Raging Kane:The Wolfe Creek Series
C.M. Steele
Book Three in the Wolfe Creek Series
Chapter One
The day had been never ending. I just wanted to shower and get some sleep after work, but that was out of the question. I promised I'd have dinner with Arabella; however, dinner with my sister had come at a price. Two of our mated couples showed up and it wasn't the most comfortable feeling for me. I hadn't mated yet and was almost past mating age. It was likely I was never going to meet her- whoever she was. That sentiment was what stressed me out. I needed a steaming hot shower to ease the knots of tension in my shoulders.
Being the Alpha of a pack of wolf shifters was a piece of cake for me. It was made easier by the fact that I was the mayor of the town as well. I didn't have to tiptoe around anyone or deal with the bureaucratic red tape. Our town was a decent size so I always had my hands full with issues, but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle.
My discontent with life, in general, was the only thing getting to me. I was finding it harder and harder to watch my people mating and making families. It had me becoming bitter as hell. That wasn't something an Alpha should feel about his pack.
Dropping my clothes on the floor, I walked to the shower. As I moved, my limp, useless cock plopped about, bouncing with every step. Looking at it so damn flaccid made me sick. It was a curse for us wolf shifters. The only way the dick got hard was when it was with our mate; otherwise, it was little more than a pissing hose for the past twenty-seven plus years and it mocked me. This was some bullshit. As the proud Alpha, I should have a woman in my bed every night.
The instant I got out of the shower, I took in my look. I was what human females would call ruggedly handsome. Every single woman that passed through town bragged about the stud of a mayor. All I saw was a sad man before me. I wish I still had my father here to talk to. He'd tell me to give it time- like he did with everything else. Hating the man before me, I punched my fist through my mirror shattering the glass all over my bathroom. Damn it, now I had shit to clean up. Grabbing a towel, I wrapped my bleeding hand and walked to the bed. I'd clean that shit up in the morning.
I'd just fallen asleep when these blue eyes came into view. At first, it was just them staring at me intently. They were glistening with unshed tears and I ached to reach out and wipe them from her face, but for some reason, I didn't. I stepped back and took a better look at her long, brown hair that parted in lush waves down the center to frame her enchanting face. It was beautiful and mesmerizing. That sad look in her eyes was making my heart crack. I didn't understand what was happening, but I knew I didn't want it to end. Suddenly her expression turned intense and cold; her mouth was tight and I could hear her harsh breathing.
"I hate you!" she shouted from her soft, pink lips. The vitriol was so strong that I felt it deep inside, startling me out of my sleep.
My heart was pounding out of control, and before it dawned on me, I'd shifted and was padding around on my bed completely in my wolf form. My black fur was standing on edge as I looked around the room. That dream whatever the meaning, was so real that it forced me to shift. I hopped down onto the floor and headed out my back door for a night run to clear my head.
I ran so far I was out of Redding, already miles away and in Wolfe Creek where another pack lived and flourished. It had taken a long time before I was calm enough to transfer back to my human form. My mind ran as fast as I did. I wondered why this creature in my dream hated me. I knew her anger was directed at me because I felt it through to my bones.
By morning, I was a tired wreck. I had a job as pack Alpha to keep the town on its toes and humans out of our territory. Most came in for the hiking, but occasionally, you had those who needed to stay in the hotel in town. We couldn't dissuade them because the money was good. On average, we had about three hikers a week. Since I was the mayor of the town, a solid revenue stream was my priority. We had investments as a community and they seemed to blossom with the help of Hunter and Chloe Grey from Wolfe Creek, but we also made crafts that sold well online. The internet was a stellar invention. It had a way of keeping us closed off from the world while still being very involved and well-funded.
Having been unable to sleep last night, I ended up picking up the broken glass this morning. I got dressed in my suit, downed my mug of coffee, and headed into the Mayor's office. There were matters that affected all mayors and then there were those that only affected communities like ours. The rabbit population for one. We've had some hungry, young pups overindulging in our furry meals. It was necessary to import more rabbits into the area while quelling the hunting of some of our young ones.
"Alpha, the new rabbits have arrived," my environmental manager said. It was his job to keep the environment in balance.
"Were there any questions from the breeder?" I didn't know if the breeder or the animals' rights groups would be questioning our need for so many rabbits. Nosy motherfuckers.
"Not from the breeder but from the dumb protester outside his ranch. I told her what we told everyone. We had a wolf population that was dying out without an influx of rabbits and to mind her fucking business."
"Good job, Dennis."
"Thanks. They wanted to observe the wolves in their natural habitat. They wanted to meet with you, but I told them that you were too busy for it."
"I'm too angry to meet with them. What's wrong with these people? Priorities. You should have told her we like to fucking eat them." Dennis was surprised by my tone but just nodded.
By the end of the day, I didn't want to go home. I was scared of the dream and the elusive woman's hatred ate at me. "Don't be a little bitch, Kane," I snarled to myself. Would I be able to stay asleep long enough to change her mind or would I shift in sadness?
I got my answer at one in the morning when I tore my sheets to shreds. She stood before me a little longer before shouting at me, sending me into a spiral of confusion and rage.
Chapter Two
Needing answers after two desperate nights of waking up in full wolf form and pain in my heart, I went to see the only person that could give me those answers. It was already late, but I couldn't sleep. I was glad my sister was away visiting some friends. I wondered if I made any sounds when I was out cold dreaming of this beautiful woman. I wouldn't want her to worry about me. She still lived with me, but was always in town. She was still young and had been in my care since our parents died. Arabella was like a mother hen to me even though I was older.
"Uncle, I know you were probably about to go to bed, but I need to ask you something." I bombarded him so late, but I couldn't take it anymore. Patience wasn't a virtue I possessed.
"What is it, Kane?" The look in his eyes was full of concern. I hated to be anyone's object of pity.
I thought about how I would say this but didn't think there was a way to make me feel less like an Alpha, so I just let it all out.
"I'm having the same dream of the same female every night. She haunts me with her sad eyes that turn to anger." After explaining it to him, he nodded his head like it was no big deal.
"Nephew, I'll tell you about it in a little bit. Hunter Grey will be coming, and I have a feeling he has a similar question."
"That's all you're going to say?" I asked belligerently. I didn't want to wait for the Alpha from Wolfe Creek. All I knew was the mysterious woman in my dreams was mine. If Hunter dreamed of her too, it'd be a fight to the death.
I was pacing like a madman, my great uncle's floor creaking with every step. I couldn't handle the wait. Finally, the sound of Hunter's truck came up the road, but it wasn't fast enough for me.
"Uncle, why do I have to wait for Hunter? Why can't you just answer me now?" I snarled.
"Boy, patience. You're going to need it. Trust me. I didn't know that it could happen more than once in a century, but I guess I was wrong."
What could happen?
My great-uncle, Creed Holt, stood up from his chair and looked out onto the porch as the truck pulled up. I continued pacing the floor as he walked down the steps to meet Hunter.
They both came back into the house and Hunter looked at me strangely. "Hey, Kane. What's up?"
"Nothing much, Hunter. I was visiting when Creed said you were stopping by. I thought it was something that might need my attention since it was so unexpected," I lied.
I sat down on the single chair near the fireplace, needing to calm down before I shifted again.
"It's not really, but seeing as I need answers and you're almost as old as me and also without a mate, you might want to be here."