Raine joined his brothers, forming a defensive line in front of her. She padded forward even as Blue growled another warning. Although she tried to get past them, they nipped and snapped at her, keeping her behind them.
Her wolf’s mind howled, scratching to tear The Cursed apart. But it was her human side that won out. Shifting back to human, she stood up and marched past the snarling wolves.
“Scrunch.”
Scrunch eased to the front of his group. He tilted his head at her then whirled around to growl at his companions. They quieted, but still remained restless, their bodies twitching, their red eyes glowing.
“How are you, Scrunch? You’re staying out of holes, like I’m doing, right?” She wished she had a piece of fruit to share with him.
Raine transformed into his human body. “Callie, be careful.”
She didn’t bother glancing at him. She could hear the worry in his voice. “It’s okay. If they’d wanted to attack, they’d have already done it.”
“Still…”
“I will. Don’t worry.”
She reached out her hand, palm up, toward Scrunch. Both groups reacted, jostling about with nervous energy.
“Callie, if he scratches you…”
“He won’t.”
Yet she still held her breath when he lifted his hand toward her. With his paw-like hand shaking with as much trepidation as she was feeling, he touched the tip of his finger to the middle of her palm. She smiled, mouth closed so he wouldn’t take it as a threat.
One of The Cursed growled and Scrunch yanked his hand back. Surprised, she jerked her hand away, too. The Cursed backed away, keeping their faces toward her, then, once they were at a distance, they whirled around and disappeared into the forest line.
Raine grabbed her and held her tightly. “Hell, don’t ever do that again. I think I lost ten years off my life.”
“But it worked, don’t you see?” Her body hummed with excitement. “We made contact with The Cursed and no one got hurt on either side.”
“You’re lucky they didn’t attack us. We were outnumbered.” Raine’s blue eyes sparkled as his brothers, still in wolf form, paced around them, growling their displeasure.
“But they didn’t. That proves we have a chance of making peace.”
“Maybe. But let’s try keeping them at a distance for a while.”
“Aw, where’s the fun in that?”
“Look, woman, don’t make us have to tie you up again.”
She touched his face, tenderly. “And treat me like your captive?”
“If we have to.” He brushed the hair away from her face.
“Then go ahead. Tie me up.”
“Yeah?”
She pulled out of his arms and stepped back. “Yeah. Why not? It’s just my body. You captured my heart the first time I looked at you.”
With a wink and a toss of her hair, she let the transformation take her again. A few moments later, she spun off to the right and dashed down the hillside. She sported a wolfish grin as her men followed behind her, once more vying for the lead.
THE END