I raised three of my fingers and counted them off. "Stacy, Protector Brier and Burnbaum. Am I right?"
Luke smiled. "Exactly right."
"Nice little group ya got there, but this ain't helping us now," Zeke spoke up.
"We're tallying our resources. If those men are still around then trouble isn't far behind them, and we'll need all the help we can get to stay one step ahead of them," Luke explained to him.
Zeke scoffed. "Won't do any good stayin' one step ahead when they're ahead of us with that damn lack of scent," he grumbled.
Luke shrugged. "We don't have much choice. We've heard no news from anyone about-" A knock on the door made me jump into Luke's lap and cling to him.
"You think it's them again?" I asked him.
He chuckled. "Only if they have manners now." We heard Alistair's footsteps walk out of the kitchen and to the front door. It was opened, a few words were exchanged and then the door was shut. Alistair's footsteps moved toward us and he soon appeared in the living room doorway.
"Sir, a message from Miss Stacy," Alistair announced. He had a paper in his hand that he handed to Luke, who opened the folded slip and read the contents.
"The mailmen work even after dark?" I guessed.
"You can send a post any time ya want if ya got the money," Zeke told me. He glanced at Luke, who's face had lost some of its color. "What ya got there?"
"Stacy says Baker's under suspicion for the murder of a Protector," Luke told us.
"What was Baker doing at Sanctuary?" I wondered.
Luke shook his head. "He wasn't at Sanctuary. Stacy says the Protector was sent as an agent of the High Lord to watch over Baker because of suspicions of treason."
My mouth dropped open. "Treason? Baker? I can't blame him for doing it with Simpling and Lance in charge, but I don't think he'd do it this soon. Farmers take a while to make up their minds," I replied.
Luke folded the paper and frowned. "I don't believe it either, but she says Simpling intends to send more Protectors to take him into custody."
"Is that what the Protectors are for? I mean, they protect Sanctuary, but are they really a region police force?" I asked him.
"They're at the bidding of the High Lord, but yes, they generally remain at Sanctuary," Luke told me. He shook his head. "But if one of their own was murdered then like any close-knit group they'll want revenge."
"Maybe Brier can tell us what's happening from the inside and get Simpling to not send his guys," I suggested.
"Perhaps, but he has to obey the High Lord just as the other Protectors do," Luke replied.
I threw up my arms. "So what are we going to do? Sit here and let Baker get dragged to Sanctuary where Simpling's probably going to have him killed?"
Luke smiled and shook his head. "No, we're going to go to Spatia and keep Baker out of their hands."
"Spatia? Am I going to have to wear a space suit?" I wondered.
He chuckled. "No, that refers to the great expanse of farmland in Baker's region. The founding Lords were fond of naming the seven regions after the geographical or cultural descriptions of those regions."
"So what's the name of this place? And Sanctuary?" I asked him.
"Sanctuary's an exception. The area controlled by Sanctuary is so small that the region itself is called that, but the other regions are much larger and have names different from their largest towns." He gestured out the living room windows, and I saw the thick woods beyond the lawn. "The region I rule is called Wildlands. The main town is Townsend just down the road, and of course there's Huntington where Abby and her family live. That's south of here."
I groaned. "First political lessons, now a geography lesson?"
"Not fond of geography?" he wondered.
"Not really. It's never really helped me do anything because I still get lost in closets. Even the non-walk-in kind," I replied.
"For once Ah'm with the young lady. Yer boring the hell out of me," Zeke spoke up. He raised himself to a seated position on the couch, winced, and clutched at his side. "Ah'm gettin' outta here while the gettin' is good."
Luke stood and put his hands on Zeke's shoulders. "You're not going anywhere, at least not tonight. Those attackers are just waiting for a chance to get at you for ruining their spying."
"And where in the hell am Ah supposed to stay?" Zeke asked him.
I grinned and pointed at the ceiling. "There's a nice white room upstairs with a great view of some boards." Luke still hadn't fixed the place up to be a normal room rather than the prison he'd intended for me.
"Ah'd rather stay in this room and let those strangers get me," the old man quipped.
"Then Alistair will watch over you. Your bickering should keep you both wide awake and allow you to hear their footsteps should they enter the house," Luke suggested. Zeke scowled, but liked that proposition better than mine. "In the meantime, Becky and I will go to bed. Try not to argue too loud with Alistair, or none of us will get any sleep."
"Ah expect ya don't get much sleep with yer mate around," Zeke commented.
We didn't argue, but we did leave him in the care of poor Alistair. Unfortunately, Zeke's teasing turned out to be worth less than the hot air he'd used to suggest it. Luke was too distracted with the note in his hands to do much more than slip into his pajamas and sit on the end of the bed with the paper clutched in his hand. I slipped into my nightshirt and sat down beside him. I set a hand on his shoulder and gave him a little shake. "Really worried about Baker?" I wondered.
He gravely nodded. "Yeah, and those men who chased Zeke. I don't think it's a coincidence that they're happening at the same time. Lance is making his move and using Simpling's position to give their enemies something to fear."
"You really think Baker killed this Protector?" I asked him.
Luke sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm not sure, but if there is a Protector dead then God help the suspects. The Protectors are very protective of their own, and any murder of their partners is seen as a crime against all of them."
"So if the Protectors think Baker killed one of their own then they might kill him, too?"
"Exactly. That's why we need to get out of here as soon as possible and get to Baker before the Protectors do," he told me.
"What about Zeke?"
"He'll be fine by tomorrow, but as grouchy as ever after being cooped up in this house," he replied.
I wrinkled my nose. "He thinks this place is a coop? What about that shack he lives in in the woods?" I countered.
Luke shrugged. "He's fond of the shack, but this place. . ." He trailed off as his eyes wandered over the walls and ceilings. "This place is different for him."
"You mean civilized?" I teased.
He chuckled. "There's certainly that, but I suppose we should talk about this another time." He yawned and stretched his arms. "I'm kind of tired."
A sly grin slipped onto my face, and I stepped off the bed to stand in front of him. I leaned down to show off the drooping collar of my nightshirt and turned on my most sultry, seductive voice. "You sure you're tired?" I coyly wondered.
Luke had a good view down my shirt, and all I wore was that nightshirt. He raised an eyebrow, and showed off his own crooked grin. "Not anymore. You have something in mind?"
I slid onto his lap with his legs trapped between mine. "I was hoping for a treat after all that training," I playfully pouted.
His hands settled on my hips, and his fingers traced soft circles along the hem of my shirt. "Perhaps I have enough energy in me for a little fun."
I smiled and ran a finger beneath his strong chin. "Just a little?"
"Just a little. We have some work to do tomorrow," he told me.
I pressed my inquisitive finger against his lips and brushed the tip of my nose against his. "No more talk of work, training or intrigue. Let's just have some plain, dirty old fun."
Luke chuckled. "The oldest fun known to man."
"And werewolf," I added.
His teasing han
ds slipped beneath my short nightshirt and glided up my quivering sides. He cupped my swollen breasts and massaged my eager flesh as his hot lips left soft, sweet trails down my neck. I groaned and shifted in his lap, and my hot, wet center pressed up against his evident need beneath the thin cloth of his pajama bottoms. He stiffened and jerked his hard body against me. His hands pulled me close to him and his head rested on my shoulder. I felt his hot breath on my neck and his tongue flicked out to taste the sweat that trailed down my body. "You make it hard not to take you hard and fast," he growled.
I shuddered at the feral tone in his voice. My hands grasped his shirt and I longed to tear it in two. "Maybe that's what I want," I groaned.
Before I knew what had happened I lay on the bed with Luke atop me. His eyes glowed with an orange, feral light. They devoured me with their thorough gaze, and I felt naked before him. I sensed my Beast rise within me. She pleaded for his seductive hands along my smooth curves and his hot mouth over my breasts. I squirmed and whimpered, eager to rid myself of my flimsy clothes.
Luke did the chore for me, and in a moment I was naked beneath him with my clothes torn and tossed aside. I took care of his shirt myself except for the pants. He was forced to separate us for just a moment to discard them, but then was right back on me. His tense, muscular body pinned me to the bed as his gentle hands and hot lips delighted me with their lustful touches. I wrapped my legs around him and thrust my heated center against his stiff member. He grunted and pushed me down to hold me still. His ragged breathing told me I'd succeeded in arousing him to the point of breaking.
I glided my hands across his back and rubbed my thighs against his hips. My fingers stretched and lengthened as the wolf inside me became manifest. My feet thickened and the toes melded into one another for greater balance. Hair sprouted all over my body, covering me in a luscious carpet of fur that glistened from my sweat. I growled and whimpered, and nuzzled my growing snout into his cheek. He wrapped his arms around me, and positioned himself at my hot, wet opening. In a moment he thrust hard and deep into my heated center, and I leaned my head back and howled in glee. He grunted and penetrated me again and again, pushing deeper and faster.
I gasped and clutched onto him. My hips couldn't follow his flurry of lustful, impatient thrusts. My moans and cries filled the air, mixing in a chorus of pleasure with his groans and growls. Our thighs slapped against each other in a furious effort to become one, to meld together and be of one mind, body and soul. He pushed and thrust against me, pulling out every bit of pleasure as he slid against my sensitive clit. My walls trembled and my harsh breathing quickened with each penetration.
The peak came in a rush of blinding light and glorious pleasure. I howled and was soon joined by Luke as he, too, achieved his climax. A few more thrusts and he spilled every last drop into me, then fell over onto the bed beside me. I growled softly to show my pleasure and petted the thick fur on his own transformed head. He turned his head, but I saw his eyes were closed and his breathing had evened out. He'd fallen asleep.
I smiled. He really had been tired. Now so was I, so I, too, slipped into slumber.
4
The next morning I woke up sore, tired, and exhilarated. By my side was the sexiest werewolf in the land, and he was mine. Well, if he'd been by my side. I rolled over to find the spot beside me empty and cold. The clock read ten which was an early hour for Luke to be up. The door opened and I frantically pulled the sheets up to cover myself, but it was only Luke with a breakfast tray.
"You're up already?" I asked him.
He sat down beside me and placed the tray on my lap. "We have a trip to make," he reminded me.
My shoulders slumped. "So more traveling?" I'd had my fill of traveling going to and from Sanctuary.
"I'm afraid so."
"Any chance I can sit this one out?" I pleaded.
He smiled and a teasing glint flickered through his eyes. "Well, you could stay and guard the place with Zeke. I'm sure he'll need the help with all those werewolves hanging around the forest."
I cringed and glanced out the windows at the woods. "On second thought maybe I need a change of scenery."
"I thought you'd see things my way. Now eat and, unfortunately, get dressed. We'll see what plans we need to make to get to Spatia."
I ate with all the hunger of a werewolf starving from sexual exertion, and dressed myself with Luke close at hand trying to 'help' me. After the sixth time of batting away his hands so I could get my bra on I exiled him to the hallway, finished my dressing, and stepped out to find him gone. I followed the sound of voices downstairs to the study, and there I found Luke, Alistair, and Zeke deep in conversation. Zeke was still bandaged, but he sat comfortably in one of the chairs in front of the desk.
Luke sat behind the large wooden desk and his face was grim. "I was afraid of this. They don't want us leaving and helping Baker."
"Afraid of what?" I wondered.
"Zeke and Alistair saw shadows on the lawn last night, and they only disappeared into the woods when the sun rose," he told me.
I plopped myself down in a chair and frowned. "So we're still surrounded?"
"So it seems," Luke replied.
"So what do we do?" I asked him.
Luke shrugged. "I have no idea. We can't leave without being noticed, and being noticed means we'll be followed to Spatia. We'll be less useful to Baker if we have unwelcome followers."
Zeke crossed his arms and chuckled. "Ya got to start thinkin' with that brain of yers," he suggested.
Luke sighed. "Good advice, but my mind's coming up empty." He leaned forward and scrutinized the old man. "But if I know you, Zeke, then you have a plan."
Zeke glanced over our attire with a disapproving look in his eyes. "Well, Ah also suggest ya don't go running outta the house in yer best clothes."
"What do you suggest? We go without?" Luke argued. I noticed more than one pair of eyes fell on me, and I scowled back at them.
"That's not an option," I countered.
"Ah'm suggesting you hide yerselves in plain sight."
"A disguise?" Alistair guessed.
Zeke nodded. "Yep. If'n yer seen those fools who gave me exercise tonight won't know you from anybody else."
"I don't think that would fool Lance," Luke argued.
"Ya don't need to be foolin' him, just his men, and I reckon they have a lot fewer smarts than Lance," Zeke replied.
"A disguise would help in a crowd, but there's only four of us," Luke pointed out.
"Then git some out here," the old man persisted.
Luke frowned and shook his head. "We'd need a couple dozen to hide ourselves, and what excuse would they have for coming out here?"
I pursed my lips and glanced out the windows. The sun shone brightly on the dense trees, and a sudden idea hit me. My face lit up as I jumped up. "Loggers!" I exclaimed. The three of them looked at me like I'd hit my head too many times on a tree.
That is, until Zeke's eyes widened and a grin slipped onto his lips. "Well, Ah'll be. Ah think she's got somethin' there."
My idea soon dawned on Luke and Alistair, and Luke was all smiles. "You're thinking about bringing loggers here to thin my trees?" he guessed.
"Yep. You said they needed thinning, so why not have us sneak into their trucks or something, and drive away with them?" I suggested.
Luke stood, strode over to me, and took my breath away with a deep, breathless kiss. When we broke apart he was all smiles. "Brilliant. Every day you prove again why we're meant to be together." I blushed and looked at the floor. Luke turned to Alistair. "When's the next delivery of wood to Agropolis?"
"Tomorrow, sir," Alistair replied.
Luke frowned. "Damn. I'd hoped it would be sooner, but we'll have to make do until then. We'll be on that haul, so we'll need some clothes to fit our new occupation," Luke told his servant. Alistair bowed and left.
I raised an eyebrow. "Mind telling me what this Agropolis is?" I asked him.
"Agropolis is
the largest city in Spatia, and it imports the wood that's felled here to heat their homes and create wood furniture to export to the other regions. You saw some of their pieces at Sanctuary and Burnbaum's inn," he told me.
"So we hitch a ride in a logger's truck and then catch the train hauling the wood out of here?" I guessed.
"Exactly." Luke looked to Zeke. "Would you care for company here? Alistair can stay with you," Luke offered the old man.
Zeke chuckled and shook his head. "The trouble won't stay here. It'll follow wherever ya go," he pointed out.
"Then, I guess we'll be the ones to need Alistair," Luke replied.
"So what do we do now?" I wondered.
"Now I make a few phone calls to the logging company, and then we wait until they arrive tomorrow."
Tomorrow came sooner than I wanted because the loggers arrived at the butt-crack of dawn with their heavy trucks and machines. I was dragged from my bed, slipped into my new logging uniform complete with pre-dirtied overalls, boots, baseball cap, and shirt tucked into my waist. Then Alistair and I waited inside the front hall, safely hidden from view and with our luggage stuffed in dirty bags at our feet. We could only take the bare necessities which consisted solely of a few dry snack foods and an extra pair of clothes.
Luke spoke to the crew manager out on the driveway. The logging crew prepared to thin a part of the woods that ran along the driveway and thus give some distance between our escape and the werewolves in the backyard. In a few minutes he stepped back inside and smiled at us. He wasn't yet dressed in his new duds because he didn't want to set off the suspicions of our unwelcome watchers.
"We'll wait until after lunch to sneak out. The men will come in here to eat, and some of them will stay inside while we tromp out with the crew so the number will stay the same. Zeke'll stay in the house for a few days to keep up appearances, but I doubt he can keep them off for much longer than that."
"Where are we going to be stuffed?" I asked him. There were a few large machines and the semi trucks ripe for the stuffing.
"The sleeping berths above the cabs of the trucks," Luke told me. "They can fit two people in them, so Alistair will go in a separate truck. They're a good, fast crew so they'll get their trucks full by the afternoon and drive us to the station. Once there we can hop into a train car there and keep low until the train moves out. There's no telling how many spies are around, so we'll still have to watch our backs."