[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

It s not like I go out and chase a deer or anything. I mean, some of the younger wolves like to get in
touch with their wolf sides to enhance their tracking and hunting skills, but I don t like to do it. I train
with my brothers, but I don t need to kill a deer to be strong. Reed smiled, and Hannah wiggled in
his arms.
 Don t I know it.
 I want you both there, please? Reed asked.
Josh came into the living room and hugged them both.  I want to see what happens, so I m in.
Ever since Josh had let Reed touch him, Josh had been doing that more often. Slight touches and
caresses. But they still hadn t had sex fully. Reed was okay with that. He knew Josh was new to the
whole thing, and he d give him time. That didn t mean he couldn t appreciate the military man
package though.
 Then it s settled. I will go wolf, and you two can hang out with me. Sounds like a date.
 A hairy one, Hannah added.
Reed put his hands over his heart.  Ouch.
 Well, it s true, Josh said.  Before we go though, can you tell me about wolves?
 What do you mean? Reed asked.
 Where do werewolves come from?
Reed sighed.  It s only a legend, but it s said werewolves were formed from the Moon
Goddess. I don t know what exact mythology she comes from, or even if she exists, but I feel her
here. Reed put his hand over his heart.  She was saddened by the atrocities of man and the
weakening of their souls, and the Moon Goddess stepped down from her ivory crescent throne and
walked among the dense forests and rivers.
Hannah nodded.  I remember this story. My mom told it to me.
 There she found a hunter deep in the brush, searching for his next kill. The Goddess knew this
man must eat and provide for his family, but she was disheartened at the depravity of the souls she
watched over. The act of free will was not unknown to her so she stood back and waited for the
decisions the hunter made.
 Sounds kind of creepy, Josh teased.
Hannah hit him in the stomach.  Shut up. Sorry, Reed, go on.
 So the hunter found his prey and wounded a wolf, not killing it. The Moon Goddess walked
toward the hunter and asked what the hunter wanted to do. Startled by the Goddess presence, the
hunter bowed yet stood protective over his kill. The Goddess told him man needed to understand the
connection between earth and man. The man, confused and shocked, wasn t prepared for the magic
pulsating through his system when the Goddess bent and touched her palms to his heart and the wolf s.
 That night she created the first werewolf. Not man, nor beast, but a medley of the two. Man
would dominate and walk the world, yet the wolf would be internal always challenging man s
wants and desires. During times of the full moon, the Moon Goddess s pull is immense, a tactile entity
and man will change into the beast he hunted and killed, running through the forest of earth on four
paws rather than two feet. Though in times of great stress and need, man can choose to be wolf.
Reed blushed.  That s the legend, not my words.
 No, it sounded amazing. I wish I had a history like that, Josh said wistfully.
 You could, you know. Reed snapped his mouth closed and his body tensed.
Dammit, he didn t want to pressure him. Josh needed to take his time and decide if he wanted to
be mates and become a werewolf. The other man didn t need Reed breathing down his neck.
 I know, Josh whispered.  Just give me more time.
Hannah patted both of their hands.  Come on, no sadness. This will be fun. We re going to see
another side of Reed. That s the whole point of us staying here. To get to know one another before we
decide if we want to commit to eternity. Oh, and the sex. I m staying for that too.
Both men burst out laughing.
They needed each other more than he thought. They balanced one another, kept them on their
toes. They were perfect.
They walked out to the backyard, and Reed inhaled the crisp cool air. The moon pulled at him.
As werewolves, they hunted at night. He didn t want to endanger his mates by going outside in the
dark, but he couldn t leave them alone and unprotected either. The full moon lit up the forest so even a
human could see their way. Though it was cold and should probably be snowing, the air felt dry, very
odd for northern Washington. A tingling feeling went up his arms. Maybe it was because he needed to
shift.
 So we re going to hunt together. My family will most likely be hunting with the rest of the Pack
or not at all. We don t have to change at the full moon if we don t want to.
 Is Willow going to change? Hannah asked.
 She can, changing into a wolf doesn t hurt the baby, but she won t most likely, Reed said.
 Melanie wants to go out tonight with Kade, so Finn will be hanging out with Jasper and Wil.
 Are they okay with you not joining them? Josh asked.
Reed shrugged.  We don t have to go out as a Pack. It s nice, but since you two aren t wolves,
it might be dangerous.
 Would they hurt us? I thought wolves retained their humanity, even after the change. Josh
sounded worried.
Reed shook his head.  You have to remember, at three years old, pups can start to change. So
there are toddlers and adolescents out there who are still learning their control. They are never alone,
which makes it safer, but I don t want there to be an accident.
Hannah wrapped her arms around him and kissed under his chin.  Okay. Now get naked.
A discreet cough over Reed s shoulder stopped him from laughing. Damned wolf was too good
at hiding and he hadn t sensed him until now.
 Hello, Maddox, Reed grunted.
 Don t sound so happy to see me or anything, big brother. Maddox casually strolled into the
backyard and said hello to Hannah and Josh, but there was nothing casual about his little brother.
Energy and tension rolled off him, something Reed was used to. The power that Maddox held would
kill a smaller man. Since he could feel every emotion in the Pack, Maddox always had to have a
higher control than anyone else.
 Sorry, Maddox, I was just surprised to see you here.
Maddox shrugged.  I thought I d hang out with you guys for a while then go off on my own.
Something the Omega does well.
 Plus, I thought if Hannah had any questions about being part of the Pack in a position as the
Healer, she could ask me. Or at least know I m here if she needs me.
 Oh. Hannah bit her lip.  I don t have any right now. I don t feel any different. I guess it s
because I m not part of the Pack yet.
Maddox shrugged again, looking out in the forest at something Reed couldn t see. If there was
even anything there.  Okay. Just let me know. He turned to Reed.  Is it okay if I join you then?
 That s fine with me as long as it doesn t bother Hannah or Josh.
Hannah nodded. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]