Howling Moon Part 9

Tracking and hunting. You need to know how to catch your own food on the moon. I'll be there in twenty minutes. Don't keep me waiting!

Right! Cat stacked the book, pen, and papers on top of Violet's desk and took off at a sprint up the staircase.

RAPHAEL PULLED HIS Jeep into the parking lot at the restaurant. He'd brought the more rugged vehicle to use on the steep graveled roads in the area he planned to have the two of them hunt. He was glad Cat was all right, but he did have to wonder what she'd been working on that was so engrossing she'd forgotten their lesson. He'd only known her for a week, but she'd shown no sign of being anything other than dependable and mature. Much as he hated to admit it, he'd been surprised. So much of the background information Raven had dug up on her depicted her as a wild, hard-partying airhead. But even his stepbrother Jake, who was Jeep into the parking lot at the restaurant. He'd brought the more rugged vehicle to use on the steep graveled roads in the area he planned to have the two of them hunt. He was glad Cat was all right, but he did have to wonder what she'd been working on that was so engrossing she'd forgotten their lesson. He'd only known her for a week, but she'd shown no sign of being anything other than dependable and mature. Much as he hated to admit it, he'd been surprised. So much of the background information Raven had dug up on her depicted her as a wild, hard-partying airhead. But even his stepbrother Jake, who was not not the cat's biggest fan by any stretch, had to admit she was a hard worker who showed up on time for every shift. the cat's biggest fan by any stretch, had to admit she was a hard worker who showed up on time for every shift.

He was surprised Jake didn't like Cat she was nicer to him, and to Holly, than practically anybody outside of the family.

Raphael crossed the half-empty parking lot to the gla.s.s entryway. He and Jake were close, but they'd always had their problems. Part of it was jealousy. Raphael was Second, while Jake was the lowest wolf in the pack, the Omega. But there was one thing Jake had earned for himself that Raphael had always envied: his family. Maria had been fully human, and the two of them'd had half a dozen beautiful daughters before she died. Four of them were Sazi. Bright, beautiful, and ambitious, they moved up within the Boulder pack, or moved on to other places. Rose was fully human, but she had married and relocated cross-country, coming back for the holidays. Which left Holly, the baby, and the last one living at home. She was in her twenties. She should have gone to college, been dating humans, moving on with her life. Instead she was still behind the counter at Jake's and living at home. Raphael suspected that if his brother had his way, she always would be.

And Raphael couldn't say a word about it if he did, Jack would accuse him of being jealous. Which wasn't necessarily untrue.

But Raphael did have Raven.

Raphael pulled open the door at the Joint, the scents of humans and Sazi, fresh coffee and cooking food enveloping him. He smiled and nodded at a few of the patrons before walking up to the counter where Holly was waiting to take his order. She greeted him with a professional smile, but she reeked of anger. Jake did, too, although he was venting his rage by slamming things around in the kitchen.

"Good morning, Holly. What's going on?"

"Nothing important." Her smile grew warmer, her wide brown eyes showing a little of the affection she held for him. "Just an argument. We'll get over it. What can I get you?"

Raphael leaned onto the counter palms down and looked up at the menu. What would Cat like? He supposed he could ask her, but he'd be risking interrupting her shower. Raphael tried to force himself to think about something else but it was nearly impossible. Every time he thought about Cat, the link between them tried to spring to life, and his body reacted. Right now his jeans were binding uncomfortably and he was d.a.m.ned glad it was a tall counter.

Bedding her might ease the s.e.xual tension between the two of them. Then again, it might just make things worse. The sensible part of him thought it would cause nothing but trouble. But there was a deeper part that ached to do it anyway, and d.a.m.n the consequences.

"I figured I'd bring breakfast to Cat over at the house," Raphael told Holly. In the background, the slamming grew louder and was accompanied by a few choice mumbled curses. "Any idea what she'd like?"

"Steak, eggs, hashed browns, and the biggest mug of black coffee you can find," Holly answered promptly.

Raphael laughed. "A woman after my own heart."

"Yeah," Holly agreed. "Except she she doesn't smother perfectly good meat in hot sauce and green chile." doesn't smother perfectly good meat in hot sauce and green chile."

"I like like hot food!" Raphael protested. hot food!" Raphael protested.

"Whatever!" Holly rolled her eyes.

Raphael laughed again. "All right, give me two orders to go and put a cup of jalapenos on the side."

She rang up his order and took the money, sliding his change across the counter to him. She got him a tall paper cup and filled it with coffee fresh and hot enough to scald his tongue. He sipped it with a smile, moving out of the way and leaning his back against the counter to survey the restaurant while he waited.

Midmorning on a weekday, he would have expected the restaurant to be nearly empty, but it was doing a fair amount of business, though most of the customers were older family members. They'd retired from their jobs and spent mornings at the caf6 playing checkers and arguing politics over the morning paper.

Mike sat in the corner, poking savagely at the food on his plate with a sour expression. There was a ring of empty s.p.a.ce around him. The humans were giving him wide berth. Raphael couldn't actually blame them. The scents pouring off of the boy were just nasty: anger, jealousy, frustration, and hopelessness were all mixed together at levels that were enough to make Raphael's eyes water.

On impulse, he decided to walk over and talk to the boy. Maybe he just needed an adult who wasn't a parental figure to talk to Raphael certainly remembered himself at that age. He definitely didn't want to talk to a parent, or any authority figures from his own life. But Raphael wasn't technically an authority figure in Mike's life except for Raphael's position as Second Alpha, which, for some wolves, was akin to Charles's position as Chief Justice. Far removed from the realities of their day-to-day lives.

As he approached the table he noticed that Mike wasn't wearing his usual Levi's and bomber jacket. Instead, he had on a worn and faded black sweatshirt with the CU buffalo on it, and baggy black sweatpants.

"Going for a run?" Raphael asked as he pulled up a chair to join him.

"I thought thought so, but apparently not," Mike answered. A fresh wave of bitterness and anger burst forth from him. Raphael buried his nose in his coffee to clear away the scent. so, but apparently not," Mike answered. A fresh wave of bitterness and anger burst forth from him. Raphael buried his nose in his coffee to clear away the scent.

A woman, it had to be. There was no way he'd be this upset if one of the guys hadn't made it. Raphael tried to guess who it might be, to remember if he'd heard any rumors, but he was drawing a blank. Then again, he'd been buried up to his eyeb.a.l.l.s in paperwork and training Cat this past week. He hadn't been around to hear the rumors. "Why don't you give her a call?" Raphael suggested.

"She's not answering the phone." He snarled. "If she'd been practicing with me me instead of Holly I instead of Holly I might might be able to just talk to her mind to mind. But be able to just talk to her mind to mind. But no. no. That would be too That would be too intimate." intimate." Michael snarled again. It was an ugly sound, and several of the humans shifted in their seats, looking over at him nervously. The scent of their fear swirled in the air. Michael snarled again. It was an ugly sound, and several of the humans shifted in their seats, looking over at him nervously. The scent of their fear swirled in the air.

Mike's still after Cat? Raphael managed not to choke on his coffee and then berated himself for missing the obvious. He'd underestimated the boy, a.s.sumed that Mike would drop Cat when he saw the pack's negative reaction to her. Then there was the difference in their ages. Raphael felt a stab of what could only be jealousy. It surprised him. He'd known he was attracted to the woman h.e.l.l, who wouldn't be? But jealousy? Jealousy hinted at feelings a lot more serious than l.u.s.t, or even the admiration he'd admitted to himself. Raphael managed not to choke on his coffee and then berated himself for missing the obvious. He'd underestimated the boy, a.s.sumed that Mike would drop Cat when he saw the pack's negative reaction to her. Then there was the difference in their ages. Raphael felt a stab of what could only be jealousy. It surprised him. He'd known he was attracted to the woman h.e.l.l, who wouldn't be? But jealousy? Jealousy hinted at feelings a lot more serious than l.u.s.t, or even the admiration he'd admitted to himself.

The big question, of course, was: what was Cat feeling? Raphael didn't think think she would go for Mike. He was too immature, impulsive, and controlling. She'd hate that in no time. But he was good looking and attentive. Then again, those two words, she would go for Mike. He was too immature, impulsive, and controlling. She'd hate that in no time. But he was good looking and attentive. Then again, those two words, too intimate, too intimate, used with such venom, hinted that he wasn't getting anywhere with her. used with such venom, hinted that he wasn't getting anywhere with her.

Raphael couldn't suppress a surge of hope. The reaction frightened him. Logically he knew he should leave her alone, not give in. But his emotions were ready to send logic straight to h.e.l.l.

"Food's up." Holly called.

"Right." Raphael turned to Mike. "Gotta go."

"Have fun with your training session!" training session!" Mike didn't bother to hide the bitterness in his voice. Raphael knew he probably should punish him for the affront, but he really couldn't blame the kid. Mike didn't bother to hide the bitterness in his voice. Raphael knew he probably should punish him for the affront, but he really couldn't blame the kid.

He settled for a verbal warning. "Watch your mouth, kiddo." He pointed his index finger at Mike but didn't back it up with any power or threat. Turning, he went up to the counter and grabbed the to-go bag from Holly along with a huge thermal mug of coffee, easily the largest he'd seen.

"For Cat." The surprise must have showed on his face because Holly explained: "She doesn't do mornings well without coffee."

"Apparently a lot lot of coffee." of coffee."

"Oh, yeah," Holly agreed. "Trust me on this."

"Thanks." He called to his brother through the kitchen pa.s.s through. "Later, Jake." He gave a quick wave and left.

The scent of the food filled the Jeep in a matter of seconds and had his stomach growling audibly by the time he pulled into Violet's driveway. He climbed out of the car, giving a cheery wave to Mrs. Zabatos, who was taking her pet for a walk. The little dust mop of a dog strained at its leash, barking hysterically as it bounced up and down.

Raphael stood at the door, one hand hidden behind his back, laughing at the fact that Mrs. Zabatos's dog actually considered itself dominant to him. He was still laughing when Cat answered the door.

She was lovely, as always. Her hair was damp from the shower, and the sweet vanilla scent of her went well with the citrus of the shampoo she'd used. Raphael had to fight the urge to pull her into his arms and kiss her breathless before peeling off those low-slung blue jeans and taking off that little blue sweater one b.u.t.ton at a time and kissing his way down her body.

Raphael tore his mind forcibly from the image. "Breakfast." He sounded gruff. He hadn't meant to. But just thinking about her made him hard. Seeing her, having her within touching distance, it was d.a.m.ned near torture.

"I don't suppose you brought coffee?"

Raphael grinned, and showed her the mug he'd been hiding behind his back.

"You wonderful, wonderful man!" Cat stepped forward. Throwing her arms around his neck, she kissed him.

It started as just a quick brush of her lips against his, but it was enough to set his body alight. Warm electric energy flowed between the two of them everywhere their skin touched, through her arms on his neck, between their lips building until she gasped from it, her mouth opening for his.

He couldn't fight it anymore. His tongue danced with hers, his body hardening at the feel of her body pressed the length of his. Both hands were full, but he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tighter against him.

She tasted of cinnamon toothpaste. She smelled of need. She pulled back a fraction just enough to be able to speak. "We should go inside."

"Right." It was harder than it should have been to move his arms to let her go. The wolf in him fought against it, neither knowing nor caring about propriety. She was his to take all he needed to do was reach out and claim her.

Cat untangled her arms from around his neck, letting her hands slide slowly down his chest. There was a darkness in her eyes, an acknowledgment of mutual need. But it was a need that he couldn't satisfy, as much as it was killing him.

CAT STARED OUT the Jeep window. Rugged cliffs of tan and rust stone rose sharply above the edge of the highway and the occasional boulder embedded in the pavement at the side of the road bore witness to the truth of me yellow "Falling Rock" warning signs she saw posted every few miles. the Jeep window. Rugged cliffs of tan and rust stone rose sharply above the edge of the highway and the occasional boulder embedded in the pavement at the side of the road bore witness to the truth of me yellow "Falling Rock" warning signs she saw posted every few miles.

The shadows raced across the rocky surfaces mirroring the clouds that scurried in front of the bitter wind.

"Where are we going?"

"I thought we'd head up toward St. Mary's glacier in the national forest. That part of the forest isn't busy this time of year. We should have the place to ourselves."

Raphael had been quiet for most of the trip. Cat wondered if he was angry with her for not following through on the promise of that kiss, but truthfully, she hadn't intended for things to get quite that intense. intense. She barely knew him. And yes, he was s.e.xy as h.e.l.l, smart, funny but he was also a whole lot older than her. And he clearly had a whole life in Boulder, with the wolf pack. Whereas Cat didn't fit in, and didn't think she ever would but did she fit anywhere? She barely knew him. And yes, he was s.e.xy as h.e.l.l, smart, funny but he was also a whole lot older than her. And he clearly had a whole life in Boulder, with the wolf pack. Whereas Cat didn't fit in, and didn't think she ever would but did she fit anywhere?

California, her old life mere, was just gone. Violet had offered her shelter in Boulder, time away from the press and the constant demands. Her aunt had a.s.sumed that after a month or two things would settle down and Cat would be better able to face her grief and a future without her parents. It had only been a few weeks, but Cat didn't have any more idea of what to do than she had the day she arrived.

"You're thinking awfully hard about something over there." Raphael observed. "Anything you want to talk about?"

Cat turned in her seat to take a good look at him. She needed somebody to bounce ideas off of, to help her think. Because while there was a good chance that she wouldn't live to take Jack down or through through taking Jack down she needed to believe that it would happen, and that there would be a life for her afterward. taking Jack down she needed to believe that it would happen, and that there would be a life for her afterward.

"I don't know what to do," she said, her voice soft. She waited for his reaction, but other than a slight nod to acknowledge her words, he said nothing. "Everything's changed and I'm not just talking about the whole Sazi thing." She took a deep breath, trying to organize her thoughts. "I loved my life in California. But then the local paper broke the news about my mom's past as a call girl, and Brad dumped me." Her eyes stung, but she fought back the tears. "So Dad suggested a long camping trip, so that Mom and I could work things out."

"But..."

"But Jack killed them." She took a ragged breath, trying to calm herself.

She felt his hand on her arm. Just a gentle touch, but it was meant to comfort, and it did. She opened her eyes, relaxed her hands. "I can't go back. I know that. But I don't know how to move forward, either. What am I supposed to do?" The last was a pained whisper.

Raphael pulled the car off onto the shoulder of the highway and put it in park. He turned to her. Cupping her face in one hand he stared into her eyes. "Give it time, time, Cat." He gave her a sad smile. "You've been through more in a couple of weeks than a lot of people endure in a lifetime. You need time to adjust." He gave her a sad, rueful smile. "And I promise. I won't rush you... much." Cat." He gave her a sad smile. "You've been through more in a couple of weeks than a lot of people endure in a lifetime. You need time to adjust." He gave her a sad, rueful smile. "And I promise. I won't rush you... much."

Cat laughed. She brought her hand up to lay it against his. "Thank you. You have no idea how much I appreciate that."

"You should." He teased her a little, trying to lighten the mood. "Because it isn't isn't easy." easy."

"Are you saying," Cat arched an eyebrow playing along, "that it's hard?" hard?"

"Just about all the time, thanks to you." he grumbled.

She dropped her hand from his, but she was smiling. "We'd better get moving if we're going to have any time for me to do my lessons before I have to meet Ned at pack headquarters."

"Right." Raphael turned in his seat and reached down to grab the gearshift. Cat tentatively reached over, placing her hand lightly on his arm.

"Raphael?"

He turned again, looking her in the eye.

"Thanks."

They drove quite a way up the mountain in companionable silence. Raphael turned off the main road onto a rough gravel track. The uneven surface made it hard to keep the Jeep steady, and Raphael had to fight to compensate as the vehicle rocked and jerked beneath him. Gravel dust rose thick enough to make it hard to see.

Cat grunted, holding on tight to the handle mounted on the vehicle frame as she was bounced roughly from side to side. "I can see why n.o.body much comes up here. You'd wreck an ordinary car on this. Don't the parks people maintain this road?"

"It's deliberate. This is private land, owned by a friend of mine. There's a helipad a little farther up. Keeping the road this rough discourages unwanted visitors." .

"Makes sense I suppose." Cat agreed. She really hoped they wouldn't be going much farther. The jouncing was giving her a headache.

"Almost there." Raphael turned left at a fork in the road. After about a hundred yards there was a thump and they were back on smooth pavement.

The drive curved sharply beneath the fragrant overhanging branches of the Douglas firs opening up into a clearing with a parking lot large enough for four or five vehicles. An asphalt landing pad was placed twenty to thirty yards away. It seemed a little small, but then Cat supposed it didn't need to be any bigger. After all, there were all kinds of hospitals with helipads on their roofs for emergency evacuations.

"I'm surprised n.o.body objected to this being put in," Cat observed. "It's awfully close to the park."

"They have an agreement," Raphael answered as he pulled the Jeep into the nearest parking s.p.a.ce. "They let him build it. He lets them use it for things like fighting wildfires. That way everybody's happy."

He threw open the car door and climbed out. Immediately he began to strip. Cat sat, transfixed, watching dry-mouthed as he unb.u.t.toned the heavy denim shirt to reveal a well-muscled chest and washboard abs. He slung the shirt casually over the back of the driver's seat and began unfastening the leather belt that ran through the loops of his faded jeans. Yes, logically, she knew they would have to both be naked to change, or ruin their clothes, but she'd never actually watched him strip before. They had used the locker rooms at the school.

It was a few more moments before she noticed he had stopped undressing and was staring at her with amus.e.m.e.nt. "It's not that I mind you watching, but are you ever planning on getting out of the car?"

Cat felt her face heat as she blushed to the roots of her hair. Oh, Lord. She'd been drooling. And he knew it. Oh, c.r.a.p. How utterly embarra.s.sing! And to make it worse, she was going to have to get out of the car and undress, too unless she planned to change into cat form fully clothed. Which would, of course, leave her nothing to change back into when she shifted back.

"Right. Out of the car." She unfastened the seat belt with unsteady hands, fighting not not to look over at him as she heard the sound of his zipper sliding down. She climbed out of the Jeep, shutting the door firmly behind her. Kicking off her shoes, she began pulling off her clothing, all the while making very sure she was facing away from where Raphael stood. She had never felt more aware of a man in her life. The s.e.xual tension between them was practically a living, breathing thing. She shivered, and it wasn't from the cold wind whipping at her exposed skin. to look over at him as she heard the sound of his zipper sliding down. She climbed out of the Jeep, shutting the door firmly behind her. Kicking off her shoes, she began pulling off her clothing, all the while making very sure she was facing away from where Raphael stood. She had never felt more aware of a man in her life. The s.e.xual tension between them was practically a living, breathing thing. She shivered, and it wasn't from the cold wind whipping at her exposed skin.

Gathering her clothing into an untidy bundle, she opened the Jeep door and dropped it onto the pa.s.senger seat. She slammed the door quickly shut. Then, looking around to make sure there was no one near other than Raphael, she concentrated the way she'd learned in cla.s.s, and shifted.

RAPHAEL FORCED HIMSELF not to watch her undress. She smelled very embarra.s.sed and turned on. Not that he'd minded. In fact, he'd been pleased and more than a little flattered that the sight of him affected her as much as it did. She wanted him, every bit as much as he wanted her. not to watch her undress. She smelled very embarra.s.sed and turned on. Not that he'd minded. In fact, he'd been pleased and more than a little flattered that the sight of him affected her as much as it did. She wanted him, every bit as much as he wanted her.

He knew if he pursued her now, she'd say yes. But he couldn't. Not today, nor anytime soon. She was just too fragile emotionally. Waiting would be h.e.l.l. But she'd be worth the effort. So he stood, facing east, listening as she hurriedly stripped off her clothes and tossed them into the Jeep. He didn't turn until he felt the warm wash of her magic flow outward as she slipped into animal form.

Raphael called to his wolf, felt the magic flow through him as his body shifted into a form that was so different, and yet still so much a natural part of who he was.

"Are you ready?" He asked it softly, realizing that there might be more than one meaning to the question.

She paused for a moment, and then her green eyes looked out of that lovely black fur and held his gaze. "Yes."

"Then follow me." Raphael took off at a gentle lope in the direction of the distant trees.

He felt her following a few feet behind. He couldn't hear her. That both surprised and pleased him. This was her first time hunting. He'd expected her to be clumsy, loud. Then again, she was a cat. Instinct would be her friend if she could manage not to fight it.

When they reached the tree line he set his nose to the ground, shifting through the sent of pine needles, rocks, and earth. There was the trace of rodents, but nothing large enough to provide much of a mouthful. He moved around a little bit, keeping his nose down. There... faint, but definite, the scent of a mule deer.

Cat, come here.

She padded up beside him.

Can you smell that?

Obediently, she put her nose to the ground. She smelled dirt, pine needles, and rocks. But beneath it, ever so faintly, she smelled urine with musky overtones.

What is that?

That is the scent of a mule deer. They still have them at this alt.i.tude. Farther up, not so much. It's faint because she hasn't been here for a couple of hours. But that is the scent we're going to try to track. As we get closer, it'll get stronger. You'll also want to keep an eye out for hoof prints, either in mud, or in the snow. I want you to use your ears, too. I'll follow behind.