Howling Moon Part 13

I'll be right there.

When Cat returned to the spot where they'd slept she found Raphael in wolf form, curled up next to her neatly stacked clothing. When she raised an eyebrow in inquiry he gave her a wolfy grin and said, "I got cold without you. Besides, walking through the woods in human form naked is uncomfortable. Now hurry up. I want coffee, and I want breakfast."

"Fine, fine. Jeez" Cat grumbled under her breath as she pulled her clothes on. Now she was self-conscious, but it was just because of the way Raphael kept looking at her with undisguised hunger with those big gold eyes. "Will you please stop staring?"

"Then stop looking so d.a.m.ned appetizing."

"Appetizing?"

How he managed a salacious look on wolf features she couldn't say, but he did, and Cat caught the hint of some very naughty images in his mind. "Raphael!"

"Oh, you're no fun," he complained, laying his head on his paws with an exaggerated sigh.

"That's not what you said last night," She pointed out as she pulled on her bra and shifted it around a bit until it was comfortable. She shook her sweater, watching as dead leaves and pine needles fell to the ground. The rain was coming more steadily now. She sighed. Her clothes were going to be soaked before they got back to his car.

"No," Raphael acknowledged happily as he watched her slipping on her jeans. "That's not what I said last night."

Once she was fully dressed he quit teasing, leading her swiftly through the woods in an almost direct line down to the parking lot. She followed, trying not to make too much of a racket. But it was hard. The thick mist limited visibility and the rain made the fallen leaves slick. She lost her footing several times because the wet, uneven ground was much harder to deal with this morning than it had been last night.

Still, it didn't take long before they were back in the parking lot and she was sitting in the Jeep with the heater running full blast taking her turn leering at Raphael while he he dressed. dressed.

He really was gorgeous. Everything about him suited her, from the tousled brown curls and warm brown skin, to the strong bones of his face, softened by those huge dimples. Even the wicked scar that ran from hip to calf on his left leg wasn't so much a flaw as an accent, although she did wonder how he'd gotten it. Holly had told her he'd been a wolf since he was a small boy. With his healing abilities she was astonished that it hadn't disappeared over the years. No wait those stupid books she was supposed to read talked about that sort of thing. She tried to force the memory, but the harder she tried, the farther it slipped away. Now she was going to have to reread them. She gave an involuntary shudder at the thought.

Raphael climbed into the car. Leaning over, he gave her a quick kiss before strapping on his seat belt and starting the engine. "I think I'll take us to a drive-through somewhere," he suggested. "I could use some coffee and breakfast."

"That sounds wonderful."

It was nearly 9:00 A.M. A.M. by the time Raphael dropped her off in front of Violet's house, adequately fed and fueled up on McDonald's coffee. The very first thing Cat intended to do was take a long, hot shower with lots of soap. It wasn't that she was embarra.s.sed about what had happened with Raphael. She certainly wasn't by the time Raphael dropped her off in front of Violet's house, adequately fed and fueled up on McDonald's coffee. The very first thing Cat intended to do was take a long, hot shower with lots of soap. It wasn't that she was embarra.s.sed about what had happened with Raphael. She certainly wasn't sorry, sorry, but if anyone caught a whiff of her right now he'd know but if anyone caught a whiff of her right now he'd know precisely precisely what had happened. The news would spread like wildfire, and Raphael would have yet another crisis on his hands. She ran up the sidewalk, leaping over the stairs that led up onto the porch. She needed to hurry. She didn't want to be late to her ten o'clock family therapy appointment with Dr. Perdue. Betty had specifically made time on a Sat.u.r.day to accommodate Cat's work schedule. It would be incredibly rude not to be on time. what had happened. The news would spread like wildfire, and Raphael would have yet another crisis on his hands. She ran up the sidewalk, leaping over the stairs that led up onto the porch. She needed to hurry. She didn't want to be late to her ten o'clock family therapy appointment with Dr. Perdue. Betty had specifically made time on a Sat.u.r.day to accommodate Cat's work schedule. It would be incredibly rude not to be on time.

She was humming to herself in the shower when Jack slipped into her thoughts.

You certainly seem to be in a good mood this morning.

Cat tried to slam down her mental shields, but it was too little too late.

One would almost think you'd spent the night entertaining. The voice was suave as ever, but there was a menacing undertone. I do hope you haven't chosen to ignore my warning about Ramirez. Studly Screwright is not the right man for you.

Studly Screwright?

The Mountie.

Cat didn't know whether to laugh or be furious. It was just so... ridiculous.

It's not funny, Fiona. Jack's voice was a low, menacing growl.

I'm not not Fiona, Cat snarled back. Never met the woman. Don't Fiona, Cat snarled back. Never met the woman. Don't want want to. My name is Cat Turner. I wasn't even born when the love of your life cheated on you and walked out. But if you're still so d.a.m.ned obsessed with her, why don't you seek to. My name is Cat Turner. I wasn't even born when the love of your life cheated on you and walked out. But if you're still so d.a.m.ned obsessed with her, why don't you seek her her out? Wander in and out of her thoughts for a while, and leave out? Wander in and out of her thoughts for a while, and leave me me the h.e.l.l alone. the h.e.l.l alone.

There was a long silence. Jack didn't speak, but Cat could still feel him in the back of her mind.

When he finally said something his voice was different, softer, more rational. I can't. It was a simple admission. The night she bedded Ramirez, the night she mated mated to him, something happened. I can't reach her mind anymore, can't share her thoughts... touch her. She's just... gone. to him, something happened. I can't reach her mind anymore, can't share her thoughts... touch her. She's just... gone.

I'm sorry. Cat was surprised to realize she almost meant it.

Don't pity me. Don't you dare dare pity me! pity me!

Don't worry, she snarled. Not Not going to happen. Pity would just get in the way, make me feel bad for killing you. going to happen. Pity would just get in the way, make me feel bad for killing you.

You still think you can manage that? Better than you have tried. Their bleached bones decayed to dust centuries ago.

My G.o.d what a towering ego!

G.o.d is right, kitten. Jack purred. I was a was a G.o.d. I was worshiped, offered sacrifices, given the most beautiful women. G.o.d. I was worshiped, offered sacrifices, given the most beautiful women.

You're not a G.o.d. You're just a really old murdering nutcase who's about to reach the end of the line.

Good luck with that. The words were a venomous hiss.

You, too.

He slammed the connection closed, and Cat found herself standing in the now cold shower, the suds from her shampoo running into her burning eyes. "d.a.m.n. d.a.m.n, d.a.m.n, d.a.m.n!" "d.a.m.n. d.a.m.n, d.a.m.n, d.a.m.n!" She slammed her fist against the tiled wall of the shower with each word, felt the tile crack beneath her hands and the wall give, smelled her own blood over the citrus shampoo and the chlorine in the water. She slammed her fist against the tiled wall of the shower with each word, felt the tile crack beneath her hands and the wall give, smelled her own blood over the citrus shampoo and the chlorine in the water.

"GOOD MORNING, S SENATOR. You're looking chipper today." Laura Kendrick placed a stack of papers to be signed on Jack's desk, picked up a gold and black mug near his telephone, and then stepped across the room to refill it with his preferred dark roast coffee. "Were you able to convince Representative Davies to sign the new clean water bill?" You're looking chipper today." Laura Kendrick placed a stack of papers to be signed on Jack's desk, picked up a gold and black mug near his telephone, and then stepped across the room to refill it with his preferred dark roast coffee. "Were you able to convince Representative Davies to sign the new clean water bill?"

He chuckled as he accepted the steaming mug from his faithful a.s.sistant, a family member who would never be Sazi. While she wasn't as valuable as Muriel by any means, she kept his senate office running smoothly. "No, today's victory is far greater, and far more... personal" personal"

"That's good. I've been worried about you lately. You've been looking a little more stressed than usual. Especially since your last trip. I'm glad everything is working itself out." She nodded, smelling happy to have things back to normal.

He smiled, allowing her to see a touch of warmth that was entirely contrived, but useful for dealing with staff. "I appreciate your concern, Laura. You've been a trouper lately the last-minute flights, changing my schedule to accommodate my sudden illness, illness, staying late to finish up typing. Tell you what, why don't I try to pull some strings upstairs and get you some extra paid leave? I know you'd like to spend some time with the kids this summer." staying late to finish up typing. Tell you what, why don't I try to pull some strings upstairs and get you some extra paid leave? I know you'd like to spend some time with the kids this summer."

The way her eyes lit up, she didn't need to respond, and she left the office with a smile. Yes, like most of the mindless human drones in Washington, a few well-placed niceties were enough to keep her suffering abuses on her time and talent. It had been the same way for centuries, and thankfully would never change.

He allowed himself a laugh of fierce joy before leaning back in his custom leather chair and turning to gaze out over the capital. He caught a glance of his own reflection in the window and noticed he was was looking good, perhaps a bit looking good, perhaps a bit too too good. With a whisper of thought, his magic altered his appearance slightly, adding a bit of gray at the temples, and a few new lines at the corners of his eyes. He turned his face slightly to check the result. No sense having any of the humans asking questions beyond the standard inquiries about Botox treatments and stylist recommendations. good. With a whisper of thought, his magic altered his appearance slightly, adding a bit of gray at the temples, and a few new lines at the corners of his eyes. He turned his face slightly to check the result. No sense having any of the humans asking questions beyond the standard inquiries about Botox treatments and stylist recommendations.

Still, he refused to remove all the joy from his face, because today was a red-letter day. The little cat had fallen for his sad admission and tortured past hook, line, and sinker. Reverse psychology was such a marvelous tool and, when combined with some subtle Sazi magic... well, she'd believe anything he wanted her to.

Soon, very soon his revenge would be complete at last.

CAT HAD TO go well over the speed limit to make up for the time she'd lost in her chat with Jack. Still, she managed. She was a little breathless from sprinting up the stairs to the third floor, but at 10:01 go well over the speed limit to make up for the time she'd lost in her chat with Jack. Still, she managed. She was a little breathless from sprinting up the stairs to the third floor, but at 10:01 A.M. A.M. Cat stood with her hand on the k.n.o.b of the group therapy room. Gathering her courage, she opened the door and walked into a room filled with tense silence. The pleasant decor did nothing to alleviate the dread Cat felt every time she came into this room. It was obvious that it, like the entire building, had been professionally decorated. The psychiatric wing had been specially designed. Everything was very intentionally chosen to be soothing, comfortable. The walls of the group therapy room had been painted a pale peach. The carpet was a textured oatmeal-colored Berber with flakes of peach and brown that had no doubt been specially chosen to coordinate with both the walls and the furniture. A comfortable dark brown upholstered loveseat and chairs were gathered in a loose conversation group, with handy oak end tables, each of which held a supply of tissues. Cat stood with her hand on the k.n.o.b of the group therapy room. Gathering her courage, she opened the door and walked into a room filled with tense silence. The pleasant decor did nothing to alleviate the dread Cat felt every time she came into this room. It was obvious that it, like the entire building, had been professionally decorated. The psychiatric wing had been specially designed. Everything was very intentionally chosen to be soothing, comfortable. The walls of the group therapy room had been painted a pale peach. The carpet was a textured oatmeal-colored Berber with flakes of peach and brown that had no doubt been specially chosen to coordinate with both the walls and the furniture. A comfortable dark brown upholstered loveseat and chairs were gathered in a loose conversation group, with handy oak end tables, each of which held a supply of tissues.

As Cat pa.s.sed through the doorway, scents a.s.saulted her nose faster than the air purifier could suck them to the ceiling and out of the room: rage, mouthwatering terror, and guilt rose like multicolored mists on the false breeze, individual scent drops visible and moving like dust motes in a sunbeam.

Cat knew that Violet was terrified and miserably unhappy and the therapy just didn't seem to be helping. She desperately wanted to help her aunt, but didn't have a clue what to do. So She forced herself to smile and greet Ned and Violet as if nothing were wrong. But it broke her heart seeing her aunt looking so very fragile and knowing, smelling, the terror the older woman felt every time she walked in the room.

"Good morning." Cat crossed the room taking her seat in one of the two open armchairs. "How're you doing this morning?"

"Fine." Violet's voice was still a little higher than usual, but it was actually audible. The other day she hadn't been able to bring herself to speak much at all, and what she had managed was never above a whisper. So actual words, in a normal tone of voice was improvement. Bound to be. Cat clung to that hope. She needed to believe that eventually her aunt would recover. But she wasn't sure.

She hoped Ned was smart enough to keep his mouth shut about what had happened at Wolf's Run last night. Cat knew, to the depths of her soul, that she and Ned both could have died horribly. She'd have gone down fighting, but there had been too many of the wolves lined up against them. And the wolves had all wanted wanted that fight. There was so much rage, resentment, and violence buried barely under the surface. She could smell it on the nurses at the hospital and some of her coworkers at the Joint. Most of all, she could scent it from Tatya. That was that fight. There was so much rage, resentment, and violence buried barely under the surface. She could smell it on the nurses at the hospital and some of her coworkers at the Joint. Most of all, she could scent it from Tatya. That was so so not a good thing. Tatya was the alpha female. Where she led, the pack followed. The only thing holding them in check was Raphael. not a good thing. Tatya was the alpha female. Where she led, the pack followed. The only thing holding them in check was Raphael.

Ned's soft cough brought Cat back to her present surroundings. She met his eyes across the room. Did you tell her?

h.e.l.l no. Ned's words formed clearly in her mind. Not only was he good at this, he didn't even seem surprised. And don't you either!

How are you doing this?

I'm not. You are. And no, I don't know how. But settle down and listen. Violet's worked really hard on this speech.

Cat sank deep into the brown corduroy loveseat across from her aunt. It was a comfortable chair, but it was not conducive to rapid movements. It wouldn't be easy to leap out of it and storm off. Not that Cat expected to. Today, it was Violet's turn to take center stage.

Cat fought to keep her expression carefully neutral.

"Cat." Violet spoke softly, her voice was tremulous at first, but she visibly steeled herself and the words came out more firmly. "Ned has proposed, and I've accepted. I won't be going back to the house. In fact," Violet took a deep breath and looked to Ned. His strength gave her courage. "We won't be staying in Boulder at all. Ned's always wanted to travel. So have I. Now that Dr. Perdue says I'm strong enough and we don't have to worry about a relapse, we're leaving." Again, she looked at Ned for support. He nodded, so she continued. "I've contacted a Realtor about selling my house."

Violet risked a glance at Cat. At the shock she must have seen, her face fell. "I'm sorry, Cat. I really am. I'm trying my best, but I can't cope with this. I just can't. can't. At least not right now." She lowered her head, staring down to where Ned's calloused hands gripped hers. "I love you, Catherine. I wish..." Violet's voice dropped to a barely audible whisper. "I wish I was stronger." At least not right now." She lowered her head, staring down to where Ned's calloused hands gripped hers. "I love you, Catherine. I wish..." Violet's voice dropped to a barely audible whisper. "I wish I was stronger."

Cat knew she should say something. They were waiting for her to respond. It took a long moment, and a deep breath, but she gathered her strength and forced herself to smile. "Congratulations. I'm happy for you both. I know how much you love each other." She did, and she was. But it still hurt, still made her feel very, very alone.

"Is there a ring?"

Violet's eyes lit up with hope and grat.i.tude at Cat's understanding. "Yes." She pulled her left hand from Ned's grip, extending it tentatively so she could see the diamond. "It belonged to Ned's grandmother."

Cat looked down at her aunt's delicate hand, and the thin antique golden band shaped in an intricate leaf pattern that curled around a brilliantly sparkling diamond. "It's beautiful. I've never seen another anything like it."

"My grandfather made it himself," Ned answered. "It's one of a kind. Just like Violet."

Violet looked up at him with such love that all of Cat's anger just evaporated. The two of them belonged together. Ned would keep Violet safe, take her away from the pack, away from the threat of Jack using her against Cat.

Ned cleared his throat and spoke into the deep well of silence that had fallen on the room. "We're going to go to Vegas first, then travel cross country for a bit. Depending on how things are going, we might make it back for a visit at Christmas."

"Christmas." Cat repeated the word hollowly.

"Violet tells me it's your favorite time of year," Ned said gently.

She hadn't lied. Every other year she'd start her preparations in early November. This year she didn't even want to think about it. Imagining the holidays without her folks was just too painful.

"I think it will help, maybe, if we have some time away, give Violet time to adjust." Ned offered.

Cat turned to look at the psychiatrist. Betty kept her expression studiously blank. Somehow she'd even managed to still her scent. Cat had no clue as to whether she thought Violet and Ned's plan was a good idea or a recipe for disaster.

"I understand." Cat pushed the words past the tightness in her throat, forced the smile back on her face.

"Ned said you went up with him to look at the property?" Violet made the words a question.

"It's a beautiful place. I'm going to put a call in to Uncle Chuck. He's the executor of the estate and the trustee. He'll have to agree to the purchase."

"Oh, I don't think that will be a problem." Violet's voice held forced cheer. "I understand he knows all about your needing to hunt." Her jaw thrust forward and Cat caught a quick sniff of resentment before the air purifiers whisked the scent away. "And I'm sure he'll he'll be more realistic about the land's value." Violet looked up, meeting Cat's gaze for the first time that day. "That is be more realistic about the land's value." Violet looked up, meeting Cat's gaze for the first time that day. "That is if if you want it? You you want it? You do do want it don't you?" want it don't you?"

Cat heard the note of desperation in Violet's voice. She had a moment of unexpected insight. Violet understood Ned's pride. If he didn't feel he was contributing as much financially to their life together as Violet did it would come between them. Not because she cared; because he he did. But there was more to it than that. She might not be able to cope with what was happening to Cat, but she did love her, and in her own way she was trying very hard to help. did. But there was more to it than that. She might not be able to cope with what was happening to Cat, but she did love her, and in her own way she was trying very hard to help.

"Of course I do."

Violet and Ned's obvious relief gave Cat some consolation. She might not be able to do much to help her aunt adjust to the bizarre turn their lives had taken, but this... this she could do.

The rest of the session was uneventful. Ned pointed out that the two of them would be much safer if Jack didn't know where to find them. Cat couldn't find fault with his logic, but it didn't make her any happier. When they left tomorrow morning she'd be truly alone. But she pretended it was all right for Violet's sake, and was grateful when Betty didn't ask her usual, probing questions. In fact, Betty didn't say much at all, sitting quietly in her chair, writing the occasional note in the file.

When the bell rang that signaled the end of the session it seemed all four of them were more than a little relieved. They certainly didn't waste their time bolting for the exit.

Ned reached the door first, holding it open for the ladies. Betty strode quickly from the room, her expression troubled. Cat would have followed if Violet hadn't done something so completely unexpected that it left her niece flat-footed. Despite the terror mat oozed from her very pores, Violet pulled Cat into a tight hug. Standing on tiptoe, she whispered her thanks before breaking away from the embrace and scurrying from the room.

Cat was still standing there, bemused, staring at nothing in particular, when Holly's voice brought her back to reality.

"Cat... Cat, are you all right?"

"Oh, hi!" Cat shook her head a little, as though to clear the cobwebs. "Just thinking. What're you doing here? You're the sanest person I know."

Holly laughed, and it brought a little of the usual life back to her warm brown eyes. Cat forced herself not to stare. Holly looked bad. bad. Her smile was wan. Her scent reeked of anger and depression. Even her body seemed to sag, so that the work uniform she wore hung loosely on her frame. Her smile was wan. Her scent reeked of anger and depression. Even her body seemed to sag, so that the work uniform she wore hung loosely on her frame.

Cat decided to grab the bull by the horns. "Look, I know I'm probably a pariah after last night. If you don't want to talk to me I understand."

"Don't be an idiot!" Holly's voice was harsh and loud. loud. Loud enough to draw the immediate attention of both Betty and the nurse who were chatting just a short distance down the hall. "I heard about what happened last night. You stood up for a family member a Loud enough to draw the immediate attention of both Betty and the nurse who were chatting just a short distance down the hall. "I heard about what happened last night. You stood up for a family member a human. human. And while the pack may hate it, And while the pack may hate it, I I think it's wonderful. So do the rest of the family members." think it's wonderful. So do the rest of the family members."

"Oh." Cat was surprised, and happy. But she was a little concerned as well. Neither the nurse nor Betty seemed pleased by what they were hearing. They weren't even trying to be subtle about their eavesdropping.

"Then what's the problem?"

Holly sighed, running her hand through her short brown hair. "Alpha Santiago called me into his office to talk about something."

Cat looked more closely at her friend. She hadn't noticed earlier, because Holly'd applied her makeup very carefully in an attempt to conceal the signs. But now there was no mistaking the fact that her friend had been crying. The evidence was all there from the red-rimmed eyes, down to the chapped nose and upper lip.

"Bad news?"

"Yeah." Holly said with a sniffle. "The worst. But, I don't want to talk about it here. Let's go somewhere and get coffee."

"Sounds like a plan to me," Cat agreed. She gestured for Holly to precede her down the hall. The two of them pa.s.sed Betty and "Nurse Ratched," both of whom fell conspicuously silent until after the door to the stairwell slammed closed behind Holly and Cat.

"So, what's up with you?" Holly's footsteps echoed oddly in the stairwell, and her words sounded hollow.

"Violet and Ned are eloping to Vegas and then taking off for parts unknown. I don't think they'll be coming back."

"Oh." Holly's eyes grew wide and she paused in midstep to look back over her shoulder at her friend. "Are you okay with that?"

Cat continued down the staircase, pa.s.sing Holly along the way. "h.e.l.l, I don't know. I do think it's a good idea to get her away from here. Jack killed my parents to get to me. He wouldn't hesitate to do the same to Violet." She stopped, her hand on the metal bar that would open the door on the ground floor and let them out into the parking lot. "I'm not sure what to think about any of this." Cat pressed the bar. The door opened, letting in a smattering of rain.

Holly sprinted across the parking lot to her Geo with Cat at her heels. They climbed in, slamming the doors behind them, each turning in their seat so that they faced the other.