said, that was my fault.” Gothrim cringed. “I mentioned you’d be a good match for Tiffy one day. She nearly bit my head off for suggesting it.”

  Zalin stared at him, his jaw slack. “Are you nuts? Tiffy is sixteen!”

  “I didn’t mean now! I meant in the future. God, seriously, what do you take me for?” He threw his hands up. “That’s my baby girl we’re talking about, asshole. It’s not like I’m telling you to go after her, is it?”

  Zalin exhaled slowly. “Actually, that’s exactly what you told me.”

  “To bring her back, not to–” He clenched his fists. “Thanks for ganging up on me. I obviously don’t have enough to worry about.”

  “It’ll never happen, Gothrim.”

  “Can you blame me for wanting the best for my daughter?” Gothrim smiled. “At least think about it.”

  “I’ll find her. I’ll bring her back. No more.” Zalin shook his head. “Once I’ve fulfilled my obligation to you, I will leave.”

  Gothrim’s gaze snapped to his. “What?”

  “I’m leaving. I was going to tell you, but then Tiffy disappeared. I figured telling you could wait until we find your daughter.” He’d made his mind up a while ago. Angela’s hurtful words had just been the icing on an already moldy cake. “I’m sorry. I know you don’t need me to add to your trouble. I would have told you once we had Tiffy back.”

  “You expect me to just let you go?” Gothrim narrowed his eyes.

  “Yes. I have no reason to stay.” Worse, if he stayed, he’d end up fighting Gothrim. He respected the man too much to hang around until the inevitable challenge came. No doubt the suggestion of a match between him and Gothrim’s daughter was designed to prevent a fight, and to ensure succession on Gothrim’s terms. Zalin neither wanted to be Alpha, nor would he allow any father to dictate his future. Leaving was his best option, and a lot less painful.

  Zalin studied the Alpha for a moment. Gothrim had a powerful presence, both in wolf and human form. Most people gave him a wide berth. His size, muscular build and the menace he projected made humans back off immediately. He’d started to gray out but, if anything, the longish salt-and-pepper mane made him look even more dangerous. No one argued with Gothrim, at least not if they valued their hides.

  When he’d arrived two years ago, Zalin had trimmed his own long hair, in an attempt to fit in. Fat chance of that, frankly. The pack didn’t trust him, no matter what he did. Frustrated and annoyed, he hadn’t bothered cutting his hair again. By now it was a shaggy brown mess, shot with tan highlights, much like his fur. He didn’t care. The only reason he’d stayed this long was Gothrim, who’d treated him fairly and who ruled his pack with supreme authority.

  “What if I promoted you to First?”

  “Why would you want to piss off Thomas? He’s had the position for years, you can’t demote him now.” Being Gothrim’s First Beta would only add to the resentment within the pack, and Thomas would likely challenge him. “No thanks. I don’t want the job, and it wouldn’t keep me here.”

  “I took you in when you had nothing. You owe me,” Gothrim snapped, his eyes mere slits now. He obviously didn’t like where this was headed.

  “Let’s be clear about something. You took me in for one reason only, and it wasn’t to help me out. You didn’t want to fight me, that’s all.” Zalin knew damned well what this was about. “We both know how it would end. It’s my decision, not yours, and my mind is made up.” He tossed a few dollar bills on the table and rose, his appetite gone. “I’ll get back to finding your daughter. You get back to your wife.”

  They left the diner together and Zalin zipped up his leather jacket to stave off the cold. He nodded at Gothrim, but a commotion near the grocery store caught his attention. Two youths were shoving a third, and he dismissed the scuffle as unimportant. Just some teenagers letting off steam.

  “Stop it!”

  Zalin froze at the sound of a familiar voice. He looked toward the boys. Gothrim grabbed his shoulder before he could react.

  “Don’t get involved.”

  He shook off the Alpha’s hand, watching the girl from the cave march up to the teenagers. She still made his heart race. Her blond hair shone like a beacon, caught in a ponytail, several strands fluttering around her face. He watched her argue with the boys, saw them sneer at her.

  From the look of it, the situation was about to turn nasty.

  “I’m keeping an eye on this.” Zalin refused to walk away while the lady squared up to two bullies
. “In case it gets out of hand.”

  Gothrim snorted his displeasure and headed in the opposite direction.

  The two boys continued to shove the smaller boy, ignoring Lucia until she put herself between them. Zalin’s eyes narrowed and he picked up a fistful of snow. He packed it into a hard missile while he watched the proceedings. By the time he had a second snowball, the bigger youngster shoved the woman.

  Zalin nailed both kids with a snowball, putting enough power into the throw so it would hurt. Both boys yelped and spun around to stare at him.

  “Pick on someone your own size.”

  “Right back atcha, mister.” The bigger one glared at him. “It’s nothin’ to do with you.”

  Zalin picked up more snow and casually formed another snowball. “I’d leave if I were you.”

  “Piss off.”

  Zalin threw the snowball with deadly accuracy, hitting the kid’s shoulder despite his moving to the side. “You want more of the same? I promise the next one will leave a bruise.”

  The other kid tugged on his friend’s arm, whispering to him. A moment later both of them took off down the road without a backward glance. Zalin kept his eyes on their backs until they disappeared from view. The woman helped the third kid to his feet and he figured the situation was under control.

  He watched them for a moment, and recognized the boy as one of the pack. Well, damn. He’d intended to turn away and leave, but Oliver had already seen him and waved. Zalin had no choice but head over to them.

  “Thanks for helping,” Lucia said, smiling at Zalin.

  Zalin pretended to ignore her, his gaze on Oliver. “You okay?”

  “Yeah, thanks Zalin.” Oliver brushed snow off his pants.

  “Oh, you know each other?” She held out her hand. “I’m Lucia Masterton.”

  Oh yeah, he knew exactly who she was. He’d wanted to know who he owed his life to, and had made a point of finding out about her. Zalin could see the attraction in her eyes, the interest. It made it more difficult not to pay attention to her. He reluctantly took her hand and shook it briefly. “Zalin.” He turned to Oliver. “What happened?”