The Winter Meadow
Ghost whimpered, arching his back and lifting his ass. Kane growled, nipping at his shoulder as his big mate moved on top of him. Ghost sighed in relief when Kane’s thick cock slid deep inside, stretching him, the warmed lube helping his body adjust. It stung and burned and felt amazing, every slow, deep stroke of his alpha’s cock leaving him breathless.
The curtains were pulled tightly around the bed, blocking out the rising sun and leaving them cocooned in their soft, warm den. He woke in time for Kane to plunder his lips in a demanding kiss, and desire took over.
Kane bit the back of his neck, holding him still, hands around his hips, changing the angle at which he thrust. Ghost sobbed at each plunge into his core, reveling in Kane’s weight and the undulating motion of his hips. He gripped the sheets below him, muffling his needy cries as Kane’s teeth sunk deeper, his thrusts growing more urgent.
Kane released his shoulder and licked at his ear. “You feel so good, little wolf,” Kane whispered, making Ghost cry out in intense pleasure, stroking deep with small half-thrusts, never withdrawing completely before pushing back inside. His body rocked back and forth, his knees spread and hips lifted just enough for the head of his cock to rub over sheets, teasing him, making him want to push down to get more but also lift up to take more from his mate.
“Please…more.” Ghost turned his head to the side, accepting Kane’s kiss before another stroke made him cry out again, this time louder. He arched his spine, pushing up as best he could, desperate to get closer to his mate.
Claws sprang from fingertips and cloth shredded, Ghost’s fingers tearing into the bedding. Kane growled, a deep rumble of satisfaction that made Ghost whine loudly in answering need. Pinpricks of pain came from his hips, his mate’s wilder nature rising to the surface to match his own. One stroke after another fell upon an aching, sensitive spot deep inside, and Ghost howled as he came, his release shooting across the bed and over his abdomen.
Kane wrapped his arms under and around Ghost’s torso, teeth clamping down on the back of his neck as he came with a deep, full-body shudder. Hips plastered to his ass, Ghost accepted everything his mate had to give him, enjoying the wet heat that filled him.
Ghost fell limp in his mate’s arms, Kane’s weight pushing him down. He could hear and feel the racing of Kane’s heart, sweat slicking the space between them. His stomach smeared the evidence of his pleasure across the bedding, but Ghost didn’t mind. He enjoyed the scent, and it mixed with that of his mate’s.
Kane rolled to his back, pulling Ghost with him, his head coming to rest on his mate’s shoulder. He snuggled, pressing his nose to sweat-damp skin and breathing in the intoxicating scent. Kane chuckled, sounding less winded, fingers combing through his hair. “I love you.”
Ghost opened his eyes, smiling up at Kane who looked back at him with such affection it made his chest ache. “I love you, too.”
Kane smiled wide, pulling at Ghost until he lay spread out over Kane’s torso. He pushed his head under Kane’s chin and relaxed, all but melting into his embrace.
****
Lunch took the place of breakfast by the time they managed to stumble from Kane’s rooms. Ghost trailed after his more than patient mate, his curiosity rising now that his nerves were settled. Kane was explaining how to find his way through the mansion, Ghost trying his best to follow along, but he got lost after a few turns and figured he would just use his nose if he needed to find his way back to the suite and he wasn’t with Kane. He doubted he would be far from Kane regardless—after the last few weeks, he flat-out refused to think about being parted from his mate. He had trouble believing sometimes that Kane escaped the Tribunal with barely a scratch. Any wounds he took in the impromptu battle with Heromindes healed within hours of the fight.
“Here is the dining room,” Kane said, opening one tall wooden door. Ghost peered around the doorframe, and took in the long room. It had one wall of tall windows that overlooked a snow-laden expanse, and was full of tables big enough for a dozen wolfkin apiece. He couldn’t count high enough to determine how many tables there were, but he figured the room could hold a couple hundred wolfkin at capacity.
There were wolfkin already seated, eating and talking in small groups and pairs. Swinging doors on the far side of the dining room opened up into what he could guess to be the kitchen, enticing smells making him step around the door and into the room. His stomach growled and Kane put a hand on his shoulder, guiding him away from the door.
“Hungry?” Kane teased, and Ghost huffed out a short laugh.
“I was ambushed this morning and now I’m starving,” Ghost teased. Kane gave him a swift, bruising kiss before leading him around tables, heading for one that sat beneath the windows. Kane ushered him into a seat, and Ghost looked around, slightly confused when Kane sat beside him. “Food?”
The tables were bare, not even silverware or napkins were on them. Kane gave him a smile and gestured to a lean beta female who was standing beside the kitchen doors. She darted through the nearest door, returning moments later with two more betas, the three of them carrying platters of steaming food and drinks. Ghost sat back, giving the betas room to put their burden of thick beef stew and warm cider down in front of him, a basket of fresh hot bread and sweet butter rounding off the offerings. Cutlery, napkins, and spare plates found places around them, and Ghost was momentarily baffled by the efficiency. Kane murmured a thank you, Ghost giving the betas a startled smile in thanks before they left as quickly as they came.
“What is the word that humans use? Servants?” Ghost asked, reaching for the bread and tearing off a piece.
Kane took a sip of his hot cider before addressing the topic. “Caius is old. Old enough to have servants back in the Old World. He’s ruled here since the Great Exodus, over 200 years ago. Many of the betas who live here in the mansion are just as old, if not older. They run things as they always have. Sophia tried to change things not long after I moved to the mansion, before she became First Beta. The other betas, both male and female, were happy with the way things were run so she backed down. No one is forced to serve—Caius has always been clear about that. Here betas without mates or powerful family packs can stay and be safe, a roof over their heads and a place to sleep at night. In return, the betas run the household.”
“So, they are not servants?”
“Would Andromeda call her children servants?” Kane retorted, and Ghost snapped his mouth shut and frowned. Andromeda had many children, and even more great and great-great-grandchildren, and they acted as the betas here did, just less formally. For the entire time Ghost was in Baxter, not once had he seen Andromeda order about or mistreat any of her family or pack. He didn’t think Caius would either, but what he was experiencing in the last day or so was different than he was used too. He sighed, thinking that his experience was truly limited, and he might do better thinking before assuming.
A warm breeze caressed his cheek gently, ruffling the napkin beside his plate, and he sighed, reaching for his food before he stuck his foot in his mouth again.
“I guess…I just see more of humanity in the clans than I expected,” Ghost mused, attacking his beef stew, digging out a chunk of meat with his fingers as he spoke. “This reminds me strongly of this TV show Cat used to watch about nobles and servants. I just…assumed.”
“It’s okay, little wolf. Believe me when I say that no one is here doing something they don’t want. With our noses, it would be hard to miss or ignore another wolf’s misery. I wouldn’t ignore such a sorry state, nor would Caius. The exception is personal relationships, and we only intervene if we suspect abuse. Caius is more remote than Andromeda, but he does look after his people.”
Ghost nodded, and Kane rubbed a big hand down his shoulder and back before returning to eating. Ghost devoured his stew completely before he remembered to use his spoon and fork, and he licked off his fingers in appreciation. A new bowl found its way in front of him, a sneaky beta swiping his empty bowl and even giving him a new mug of cider. A wink and a cocky smile told him that he hadn’t been all that quiet, and Ghost found himself in the odd position of being embarrassed.
“Eat up, little wolf.” Kane chuckled, and Ghost nudged him with his elbow. He remembered to use his spoon this time, and ate a bit slower.
A familiar wolfkin drew his eye to the door. Burke smiled as he was greeted by several wolfkin present, and he stopped to talk with a few before making his way over to their table. Burke sat across from them, getting the same treatment from the ever-watchful betas. He thanked them and dug in, devouring his fresh bread in two bites.
“Any news from the scouts Caius sent out?” Kane asked, and Burke shrugged as he swallowed.
“I’m keeping tabs on them,” Burke said, tapping his temple with a long finger, “But so far they’ve found nothing. No clues at the warehouse destroyed by the gas leak, either. Caius sent out five pairs, and they’ve managed to explore over half the Augusta sites on the list. No scent markers, no mental contact.”
“The human slavers we rescued Gabe from used silver to dampen the wolves’ mental voices,” Kane said, pushing his empty bowl away. “We can’t guarantee that the scouts can hear them if the missing wolves are there.”
Burke frowned, but nodded in agreement. “That’s why the scouts are going by scent. They aren’t moving on from a location until it’s been thoroughly searched. The places with humans present are taking longer. We don’t need the police involved.”
“Can’t you hear them?” Ghost asked, and Burke gave him a startled glance.
“If I knew who I was listening for, yes,” Burke said slowly, fidgeting with a fork. “If I open my mind, I can hear every wolfkin within a few hundred square miles, maybe more. The problem is, there are different clans and packs within that radius. I can’t just blunder into the clan and pack mental links without causing mayhem. I need to be invited into a mental link, the framework that each alpha or clan leader holds. I can burst my way in, but that’ll cause significant trouble—well, more like utter diplomatic chaos. And since I don’t know the wolves still missing, I can’t search for their individual minds. And if they are drugged with silver like we suspect, then the likelihood of even a Speaker reaching them is almost nonexistent. That’s why we’re doing this the old-fashioned way—with our noses.”
“How does it work?” Ghost asked, leaning forward.
“How does what work?” Burke replied, confused.
“The gift of command. I know clan leaders and heirs and Speakers all have it to some degree, but I don’t know the details.”
“There’s different types of mental links we create among our people,” Burke said. “Some are clan links, mental connections a clan leader maintains with the clan he or she leads. Those are born through repeated mental contact and familiarity. Friends develop similar links over years, even if they are in separate clans. Depending on the strength of the clan leader involved, he can either maintain a subconscious link without active contact with a few wolves or up to a hundred different minds. Some clan leaders and pack alphas can only reach a few minds, and rely on Speakers to keep tabs on the clan.”
“Like you,” Ghost said. Burke nodded.
“Yes. Black Pine is a bit different, though. Caius has a moderate range with his gift of command—I just make things easier on him. When Kane becomes clan leader, I’d be more of a help to him than I am to Caius. I just make things easier, more efficient.”
“Are there other types of mental links?”
“There are. There’s blood—minds joined by family connections. Caius and Kane are cousins, though very distant, and they have a faint blood bond made deeper by the clan bonds and the bond they share as Leader and Heir. There’s mating links,” Burke said, winking at Ghost. “Both regular matings and soulbonds have the mental connection. A soulbond, from what I can tell just by looking at the two of you, is on a deeper and more steady level than a normal mate link.”
“Blood, clan, and mate.”
“Yup.”
“Can Gabe search for his family? How strong is his gift of command?” Ghost asked, and Burke blinked at him in surprise before the Speaker turned to Kane.
“He’d have the same issues with the silver poisoning, but he might recognize their minds far faster than I would,” Burke said to Kane. “The cub is a greater alpha. It’s worth a try.”
“I’ll run it by Caius, see if we can get Gabe out on one of the scouting teams if they don’t have any luck,” Kane replied, brow furrowed. “He’s still fragile after what happened, and he has minimal control over the Voice. I think he needs to be a last resort.”
Ghost sat back in his seat, fiddling with his spoon. Something was off. He felt like he was missing something, but he didn’t know enough about his people to even guess what it might be.
****
The day went by slowly, too slow for Ghost’s peace of mind. He languished on a soft leather couch in Caius’ study, his grandfather, Kane, and Burke talking with Gabe by the huge desk. Their discussion was on the merits of Gabe joining the search teams, and Gabe was getting a crash course on keeping control of the Voice.
“If you get worked up while searching with the scouts, you can end up unleashing your gift on them and endangering everyone,” Caius warned Gabe, who bit his lip, nodding once, reluctant. “Emotions make it harder to control. You can hurt wolves around you if you don’t know what you’re doing. You saw Roan at the Tribunal. The Voice is dangerous.”
Gabe paled, and nodded quickly, eyes wide. Ghost sympathized with his friend, but he had no clue how the Voice worked either, and his input would merely distract Gabe.
He looked out the window nearest the couch, from his angle able to see the clear dark blue of the evening sky. Twilight was still swift this time of year, though the days were getting longer, the sun slowly melting away the snow. Spring was coming.
The couch beneath him was soft, warm. The room smelled like family and mate and pack. The mansion still didn’t feel like home, but the familiarity was increasing. He caught hints of memories as he walked along hallways, passing doors that led to rooms that looked different but felt familiar. Kane said that he once lived with his immediate family in a place not far from the mansion, but somehow, he thought they spent more time here than they did in the home he couldn’t even recall.
He rolled onto his side, nose pressed to the cushion. He was tired. Waiting was exhausting.
****
Wind pulled at his hair, tangling it in front of his eyes. He pushed it back, the vista in front of him strange yet familiar.
The wide, flat tree stump was the same, the snow around it patchy instead of a solid blanket of white. Green grass and small, colorful flowers shyly peeked out between patches of ice. There was a path beneath his feet, alternating between bare, damp earth and thin layers of snow.
Spring was encroaching on the winter meadow, the air was less biting, softer. It was still cold, but it didn’t touch him—he was aware of the chill yet untouched.
There was a lone track of footprints in the path before him; large wolf tracks that changed every few steps into bare human prints and then back to wolf. He tilted his head, listening, but heard nothing but the wind and the rustle of branches above him. He followed the path, taking care not to step on the tracks. It led him to the center of the meadow; he sat on the stump, drawing his knees up to his chest and wrapping his arms around them.
The sky above was a field of brilliant light, more stars than a mortal could count in a lifetime sparkling and shining down. The horizon glowed gold and orange, and he could not tell if it was dawn or sunset. Considering where he was, it might well be both at once.
A whimper nearby was a surprise—a gray wolf stood not far from him. Larger than him by half, this wolf was every shade of gray, from dusky charcoal to misty tones just shy of white, eyes that glowed silver and reflected the light of the heavens. His coloration made him fade in and out, Ghost’s mortal eyes somehow insufficient to see the wolf in all his glory.
“Hello,” Ghost said, curious. He held out his hand, palm up, and the great head dipped to sniff his fingers. A warm tongue darted out, licking his hand, and Ghost laughed. He scratched the big gray wolf behind his ears and down his back, the wolf dancing on happy paws at the attention. He almost got knocked off the stump when the wolf sat in front of him, and Ghost crossed his legs and let the big beast rest his head in his lap.
He tugged gently on one big, pointed ear, and his heart ached sharply for a second. The wolf rolled an exasperated eye up at him, giving a great sigh of fondness. Shiny eyes closed as he continued scratching and petting.
“He was most impatient,” a voice chided fondly from over his shoulder. “I bid him wait, but this one always took his own path.”
She came from around the stump and sat beside him, the wide surface more than enough room to hold them both. She smiled at the wolf at Ghost’s feet, shaking Her head with a chuckle. “You two are so similar. Stubborn and bold.”
A silver eye cracked open in a brief wink before closing again, happy rumbles coming from a deep chest as Ghost kept up the scratches, fingers digging through thick, soft fur.
“Why am I here?” Ghost asked, meeting Her endless gaze directly. The infinite lived in Her eyes, a celestial vista that matched the one that spun above their heads.
“You tell me,” She retorted with a quirk to Her lips. A white fang flashed at him when She grinned wider. “My shamans find their way here on their own—I haven’t called a wolf across the winter meadow unless it was his or her time.”
“Why didn’t you stop Roman and Remus?” Ghost asked, blurting out the first thing that came to mind. “You’re present among us—your people have been killed and hunted and tortured.”
She nodded, not denying it. “I am present. I am there in every drop of blood spilled, every breath to pass across the lips of the dying. I am in every heart that fails to beat and every song that lifts in mourning for the fallen.”
He frowned, and She chuckled. “Not the answer you wanted?”
“No.”
The gray wolf rumbled affectionately, and Ghost went back to petting him.
“You want to know why I didn’t intercede directly,” She clarified, and Ghost nodded. “You think I haven’t?”
His confusion must have shown. The gray wolf stretched his muzzle out and nudged Her knee with his nose. She laughed, shaking Her head. “Very well. So impatient.”
A warm wind cut through the meadow, lifting black strands of Her hair back from Her face and shoulders. “I hear the prayers of those suffering. Those that yet live still have hope. A hope that will not be in vain if all happens as it should.”
“Do all deities speak in riddles?” Ghost asked with a frown.
“My kin are not as concerned with mortals as I am,” She replied. “My penchant for interference has drawn their ire and scorn many times. But that is not why you are here. Do you remember what I told you the last time you were here?”
“That all I need to do was ask for help, and you would answer.” Ghost said quickly, recalling the last time he spoke to Her. “Help us now. Please.”
She leaned in, and rested Her head on his shoulder, a hand resting on the wolf’s head. “I have given you all that you need to save those missing and stop what is coming. Open your eyes, your heart, see past your limitations. Each one of you is part of something bigger. Wolves work best as a pack—a lone wolf rarely succeeds.”
He thought about what She said, mind whirring. “What is coming?”
“If Remus is not stopped in time, I fear the days of my wolves are numbered. He has what he needs already to start in motion the end of the wolfkin, though he does not know it.”
“I must tell Kane,” Ghost said, fear jumping in his heart. “I need to get back.”
“Time does not pass here, my shaman,” She comforted, and he settled. “You’ll wake in your mate’s arms soon enough.”
He sat back, and tipped his head to the sky. Stars winked and shined across the heavens, a field of unending possibilities. He could make out the hint of wolves running across the sky, a phenomenon Kane called constellations.
“We are wolves,” he murmured, and the gray wolf rumbled in agreement. “We work best together. I have what I need already.”
She hummed in agreement. “That you do, shaman.”
Ghost reexamined his past choices, the times he heard Her speaking to him, to others in his presence. “Gabe, Michael, Caius. Burke and Kane and myself. Pieces of my pack. Parts of a whole.”
She nodded, and he kept going, encouraged. “Gabe is related to the wolves still missing. Blood ties. Burke has the range. I can see their soulstars, even with their minds dulled by silver. I am soulbond to Kane, and he can use my Spiritsight. Michael has the training I lack, and can see soulstars as well. He can stop any wolfkin’s gifts in its tracks, so he can stop Gabe if he loses control. Gabe and Burke have the connections and the range and Kane can share my Spiritsight with Burke! We can find them!”
The gray wolf danced away from Ghost as he stood in excitement, turning to face his Goddess, a wide smile breaking across his face. She tilted her head to the side and curled Her long legs up underneath Her on the stump. “Is that all? Think.”
“Caius.” She nodded, and the gray wolf whined, a low, sad sound that tore at his heart. “But why Caius? He is clan leader of Black Pine, and the wolves missing are Ashland. He has no connection to them. What is his purpose?”
“His purpose is that he must go with you all when you track down Remus. He must be present. Do not let him stay behind while he sends his Heir, as has been his habit the last fifteen years. He has embraced his grief at last, and grows stronger within the pain he endures. He must go with you and Kane.”
“Why?”
She stood, moving to his side. She took his hands in Hers and met him eye to eye. Constellations flared and danced in their depths, and he breathed in, scenting flowers and blood and heat. “Three souls will need you when you find the missing wolves. Tragedy and a missed chance will destroy Caius and prevent a brighter future from unfolding if he remains behind. Do you remember what the human doctor told Kane?”
“He made a hybrid, and did something called cloning.” Ghost replied. She nodded, Her grip on his hands tightening, urgency in Her words.
“A wolf born not by my grace but the impertinence of man slumbers not far from the lost wolf. I would claim them both and call them home to the clans, but time is essential. The pack you have chosen must come together and find them all. Stopping Remus is only part of a greater whole.”
“What?” Ghost shook his head, his heart aching. Doubts crept into his mind, but he banished them as fast as they appeared. Now was not a time or place for doubts.
“A lost wolf, and wolf who slumbers, and your grandfather, will all die, and soon. If Remus learns what he has, the lost wolf will die before he bows to Remus’ will. All wolfkin will face exposure and war with humanity as Remus gives into rage and hunts our people openly. If you can make it in time but go without Caius, you can still stop Remus, but the sleeping wolf and Caius will die. What you bring back with you will break Caius past saving, because he will be too late when he learns the truth. If Caius goes with you, tragedy can turn to hope and all might be saved. You have what you need to save everyone, and stop Remus.”
“I don’t know if Caius can survive anymore loss.” Ghost spoke quietly, the gray wolf’s ears drooping and his tail ducking between his legs. “Always duty before all else—and that left him cold and remote. Duty before all else has led to death and grief at every turn. Sending Kane in his stead will be his move because that is dutiful—the clan leader remains with the clan while the heir executes his will. And he will die for that choice.”
“Yes.”
So many futures, so many things that could go wrong. The thought of Caius dying, after losing so much, his life nothing but cold duty, grief, and pain, weighed on him the most. The gray wolf whined again, and Ghost looked down at him, sighing. Silver eyes pleaded with him to believe, to understand. He tugged again on an ear, and the gray wolf dropped his jaw in a wolfish grin, ears perking up and tail flagging with joy and hope.
“You said hope for a better future?” He asked, wondering. “What do you mean?”
“Find the missing wolves. Save the three who need you the most—the lost wolf, the one who slumbers, and your grandfather.” She looked down at the gray wolf, who with an oddly human gesture, nodded back at Her, once, firm. She turned back to Ghost. “Sacrifice, duty, redemption. It all comes down to one thing in the very end. Love. It can heal wounds, soothe scars, repair broken lives, and even right a wrong choice made for the right reasons in the depths of history. If you succeed, a wolf’s willing sacrifice from long ago will be rewarded, and the clans will have new hope to guide them forward. All choices have led to this point, this place, and the choices you have now. I have done what I can to rearrange the pieces, to return my children to the right path. All that is needed now is for you to begin.”
“I will do my best,” he said, taking a deep breath.
She leaned in and pressed a kiss to his cheek. Pulling back, She smiled, a hint of fangs flashing in Her grin. “Your best has always been enough, my shaman.”
She backed away, and with a bright flash, She stood before him as a wolf, grander than his mind could comprehend. A flicker of light and She was gone, bounding into the sky with a great leap.
The gray wolf danced across the field, his coat shining under the starlight. Ghost gave in and chased the wolf, laughing as he ducked and wove around his legs, out of reach of his hands. The winter meadow began fade, darkening around the edges, but the gray wolf ran without hesitation, melding with the shadows perfectly, his eyes glowing in the night.